July is the month that my extended family has selected for our annual gathering in Myrtle Beach, SC. There are 30-40 of us from all over the country gathered for a week of eating, playing, and catching up on all the family news. July is also the month of the Tour de France which happens to include George Hincapie, a native of Greenville, SC, my home town. That means that each morning of vacation week begins with TV coverage of the Tour de France.
The Tour de France has more weird rules than a Greer family Heart Game, but there is one concept I understand. If you are a member of the peloton, you get the same time as everyone else in the group. So if your goal is to be equal to everyone else, you just have to stay safely in a clump (technical term for peloton) with the other riders.
If you want to win a stage, or earn one of those brightly colored jerseys, you have to break away from the pack. I’m still not sure about that polka dotted jersey – it reminds me of Dr. Seuss’s “Put me in the Zoo”. But hey, if you want to wear polka dots to proclaim your prowess on the mountains and earn 25,000 euros (roughly $35.000 USD) then who am I to stop you? But I think they should go for a nice madras stripe rather than polka dots next year.
But what does this race have to do with anything?
Have you ever talked to a company employee who tells you that they want to “stay under the radar?” That to me is one of the most depressing statements that can ever be uttered by a corporate employee. First, it indicates a lack of motivation on the part of the employee. Secondly, it is indicative of the kind of corporate culture where risk-taking is neither encouraged nor rewarded. It is a symptom of a company or department headed for a crash.
If everyone in the Tour de France had a goal of merely staying in the peloton, there would be no winners or losers, no fight for jerseys, and no point in watching. It would be boring. It would even be sad, and we would know no individual names. Rather we would know the outline of the blob that contains them.
If you find yourself stuck in a corporate peloton, now is the time to make a break for the lead. Start innovating, find a creative outlet, and find a new place to apply your talents. Build your personal brand, hone your skills and switch into high gear. The view is much better from the front of the line.
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Geni Whitehouse CPA, CITP, CSPM Author, speaker, trainer > 50% Countess of Communication, Brotemarkle,Davis Co. > 50% Writin', speakin', consultin' Co-founder of SolveServices.com a remote bookkeeping service for wineries. How to hire me. Author How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard I have a ton of other websites including my newest for Twitter newbies www.evenatwit.com Originally from Greenville, SC, I now live in Napa, California. Contact Geni
I am an accountant on a mission. I want to permanently remove the blight of BORING that has attached itself to members of my profession.
But the boring blight doesn't stop there. It's everywhere. I've found it in wineries (although it's a tad more palatable when served with alcohol), in science labs, even in Art museums. And technology people carry the "B" gene too. But the condition need not be fatal. I lecture around the country to accountants and technology audiences and I have a ball. I was a partner in an Atlanta CPA firm when I realized technology was my true passion and I have been fighting the nerd versus geek battle ever since. Through some stroke of absolutely amazing luck, I now find myself in Napa -- the most gorgeous, hospitable place imaginable. Are you on Twitter? You can follow my nerdy life there : evenanerd Contact me [email protected] I am a graduate of the Jeff Justice Comedy Workshoppe and the Persuasive Speaker course taught by Speechworks. I highly recommend both of these organizations. I have also taken training from the amazing Lynda Spillane. I am not unbiased, nor do I wish to be. I have done work for anyone and everyone in the software industry or the accounting profession. If I am not impressed by what you do or can't find an angle that is interesting or unique, I won't work for or with you. And if you are stodgy or boring, there are not enough dollars or even euros to make me help you. See samples of my writing here: www.salestaxradar.com www.mybizcounts.com Archives
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