by Jim Cathcart

I had the privilege of being interviewed by Audley Stephenson of Hard Court Lessons. The basketball theme makes this a very interesting site for exploring Leadership & Self Motivation. Take some time to listen to this session that revolves around my concept “The Acorn Principle.” I think you’ll enjoy the message and meeting Audley as well.

by Jim Cathcart

My colleague Ed Oakley, author of Enlightened Leadership, interviewed me on the subject of my upcoming book “Relationship Intelligence®”. The video of this interview is just under 15 minutes long and posted on Ed’s site for easy access.

Here is the link to the video: Relationship Intelligence®

This would be a good video to show at an upcoming business meeting or to distribute via email to your team before your next discussion about sales, marketing or customer retention.

The message is focused on how All Relationships are, or could be, Assets.

Have your colleagues view it on their own time and then talk with you about the key points. Now is also a good time for you to use this message in your personal life. Think about this:

• Your life consists of many relationships
• The quality of those relationships determines the quality of your life experience
• By becoming more Conscious, Intentional and Focused on giving value to others you will draw more rewards, benefits and opportunities to yourself
• Now is a GREAT time to “Up-Serve” those with whom you are connected
• Look for ways to GIVE value to everyone in your world

Have fun with this and when I can help, please contact me. I’m eager to bring you more value every week.

by Jim Cathcart

Ground Zero in New York City

In the afternoon of 9-11-2001, while still reeling from the shocking tragedies of that morning, I wrote the message posted below. Today, 9-11-2009, we have a different set of challenges and fears but once again, I assert that we must come together in a spirit of unison to address, remove and solve the problems plaguing us.

Today’s challenges include a large number of our own political leaders who appear to be driving our country off a cliff. They are rapidly passing legislation and implementing policies and systems far beyond their elected authority to do so. And when they leave office with a comfy pension we and our children will be required to pay their debts.

We need leaders whom we will hold accountable for real solutions, not just symbolic strategies with no proven ability to produce good results. We need to elect new leaders, demand more responsibility and integrity from those who serve us, and revive the spirit of self-reliance and Americanism. We need people whose personal and professional track records are worthy of admiration. People about whom we can say to our children, “Be like them.”

We must forget race, color, religion, gender, age or political party as we look at each other. We must also consider all of our hyphenated self descriptions (“xyz-american”) to be obsolete, permanently. Those that keep race alive as an issue must be ignored and discouraged. When the audience walks away the speakers stop ranting.

We are either American or we are not. E Pluribus Unum, Out of Many…ONE. When we become Americans the other identities are no longer important. It is our Americanism we must honor, grow and protect.

On this day when so many died at the hands of the enemies of Freedom, I urge you to honor their sacrifices and distinguish their legacies by returning the dignity and pride of being an American. Do this by behaving responsibly, speaking up against corruption and injustice and keeping this country free from government oppression and foreign agression.

by Jim Cathcart
I just returned from a delightful speaking tour in Caracas, Venezuela. El Nacional, the newspaper, brought me in to headline their “Foros El Nacional” World Leadership Forum. They’ve hosted this annual event to bring the business community together to hear top speakers from around the world.

I opened the conference with a 3 hour seminar on Re-Thinking Leadership for a New Era. My focus was reconsidering our approach to dealing with the new economic and political realities as we seek to make our organizations successful.

There were about 800 business leaders in attendance from all industries. They gave me a generous standing ovation at the end and treated me like a rock star, asking for autographs and posing for photos. I did six radio interviews and one video interview. A special joy for me was getting to play the guitar and sing rock n roll songs on stage during the time when people were returning from the morning break. They were singing along with me and enjoying the music as much as I was.

The event was held at the beautiful four star Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites in Caracas.

Another keynoter was Dr. John Gray, author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. He, too, received a standing ovation and offered tremendous value in his speech. John and I are booked on 3 separate programs together this spring: Irvine, CA, Caracas, VZ, and Las Vegas, NV. What a coincidence! It is fun getting to know this insightful man.
The final speaker was Carlitos Paez, a man who survived the airplane crash in the Andes in the 1970s that led to the books and movie “Alive!” His story of survival and courage inspired and moved us all. What a testament to the power of the human spirit. He’s a charming and intelligent man who has a heart as big as a mountain.

