Posts Tagged ‘Uniqueness’

Why I Cut My Hair Off

Posted: August 3, 2013 in Perceptions
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Jeff Almost Hairless PortraitFor a long while – maybe a year or two – I’ve threatened to shave my head, or at least to get a buzz cut.  Nobody seemed to like the idea but me.  My dear wife, Linda, was definitely against the notion, so out of respect for (and maybe a little fear of) her, I kept basically the same haircut I’ve had for 30+ years.

And then came my extended vacation in May when I would be home for three weeks nursing Linda from her knee replacement surgery.  This was my chance!  I could get it cut and then have three weeks without seeing too many people if it turned out horrible and I chose to grow it back.  And I could outrun Linda!

I went to my regular barber and told him what I wanted.  He was quite surprised but did what I asked.  I had to laugh, though, at his comment, “I left it a little longer on top than on the sides so you wouldn’t have that totally crazy look.”  Ha!  After a couple of weeks I thought it needed to be even shorter, so I went back to the barber and had it cut back even more.  In recent weeks, Linda and I have used my beard trimmer on it weekly to keep it at a low height.

I couldn’t believe the difference in how cool my head felt immediately, which was nice given the warm temperatures.  I love not having to mess with it, not having it going in every direction after laying down, not being a bother when I run, etc.  Even though I still shower daily, of course, the lure of being able on some Saturday mornings to run a quick wash cloth over it and go on my way is intriguing.  The possibility of wearing a toboggan in winter – the knit cap, not the sled – on my head is really nice since I refused to wear any kind of hat when my hair was longer because of a hat always messing it up.

What has been interesting to observe has been the reaction of others.  The only ones who have been overtly positive and encouraging are my fellow workers who do the same and share the same positive reasons for having little or no hair.  Other reactions have ranged from “Why did you do that?” to “Grow it back!” and “You had such nice hair before.”   Most just don’t say anything and go on their way drawing their own conclusions without asking me or – more likely – not noticing or caring in the least what I do with my hair.

The oddest reactions so far have been the ones where people assume I have recently had chemotherapy and consequently lost my hair due to some dire physical condition.  They don’t ask me that, though.  They ask other people behind my back, but the word eventually finds its way to me.  I guess they’re just being concerned and don’t know what to say to me.  Folks, if you want to know something about me, just ask.  I’m not one who is prone to hiding my thoughts from others.  Sometimes the ball is in your court to simply ask rather than make assumptions.

Why did I cut my hair off?  I was tired of messing with it.  That’s all.  Life is a little simpler without it.  A few moments of time are saved each day without it.  I like it.  It may take some getting used to for those who have known me anytime after fifth grade when I went from a flat top haircut to having it long enough to be parted, but you’ll get used to it eventually.

With it thinning as it was, anyway, I’ve probably just taken some preemptive action to avoid that awkward period of years when there really isn’t enough on top to do anything with, but when too many men keep trying to make less and less look like earlier days when they had more.  That won’t be an issue with this style.  And those age spots that were eventually going to show up anyway are now out on display for people to get used to.  My granddaughter can play connect-the-dots on my head with them if she wants.  It’ll be fun for us both.

I’m surprised by the attention my hair – or lack of it – has received in these last couple of months.  I cut my hair to suit myself.  You’re free to discuss it with me if you like, but I will welcome your criticism and suggestions for change just as soon as you tell me that I’m the one who gets to decide how you cut your hair.

Cultivate Uniqueness

Posted: May 1, 2013 in Uniqueness
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Cultivate UniquenessThis post is the second is a five-part series covering the five values my company, Humana, focuses on.  As a reminder, the values are:

I’ve also written about the helpfulness of using these values in decision making.

Today’s subject: Cultivate Uniqueness – what can I do to live out this value personally and professionally?

What do you think about when you hear the phrase “cultivate uniqueness”?  Do you think it’s an encouragement to expand inclusion and diversity programs that tend to focus on certain easily measurable demographic differences?  Is it a plea to encourage different ways of thinking and respecting different perspectives?  Is it both of those and maybe more?  I’ve written previously on the need for more emphasis on diversity of thought compared to the more frequent focus of easily quantifiable demographic diversity.

When our company promotes the idea of cultivating uniqueness, here is what we have in mind according to a recent document I received: “We find ways to connect with each other and our consumers.  Respecting one another, listening with an open mind, and seeking different perspectives result in richer solutions.”  That sounds to me like diversity of thought and the interpersonal respect that goes along with valuing the unique perspective others bring to the table.

So what am I doing or what can I do to live out this value?

Personally, I feel that I have always done fairly well at showing respect to others and listening to others, even when we might disagree.  I honestly try to understand the perspectives others bring to the table, even if they are wildly different than mine.  I’ve been told I’m a good listener.  There are others around who bring perspectives to the table that would never occur to me, and if we gather all of these ideas from a group, we then have a much greater chance at arriving at the best solutions possible given our cumulative knowledge and experiences.  When I was a manager at another company, I loved surrounding myself with a variety of people and personalities, entrusting them to do their jobs in ways I would never have imagined.

Uniqueness Not So SpecialOf course, simply being unique in one’s perspective is no guarantee that any particular perspective is helpful in a business accomplishing its objectives.  Ideas still have to be vetted by teams and ultimately a decision-maker on whose desk is the sign “The Buck Stops Here.”  But having more choices in that cafeteria line of ideas should make the possibility of a healthy, well-rounded final decision possible.

It is in my role as the community manager for our enterprise social network that I have the greatest opportunity daily to foster the value of cultivating uniqueness.  With over 1,000 posts per day made on the network, many of them are ideas tossed around that invite conversation where the unique perspectives of others add to the discussion.  As a result of that discussion, an original idea can eventually morph into an even better idea with great buy-in from others involved in the process.  I enjoy bringing attention to discussions that may be controversial from time to time because the thinking behind them may go against the 51-year-old grain of the organization.

One of the greatest values of social networks is realized if and when leaders and others crowdsource ideas in order to ultimately make better decisions.  Whether those decisions are about new products and services, how to improve processes and customer service, discussions about proposed policy or benefit changes, I can guarantee that better decisions will ultimately be made IF leaders and others understand the need to involve a broad base of people in the conversation BEFORE decisions are made and handed down.  It is when large, bureaucratic, traditionally hierarchical organizations make major decisions by a select few gathered behind closed doors that the potential value of cultivating uniqueness goes out the window.  In an age when social networking is readily available inside and outside organizations, such Neanderthal decision-making processes are inexcusable.  You can bet that won’t be the way future generations communicate, so businesses that want to be a part of that future need to change their habits now.

One more thought about the value “cultivate uniqueness” – remember what the word cultivate means.  According to Merriam-Webster, it means to foster growth; to improve by labor, care, or study; to further, encourage, or make friends with.  So not only am I to value the unique perspectives of others, I need to be active in doing things that foster that growth, that encourage the sharing of those perspectives, that creates an environment where others feel welcome and safe in sharing their ideas, even if they think there may be some resistance.

In a world with much division around ideas and philosophies, it would sure be nice to literally make friends with those unique people in our midst whose perspectives can enrich our lives personally and professionally.

Cultivate uniqueness.