How to peel an egg...without peeling it

I like eating eggs- a great source of lean protein and good cholesterol, but they can be terribly hard to peel without putting 10% in the trash along with the shell. Here's a great vid that shows a whole new approach. Courtesy of Tim Ferriss.

In the Box

I got an email from a buddy a couple days ago that I thought was worth sharing. On one hand I shared his indignation, on the other hand, I found myself reflecting on moments where I've participated in similar conversations- at least in my head.

"The problem with some organizations is so clear if they would only step back and listen. This morning I had the dis-pleasure of sitting next to a sales meeting in a local coffee shop. The four people were all dressed in their white shirt/tie and deep in spread sheets. They were sorting through their territory, making plans, and discussing their various kingdoms. What struck me was the language being used which included "can 'em", "she should be gone", and "I didn't even know he was still there." This is a sad commentary on whatever the organization is. These are the people compensated to grow the business AND sustain the business. I would be willing to take a bet not one of their nameless/faceless reps would be caught saying "this a great place to work" or "I am committed to the organization." On the flip side, one of the criteria for me to move up one level where I toil reads "Makes personal sacrifices to achieve milestones and goals." No comment necessary! I look at these cultures and ask, just like one of the well tailored crew asked about an employee in their database, "i can just hit delete, right?"

I read a great book several months ago that has plagued my thoughts since- Leadership and Self-Deception, by the Arbinger Institute. It talks about "being in the box" and the box is why I can relate to the comments and attitudes of the sales exec's my buddy listened in on. Being " in the box", as described in the book, is being so driven by personal goals, outside expectations, ego, and acheivement, that you fail to see people in your organization as other people with the same hang-ups, ambitions, expectations and pressure as you, but instead as objects...or perhaps more as obstacles.

I consider myself a bit of a culture junkie, having read dozens of books by Blanchard, Collins, Peters, Lencioni and the like. I've also often fantasized with other entrepreneurs about creating a company with an idyllic dual-centric focus on customer and employee satisfaction. Unfortunately, I find myself " in the box" more often than I'd like to admit. It's all too easy to succomb to the demands of running a profitable business or meeting corporate objectives and reduce the people around us to resources or liabilities...

After reading Leadership... it's apparent to me that half the battle is recognizing when we're out of the box, and evangelizing that same awareness throughout our teams and/or organizations. Over time, a culture develops of people seeing eachother as peers with the same dreams, ambitions, and ultimately fears, and something new begins to immerge. Instead of turf wars, grandstanding, gossip and backstabbing, a sense of commeraderie, commitment and passion for common purpose takes over.

I highly recommend the book. Here's the link : Leadership and Self-Deception