Live like Interns

Live like Interns…

Today several of my colleagues and I spent a few hours with our nine Summer Interns, on the last day of their 10-week internship. 

Each individual gave a presentation on an idea, a project they’ve completed, an initiative they recommend, or a ‘key takeaway’ from their experience.   

Following their presentations, we congratulated them on an internship well done, with a nice reception overlooking the Las Vegas skyline.

Watching and listening to these nine talented, future hospitality leaders speak, and having spent some quality time with many of them this summer, I’ve decided…we should all live like Interns.

Interns are:

·      Inquisitive…and genuinely interested in learning  (they listen really well)

·      Enthusiastic…and full of ideas for the future

·      Fun…and they smile ALL THE TIME

·      Fearless…yet they’re just as friendly as can be

·      Passionate…and inspired by the simplest things, yet they still dream BIG

The older we get, we tend to talk more than we listen. 

With age comes more life experience, which sometimes (as we all know) gives way to ‘life’s disappointments’; and before we know it, our ‘bright ideas’ seem less and less “possible”. 

You and I often find ourselves spiraling into the tedious daily routine that used to be fun, but for whatever reason has lost its luster; and we don’t smile as much.  

Chelsey & Kassie, from Penn State

The more we get “burned” in our relationships professionally and personally, we’re less and less willing to take chances and go for it…and before we know it, we find ourselves shutting down, socially engaging and/or personally connecting with fewer and fewer people at work or in the community.

Those plans we once had and those dreams we used to dream can easily fade away as we slowly come to grips with merely settling for…whatever…just because it’s easier that way.

Well…I’ve decided.  If given a choice, I’d rather live like interns!

·      They listen more than they talk…and...people like them.

·      They dream.  Period.  Nothing is impossible to them, and they’re FIRED UP.

·      They connect and engage…with everyone they meet. 

( And did I mention…people LIKE THEM)

·      They don’t even know how to spell – FEAR

The irony is that today nine college seniors spent a couple hours telling my colleagues and I how much they learned from us…but I could write a book on how much I just learned from them.

In fact…I’m going to start, TODAY, being more like them.  Today, we should all go back to living like interns. 

Have a great day.

Taylor

Thanks to our new friends: Brianna, Anna, Mikael, Dominique, Ashley, Kassie, Patrik, Christina, and Chelsey, for not only 10 weeks of your service, but also for the inspiration we all need, from time to time, to have fun, learn new things, dream BIG, and smile through it all…

#PassionForPossibility

The Truth about Jerks

The Truth about Jerks

We’ve all either been a jerk to someone or we’ve been on the receiving end of someone else’s jerk-like tendencies.  We’re all human.  It happens.

People are jerks sometimes; no question…it’s an unfortunate reality.  The fortunate reality, however, is (or can be) how we choose to react when people around us are…in a word - a jerk.

Some OneMoreStep thoughts on Jerks:

They may NOT know better

Though it may be hard to believe, that person on the other end of the phone, across the aisle, across the conference room table, or in the next room, may not know how to act or react in certain situations.  In some cases, even if they know what’s right, they may not know how to show it, say it, or do it.

Something else may be going on in their life

Everybody has stuff. 

Jerks are not indigenous to our current location, current place of employment, or current city

Despite our natural tendency to romanticize ‘the next season’ or ‘our next place of employment’ (you know…’that’ place or ‘that’ company where it ‘would’ be so much better), the grass isn't greener (with fewer 'jerks') someplace else.  Jerks have a funny way of surfacing, no matter where we find ourselves.

They're probably scared of something

One of my favorite authors and guru on Leadership and Marketing, Seth Godin, published a blog post several months ago entitled, “Snark and Fear”.  The main idea of the post was that if/when people get snarky with us; we should ask them what they’re afraid of. 

Jerks may have needs

They may very well need help.  Whether it is financial assistance, someone they can call a friend, someone to make them laugh, or perhaps just something or someone to put their mind at ease…they may have a huge hole the size of Texas in their life, and they may need something or someone.

Wait…maybe…in reality they're not a jerk after all

It could be that they may not be as bad as we think. 

Not sold?  Still not buying it?

I wasn’t either…until I remembered that I, too, have been a real jerk to people at one time or another.  Then I thought, “wouldn’t it be nice if people gave me the benefit of the doubt when I was a total jerk…”

That's reason enough to be that person to the "jerks" in our lives, because they're no different than us.  I bet deep down, they're not really jerks.

So when people are total jerks to us, going OneMoreStep, smiling right back at them, meeting them where they are, and perhaps even figuring out a way to help them could be way more fun and productive.

Too often we try to get back at them or win the argument or prove our point.  Every time I do that I get myself in trouble or make matters much worse.  Then…who’s the jerk?

That’s the truth about jerks.

Have a great day.

