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2. At an upcoming business social, go around the room and hook up with as many strangers as possible. After a brief introduction, ask them what they do for a living, then shut up and listen. Periodically nod your head in agreement and use your eyes to offer support and encouragement. Occasionally say: “That sounds interesting, tell me more.” People will be impressed. By evening’s end, attendees will leave the gala affair commenting on your leadership potential and exceptional communication skills.
3. Stop watching TV. George W. Bush has gotten a few things right, and this is one of them. Television deadens our senses, causes undue anxiety about the future and leaves us feeling sullen and morose. In return for this small sacrifice, you’ll receive a dividend of extra time to creatively do nothing. Spend it wisely. Perhaps lighting a candle or expanding your spirit of gratitude for life’s little blessings.
4. Sit still for ten minutes each day in silence. No prayer needs to be said; no mantra recited. Simply be present and be quiet.
Mystery in the Marketplace
Mystery is marbled into all of life, and especially that of work. The realm of business is often the place where the drama of life unfolds. The perplexing realities of good, evil, suffering, and injustice are made manifest. The inscrutability of growth, transformation and personal redemption often accompanies our work. As we journey in our jobs, we come to realize that life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived. It’s said that upon graduation, doctors are informed that half of what they were taught is wrong. The problem is, the medical establishment's not sure exactly which half it is. When you’re dealing with a human being, mystery runs rampant. Working with people is not a mechanical relationship. It’s a sacred one. If you consider that corporations are comprised of hundreds and thousands of human beings, it’s unlikely we can readily mandate operating principles that will engage and motivate them. Perhaps simply showing up and listening is a worthwhile strategy for business success. When confronted with mystery, our most practical response is awe: boldfaced and with abject stupefaction. It’s no surprise that “mystery” comes from the Greek verb meaning: keep your mouth shut. If we’re looking for an executive role model for the competency of managing mystery, we might want to consider Moses standing before the burning bush. In stark imitation, we’re well served to remain silent, remove our sandals and recall that we are standing on sacred ground. I wonder how long it’ll take Stephen Covey to add these to his list of “Highly Effective Habits”? P.S. If you’re thinking about writing me, give in to the temptation. I love getting mail ... and being influenced by what you have to say. Please contact me at www.kennythemonk.com Click here to see my additional blogs  Kenny Moore - best-selling author, former Catholic monk and present-day business executive - is co-author of The CEO and the Monk: One Company’s Journey to Profit and Purpose (John Wiley and Sons), rated as one of the top ten best selling business books on Amazon.com. He is Corporate Ombudsman and Human Resources Director at a New York City Fortune 500 company. Reporting to the Chairman, he is primarily responsible for awakening joy, meaning and commitment in the workplace. While these efforts have largely been met with skepticism, he remains eternally optimistic of their future viability.
Kenny has more than 20 years experience with managing change, developing leaders and healing the corporate community. He’s been profiled by Charles Osgood on CBS Sunday Morning News and interviewed by Tom Peters, the Wall Street Journal and Fast Company magazine regarding his unique leadership style. Kenny is the recipient of Notre Dame University’s 2006 Hesburgh Award for his significant contribution to the field of business ethics. Prior to working in Corporate America, Moore spent 15 years in a monastic community as a Catholic priest - doing a very similar kind of work, but getting paid a lot less. Only registered users can write comments.
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