I truly enjoyed my first visit to Venezuela.
To my sponsors at El Nacional and the staff at the Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites, and to my host Santiago Zapata of Hi-Cue Speakers (based in Bogota’, Columbia) I offer my sincere gratitude for a wonderful experience and all of their great support. A special thank you goes to Carolina Angel of Hi-Cue for all of her help.

For those who speak Espanol, here’s an unrelated but valuable resource.
Below is the video of a seminar I produced a few years ago through Crestcom International which they translated into Espanol for their subscribers. If you enjoy this program you may enroll in a full training course called “Bulletproof Manager” through Crestcom in cities around the world, each in their local language.
Spanish description: Jim Cathcart Como hacer crecer su Liderazgo? Uno de los retos mas dificiles que presentan los lideres es la autoevaluacion, en este video encontrara las herramientas para conocerce a si mismo.

by Jim Cathcart

Who ever spread the word that is was OK to hold bad meetings?

Well, someone did, because I’ve attended 100 bad meetings to every one that I enjoyed. How about you? Here is what usually happens:

The 8am meeting arrives and “Chair” is still arranging tables or setting out supplies, or refreshments. A couple of other attendees come in, talking on cell phones, grab a coffee and sit down while still finishing “other” work. They start to skim the handouts and a few more folks arrive. Nobody has begun the meeting yet so casual conversation flourishes for a while.

Finally, around 8:15 Chair decides that the stragglers won’t be there soon enough to continue waiting for them so he/she says, “Let’s get started.” Nobody responds. Chair is now seated and looking pleadingly at the others. Slowly they take their seats, still talking but quieter now.

Chair says, “Before we get started, I have some ‘housekeeping’ announcements.” And proceeds to speak to a group that is not yet paying attention. One of the group asks, “When are we going to get things going? I have another meeting to go to.” Another seizes the opportunity and says, “I’m also going to have to leave early.”

“OK, but this is an important agenda, so stay as long as you can.” says Chair. “Now, first on the list is Cecilia’s report. Cele.” She picks up a stack of paper and hands it around the table. Then begins a dry overview of the obvious with a few valuable extras mentioned in monotone. Others are fidgeting and looking over the papers, thinking “I’ve got the papers, who needs a report?” Cecelia proceeds but feels ignored. Noone asks any questions about her report.

On it goes in a similar fashion. Then Jay comes in late. He sneaks (in full view of everyone) over to the coffee table, gets a cup and then approaches Elena and whispers “Is this seat taken?” As he sits down everyone in the room is watching him. No real reason, it’s just that he was moving. The meeting continues as if he weren’t there and everyone feels uncomfortable.

As all had suspected the meeting runs over time because a few discussions expanded beyond their time frames. Also, the “brainstorming” discussion on one project didn’t produce any new ideas but it reminded people of some other unresolved issues that “needed” to be added to the agenda.

ENOUGH! So far, am I describing your experiences too? Haven’t you been there in meetings large and small where the collective waste of valuable time and talent was staggering? Well, I’m here to tell you that there is a better way, and it’s not all that hard either. Here are some guidelines that might make a difference for you.

1. If you don’t have to meet, then don’t. Just call or email or text them the news.
2. When you meet, show up before the scheduled start time. Get your coffee before the event.
3. Start on time, even if only one other person showed up. The stragglers will not respect your time until you do!
4. Do NOT say “Before we begin”. If you are speaking then you have begun! Just start communicating.
5. Open with a smile and a bold greeting, “GOOD Morning!”
6. Move quickly from one item to the next.
7. Ask: what do we need to know? what do we need to do? what help do we need? then…next!
8. Don’t ever go to a meeting just to get energy. BRING energy! Enter the room enthusiastically, take initiative, greet others, ask questions, offer suggestions, go get an extra chair, etc.
9. Do not try to “sneak” while in front of everyone. If you are late, just say, “Good morning, sorry I’m late.” Then sit down.
10. If you are the Chair then pause when a tardy participant arrives and say, “Good morning Bill, we are talking about xxxxxx.” Then continue with your comments.
11. If you are making a report, don’t just say it, SELL it! Give people a reason to hear what you’ve got to say. Show them why they should care about it.
12. Be a great listener. I’m a member of the National Speakers Association (3,000+ professional speakers) and it turns out that they are some of the best listeners on earth. Be the same, look at the speaker, encourage them, ask questions, and offer support.

