QBQ!

Are We Raising Victims? 13 Beliefs to NOT Teach Our Children

I avoid contentious Facebook battles because the “other side” can always respond, just like the first dog Karen and I owned. No matter how much we admonished Marmaduke for barking, he’d let out one more ear-piercing, “Woof!” Every. Single. Time.

Gone now 20 years, we still quote “Duke the Dachshund” when someone insists on getting the last word in.

Woof!

Anyway, skimming a recent Facebook debate, a comment made by a dad caught my eye. In a good way, he masterfully shut down the argument.

As his debate opponent lamented what is “happening to our world” and fretted about how “the children” will be affected, this wise father calmly replied, “I don’t worry about my kids. I didn’t raise victims.“

Well done, Dad. As Shakespeare wrote, “Brevity is the soul of wit.”

Let me now say what that father said in different words:

How To Have Harmonious Holidays (Or … How to Be Happy Like A Toddler)

For a moment, do your best to ignore the beautiful little boy above. 🙂

I saw a poll indicating a record number of people fear politics-based family tension during this year’s holiday gatherings.

My first thought was, That stinks. Life is too short.

When I pondered what could make the difference, these words came to me:

Outstanding Organizations Know It’s NEVER About The Pickle

Outstanding! 47 Ways To Make Your Organization Exceptional

This organization with more than 2,630 stores is very likely outstanding, but on this day, a franchise owner and his manager were not. Read on …

– – – – – – – – –

My 29-year-old son, Michael, and I met at a sub sandwich shop down the street. A handy location for us both—and now our former favorite place to eat.

It was never about the pickle.

After interacting with a friendly cashier, we got our sandwiches and sat down. When Michael realized we’d not received our sliced half-pickle, he said to the counter guy, “Excuse me, we ordered a pickle and didn’t get it.” His response?

Skip The Fads—Invest In Training That Achieves 3 Crucial Results

Looking for training that works? Click here.

“Dad, I didn’t know you could do that!” declared thirtysomething daughter, Tara, grinning ear-to-ear.

Little 4-year-old McKenna loved what she was seeing, too.

What were they so amazed by?

The QBQ! Grandpa efficiently spinning a Hula Hoop around his waist and hips—and keeping it going!

Hula Hoops, what a fad they were.

From pet rocks to PEZ dispensers to parachute pants to spinners, fads can be fun for kids and adults. However, here’s a truth:

EVERYTHING Works Better With Personal Accountability

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At QBQ, Inc., we’ve always believed the QBQ! book’s message of PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY helps managers and staff work together better. So, it was fun to see two emails arrive that show exactly how this can happen.

Enjoy!

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Email #1: Steven, Franchise Manager, Fred Astaire Dance

13 Symptoms of Victim Thinking

We’ll get to our list, but first …

Someone asked me recently, “John, how do you decide what to write about?” Well, I write about stuff that—

Want Success? Raise Your Inner Game!

My wrestling coach dad, Jimmy Miller, had a poem hanging on the Cornell University grappling room wall in the 1960s. Still burned into my brain, here’s an excerpt from “The Man Who Thinks He Can”:

If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don’t.

If you’d like to win, but think you can’t

It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost.

For out in the world we find

Success begins with a person’s will,

It’s all in your state of mind.

Powerful stuff, for sure. If that’s not a poem about mindfulness, I’m not sure what is. And “mindfulness” is a hot topic!

In the QBQ! book we write, “The old stuff is the good stuff”—so in line with that poem, here’s an old idea that is forever good:

Crucial Question: When is a customer an inconvenience?

The Philosophy

In Flipping the Switch (the companion to the QBQ! book), we write this:

“Organizations don’t serve people, individuals serve people. In the customers’ eyes the institution is only as good as the person they are interacting with at that moment. In other words, the individual is the organization.”

The Set-up

Though I was driving farm tractors and pick-up trucks by age 13, not to mention replacing my 1970 Plymouth Valiant’s water pump and radiator at 20, I’ve never felt super comfortable in auto parts stores. I’m probably not alone.

If there is ever a time to help me feel welcome, it’s in an auto parts store.

199 WORDS: How Accountable People Think

Grab the new QBQ! Workbook for personal application of QBQ!

Our ability to think is a blessing—and a curse when we don’t control our thinking. Why is it critical to take captive our thoughts?

Because you and I are forever a product of our thinking. A question to ponder:

How well have I disciplined my thoughts recently?

Use this list to “grade” yourself …

20 Thoughts Accountable People Think

The Challenge of Change: Four Roadblocks

As you explore the four roadblocks we face when attempting to change, ask yourself, “Which of these do I struggle with?” If you’re not sure, share this blog with a trusted partner and request a reality check. You might learn something—about you!

Four Roadblocks to Change

Roadblock #1: Deny

Minding my own business in the Dubai Grand Hyatt, a knock on my door startled me. Through the peephole, I saw three serious-looking men. Opening the door, I was greeted by an English-speaking gent with a Middle Eastern accent: