Fear Is Its Own Food

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By Grant Wright, CEO

It struck me the other day that America was consumed by fear for so many months leading to the election. Fear of more Obama. Fear of change to Romney. Fear that the housing market isn’t strong enough. Fear that it’s too strong and becoming unaffordable again. Fear of Obamacare. Fear that Obama really does care. Fear that things won’t be OK. Fear that things will be OK for us, but we’re not doing enough for others. Fear. Fear.

Watching a morning ‘news’ channel that for months pedaled little more than outrage, speculation and what-ifs, suddenly overnight seeming to set its communication priorities on a discussion of coffee varieties; reading of Mitt Romney no longer having Secret Service or his campaign plane, and leaving a meeting a couple days later by getting into the back seat of his son’s ordinary gray Subaru; seeing the media offer us the latest catchphrase to turn our suddenly vacant fear capacity to “fiscal cliff” (listen for it, it too was everywhere overnight) – reminds me to stop and refuse to buy into it.

Don’t get me wrong – if you’re a gazelle with a cheetah bearing down on you then fear is a good thing. And arguably a little more tempering fear and prudence preceding the 2008 financial meltdown would have been a good thing. But we’re not gazelles and so much of what we fear is manufactured by others who profit ridiculously by playing to our fear response. So it can be hard to know good fear and harmful fear.

I recently heard someone quote a study that something like 98 percent of what we fret about never comes to pass. Arguably, at least some of it doesn’t come to pass because we worried about it and prevented it. But still, the extraordinary price we humans pay by worrying is, well, extraordinary.

Antacid sales worldwide each year alone reportedly top more than $10 billion. Sure, a lot of this is to do with other health factors like the obesity epidemic here in the U.S., but I’m guessing another big factor in this is simply people worrying, often needlessly.

KPBS radio recently reported that each year in the U.S. hospitals and surgeons have to pay out a total of more than $1 billion to surgery patients who have had something left inside them, like a sponge. And this is because there’s on average 4,000 items unintentionally left inside patients each year. Should I fear this if I need surgery? Of course not, in the same way you can’t worry about your plane being the one to crash from the roughly 50,000 commercial flights that take off every day somewhere in the world.

Since we live in the information age, we are bombarded with things to worry about like no time before. Things to potentially worry about have always happened; it’s just that we never knew about a lot of them.

So, how do we filter but not become callous? I don’t know. If you have a sure-fire solution let me know. For now, and for me, I do my best to balance and try to err on the side of concern versus indifference. As they say, what goes around comes around. So we can hope to put out more good than less, and if we’re lucky maybe some of that will come back to us. But you can’t, and shouldn’t of course, have that expectation.

At (W)right On, we advise our clients not to make decisions from a platform of fear. It is a poor platform. Better to make it from a reasonably and intelligently informed position, and then put full effort behind making whatever that decision have the best possible outcome.

Fear. Worry. Unless there’s a cheetah chasing you, in the inimitable words of Meher Baba made even more famous by Bobby McFerrin, “Don’t worry, be happy.”


Image credit: ajlber / 123RF Stock Photo

Movember Tips from a Dedicated Mo

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By Chancelor Shay, Account Executive

While at the supermarket picking up supplies for Thanksgiving, did you find yourself thinking, “What's with all these horrendous mustaches?” Those in the know can tell you it’s no coincidence you’re seeing more mo’s around this time of year as the annual fundraising challenge Movember is in full swing. If you didn't know, Movember is an annual month-long campaign where men grow out their Flavor Savers to raise money and awareness for men’s health issues, particularly prostate and testicular cancer. Proud participants, such as myself, build teams and set up online accounts where friends, family, colleagues and extended supporters can donate some of their hard-earned cash to help the cause.

In my third year, I’m hardly an expert. In fact, that’s not even the point. But I have learned a few things and while I was sharing some tips with NBC San Diego, I decided a more thorough list of pointers was warranted. These guidelines won’t help thicken your Lip Rug, or at least they didn't for mine, but they will help you get the most out of your efforts and have a lot of fun in the process.