by Jim Cathcart

mage above: Space shuttle Endeavour and the STS-126 crew land at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. after completing a mission to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA TV

About an hour ago I was sitting at my desk when I felt something crash into our house. Paula called out, “Jim are you OK?” I looked outside to discover our neighbors standing in the street excitedly looking skyward. Paula joined me and we rushed out to see what it was.
My neighbor Ron announced, “It was a sonic boom. The Space Shuttle just re-entered the atmosphere and it’s headed for a landing in the desert.”
I ran to get our binoculars and the four of us stood in awe as the Shuttle and its chase plane flew over our home. It was still glowing red from the heat of re-entry.
Quite a sight to see.

Many years ago I had a penthouse office in a 13-story building in Tulsa, Oklahoma and one day I looked out the window as a huge 747 flew by at my eye-level with the Space Shuttle attached to its top. What a sight! It was less than two miles away from me and was being ferried by piggy-back to the maintenance facilities in Tulsa. Wow! Who could imagine putting a huge Shuttle on the back of an already huge airplane?

Well, that’s really the question isn’t it?
Who could imagine?

The entire concept of space flight, or just flight for that matter, started in someone’s imagination.
Everything we experience from zip lock bags to magnetic resonance imaging began in someone’s imagination. Then an important thing happened…someone decided to make the idea into a reality.
That’s when things started to change. When the idea gained the power of a person’s commitment to make it happen.

I’m awed by the amount of intellectual work and physical work required to create and operate the Space Shuttle. Not sure I can even concieve of how much energy and thought that required. But I sure do appreciate it. The discoveries that have sprung from our exploration of space are profound and legion. Most people don’t realize the value we are getting from these missions, but believe me they will be paying off for generations to come.

Every day you and I have ideas for making things better. We say, “Why don’t they just do xxxxx?” Often we see solutions that others do not. I say it is time for us to stop just having thoughts and start communicating them where they can make a difference.
So, the next time you see a solution, stop to ask yourself, “Who is involved with things like this? How could I communicate this idea to them? (Without worrying about being paid for it or getting credit.)”
Through the unselfish sharing of valuable insights you just may open some doors for yourself and others to make this world a much better place.

We have no shortage of ideas. We simply don’t communicate them well enough.
Let me know when I can help you help others make a difference.
www.cathcart.com

By Jim Cathcart

Once on a plane my seatmate asked what I did for a living. When I told him I was a motivational speaker he replied, “I don’t believe in motivation because it doesn’t last.” The flight attendant standing nearby said, “Neither does a bath but it’s still a good idea now and then.”

Of course motivation doesn’t last. Nor does eating, emotion, exercise or scores of other things. But they still have value for us.
Motivation needs to be intelligently done. It’s not about just generating energy around an idea or getting “pumped up” about something. Motivation is about acting on motives.

Motive + Action = Motivation

Simple motivation is merely generating enthusiasm. It is occasionally useful and effective but hardly lasting or of strategic value. Intelligent Motivation, on the other hand, is determining what is important, identifying what action is needed and doing what is necessary to generate and sustain that action.
Our new Cathcart Institute, inc. by-line is:
Intelligent Motivation
for a Challenging World.

