Quick Hits

What do you do when you’re given a gift you don’t like or won’t use?

Many years ago a male friend gave me jewelry that I knew I would never wear. 

I asked him if he could return it and if we could pick out something I would wear. 

We did.

I am still friends with him and I recently asked him about that experience. 

He said it stung at first but once he got passed that, he was glad I got something I liked. (I still wear the earrings we picked out together. Yes. My husband knows. No. He doesn't care.)

But did I do the right thing? 

When I was in high school my dad made me return a stuffed animal a boy gave me because he (my dad) didn't like him (the boy). To this day I wish I had hidden it in my closet or even thrown it away instead. 

The heartbreak on his face still haunts me. He was a nice kid and I liked him. 

I wondered how other people handled receiving gifts. Diane Helbig, Dr. Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman and Philip Tate, APR, were kind enough to spend some time with me discussing this topic.

As with many things on Quick Hits, gift receiving is nuanced and fraught with pitfalls.

I think I need to do one about gift giving too.

What about you? What do you do when you get a gift you don't like?

Connect with the panelists:
Diane Helbig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhelbig/ 
Dr. Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rhonda-bompensa-zimmerman-138aa3b/
Philip Tate: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philiptateaprfellowprsa/
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#gifting #difficultconversations

How do you decide if you have received good service?

It is an abstract thing really. "Service." What makes it good or bad is all based on your expectations. 

What would be good service at a greasy spoon would never make the grade at an elegant restaurant. 

For those of us who provide a service rather than a product we are constantly told to show value. 

Which is basically saying, create the expectation for they type of service you provide.

I wondered how other people judged "good" service so I asked Jenna Zaffino, Jonathan Gaev and Bill Hyche for their thoughts.

It is a more complicated subject than you might think. 

How do you decide if you have received good service? 

Connect with the panelists:
Jenna Zaffino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennazaffino/
Bill Hyche: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billhyche/ 
Jonathan Gaev: www.powerofproject.com 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#serviceproviders #goodservice

What habits do you do every day and how do they benefit you?

It seems that most successful people have created habits that help them stay grounded and focused. Twenty years ago I don't remember knowing anyone who meditated (maybe I wasn't paying attention?). Now it seems everyone does (or at least claims to).

I wondered what habits Dinette Rivera, Keji Moses and Dr. Carmela Nanton have. Not surprising, meditation and gratitude were top of mind. But there were others, less common that came up during our conversation.

What about you? What habits do you have that make a difference in your life?

Connect with the panelists:
Dinette Rivera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinetterivera/ 
Keji Moses CMgr FCMI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keji-moses-mcmi-61aaa6180/ 
Dr. Carmela Nanton MSHRD, MSC, BCC: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarmelananton/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#atomichabits #mediation #gratitude

How did you discover and use your natural gifts (talents)?

"If it's easy for me, it's easy for everyone." You might not consciously think it but I guarantee there has been a time that you discounted the value of something you can do because it's easy.

There are all kinds of aptitude tests that are supposed to help you discover what you are good at. All they ever did for me was point to things I had already done (yes I could be a farmer. I grew up farming and ranching. That isn't an aptitude. It's a learned skill.)

I wondered how other people learned to recognize their talents and how they used them so I asked Hannah Austin, Helen Stimson and Jennifer Pointer about their experience. 

Sadly sometimes the answer is that life beats you down to the point of not functioning and THEN you are finally able to pay attention.

What about you? How did you discover the things that come easily to you and how to use them in the world?

Connect with the panelists: 
Jennifer Pointer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-pointer/
Helen Stimson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenstimson1/ 
Hannah Austin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-austin-35a51746/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#discoveryourtalent #thrive

What is it like to show up as a minority?

This was an intimidating conversation for me to have. I made up a lot of stuff in my head like, "do I have a right to talk about this?" But in the end I decided it was too powerful a conversation for me to shirk away from as a facilitator.

I am hugely grateful to Kazi Mghendi, Emily Rentas, LMHC and Francisco "Frank" Galindo, MBA for stepping up to have this conversation with me. Unlike most Quick Hits, they weren't "given" this topic. They chose it. My hat is off to them!

