Kevin W. McCarthy

Is Your Work Working?

How does one meaningfully align and engage one's heart in his or her work?  Is work truly just a job or is it an expression of something deeper?

Image by pterjan via Flickr

Let's continue to explore The On-Purpose^® Principle or Pillar One of The On-Purpose Business.  In your last On-Purpose Business Minute, we covered the magic of the purpose of the person aligned with the purpose of the organization. 

Today, we'll further dissect The On-Purpose^® Principle up close and personal.

By the way, the Purpose of the Organization doesn't just refer to a business.  A marriage, family, hospital, agency, team, department, church, or club are just a few examples of the many organizations where this is applicable.

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How Convincing Are You?

We've become a contentious and polarizing culture.  What place is there for hard edges and righteous attitudes in the course of civil conversation?

How Can I Be A Better Leader?

"How can I be a better leader?" is a question I am regularly asked.  Rather than give you leadership tips and secrets, I'm taking you to the central, inescapable baseline of leadership.  I call it The On-Purpose® Principle.  By understanding and applying this concept to your life and work, you'll see that leadership comes naturally rather than being a forced effort.

Over the next couple of On-Purpose Business Minutes, let's take to the white board for insights and practical application of the On-Purpose Principle so you can create high alignment of your personal purpose with your organizational purpose. 

Please use the comment section to ask questions and make comments. 

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Order The On-Purpose Business by clicking here.   

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Is Your Life On Autopilot?

Admit it!  If you've fallen into a rut of sorts, a kind of low-grade living that isn't all that bad, but just not all that good, then today is the perfect day to examine and explore your possibilities.  In this classic On-Purpose® Minute, awaken to the opportunities to alter the course of your life and place it on an on-purpose trajectory.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

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Can I TRUST You?

Can I TRUST you? is a question living at the heart of every relationship.  Trust is a precious and valuable state of being.  Trust in business is an essential and valuable character quality that pays dividends.   Squander your trust and your ruin your business.

By way of negative example, our dog, Hamlet (shown with Anne), is a great family dog, but a shining example of the cost of lost trust.  His intelligence surprises us regularly.  His one great flaw is being off a leash.  Within the home and fenced back yard, Hamlet will come when called.  Off the leash, however, at the dog park or when he escapes, Hamlet is a wild man.  He will be gone for hours.  Generally, he circles the house in large walk abouts through the neighborhood. 

This disobedience comes with a price.  He rarely gets to go to the dog park to play with other dogs.  When it is time to leave, he won't.  As a result of this distrust, Hamlet loses out on all sorts of privileges and benefits that a more trustworthy pooch would receive.  I hope today's On-Purpose Business Minute gives you paws for thought.  

Are You Prepared To Lose To Gain?

How do you deal with loss?  What is loss? 

Could it be that loss and, more importantly, learning how to deal with loss are simply as organic to life as the vegetable section at your local Whole Foods store?   In The On-Purpose Person, I reference fighters, floaters, fleers, and flitters as "styles" for dealing with stress and life. Learning to navigate loss is important to our health, well-being, and finances.

In today's On-Purpose^® Minute, let's explore the gains to be found in loss!  You might be surprised just how effective loss can be to our long-term benefit.

Click here to subscribe to The On-Purpose Minute which is published every Tuesday morning.

What does it take to be a success?

I found this presentation on TED that breaks down some of the key qualities of being on-purpose.   RIchard St. John was asked a simple question by a teenager.   His pursuit of the answer lead to 500 interviews over 7 years with successful people.  In 3 minutes Richard provides great insight in an entertaining manner.  Enjoy!

Kevin O. McCarthy Meets Kevin W. McCarthy

Lunch today was fun!  Thanks to a mutual friend, Kevin McCarthy met Kevin McCarthy.  For the first time in my life, I signed a book to another Kevin McCarthy.

Kevin O. McCarthy (on the left) gets my vote for being one smart, straight talking, principled, entrepreneurial, and strategic thinker.  Wow! 

Kevin is a second term US Congressman from Bakersfield, CA, an agricultural and oil area.  His roots run deep in terms of integrity and leadership. I was profoundly encouraged to see a man of high character and practical business experience serving our nation. 

We need more business persons being about the people's business.  Government is big business but it is overrun with lawyers.  No lawyer jokes here.  I have tremendous respect for their training, profession, and role; but legal minds are contentious minds.  Business minds are trained to manage and lead with an eye toward creating value.

One day I hope to have the opportunity to vote for Kevin McCarthy for President or Vice President of the United States.  Kevin McCarthy is a winner... and not just in name only! 

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What's Your Valentines Day Advice?

What's your greatest advice for keeping your marriage together?  Let me hear from you on this one!  With Valentines Day fast approaching, it would be great to gather some insights - serious and humorous alike.

The "best advice" I ever got was from a man married for 39 years.  I was in college at the time and his daughter was a dear friend of mine. As he drank his morning coffee, I asked, "Mr. Collier, to what do you attribute the longevity of your marriage to Mrs. Collier?"

Immediately he answered, "Early in our marriage we came to an agreement that I would make all the big decisions in our marriage and my bride would handle all the small decisions.  Amazingly, in 39 years of marriage there has been nothing but small decisions."

I can remember laughing as he shared that advice.  After over 25 years of marriage to my bride, I fully appreciate his humorous wisdom even more.  If only I had listened better...

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

PS: Photo is the McCarthy Family:  Charles, Judith, Anne, and Kevin

My Darden School Experience Could Be Yours!

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The Darden School at the University of Virginia provides a business education that I rate as second to none.  The faculty are amazing, the facilities are stunningly beautiful, and, yet, that isn't what makes it so exceptional.  It is the culture of Darden that makes it special.  Being a part of Mr. Jefferson's University offers a rare grounding in the exceptional vision and intelligence of this founding father.   While President's name are often attached to building and schools, Mr. Jefferson truly created to core strategy, designed the buildings, and oversaw physical construction.   He was the architect and truly laid the foundation for generations and created a culture of engaged learning and excellence.

I consider myself truly blessed to have earned my MBA from the Darden School. Have you considered getting an MBA while still working?  Here is your chance!

The MBA for Executives Program at Darden allows seasoned managers to earn the Darden MBA from the University of Virginia while continuing to work full time. Students have an average of 12 years professional experience (7 minimum).

If you’d like to learn more, you can attend the MBA for Executives Open House at Darden on Saturday February 13. The day (10 am- 3pm) includes the opportunity to participate in a classroom discussion and meet current students, faculty, and staff.

Sign up / more info at:  www.darden.virginia.edu/mbaexec