Create the conversation! First and foremost, Movember isn't simply an excuse to don a 'stache, it’s a movement not only to help fund research to develop a cure or treatment for a disease that affects one in two men, it’s also to make preventative and proactive men’s health decisions mainstream and acceptable. When someone compliments your Mouth Brow, don’t just say thanks; take it a step further and create a dialogue which will help connect them with the movement. Hopefully, this will have a ripple effect where they start other conversations around men’s health issues (and mustaches) and it keeps going.

Solicit team members, not donations. There are plenty of people with their hand out asking for money and many times it’s for a worthy cause. But if you ask a friend to join your team, they now have a vested interest in the team’s success and bring with them resources and connections that benefit your team and the entire campaign. The more people spreading the message and encouraging donations the more funds your team will raise. It’s simple math.

Share your team’s successes. Fundraising 101 says you don’t actively solicit donations until you’ve raised more than half your goal. While that can’t be true for this type of campaign, apply that concept and announce when you or your team receives a donation. Everyone wants to be on the winning team, so showing your team is doing well will renew interest and excitement in your campaign.

Stay committed! For many new mo growers, there’s a stage of awkwardness where your mustache is beyond stubble, but visible enough to get a few weird looks. Don’t give up! Continue to groom and shape your Muzzy regularly. I promise, your efforts will be rewarded.

Get personal. Compassion rarely translates in the digital world, so stay away from an impersonal social media blast asking for money. While that can generate some donations from others you know that are already passionate about the cause, it won’t inspire others who are yet to care. Talk about it when catching up with friends during happy hour. Your contagious enthusiasm will be more effective in getting friends on board and willing to open up their wallet.

Don’t forget the mo sistas! Just as NFL players don pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, it’s important to include women in your team’s men’s health campaign and capitalize on the benefits that brings.

Say thanks! Say thanks for joining the team, spreading the word, generating donations…for everything! Everyone has 25 hours worth of obligations to fit into 24 hours. So when others create a blog post, send a shout out, even fill out the short form to join your team, they took time away from doing something else — not to mention disposable income is at a premium for most. Every dollar they donate to your campaign is a dollar they’re not saving for travel, using on a date with their significant other or spending on something else that makes them happy. That is worth a quick “thank you” note, right?

Have fun! Cookie Dusters are supposed to be fun, especially for those who don’t rock them year round. So get creative and have some fun with it. Personally, I like to name my mo and adopt a fitting persona. This year I've named it The Errol, after Errol Flynn, whom some say I resemble. I have to admit, I feel like I walk around with a certain air of Old Hollywood pizzazz and sophistication now that The Errol has graced my upper lip. Not to mention, every major city in the U.S. holds an end of Movember party. Hope to see many of you at the SD gala.

These tips are tried and proven, and great to keep in mind during your Movember efforts. But there are other Movember related problems that will arise…such as how to deal with the throngs of women infatuated with your Crumb Catcher. I don’t have a tip for that, but I imagine you’ll figure out a good solution. And to my mustache’s biggest fan: Sorry, but this thing is gone when the calendar flips to December, Mom. 

We're Thankful

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With Thanksgiving next week, we wanted to share what we're thankful for.

"Gratitude is a great stress buster. I have a Post-it note in my daytimer that reminds me to pause and think about those things I'm thankful for. My family, friends and coworkers always top the list! After that, I'm grateful for my health."  

-Julie Wright, President & Founder

  

"I'm thankful for being fortunate enough to have 'first world problems;' for love, laughter, family and friends; and for the smart and passionate people in my life who inspire me every day."

-Grant Wright, CEO & Managing Partner

  

"I'm always thankful for family, friends, food on the table and a place to call home, but this year I'm especially thankful for one thing in particular: my soon-to-be husband!"

-Rebecca Chappell, Account Executive

"I'm thankful for a supportive and loving family, beautiful girlfriend, handsome chocolate lab companion, Shakespear, and that I'm healthy enough to make every day enjoyable by taking advantage of life's opportunities. I'm also thankful for the little things in life like Internet memes, parody Twitter accounts, craft beer, Aziz Ansari, fish tacos and Google on my smart phone."

-Chancelor Shay, Account Executive

  

"I am grateful for my family because I always have a place where I belong and feel loved."

-Maureen Legg, Account Executive

 "I'm thankful for my loving husband, my amazing job and colleagues, and for living in beautiful San Diego."  

-Kristina Houck, Account Coordinator

"I am most thankful for my fiancé and having him as my best friend and the man that I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with! I am very thankful for my family who has always been there for me and helped me grow into the person I am today. I am also thankful for the two best friends that I left back in Chicago, but who I can still count on and always have for support even from across the country!"

-Kairee Luna, Design Specialist 

De-Stress Your Work Space

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By Rebecca Chappell, Account Executive 

Studies show that U.S. workers now spend more time at work than anyone else in the world. Back in 1970, American employees typically worked about 35 hours per week. Today, the average workweek is 46 hours.

Considering how many of us exist within an enclosed structure the majority of the time, it makes sense that we should reduce unnecessary stress from our work environment for the sake of our well-being.

Now and Zen

Try starting your day by reflecting on an inspirational message or what you hope to accomplish before quittin’ time. I always feel better equipped to handle the inevitable stress in the pipeline if I take a few minutes first thing in the morning to go over my to-do list or read a daily dose of goodness. To that end, I try to complete each workday by clearing off my desk and setting up my to-do list for the next day. This exercise in itself allows me to leave my work load at work rather than fretting at home over what may or may not have slipped through the cracks.

Brake for Breaks

According to time-management expert Peter Bregman, we all reach task fatigue – when the effort we're putting into staying on task seems greater than the effort we're putting into moving forward in the task. It's the point when our productivity plummets, when our eyes glaze over and our mind wanders. The solution is easy: Either switch to a new task or get up and move. Take a walk around the block, do some jumping jacks or engage in some desk yoga. And for Pete’s sake, even if you brown bag it, eat lunch somewhere other than your desk! Studies indicate that up to two-thirds of American workers skip lunch or eat lunch at their desks. Since I’m among the two-thirds, this advice falls into please-do-as-I-say-and-not-as-I-do category. But I do know the difference. Taking a real lunch as well as mini-breaks throughout the day not only recharges your energy for the next item on your to-do list, it helps head off the infamous afternoon slump.

Color Your World

When it comes to decorating your work space, don’t underestimate the psychological effects of color on mood and productivity. Red, for example, has been shown to increase concentration and stamina; however, it may also illicit feelings of aggression. On the other hand, its sister shade of pink induces feelings of relaxation. Generally speaking, warm tones such as orange and yellow are considered cheerful, happy colors. Cool tones such as blue and purple lower blood pressure and create a sense of balance, although too much dark blue can be depressing. If you work in a cubicle or your boss won’t let you paint the walls, try outfitting your zone with inspiring art or knickknacks in the colors that suit your needs.

Breathe Easy

Several studies from the past 10 to 15 years show a view from the window can affect our sense of well-being. Don’t have a window office? Research has also shown that indoor plants have direct beneficial effects on psychological health, task performance, illness reduction and productivity. What’s more, whether you have a window or not, indoor plants can significantly improve an office environment by purifying the air and balancing humidity, which may result in fewer sick days. Not sure what plant to get? NASA did a study to find out which plants were best to filter the air of the space station. Check out the results here.In recent years, scientists at NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have discovered that there are various houseplants that keep our household air clean and pure and balance indoor humidity. Not only do these plants absorb pollutants, they also scrub harmful gases out of the air and help fight pollution. How incredible! In recent years, scientists at NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have discovered that there are various houseplants that keep our household air clean and pure and balance indoor humidity. Not only do these plants absorb pollutants, they also scrub harmful gases out of the air and help fight pollution. How incredible! In recent years, scientists at NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have discovered that there are various houseplants that keep our household air clean and pure and balance indoor humidity. Not only do these plants absorb pollutants, they also scrub harmful gases out of the air and help fight pollution. How incredible! In recent years, scientists at NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have discovered that there are various houseplants that keep our household air clean and pure and balance indoor humidity. Not only do these plants absorb pollutants, they also scrub harmful gases out of the air and help fight pollution. How incredible!out tout

Image credit: ssilver / 123RF Stock Photo

Don’t Just Talk, Say Something

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By Maureen Legg, Account Executive

You’re at the end of your rope and they’ve given you enough to hang yourself. They wanted the job done yesterday but they’re not playing with a full deck. That big idea they had is on the tip of your tongue but you can’t put your finger on it. You’ve got a lot on your mind and need someone to take this project off your hands so you can get a grip and figure out what the heck they want. Well, wake up and smell the coffee, my friend. You’ve got to break a few eggs to make an omelet. So if you really want to whip up something special you’ve got to bite the bullet, mosey back in there and ask them what they meant.

Communication.

As communications professionals, we know better than anyone that it’s an art. Especially when it comes to giving direction. But what many people don’t realize is that it is also a critical component of productivity.

How many times have you stalled on a project because you really weren’t sure what was being asked of you?

As the loquacious Mike Meyers said in The Cat in the Hat,  “Well, sure, he can talk. But is he saying anything? No, not really…”

Quality communication not only engenders efficiency, it also boosts employee morale and impacts client satisfaction. Did you know that Communications is one of the top 10 college majors, according to The Princeton Review? And yet, the workplace is a minefield of unclear communication. People get confused. They waste time. They do it wrong. They miss deadlines. They feel bad about themselves. It’s a vicious cycle that can be broken by brushing up on a perhaps obvious but often underutilized skill set.

Be specific. If you’re asking somebody to do something, presumably you know a bit about what it’s going to take to get it done. Share that wisdom with your co-worker. While everyone loves a “self-starter,” pointing them in the right direction utilizes your big brain and helps them to be successful.

Invite questions. Co-workers may be embarrassed that they don’t know something they are expected to understand. While it’s great when someone “gets you,” giving them an invitation to clarify lets them off the hook when they don’t.

Bear the burden of successful transmission. I once had a supervisor say to me, “You need to read my color chart to figure out the best way to communicate with me.” Successful communication is not a one-way street. As a supervisor, take responsibility for making sure the task is understood.

Check in. Instead of waiting until it’s too late and they are long down the wrong path, schedule a status call to confirm all is well or respond to new questions that have surfaced.

Set deadlines. You know…with a date and time. Contrary to popular opinion, ASAP is not a real deadline, and “when you get a chance” is not really respecting someone’s time.

Confirm expectations. While we assume everyone has the same quality standards, reminders that the data should be proofed, fact checked or recalculated is never a waste of time.

Stay on point. Burying direction in a long and complicated explanation only dilutes focus and understanding on the receiving end. Try bullet-pointing the direction via email and then following up with a live discussion. This also gives a co-worker time to digest the direction and formulate questions.

Keep the team in the loop. Being clear on who’s doing what avoids duplication of a task and allows everyone to plan their workflow. It also enables managers to communicate effectively with clients about the status of projects.

Communicate about communication. In fact, make it a core value in your workplace. Review this skill set, discuss expectations and determine how course corrections will be made on a one-to-one basis.

In conclusion, I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.

If that’s the case, call me.

Image credit: studiom1 / 123RF Stock Photo

Making a Difference

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By Grant Wright, CEO

At (W)right On, there are principles by which we operate that we call our Core Values. They’re how we roll, or try our best to.

Written some years ago, they have evolved a bit, sometimes to add greater clarity and sometimes to simply articulate a new Value that through experience was realized to be there all along.

It’s # 3 – “We are inspired by our clients” - that prompted me to write this today. Well, part of its precept actually: “We choose to work with people who and organizations that are visionaries, leaders and changing the world for the better…”

This notion largely relates to another belief, that life is short and there are far more great things to do than we have time (a precept of Value # 13 – “We act with a sense of urgency.”) So at (W)right On, while remembering the bills that still need paying and all other things being equal, when we can turn our team’s capabilities toward maximum good, we should, and do.

While we have other great stories and outcomes for our visionary for-profit clients, over the years there have been numerous not-for-profit organizations we’ve been privileged to support. Currently, these include Toward Maximum Independence, The Roddenberry Foundation, New Haven Youth & Family Services and Tri-City Hospital Foundation, to name just a few.

Toward Maximum Independence is a nonprofit agency with a long standing reputation for “best practices” in providing personalized assistance to people with disabilities enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The positive attitude and work they and those they assist do everyday is extraordinary, and personally inspiring.

The Roddenberry Foundation, founded and chaired by Rod Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, for its part has a vision of supporting efforts to expand new frontiers for the benefit of humanity.  Focused on the four pillars of the Environment, Science & Technology, Humanitarianism and Education, its Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Research at Gladstone Institutes was established one year ago. A couple weeks ago, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, who divides his time between Japan and the Roddenberry Center, was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for his stem cell research discoveries. How cool is that? And how profoundly privileged is (W)right On to help carry on the Star Trek legacy established by Gene Roddenberry so many years ago?

New Haven Youth & Family Services is yet another organization making a difference. Established in 1967 and having helped more than 15,000 families to date, today New Haven is transforming lives for at-risk adolescent boys through an innovative education model that supports troubled youth, guiding them from despair to hope. Every young person they help not only helps them and those around them, but helps the community today and for the long term. It’s truly win-win.

Tri-City Hospital Foundation was established in 1964 with a mission of inspiring community health and wellness through support of Tri-City Medical Center. Recently I had the opportunity to trial for a few minutes Tri-City’s incredible new da Vinci Robotic Surgical System in part made possible by the Foundation. Humbling, to say the least. (No human or anything else was harmed in the process!) And while Tri-City helps thousands every year, it made a difference in the life of Caleb, and through a new law and its own ‘Code Caleb’ now other newborns that you should read about.

Each of these organizations I do injustice by mentioning them so briefly, and there are many others. I hope you’ll take a moment to check them out, and in a world all-too-focused on pop culture, or the latest talking head on what used to be legitimate news channels, think about what really matters to you.

There are many worthy organizations, and I hope we hear from you on the above or any of the other great things you know of going on around us.

And if you’re curious what the rest of WOC’s Core Values are, shoot me an email at gwright@wrightoncomm.com.

Lance Armstrong’s Race to Redefine His Legacy

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By Julie Wright, President

How will you remember Lance Armstrong? As one of the most celebrated athletes in the world? As a cancer survivor who has inspired and helped millions of people around the world? Or as a fallen sports idol and fraud?

Say what you will about the doping case being built against him, but Armstrong’s Aug. 23 announcement that he would neither fight the charges nor arbitrate with the U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA) may  just be the first time in his storied personal and professional life that he has ever given up on something.

He can beat cancer and win seven Tour de France titles, but he doesn’t have the will to contest these charges and fight to clear his name? At a net worth of $125 million, he certainly has the scratch to lawyer up and arbitrate or take it to court. But he doesn’t think he can win this case – either because it’s unwinnable, as he alleges, or because he is guilty, as the USADA alleges.

So, Armstrong is, instead, seeking to win the PR battle. If he can hang on to his reputation and convince fans to give him the benefit of the doubt, he will continue to have value as a product pitchman and cancer spokesman. By staying out of arbitration, he can continue to say that he has never tested positive, and, thus, the allegations will always be only allegations. In addition, Armstrong has been depositing a lot of credits in the goodwill account for many years through his Livestrong activities. This goodwill is a major asset during this crisis.

Ultimately, what do people want to believe? There is an emotional and rational component to this controversy. His innocence is a better story and outcome for sports fans and cancer sufferers than his guilt.

The USADA filed charges against him on June 12. On Aug. 23, Armstrong answered those charges by announcing he would stop fighting them. He was banned from the sport for life. His statement on the Livestrong website said “I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999. The toll this has taken on my family and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today -- finished with this nonsense.”

Had he persevered and fought the charges, a hearing may have been held in December with witnesses for and against.

This is a defining crisis for the Lance Armstrong brand and by not choosing his legal right to clear his name, he will forever be under a dark cloud of suspicion. But what can be learned from Armstrong’s public relations activities to counter this crisis and spare enough goodwill to maintain the credibility of his Livestrong efforts and his legacy to cancer if not to cycling?

First, bad news is bad news. You can choose to hide from it and let a bad situation define you or your brand. Or, you can step up and attempt to fill the vacuum with your own message. Armstrong chose the latter by announcing he wouldn’t fight the charges, unequivocally stating his innocence, casting doubt on the fairness of the process and reminding fans that he would rather spend his time supporting his foundation and the cause of cancer patients.

He also lined up a slew of communications and endorsements to reach fans with these messages. His Livestrong blog shared a message Aug. 23 from the Foundation’s founding chair Jeffery C. Garvey: “Faced with a biased process whose outcome seems predetermined, Lance chose to put his family and his foundation first and we support his decision. Lance’s legacy in the cancer community is unparalleled. Lance could have left cancer behind him and never looked back. Instead, before ever winning the Tour de France, he established a foundation that today has served 2.5 million cancer survivors with its free patient navigation services.”

The Lance Armstrong Foundation would clearly like to ensure his legacy is one of helping the cancer patient community.

Also lining up to throw their support behind Armstrong in this post were John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

But Armstrong and his supporters are just getting started.

Attorney and former San Diego Chargers spokesman Mark Fabiani is representing Armstrong and getting the message out through the media now that the USADA has released its report. The details contained in the report might be exactly what Armstrong was hoping to keep out of the public eye by avoiding arbitration as the USADA-released report concludes that the U.S. Postal Service Team was engaged in a doping conspiracy that “was professionally designed to groom and pressure athletes to use dangerous drugs, to evade detection, to ensure its secrecy and ultimately gain an unfair competitive advantage through superior doping practices.”

On the same day that the USADA report came out, Oct. 10, Armstrong Tweeted “What am I doing tonight? Hanging with my family, unaffected, and thinking about this. http://bit.ly/Po6mXT  #onward”.

The Tweet links to a press release issued by his foundation on that same day announcing its 15-year anniversary celebrations in Austin from Oct. 18-21. The highlight is the Fri., Oct. 19 fundraising gala that includes Norah Jones, Stephen Marley, Sean Penn, Ben Stiller, Robin Williams and, of course, Armstrong himself. With throngs of supporters at rallies, sporting events and the gala later this week, it might be difficult for people to see Armstrong as a bad guy.

By hammering on the work for cancer and success his foundation has achieved, the public might ask whether Armstrong hasn’t done more good for people in serious trouble than he has done harm to a sport and its competitors and fans?

Clearly that is the drumbeat to which Armstrong and his closest supporters are marching.

In a survey of more than 800 people that was conducted before the USADA’s findings were publicized, it would appear that the public was reluctant to turn on Armstrong. Sixty-seven percent said they still saw him in a positive light including 29 percent who said they were disappointed but respected what he has accomplished and 24 percent who believed Armstrong that he had never doped. Fourteen percent said he is still a champion while 8 percent said he is a cheater.

It will be interesting to see what the weekend’s celebrations produce to counter the negative coverage since Oct. 10, but with serious allegations about Armstrong that go beyond doping to bullying team members, paying $1 million to an Italian physician also accused of helping athletes dope and gifting $100,000 to the International Cycling Union and a drug-testing laboratory, fighting this crisis may be the one challenge his will alone won’t be enough to surmount.


Image credit: John Kershner / 123RF Stock Photo