Taylor

The Beauty of Now

The Beauty of Now

 

I dream about the future; many say I do so far too often.  I’m guilty as charged…it’s true.  I love the opportunity of the future – what we can accomplish, where we could go, how we’ll get there, and with whom we’ll take our adventures.

However, last week my girlfriend and I took a quick weekend trip to Southern California, and of course spent most of our time at the Disneyland Resort.  On several occasions, she asked me, “What’s been your favorite part of the trip so far?” 

Every time, I answered, “right now…” 

Each time the question was posed, I literally couldn’t think of a better moment than the very moment in which the question was being asked…each time.  (A possible milestone in my own personal growth and development, as I'm usually obsessed with everything BUT what's happening right now…but that’s another story for another time…)

I felt compelled to share these OneMoreStep thoughts on the ‘beauty of now’…Perhaps this rings true for you, people on your teams, loved ones at home, colleagues at work, or maybe even for our friends…No matter what we have going on in our lives, right now, these truths apply:

We’ll never be younger than we are right now.

If that ‘imminent’ thing we’re dreading is looming, it’s still just that, looming.  It isn’t happening just yet.  Why worry?

The annoying disappointments of yesterday are long gone; in the past. We don’t have to deal with them now.

Most of what we’ve ever learned in school or in life can finally be put to use, right now.

Even if we haven’t quite accomplished our goals, we can hustle and work toward making our dreams realities, now.

If we’re in a rut, or a rough patch; it’s only a season…it won’t be this way forever, it’s only this way right now.

If life is good, and we’re really enjoying it, then we’ll soon miss the way things are, right now.

Moments that make us happy are never more wonderful than when they’re actually happening.  Sure we always have the memories, and pictures capture an image of what was happening in those moments, but our most cherished moments capture our hearts and minds, right now, when they’re happening.

So instead of worrying about what’s yet to happen, or the unfortunate things that have happened, we should focus on what is happening…right now.  Too often we don’t enjoy what’s happening right now, and pretty soon we find ourselves asking “what happened…” and all we can think about is how good we had it back then.

I like what our friend Andy Bernard says in one of his last monologues on NBC’s The Office – Series Finale:  

 “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the ‘good ole days’ before you’ve actually left them.”   – Andy Bernard

We can dream about how it should be, how it’s supposed to be, or how we’d like it to be…OR we can accept and embrace the way things are, right now…today.  Because what’s happening at this very moment is real…it’s not a dream. 

And that’s what makes NOW beautiful…it may be a mess, but at least it’s not a fantasy, it’s real.

Embrace it.  Accept it.  Enjoy it.  Love it.  Love the NOW…because down the road we may look back and wish we had embraced more, accepted more, enjoyed more, and loved more.  If we all truly go OneMoreStep, doing all we can do, TODAY, for people around us RIGHT NOW, imagine living in that world…imagine that fullness of life, every day. 

“Talk about a standing ovation.  Everybody take a bow.  But don’t talk about tomorrow tonight.  I love the now…” – Jimmy Buffett, “I Love the Now”; Floridays album - 1986

Enjoy the season…enjoy the now.

Taylor

Shelf Space

Shelf Space 

This one’s for the Moms…

What we know today didn’t just come to us, in a vision, or out of the clear blue sky.  Most, if not all of what we know today is because of what we learned once upon a time, from someone else. 
What we know today, in most cases, we actually began learning weeks, months, or even years ago.

My mom was a school teacher for 27 years.  She taught Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd Grade.  Depending on the time of year and topic on the lesson plan, she would transform her classroom into an ocean or a rainforest or an elegantly set dining room for high tea, for a Mother’s Day Tea Party – complete with antique tea cups, table cloths, and dishes.

My mom didn’t just teach…she created.  She told me once that her goal, in teaching these young people, was to simply create shelf space.  During the unit on The Ocean or The Rainforest she would aim to merely plant a seed, creating a shelf in the mind of an 8-year old, who perhaps one day would have an opportunity to study or work in a related field later in life, adding to that shelf space of knowledge first created in the 3^rd Grade.

At the Mother’s Day Tea Party for 2^nd Graders, seven-year old boys and girls learned how to be well-mannered Men & Women.  Mom wasn’t as concerned about 2^nd graders mastering table manners or proper etiquette right then and there, but instead she was simply creating shelf space…so as young adults or professionals later in life, they could not only draw from what they’d learned, but also add to their knowledge on the ‘etiquette shelf’ first created in the 2^nd Grade.

The OneMoreStep Thought on shelf space is two fold: 

1)    You and I have opportunities every single day to create shelf space for someone else – our friends, family members, coworkers, teams, bosses, and even our students, Guests, or customers.  We all may not be experts, but all of us do have unique talents, time, and passions…sharing any one or all of them with the people in our lives just might create shelf space in their hearts and/or minds that one day could lead to a new sense of purpose, an inspiring journey, or simply a positive difference in their lives.

