Distracting Trumpet

I can remember as a little kid watching episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus and laughing hysterically at the pure silliness of the skits. Those were deep and hearty laughs that were overwhelmingly fun. I loved it.

I haven't laughed that hard, well, since the early seventies...

That is, until now.

I was watching Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy the other night.

It was a repeat. They had a bit called "Distracting Trumpet".

Its a kind of parody of wise-guy-mafia movies.

I'm not sure if its the real Paul Sorvino's voice in it--if it isn't then Seth is a genius of hitting the mark in imitating him.

Anyways, a bunch a "connected" guys are sitting around the clubhouse, planning and strategizing their underworld moves. The setting is typical, the men are wearing designer suits, there is low lighting, and the stereotypical trumpet soundtrack is playing in the background.

Then, well, lets just say it turns absurd and Chuck Mangione's Feels So Good comes into play.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaPzqs17xBQ

Its ridiculous.

But I laugh so hard I actually start to cry.

Yes. Seth is a genius.

Doing Business With People You Like and Trust

Warren Buffet has been known to say that he only does business with people he likes, respects and trusts.

As a matter of fact, if he has high trust with an individual, he will pen and accept a deal recommended by that person worth millions without being overly concerned about the paperwork and due diligence He still does that of course. I mean, he is after all a great investor and business man.

Here's the thing.

That makes sense.

When I work and collaborate with people I trust and respect, the work seems effortless. We get a great deal of work done. It's easy and fun.

Consider the opposite.

With low trust, and a lack of respect, my energy is consumed in other things instead of the work. Will this individual show up? Will they sabotage our efforts? How long do I have to endure their company? etc...

I have said it again and again. I would rather work with someone who has average capabilities, and is completely trustworthy, committed and reliable rather than with a superstar who is hit and miss when it comes to their being counted on.

As the saying goes: "A cohesive group of team minded players will usually beat a collection of individual prima donna superstars".

A great team has trust, likeability, and committment. Very Important. Very True.

That Airline Attendant That Went Nuts...

I wasn't quite sure what my reaction was when I heard of Airline Steward Mr. Steven Slater's alleged meltdown.

Apparently, he quit in the most dramatic fashion possible too. It was reported that with two beers in his hands, he slid down the emergency exit slide while the plane was parked on the runway landing. This of course happened after he apparently told those who were upsetting him to go F Bomb themselves.

I wasn't there when it happened.

But I will say this. Obviously, Mr. Slater hit his boiling point and snapped.

He has become somewhat of an online hero. I can empathise. Dude was having a bad day-- and he succumbed.

And now, from that sheer act of completely unedited emotion, he is slated to get his own reality show. The premise? Guiding people how to quit their job in a memorable way.

Wow.

I have come to believe that if you ain't doing what you love to do in your career, the day will come when you will pull a Slater at your workplace. I'm not saying its right or that its wrong.

It's inevitable.

Sincere Kindness Rules Supreme

Yeah. Ok.

But it really does.

I'm not talking about the "people-pleasing-door-mat-style" of being nice. Not at all.

I'm talking about a sincere and honest effort towards being decent, courteous, and kind--With everyone!

Lately I have found that an interaction with anybody can be a pleasant experience if my approach is from a standpoint that is empathetic, friendly and honest.

It's like a mirror. It reflects back.

This is all new to me. Or more accurately, I have just started to appreciate this powerful truth.

If I am in a grumpy mood and feel low patience for anything, I come into contact with a lotta grumpy impatient people.

When I'm feeling grateful, happy and appreciative, I tend to meet a lotta pleasant and wonderful folks.

Pretty cool.

My "macho-wanna-be" side dismisses this experience as nonsense. I don't know why that is.

But I do know this: Kindness begats kindness.

Give it a try.