jakelacaze.com

Too often we hear “power corrupts”, yet it seems that everyone still wants his own slice of the pie. Everyone thinks he’s somehow immune to the temptations that holding power brings to others. We think that everyone else just lacks in moral fiber, but not us — no, we can handle the responsibility!

But can we really? Can you really? Why do you want authority? Is it purely so that you can call the shots? Is it so that you bring your wrath down on the pathetic cretins unfortunate enough to be left under your control? Do you want to do to others all the things have pissed you off in the past?

Do you want control only for the sake of it? Man, I hope not.

Power isn’t sexy. It’s not all that and a bag of chips. Having power may mean that you get to do things your way, implement your own system. Maybe you’ll find that your way works. Or maybe you’ll find that your way sucks. Then what?

When you’re in a position of power, you have to make decisions. And some of those will not be popular. Sometimes you have to give some bad news. Maybe about changes. Your changes. That you implemented and that suck.

Remember that anytime you are in power, you are the face of your organization or operation. When your subordinates perform, you might get a little praise if you’re lucky. But when they drop the ball, you will take the criticism. Whenever people want to complain about something, they will come to you. One thing about being in charge is that it’s not as sexy as some people would believe.

I hope you want to be in control so that you can make the tough decisions. The right decisions. The decisions that might not be so popular. Because knowing you did the hard thing — the right thing — might be the only thing that gets you through the stress and headache of being in control.

I try, I really do. I try not to be that guy on the Internet. You know, that guy who gets brave behind the anonymity of his username and feels that he can freely spew his opinions and hatred because no one knows who he really is. But sometimes I can’t help it.

Actually, I’ve pretty much wiped out the anonymity factor since all of my usernames are “jakelacaze” and all of my online profiles point to jakelacaze.com.

Apparently, sometimes I share opinions that some people don’t agree with. Such as when I comment on a YouTube video that Kurt Cobain was a horrible singer, an okay guitarist, and a crappy lyricist. Saying such a thing offline might get you shot, but online, it’ll only get you a bit of hate.

The best response I ever got for sharing my two cents was What makes you think you’re a critic? I can’t claim to be an expert on much, but I surely as hell can claim to be a critic. Especially when it comes to things that can be judged only by opinion: music, movies, books, etc.

I am a critic, and a very strong one about things I care about.

Maybe you’re still wondering What makes you a critic, Jake? Okay, here it is; here’s my answer:

I have a pulse.

That’s all you need to be a critic. That’s the only go-ahead you need to share your lovely opinion. If you have one. You don’t need anyone else’s permission.

If you’re alive, surely you must have an opinion. About something. At least I hope you do. And if you do, you should share it. Loudly and proudly. Even if people don’t like it. Even if I don’t like it. Share your opinions about whatever you’d like.

With the evolution of social media, it’s never been easier to share your opinions. Sharing your opinion is a great way to communicate online. When people write blog posts or post videos or share something via Twitter and Facebook, they want to hear your opinion about what they have to say. If they didn’t want to hear your opinion, they wouldn’t bother saying anything.

You’ve got the green light. Share your opinions. Please. We’re all waiting to hear what you have to say.

Take a look at the picture above. Is it an all too familiar environment? This is the abyss of productivity, where time that could be spent doing something useful goes to die.

Yes, people, I’m talking about the meeting room. Or conference room. Wherever you hold meetings.

I was already not a big fan of meetings, but after reading Timothy Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek, I have grown to hate them even more. In meetings, little is ever accomplished. It’s been my experience that meetings are really more like time set aside for co-workers to whine and vent. I guess it’s cheaper than therapy. You could disguise it as “team building exercise”.

Ferriss gives some great tips for getting out of meetings, and perhaps I should look into implementing them. As Ferriss says, in today’s always-connected world, what you feel can be accomplished in a meeting can usually be accomplished over email. I understand that you lose the face-to-face, but how many of your decisions truly require face-to-face? How many are truly that important? If every decision is that important (or a superior believes it is), it sounds as if the office culture might be a problem.

I was having a conversation with an associate about how unproductive most meetings are, and she agreed. But she asked why I thought people insisted on having meetings anyway. And my logic is this: I feel that meetings are a socially acceptable way to be unproductive and to kill time. If you sit in your office doing nothing, you’re stealing time from your employer. But if you’re wasting that time in a meeting, you’re doing some “extreme problem-solving”.