We would love to hear from you, what is it like to show up as a minority? 

Connect with the panelists:
Emily Rentas, LMHC: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyrentas/ 
Kazi Mghendi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazi-mghendi-90917760/ 
Francisco "Frank" Galindo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankgalindo-mba/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#minority #toughconversations #brave

How do authenticity and kindness go together?

Sometimes when people say they are being "authentic" they are actually being mean. And being "nice" at the expense of the truth is fake.

Somewhere there is room to be truly authentic while also being kind. Kazi Mghendi, Francisco "Frank" Galindo, MBA, Emily Rentas, LMHC and I sat down to have just that conversation.

How are you authentic and kind when what you have to share isn't a complement? 

Connect with the panelists:
Kazi Mghendi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazi-mghendi-90917760/ 
Emily Rentas, LMHC: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyrentas/ 
Francisco "Frank" Galindo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankgalindo-mba/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#authenticity #kindness

How do you recognize and take opportunities?

A huge part of success (however you define it) is being able to notice and grab opportunities when they come by. 

But it's harder than it sounds. I know I've missed a few because I didn't realize they were there until I connected the dots going backwards.

I asked Kevin Wash, James W Haile Jr, C.P.M. and Domenico Ciarallo how they catch opportunities before they are gone. I wish I could say they had a foolproof answer. But, they did have some ideas that can help.

How do you see opportunities as they happen?

Connect with the panelists:
Domenico Ciarallo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domenicociarallo/ 
James W Haile Jr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-w-haile-jr-c-p-m-97a3b52/  
Kevin Wash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wash-23b90915/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#opportunities #success

Where does ambition become obsession and who gets to decide?

The English language has all kinds of words that bump up against each other. What they mean and how we use them may depend on the person we are trying to describe more than what is actually happening.

In psychology we identify something as being a problem with it starts to negatively impact your life. But when other people try to put boundaries on what you should and shouldn't do, they may tell you there is a negative impact when you don't think there is. 

Who gets to say? 

The dictionary definitions are interesting:

Ambition: an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment 

Obsession: to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally

It's the "abnormally" bit that makes it tricky.

Ashley Owens, Sara Oblak Speicher, MBA, Royce King and I got to have a conversation about this topic.

Do you think women  are more likely to be judged obsessive? 

Connect with the panelists:
Sara Oblak Speicher, MBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraospeicher/  
Royce Gomez-King: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roycegomezking/
Ashley Owens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashowens/
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#entrepreneur #ambition #obsession

How do you perform at your highest level to push to a deadline w/o it becoming your expected norm?

This is an ongoing problem for high performers. Even Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, can't maintain that speed for more than about 100 meters. 

If you increase the distance to a mile, that record is held by Craig Wheeler, who was running downhill at the time.

The point being we know that physical peak performance is a flash in time. Why do we expect mental performance to be different? 

I asked Chandima Dutton, Helena Bouchez and Christopher Martin how they managed the expectations of peak performance in their lives.

Sadly, it seems to be a challenge that all high performers face. What has, or hasn't, worked for you?

Connect with the panelists:
Helena Bouchez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenabouchez/
Chandima Dutton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandimadutton/ 
Christopher Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismartincomms/
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#PushToTheEnd #KickIntoHighGear

What is the difference between employee autonomy and employee empowerment?

At first thought they seem like the same thing. But when you look deeper, they are quite different and nuanced. 

As I mentioned in the conversation, it is a huge red flag for me to see "autonomy" in a job description. I feel like it is a code word for, "You will be left free floating with no direction or support. Good luck."

I had the good fortune of having a full panel of Canadians. Glady Baradaran, Danica Virginia Meredith and Kondwani Mwase (who was SO gracious as I tried to say his name correctly) were amazing to have a partners in this discussion. They jumped right and went with it. 

What do you think about empowerment and autonomy? Do you think companies use them interchangeably? Would you ask for clarification if someone used one of them to describe their management style?

Connect with the panelists:
Glady Baradaran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glady-baradaran-msc-od-6238071a/
Danica Virginia Meredith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danicavm/ 
Kondwani Mwase: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kondwani-mwase/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com    

#empowerment  #autonomy