2)    Sure we work hard, and absolutely we can be proud of our accomplishments.  While some may have created their own destinies or climbed their “mountain” by his or herself, most of us have what we have today because of someone else.  Somewhere, at some point along the line, someone either gave us a break, gave us a shot, taught us a lesson, or inspired us to make a decision that would change our lives for the better. 

We should remember those people, and tell them or show them how much we appreciate the positive impact they’ve made in our lives.

Join me in honoring all Mothers, Grandmothers, Great-Grandmothers, and Aunts on this Mother’s Day weekend, for the lessons and shelf space they’ve created for us over the years.  
To my Mom – Every single day I draw from or add to one of the thousands of ‘shelves’ that you first created in my heart and mind - some years ago, while others were just days ago.  Thanks for the lessons and thanks for the love.   
I love you…Happy Mother’s Day.

One for the road…

I was a unique case, having my Mom for a Kindergarten teacher, both of my Aunts were educators, and both of my grandmothers were educators.
Last week several colleagues and I participated in Junior Achievement’s – JA in a Day program.  We spent the day at a local Las Vegas elementary school, teaching Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th Graders about Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy.  

At first I was a bit nervous, standing in the front of a 4^th Grade classroom teaching 32 ten-year old students about Entrepreneurship, Business, Revenues, Expenses, Profits, Losses, Problem Solving, Risks, & Rewards.

However, thanks to the greatest teachers in my life – Mom, Nini, Jennifer, MomMom, and MaMa – I had ample “teaching” shelf space…so I just connected the dots backwards to all the years I watched and listened to my Mom, aunts, and grandmothers...teaching felt quite natural after that.

…and my colleagues and I took great pride in creating some ‘entrepreneurial’ shelf space for the students of Cunningham Elementary School. Who knows whom among them will become the next Steve Wynn, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, or Bill Gates...

Happy Mother's Day...

Have a great day.

Taylor

"  ...you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life. " 
  -- Steve Jobs

Being there... Guest Blog Post by Sonny Ritacca

Guest blog post, by Sonny Ritacca:

Being there….

Greetings, One More Step Nation. 

It has been a privilege to read, live, love, and grow with the One More Step Revolution, and watch it evolve into what it has become today.    

However, having the privilege to have Taylor Scott in my corner for over 12 years, there is little I haven’t already seen put into action, on our playing field, better known, as “life.” These are not just words or concepts to him… They are his way of being.  

The greatest lesson learned and one that has been pivotal in my leadership journey is “being there”. 

I can’t think of one important day in my life, where Taylor has not been there in some form or fashion.  Whether it’s a promotion, graduation, heartbreak, loss, screw up, or simply to bounce off an idea or strategy; I don’t remember every beer we’ve enjoyed together, or all the antics that have ensued over the years (well I remember most), but I certainly remember every time he was there for the aforementioned moments. 

Not only does he celebrate with me, he cries with me; a true measure of one’s character.  “Being there” synergy is often the common denominator in our trusted circle of our Band of Brothers (we hit it off and immediately became the best of friends during and following the tragic events of September 11^th, 2001.)  Perhaps that’s why we have such closely knit, trusted group. 

In leadership or friendship, I truly believe that “being there” is what separates the good from the great.  To establish trust, loyalty, and partners that will go shoulder-to-shoulder with you, this is the right way to get there.  Be there for our people at the times that are most important to them and when they need it the most. 

As a leader, do not confuse this with the ability to have the tough talks with your people or an excuse for not holding your people accountable.  If your people feel that you love them and that you are there for them, the tough talks and measures of accountability become easier, and with greater impact.  How?  Because they understand that your position comes from a place of love for the person and the business.  They will walk away from it, feeling they let you down, and an unbridled hunger to do better and tear down the walls for you.

Furthermore, they will understand that you will be right there with them.  If they are not the right fit for the business, they will understand that you made every effort to get them there, before it’s time for separation.     

In his book, Leadership, Rudy Giuliani passes on a lesson he learned from his father: “Weddings are discretionary and funerals are mandatory”.  I love this lesson.  While being mindful of crossing personal boundaries for those you lead, understand when you need to “be there”.

Cheers,

Sonny

One for the road...

We took the month of April OFF, from writing OneMoreStepRevolution blog posts.  

I talked to Sonny the other day, and he said he hadn't seen a post in a few weeks.  I told him I was taking a break after feeling a bit discouraged, down, and even disappointed in a few outcomes as of late.  As usual, Sonny had some encouraging words, picked me up, and even went OneMoreStep in sharing some of his encouraging and passionate words with OneMoreStep Nation.

Thanks, for being there, Sonny...thanks for bringing us back. 

#45

Have a great day.