Perception, people! Perception is reality!

How do you feel about meetings? Do you agree with me? Am I way off-base? Let me know!

So I’ve done some thinking about the whole social media/branding thing. Although I think those things are very important, that’s no longer the direction I want to go in. Instead of focusing on talking about social media and branding, I need to take what I’ve learned about those things and apply them to something else. This got me to thinking, what has always interested me? What have I always been fascinated by?

And I finally came to the answer: people.

And I realized that people is a very broad subject that opens the door for a variety of content. I enjoy talking about understanding people, trying to figure out how they work, communication, etc. And much of social media and branding are related to interactions and communication, so this isn’t much of a transition. I feel that sticking to the social media/branding route is too inflexible. It makes me feel as if I need to be professional at all times. And I just can’t do that. I’m a person, I like to be me.

In time, I’ll be transforming bits of the blog. There are too many people doing the whole social media/branding thing, and some of them are really good at it. I’m a social media enthusiast, but I am by no means an expert. I can’t say that I’m an expert in people either, but I have an easier time coming up with my own theories and philosophies on that subject. I’m excited to see where this leads. I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

There is one theme that is repeated again and again in everything Seth Godin teaches: marketers are storytellers. We are all consumers, and as consumers, we all buy stories.

When you buy an SUV, you are buying that BIG means SAFE. When you buy bottled water, you buy that it’s clean and filtered, unlike tap water. When you buy those crazy Ugg boots with the fur — okay, I don’t know what the hell you’re buying, but you’re buying it.

The point is, you justify your purchases somehow. Whether it’s through functionality, coolness, or uniqueness, you tell yourself some kind of story.

And marketers tell you those stories too. And that’s okay, as long as the story is consistent. And it should remain predictable.

So many movies follow the same plot. Look at chick flicks. Boy meets girl, unexpectedly. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl break up. Boy and girl fight and try to get over each other. Boy and girl realize that they were supposed to be together the whole time and get back together. And at the end, you’re relieved, even though you knew deep down that they were going to get back together in the end.

But what if boy really did get over girl and he moved on and married some other chick and had a successful career and a few kids? That story would suck!

Just think about The Blair Witch Project. Remember when that movie first came out? Everyone bought into the hype. This handful of people went out in the woods and disappeared and the only thing that was ever found of their journey was this one video tape that documented everything!

There was a whole campaign for the movie. A website, online videos, posters…They really played it up.

However, the story got busted. Although everyone should have known it was all a hoax, they felt betrayed when it was all exposed. They felt duped. They had to admit their ignorance. The hype that once followed The Blair Witch Project turned into shame.

For a generation, Toyota worked on telling a story of reliability. And now, every day we’re seeing that story deteriorate. The moment that the American car companies had been waiting for finally came, and they’re attacking like vicious dogs.

You’re spending your time telling a story that you want people to hear. Whether you’re building your personal brand or your own business, there’s a story that you’re pushing out and telling people. Make sure you do everything in your power to make that story a happy one — both for you and the people you’re telling it to. People like feel-good stories with happy endings. Give them one.

One day my wife accused me of “reaching” for blog topics while we were at the supermarket. When I told her that you can find ideas anywhere, she challenged me to write a blog post about some oranges we saw on display. It’s taken a while, but I feel I’ve finally found an idea for that challenge. Here goes nothing!

I firmly believe in the importance of making yourself superficially attractive to others. I’ve blogged in the past about the benefits of making yourself likable. There’s no doubt that dressing professionally and presenting yourself well can go a long way. First impressions are how you get your foot in the door. This is your style.

But what about your substance? Once people get past your superficial attractiveness, will they still be attracted to you? Maybe you can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Do you do a good job? Do you show up? Do you keep your promises? Are you two-faced and manipulative? There is great value in style, but you have to have the substance to back it up. Just as fraud businesses will eventually be found out, so will your fraud personality. Strive to be real, strive to be legit.

So what does this have to do with an orange? When you’re shopping for oranges at the supermarket, unless free samples are being given out, you’re going to make your decision based on superficial aspects. You’re going to look at the peel. Is it clear or bruised? Is it firm or soft? Does it look as if it’s going to taste good? If it does, you’re likely to buy. The peel is the orange’s style.