At a recent convention I attended the cocktail reception the night before my keynote speech. Upon learning that I was the next morning’s speaker a man challenged me with this request, “Since you’re our ‘Motivational Speaker’ how about motivating me?” I smiled and asked, “To do what?” He replied, “I don’t know, just motivate me.” I playfully replied, “I could do that but then I’d have to bill you.” Then I went on to point out that without a clear Motive there can be no motivation.
We must have something worthwhile to act toward and we need to be careful and intentional in selecting our targets. I teach people how to determine what matters to them and how to identify ways to get themselves to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done even when they don’t feel like doing it and to still do it very well.
Allow me to repeat that: Self-Motivation is when people Get themselves to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done whether they feel like it or not and still do it very well.
Let’s agree that if a person is not “motivated” to do good work then they probably won’t do it. And if a person has no self-driven motive for excellent performance then they will have to be continually motivated by others. Motivation is absolutely essential to the success of any endeavor. We’ve trivialized it for far too long. It matters and it is urgent, not optional.
In a business where there isn’t much self-motivation the leaders can never rest because they are the only ones holding things together. Conversely, where the people have been taught how to become and stay motivated the leaders can loosen their grip on supervision and focus on the highest payoff activities for their own talents. The more self-motivated your people become the easier it will be to lead them.
Let’s also be intelligent about identifying which goals to pursue and our motives for doing so. Then let’s select the best actions to take and the strategies for sustaining those actions.

Intelligent Motivation(tm):
is determining what is important,
identifying what action is needed and
doing what is necessary to generate and
sustain that action. 

When you or your team need some Intelligent Motivation please give us a call, we’d love to work with you.
www.cathcart.com
800 222 4883

Intelligent Motivation for a Challenging World – Webinar with Jim Cathcart

Do you or your team need some Intelligent Motivation? Simple motivation is merely generating enthusiasm. It is occasionally useful and effective but hardly lasting or of strategic value. Intelligent Motivation, on the other hand, is determining what is important, identifying what action is needed and doing what is necessary to generate and sustain that action.

Jim Cathcart, Intelligent Motivation for a Challenging World

If you need “Intelligent Motivation” then you need to be on our upcoming webinar, hosted by David Bush, CEO and Founder of eLifePlans.com as he is joined by Motivation Expert, Jim Cathcart. He is the founder and President of Cathcart Institute, Inc. and one of the most widely recognized professional speakers in the world.

During this 1 hour webinar Jim will speak on how:
- Motivation needs to be intelligently done
- Motivation is about acting on motives
- To determine what matters to you
- To identify ways to get yourself to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done

If a person is not “motivated” to do good work then they probably won’t do it. And if a person has no self-driven motive for excellent performance then they will have to be continually motivated by others. If this sounds like you or your team, you need to be on this webinar!

Jim is known worldwide for his ability to engage, inspire and motivate an audience. He has worked as a corporate executive, training director, entrepreneur, psychological researcher, meeting planner and association executive. He has managed people, products and payrolls for over 32 years. He has also researched and field tested his methods through 3 decades of speaking and training before 2,600 audiences in virtualy every discipline.

Title: Intelligent Motivation for a Challenging World with Jim Cathcart
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.3.9 (Panther®) or newer

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/198519712

by Jim Cathcart

There must be 100,000 trainers, speakers and authors out there teaching people how to be more successful in dealing with others. And maybe I’m being small minded in choosing such a low number.
All I know is, when I started teaching “interpersonal communication” in the mid 1970s there were very few of us doing so. The Dale Carnegie Course still seemed new to many people despite having existed for a generation. Clients were still surprized when we suggested that they actually teach people how to: listen, communicate two-ways, understand personality differences, and manage tension levels in their communication.
In fact, in 1976 when I joined the National Speakers Association there were only a couple of hundred members. Today they have over 3,600 members. The American Society for Training & Development, ASTD, was also fairly new when I joined them in 1974. They, too, are now an international organization with tens of thousands of members.

So, in light of the fact that there is a multitude of resources to help you learn “People Skills”, let’s take it to the next level. Relationship Intelligence ™.

Premise: Your life is a series of Relationships
Our lives are lived through interactions with others.

Conclusion: If you change the mix, quality or quantity of your relationships then you will, in fact, change your life experience.

So, being more Intelligent about which relationships you develop and which you do not will have a profound effect on the quality of your life.

Complete the following sentence: “It is not what you know that counts, it is…”

Most people would answer: “It is Who you know.”

So, try this one: “It is not who you know that counts, it is…”

My recent audiences have replied, “It is who knows You!”

