Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

I know this video has seen a considerable amount of play on YouTube, but I thought it worthwhile to post here because of how it relates to the message of our blog.  You will need a little over one hour to see and hear the entire lecture. It will be one of the better spent hours you have had in a long time. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, put the headphones on, and be inspired.

Joe Mascia | Nobilify

joemascia3@gmail.com

“Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 – July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.”

A Few Good Men: Inspiration On The Diamond

One of the many blessings in my life has included coaching high school baseball teams for the past 23 years.  Over that time, I have had the opportunity to meet and lead so many young men of strong character.  When someone thinks of high school baseball they generally think of competition, championships and likely some funny stories about players, coaches, officials and parents.

The story I will be introducing you to has less to do with baseball other than that it provides the setting for a glimpse into the hearts of young men rooted in noble intentions and sound character.  The 2010 Woodland Regional High School baseball team is 12-5 and having a strong season positioning for post season play, but that is not at the core of this 17 man squad.  The “heart and soul” of this team is a young high school boy named Nick who will likely never get the opportunity to play the game of baseball.  He attends every Woodland Hawks game and serves as the team’s scoreboard operator, but he means so much more to the Hawks than his “tangible” role.  He is an inspiration to each and every player on the team, who treat him like a team-mate, usually busting and joking around with him as they await the start of each game.   Nick dresses in a uniform shirt and is in every way a critical part of the Woodland Hawks.

In life, we all face giants.  For David it was Goliath.  I’ve often wondered why an army of the bravest warriors of Israel did not have the courage to confront the giant Goliath, and yet a little boy (David) had the courage to take him on with just a sling and a stone.  It took nearly 45 years for me to realize that the soldiers weren’t cowards, they were just focused on the wrong thing.  The soldiers were focused on Goliath and he was an intimidating sight to see, but David was focused on something much greater, the God of Israel.  In comparison Goliath was nearly invisible to David.

Nick serves as a constant reminder and inspiration to our players of the courage it takes to face greater giants than the outcome of a baseball game.  As a result, I think these young men have learned to play with greater purpose and a courage that stares failure in the eye with no fear.

Meanwhile these same young boys that have been blessed by the inspiration that Nick brings, also carry him from the school bus to each away game and back into the bus after the game.  They serve him unselfishly and with a noble heart that is usually absent in today’s world.  Yet I’m certain they realize the inspiration, courage and nobility that Nick brings to our team, every time he graces the field.

Joe Steele

The Great Differentiator?

Recruiting and retaining quality talent within an organization will always be the great differentiator that sets the exemplar organizations apart from mediocre ones. In fact, quality workers demonstrate the pinnacle contributions realized in Healthcare, Human Services, Nonprofits, and Developmental Services; who historically have significant challenges around recruitment and retention of quality workers.

So, what is a quality worker? When we talk about quality workers, we are referring to our best people. The employees, who always find a way to stand out, perform up to and beyond expectations. They consistently demonstrate motivation, responsibility, commitment, and loyalty. A quality worker is the individual who you go to when you want something done right, and who you know will carry out the assignment and represent the organization well. From a professional standpoint a quality worker:

1. Performs - one who achieves or exceeds in performance of the essential job functions of the average worker. In this sense, satisfactory performance equates to competence.
2. Stays - one who achieves or exceeds the average length of service benchmarks with the company. In this sense, we are identifying the individual who stays with the company beyond the average length of time for his or her respective position, department, or other qualifying factors. They usually like their job.
3. Fits - one who consistently works in harmony with the team and company culture. This is someone who compliments and works well directly with the work team and with the management assigned. This is not a “yes-man” or woman, but one who understands the desired outcomes and works together for organizational common goals.

At a recent team meeting, one of our managers read a brief summary from a front-line staff person about a fantastic community experience they had with a particular person we serve in human services.  Amidst all the logistics, necessary planning components, and program and performance reviews, we heard this testimony about a real life activity in the field. Everyone at the meeting, including significant stakeholders, stopped the noise and gave their undivided attention. Heads moved away from phones and computers, pens stopped writing, ears opened, and eyes filled – everyone at the conference table was inspired.

This is why we do what we do. It was not because of the super plan we were creating, but rather the super connection to what we do (in mission) through this simple story. A quality worker writes that summary with real meaning, to their own audience because it comes more from the heart than from the head. It is an authentic extension of what they do and they don’t apologize for their better grasp of the important. Each team member at that meeting recognized without question, what was the most powerful moment.

My conviction is that “Better Quality Talent Leads to Better Quality Outcomes!” The great differentiator is clearly about hiring and keeping the quality people who routinely turn out these peak experiences.

Joe Mascia | Nobilify

joemascia3@gmail.com

Nobilify means “To Make Noble”

This blog is dedicated to all things Noble.

no•ble | possessing outstanding qualities: illustrious, famous, notable, magnificent: impressive in quality or appearance.

The perception of noble echoes integrity, commitment, respect, generosity, quality, and hard work as essential ingredients for enduring success.  Our goal with this ongoing blog will be to discuss all things noble.  To identify some magnificent ideas, highlight some fantastically kind and generous people, and point out some impressive programs or special events which capture this extraordinary attribute in life and work.

We encourage readers and bloggers to submit true stories and verified accounts which we can discuss and feature in this blog.  At times we will share noble accounts and noble deeds which have stirred us from world history.  Our hope and expectation is to ignite more amazing things through these meaningful and powerful reports.  Each should certainly give rise to a more contagious case of the noteworthy.

“Noble refers to this distinctive, impressive, and revealing quality in life and business which stands out, featured as the central theme in a larger expression of lasting excellence.”

Joe Mascia | Nobilify

joemascia3@gmail.com