Oh man I had to chuckle Just saw a new commercial for Ozempic (weight loss drug) And it had the two actors from the (early 2000’s was it 🤷‍♂️) “Hi I’m a Mac.” “…and I’m a PC” Those were great commercials. I will say while the actors brought back some nostalgia, the Ozempic commercial fell flat because they didn’t call out the specific competitor, just a general “and I’m the other weight loss rx” So lesson learned there for marketing…but in all, I’m gonna go back and find all those old Mac v PC commercials. Loved those!

Progress…

Yesterday we had to let a team member go. Persistently lying is a fireable offense in my mind. That just isn’t our standard or culture. What’s hard for me still is: if I truly believe Leadership = Relationship (Which I do) then that also means Relationships are worth Reconciling Struggle is; reconciliation doesn’t always mean one automatically earns back one’s place in the relationship…especially when dealing with team dynamics. Super hard even further when we recognize Jesus left the 99 to go after the 1… Living that out in leadership is easier said than done.

What preceded this was a conversation with a younger leader pouring out their heart and current struggles. They referenced a show to express what they are feeling, “Just like in Seal Team, how when she [officer in training] was going through Officer School/bootcamp, she had all the punishments of her teammates and stuff…” My response 👇

Good Morning Nostriches! One of the models I teach, especially to young leaders, is the ASSA Approach. It helps you frame how to navigate difficulties in a project or situation, in particular when momentum has stalled (you’re stuck) and you need to enlist help from others. - Acknowledge Expectations - State the Problem - Share the Solutions you’ve tried - Ask others for their input and ideas The thing is, you don’t have to wait to apply this to complex issues. Recently I was teaching this to a basketball team. I told them, “You can use it off or on the basketball court. Keep getting puppy guarded, ASSA. Lose your handle, ASSA. Shot not going where it needs to, ASSA.” You may not be a Nostrich Baller on the court, it you have some domain you are a baller in. So, if you aren’t where you want to be, just remember… Get your ASSA in line 😜 (said in my best Jar-Jar Binks voice)

The only thing worse than a sore looser is a sore winner!

@GHOST I figured you might be a good person to start with for this question: Our teenage son has expressed to us, that he is struggling with lust and visiting inappropriate/adult content online. Now I know there is no perfect solution, especially that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, But I was wondering if you had any initial Recommendations and solutions as to how to put multiple roadblocks. From my former IT Director days I know there is no no, such thing as “100% secure”… we can only put roadblocks in place that deter and reduce the return on effort. I also know there are a few SAAS solutions but they have limitations (such as Safari only) for Apple products, etc. Then of course add to the mix both WiFi and cellular data and internet isn’t always accessed from a router I can control…etc My initial plan is: Change DNS on router to OpenDNS Family Shield (or I recently learned about Cloudflare’s “1.1.1.1 for Families”) Is there a way for me to also adjust dns for cellular data on iOS devices? And I know (and think we already have active but I need to double check) screen time + content restrictions on iOS But I know that is easily bypassed via private browsing, non-safari browser, and even simple searching inside apps such as Instagram, etc === So I realize there isn’t a perfect solution but I’m curious what you’d recommend as a prudent “this is about the best you can do without removing digits” 🤣 solution to increase device level roadblocks and dissuade bypassing.

Driving a paid off vehicle is a serious flex! Proof of Work #pow