Taylor 

A few weeks after we first met, both Sonny and I experienced the 'not so magical' side of a breakup.  Two weeks later we found ourselves bonding at a Jimmy Buffett concert together in Manassas, VA on September 9th, 2001...cheering each other right up.  (Needless to say, we grew even closer just days later after the events of 9-11-01.) 

He grew up in Chicago loving baseball, and I grew up in Kentucky loving basketball.  He always appreciated the rich tradition and heritage of the Kentucky Wildcats, and I grew up with a fascination with Wrigley Field and watching the storied Chicago Cubs on WGN.  

We clicked instantly over sports, Disney, and Jimmy...to this day we go to games, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Jimmy Buffett concerts...nothing like being there...

We both love Summertime, palm trees, oceans, islands, live music, Disney, and William James Buffett...12 years and upwards of 20 Jimmy concerts later...we seem to always remind each other of the importance of 'being there' for one another; which is how this whole thing started.

The more things change, the more they stay the same... 

 

Context Is King

Context is King

We get upset.  We get confused.  We’re often disappointed.  We are frustrated too frequently.

By the same token, we upset people, confuse people, disappoint people, and whether we realize it or not…chances are pretty solid that we also frustrate the people in our lives at work and at home. 

(People that know me will tell you that I've managed to become a professional at all of the above...however, I'm working on it...)

Why?

Too often we don’t know where they’re coming from on certain topics.  Maybe they don’t really know where our sudden burst of conviction and passion is coming from on those very same topics.  We AND They…far too often, just don’t know WHY…

OneMoreStep Thought: Tell ‘em why!  Give people the why’s.  Give people the context, the reason, the back story, the challenges…give them the CONTEXT of the situation.  The real OneMoreStep lies in not only giving the context, but ASKING FOR the context. 

It’s easy to preach, pontificate, and dictate our thoughts and our convictions.  That’s what everyone usually does; which is what usually turns off the person on the other end of the phone or the person in the other department or the person that has a complete opposite view.  Relationships get nowhere, fast, as a result.

On the other hand, when we pause, take a deep breath, and ask for more context, and ask for the why’s; if and when we not only ask, but listen to them…that’s when we begin to understand.  That’s when they begin to feel more comfortable with us; and it’s that comfort that leads to TRUST, and the trust, is what leads to thriving, productive RELATIONSHIPS.

Now…we’re partnering.  Now…we’re a team.  Now…we’re enjoying the conversation rather than avoiding it.

The challenge is usually rooted in the inability to communicate effectively, and the missing link, more often than not…is CONTEXT.

Context is King.  Provide it and Ask for it.

Have a great day.

Taylor

Related Post: Content is King with a twist

Championing

Championing

Champions are special…

They’re usually “the best’, the “winners”, and deserving of the title.  They’re talented, skillful, and have earned the respect of everyone.

They didn’t get there alone.  More often than not, they had a coach, a mentor, a leader, supporters, advocates…they had champions along the way. 

When you look up the word – champion; (champ · pi · on) – on Merriam-Webster.com, the #1 noun definition reads, “WARRRIOR, FIGHTER”.

One of the verb definitions reads – “to act as militant supporter of…”  I like that one too.

Champions are special because of all the championing they had along the way.  How awesome would you be if you had warriors and fighters, actively and aggressively supporting you? 

Better yet, how awesome would you and I be, if WE were the ones…what if we were the coaches, mentors, leaders, supporters, and advocates who made somebody go OneMoreStep, reach for the stars, diligently dream their dreams, realize their full potential, and/or helped them become that person God created them to be?

Champions are special…So wouldn't it be cool to be somebody's champion?

Who are you championing?

Have a great day.

Taylor 

Championing for the road…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (March 19th) to one of my biggest supporters, one of my coaches (career and otherwise), one of my advocates, and one of my champions…my friend, Sonny Ritacca. 

We met in the summer of 2001 at a get together for returning Walt Disney World College Program Alumni.  We all loved (and still do) Disney and we were sort of champions for the Disney College Program, in our own right back then. 

A few months later, on September 11^th, 2001, those planes flew into the World Trade Center, and the world changed.  Our worlds changed.  We needed jobs.  We needed hope.  We needed friends.  We needed champions, in our lives.  We needed each other. 

Sonny was then and continues to be a champion, for me, his friends, his family, and his company.  Since that summer of 2001, every big day on the job, big interview, big test day in grad school, or even just for fun, I’ve received text messages, phone calls, emails, and social media posts, from Sonny, that read, “Play Like a Champion Today”.  Supporting, advocating, encouraging, and championing...

Son, thanks for being you, and thanks for championing me and others, for as long as we’ve known you. 

Happy Birthday, and as you continue to go OneMoreStep after OneMoreStep, for Avis Budget Group, to revolutionize the car rental industry, on behalf of OneMoreStep Nation: