Ripple Bites #1

I came to me in the night. I don't know if it was the pounding head or the cool relief of the Tylenol Cold and Flu that finally helped me gain clarity. Either way inspiration struck so I went with it. It was one of those nights where the pen just took over as idea after idea poured through my feverish brain onto the paper below.

One of those thoughts was gaining some clarity on my new book. I shall not bore you with those details this day. The other was this thing called Ripple Bites. What in the world are Ripple Bites? Small bite size thoughts and actions that if you really take them to heart can make a world of difference in your ability to make and build the kinds of connections you want out there in the world.

So with no further adieu, let me offer up the first in what I hope will be some thought provoking and hopefully motivating ideas to get your connecting and Ripple making abilities kicked into high gear.

Ripple Bites #1: Are You Their own personal MVP?

Would the people that you are connected with right here, right now think of you as their go to person, the most important person they could be connected to? Would they consider you their own personal MVP? If not, why not?

If not, how can you become their own personal MVP?

Here's a suggestion, ask them what it would take for you to be their most valuable player? After the unusualness of the question wears off, the person you've asked will be impressed that you even care and will likely tell you what you could do to be a better friend, colleague, mentor or muse. If they don't then push harder! Tell them you really want to know and suggest that you give them a day or two to think about it and get back together to find out what you can begin doing to become their own personal MVP?

Take a Ripple Bite and chew.

You Can Be An MVP!

As I sat on my couch last night watching the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers I couldn't help but notice an important lesson for those of us who lead people. Leaders step up when they are needed and you don't even have to be the anointed leader to do it...just do it. Just make it happen.

Tim Duncan is pretty much the face of the San Antonio Spurs....the super star who always seems to rise up when he is needed and make things happen. However, in this year's finals he hasn't really done that and just the mere thought of him not playing at his best should have caused stirs of nervousness throughout Spur-nation but it didn't. Why?

Tony Parker.

You see when Tim was off, Tony, and to be fair, his teammates, stepped it up. They have done it throughout the playoffs and through the early games of the NBA Finals. However last night, it was Parker who stepped up and lead by example with selfless play, exceptional execution and pure heart and determination. He wanted to close out the Cavaliers and it showed. He took control of that game and never let the taste of victory leave his lips. And for his efforts he was awarded the NBA Finals MVP award for his performance throughout the finals. An award I think he truly deserved!

Parker is no different than you or me. We all have the ability to take control of a meeting, a project or simply dig in and work our butts off until what needs to be done is done. We all possess the ability to step up and be an MVP at any time and for many of us, especially leaders of an organization, we need people surrounding us that understand that and will see the gaps and fill them when they need filling.

Now to be perfectly fair, we don't all have Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives) rooting for us in the stands. Hell I think I could go score a 100 points if I knew she was rooting for me and I am five foot nothing. Don't worry my wife isn't worried that Eva will be calling anytime soon (especially now...thanks Tony!) so I am okay to say that.

You get the point right?

You don't have to wait for your leader to falter or be asked to be the hero to take action...just do it. Step up and start taking shots. Show everyone around you that you are the game changer and perhaps your championship...whatever it is; more customers, more productivity, more innovative products, etc. will be waiting for you.

So do you have what it takes to be an MVP for your company, your team, for your customers? I bet you do....in fact I know you do. Come on you know it too....

Step up and take the shot!

Ripple On!!!

Steve