OK, so far we have been in familiar territory. No news yet.
Complete this sentence please: “It is not who knows you that counts, it is…”

When I ask this in my speeches and seminars nobody responds. They just look puzzled.
“You mean it isn’t who knows you? Then what does really count?”

Here is my reply: “It is who is Glad that they know you that counts the most.”
You see, until others are actually glad that they know you, you don’t have much of a relationship with them. But when you cause others to be proud of the fact that you are their friend, business contact, colleague, neighbor, healthcare provider, sales rep, service technician, or advisor…then you have built a true relationship asset.

I recently did a Tandem Sky Dive from 13,000 feet with a master jumper named Victor. I can guarantee you that, for the duration of our jump, Victor’s welfare mattered as much to me as my own. Some relationships are situation specific while others endure for the long term.

Relationships are Assets…or liabilities.

By knowing some people you open new doors of potential, by knowing others you close those doors. Ask Barack Obama how he feels about having a long-term friendship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. What may once have been an asset, has in recent months become a profound liability. It matters who we connect with and who we avoid.
Take a look at all of the relationships in your life today and then reflect on which ones are assets and which are not. If you spend more time with the assets and diminish your contacts with the liabilities, then you will have consciously and intentionally enhanced your life.

Those are two very important words: Consciously and Intentionally.
I believe that we need to be more conscious of what is working and not working. As Peter Drucker often said, “Things that are measured tend to improve.” When we stop and reflect on things we notice more about them, and noticing more is the essence of intelligence.
We also need to become more intentional about what we do.
Professionals in every field are more likely than others in that field to make each action intentional. The most obvious of these would be sports and theater. In competitive sports every movement counts. Tennis professionals will tell you that, while awaiting a serve, not only does the placement of your feet matter, but so does where you look. Michael Phelps, the world champion swimmer, often describes how every movement and every thought needs to be intentional in competition. Actors strive to control their eye movement, vocal tones, body language and breathing when on stage. The same things count in business dealings and interpersonal situations. Politicians learn to be intensely aware of how they say things and what the implications of their actions may be.

No, I’m not saying that we need to be “always On”, but rather, I’m observing that the more often we are conscious of what we are doing and intentional in how we do it, the more often we will succeed at our task. To try to be “on” in everything we do would be very stressful and often unnecessary.

But there are levels of control that always must be in play. There are no circumstances where it is OK to do something that is illegal or immoral. So, the more we pay attention the better off we will be.

Who is glad that they know you?

The more names you can list under that heading the more assets you will have. Relationship Assets that is.
What is a “relationship asset?” It is a direct connection with someone else who also considers it important to sustain that connection with you.
Take some time to reflect on that. Make a list of all the connections you can think of in your life and then notice the ones where they feel they are getting good value from the connection.

Did you ever know someone who was really good at “people skills” and yet their success in life was quite limited? How about this, did you ever know someone who often behaved like a jerk but still managed to gain the respect and support of other people who mattered to their success? Sometimes the jerks become highly successful despite their sometimes abrasive behavior.
Note that I did not say “because of it” but rather I said “despite” it.
Bad dealings with others always has a negative effect and the better we become at interpersonal relations the more enjoyable our lives will be. But success isn’t determined by nice dealings, it is determined by right actions at the right times with the right people.

Here are four questions that are at the core of my Relationship Intelligence message:
1. What do you want?
(love, friendship, fun, money, support, opportunity, a contract, etc.)
All relationships are defined by what the participants want from the relationship.
2. Who do you know?
When you know the right people you are in a position to produce the outcomes you desire.
3. What do they want?
The better you understand their goals, desires and dreams the more you can see ways to help them get it.
4. How can you help them get what they want?
Customer loyalty should be what we seek to give rather than what we seek to get. As my friend and mentor Zig Ziglar is famous for saying, “You can get anything you want in life if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

Take some time to reflect on today’s message. Print it out and carry it with you. Look over it again each morning and think about what it means to you. Do this for at least one month. Then drop me a note and let me know how you have changed things in your life.
Watch for more news on my upcoming book: Who is glad that they know you?
Building High-Value Relationships through increasing your “Relationship Intelligence ™.”

www.cathcart.com