But what about when you take the orange home and you remove the peel? Now you’re down to the fruit — the substance. This is the real test. If the orange tastes sweet and refreshing, you’re happy with your purchase. But if it’s bland and unappetizing, you’re going to spit it out and never buy that brand of orange again.

What happens when people get past your superficial attractiveness and get down to your substance? Are you still attractive to them? When people befriend you or hire you, will they be happy with their decision and time they’ve invested in you? Do you leave people feeling refreshed, or do you leave a bad taste in their mouths?

I have never cared much for traditions. Traditions insinuate that you do the same thing — whether day after day or year after year — and it always stays the same. Because that’s the way it’s always been and the way it’s always going to be. That doesn’t seem to allow much flexibility to me.

Maybe that’s why everywhere you look, traditions are dying.

I laugh when opponents of same-sex marriage bring up the idea that the institution destroys traditional households. I’ve got a newsflash for you: traditional households are dying regardless. Even without same-sex marriage, divorce rates are higher than they were a couple of decades ago. Single-parent households or households with stepparents are no longer a rarity. Such households are the new traditon. What was once traditional – a household where both parents are involved – is now remarkable.

When my wife and I got married, we decided against the traditional ceremony. Some people were disappointed that we didn’t have a traditional wedding where everyone could attend, but it wasn’t what we wanted to do. Instead, we opted to get married in fabulous Las Vegas at The Little White Wedding Chapel. If nothing else, the experience has given us a good story that we can retell again and again. A nontraditional story, if you will.

The traditional business and labor environment are dying. Working in the same factory and doing the same job for 40 years is an option for fewer and fewer people. Traditional job titles are being outsourced to cities you can’t pronounce in countries you probably can’t find on a globe.

The traditional retirement age is being extended for many Baby Boomers. The current economic situation is forcing them to postpone their dreams as they continue to grind it out to replenish their retirement funds.

Even media can’t be spared from the death of all things traditional. The traditional channels of communication — television, radio, and print — are losing their effectiveness. We’re seeing an evolution of communication – well, it’s happening whether you see it or not.

Traditionally, the White House was a dwelling for old white dudes. Now, the White House is home to a young black man who strives to relate to younger generations.

I wonder how long some things will stay traditional. How long will business schools teach traditional advertising and business structures? How long will record companies think they can control every aspect of their artists’ works?

Where else do you see traditions dying? What opportunities do you see rising from these changes?

It seems we’ve all been taught that having an ego is a bad thing. I have to disagree with this. Having a healthy ego is a great thing. It’s when you let your ego get out of hand that you start running into problems.

We all know examples of egos getting out of hand: Lil Wayne saying he’s the best rapper alive, Terrell Owens thinking his teammates aren’t worth of playing with him, Paris Hilton thinking she’s somehow relevant. And then there’s my favorite egomaniac, Black Francis. (But in all fairness, Frank is a rock ‘n’ roll god. So he has something to have a bit of an ego about.)

These egos are cute for a while. At first you think, These people can’t possibly take themselves seriously, can they? But then time goes on and you realize it’s no act. These guys are serious. And then it all gets old.

Having an inflated ego benefits no one. When you think you’re above everyone else or that you’re always right, people will eventually lose all desire to collaborate with you. No one will offer any advice or opinion because you’re not listening anyway. And there’s a good chance that someday they’ll let you fall on your face. And then your poor little ego will be reduced to the size of a grain of sand.

Which brings me to my next point…

Don’t let your ego get too small. Don’t always hold your ego back. Humility is a great thing. But sometimes you have to know when to let your ego loose. You have to know when you’re right — when you’ve got a great idea and everyone needs to know about it. Only you can figure out when the timing is right, and it might take a little trial and error before you get it right.

All things in moderation

As with many things in life, the most important thing to remember in regard to ego is that it must be balanced. Humility without assertion may be interpreted as meekness. But letting your pride run wide-open may be interpreted as arrogance. A healthy ego will make you confident to make important decisions and lead others to do the right thing but will also give you the sense to listen to others and consider a bit of criticism from time to time.

