Skip to main content

3 Days in the Belly of the Whale


What does a leader do when they are stuck in the belly of the technology whale for three days? Over the past three days I have been without internet service. Our wireless router died and we had to order another one. It has been like being in the belly of a whale for three days. I had no contact with the outside world. I didn’t blog for three days; I know you were all wondering where I was.
What can a leader do when you don’t have technology access for three days and you have to communicate? In today’s world where our lives depend upon the technology to get the work done it can become very frustrating when that which you depend upon is unavailable. I know what you are saying; “why didn’t I go to the Library?” I could have done that. I could have stayed later at work and did some things at that time. I prefer to do that work at home because it is separate from my job.
Here are some things leaders can do to be prepared for that time when they are stuck in the belly of the technology whale.
  • Have a back-up plan – If your computer goes down do you have other means to access your important information.
  • Use more than one way to access the internet – Smart phone can be a great way to do this.
  • If your router goes down have a way to still access the internet. – Take your computer to hot spots (Caribou coffee or Starbucks).
  • Go old school – Pick up that phone or paper and either call someone or write them a note. They will be shocked!
  • Get personal – If there are some things you can do face to face do them. It always is more productive to be face to face with someone especially if you are conducting business.
  • Enjoy the opportunity not to answer emails or go on the internet.

Be prepared so you don’t have to feel like you are stuck in the belly of the whale. You don’t want to miss out on important information or a great opportunity.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Where Have I Been?

 The title of this article is apropos since I haven't blogged in almost 12 years. I plan to start this blog up again and try to blog on a consistent basis. I will also be broadening the topics that I write about. Be sure to subscribe so you can get notifications about when I post. So what have I been up to since that October day in 2013 when I made my last blog? Let me recap for you. When that post happened I was in the middle of my Toastmaster journey and I'm happy to say that I crossed the Toastmaster finish line by earning my DTM. I didn't continue in Toastmasters after that since I changed jobs and took my leadership skills to Mathnasium and started running a Mathnasium in Blaine MN in 2016. I got the opportunity to blend my education degree with my MBA and use it as the Director of the Mathnasium in Blaine. I also had the opportunity to be the director at one in St Louis Park and one in  Andover. I ran these until 2023 when I decided to go back into the classroom and t...

Team of Rivals

 Today I'm going to give you a book review. My favorite books to read are non-fiction books about baseball seasons, baseball players, presidents, or history. The book I'm currently reading and almost done with is "Team Of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin published in 2005. This book is 754 pages and I have 23 pages left so I think I can give you a good indication about the book. This book is really a retelling of the political career and presidency of Abraham Lincoln as told through extensive research into diaries and memoirs of those who worked closely with Lincoln. I have really enjoyed this book and the writing of Kearns. She is able to piece together all of her information about Lincoln's presidency and life during that time. She gives us up close narratives of the behind the scenes at the White House and his cabinet especially during the civil war. More often than not Presidents will give cabinet spots to friends. This book shows that Lincoln surrounded himsel...

The Audience

Any time you give a presentation it is not only the presentation that is important but the audience may be just as important. It is the audience that you are selling your idea to and presenting the information to as well. It is important to make sure you are meeting the needs of your audience. In that regard you need to understand the types of people that could make up your audience. We are looking at the concept of SOW and REAP. The SOW portion was the presentation itself and it included Substance, Ownership and WOW Factor. The REAP is the audience, starting Monday I will address what the R stands for. First lets look at the principle of sowing and reaping. The idea is that whatever you sow that you will also reap. If you plant corn you should reap corn. In our little scenario if you plant a quality presentation with great ideas you should be able to reap success. If you present a bland and boring presentation your will probably put your audience to sleep and your idea and present...