I grew up believing in the power of education. There wasn’t much opportunity in my hometown, aside from working offshore or farming. I never knew what I wanted to do with my life, but I always knew that my future plans did not involve physical labor. There’s nothing wrong with physical labor, but it’s not for me. I accepted early on that education was my only hope, which meant I was going to college, even if I didn’t know what I was going to major in.

So I got my degree. Now what? The Great Recession comes around and the value of my degree falls sharply. What I once thought was my golden ticket to opportunity is now just a prerequisite to even be considered for employment. The discrepancy between reality and my expectation revealed, my world came crashing down. Where do we go from here?

I’ve finally realized that amid crisis lies opportunity. Now, employers should have no problem finding properly-educated people to fill their vacancies. Those candidates are everywhere. Instead, job seekers should be focused on finding candidates who possess the desired intangibles. Employers now have the green light to find team players, employees with great attitudes, people who care about customers, etc. Rather than plugging a hole with the first available body that pops up, employers can focus on quality. And in these harshly competitive times, that’s what’s needed – quality workers.

With the rise of social media and the technology that is at our disposal, has it ever been easier for employees and job-seekers to express themselves and show their intangibles? We can share our insights via blogs, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and through so many other media. Is there any excuse for not taking charge and showing this side of yourself to employers? Isn’t this what branding is all about?

Also, what does formal education really say? That you can follow instructions, that you keep with the status quo? We are moving away from the industrial age. If any labor can be automated, it will be. Today, we’ve got to find ways to add value to what we do. And following the status quo does not do that.

This video of Tom Peters ranting about education says it so much better than I can:

Resumes don’t allow for much expression. Resumes might have been good tools when you needed to stress your formal education. But now, that’s not the education that matters so much. What is your real-world experience like? Do you possess any intangibles? Do you learn from your experiences and possibly even the experiences of others? Can you find a way to communicate your intangibles to others?

I think that’s how we’re going to get ahead in this business environment. Tell me how you feel about it.

Communication is forever evolving. In a short amount of time, we’ve gone from face-to-face to snail mail to telephones to fax machines to email to cellphones to social networks, and who knows where we’re headed next. Just when you think you’ve figured out one method of communication, along comes another. Communication has never been so easy, yet it can be incredibly complicated if you’re not up on what’s current.

I want to take an opportunity to share my social toolbox with you:

1) My blog. If you’re reading this, you should know about my blog. You’re here now! (Or maybe it’s syndicated somewhere else; if that’s the case, check out the real deal here. I feel that my blog is the best medium for sharing ideas and insight. I can go into as much detail as I want, and it’s the best way to get people’s opinions and feedback.

2) Twitter. There was a time when I didn’t like Twitter. I thought it was too simple. Finally, I realized that its simplicity was not a negative, that’s what makes Twitter great! Now, I’m constantly looking for new people to connect with and using it as a tool for promoting my blog. Twitter is great for mass communication and relating to your niche.

3) Facebook. Facebook was my first experience in social media before I knew what social media was. Now I use it mostly stay in touch with friends. I also have a fan page for jakelacaze.com on there.

4) FourSquare. Unfortunately, I use this application mostly for fun. I love the badges and becoming the mayor of some of my favorite spots. But I do think there’s potential for this app if used correctly. You can get an idea of where your customers and associates frequent and you can improve your street cred by giving some cool tips.

5) iPhone I only recently joined the world of smart phone users, and I don’t think I can ever go back. I use my iPhone to stay in touch with my social networks through TweetDeck and although it might be more time-consuming than doing so on a computer, I can use my phone to add blog posts.

And here are some networks I’ve pulled out of my social toolbox:

1) Myspace. I never really liked Myspace. While other people enjoyed its seemingly limitless customization options, I felt that too many people made poor decisions such as putting 10,000 pictures and videos and conflicting fonts and backgrounds on their profiles. Everything felt disorganized, and it was too hard to find friends on there. And I don’t like when people display their names LiKe ThIs!!!!

2) LinkedIn. I never felt as if I belonged to LinkedIn. It feels like a site made for a bunch of rich baby boomers pulling down $100,000 a year. I’m nowhere near that demographic. Also, I felt that there was no way to truly express myself on there. It also doesn’t help when very few of your contacts are on the network.

There are my thoughts on what I see as important in the social networking world. What are your thoughts? What applications could you not live without? Are there any other apps that you think deserve some attention? Please let us know!