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First, I had super fun getting my Parente HRG website up and running this week.  Creating new graphics, playing around with layouts, and learning new skills were all invigorating ways to invest my time.

Next, even with all the extra sneezing with the unwelcome entrance of ongoing tree pollen, it's been wonderful having the windows wide-open for much of this week.  There's no more welcoming sound to start the day than the chirping of all our neighborhood birds!

Finally, it was amazing to have so many of you jump on board after my request on Facebook to have you access the website.  Testing of the statistics app went very well, and it was really neat to see we had visitors from the UK, the Philippines, and Hong Kong in addition to the US.  My heartfelt gratitude to you all!

A special shout-out goes to Michael Boo, drum corps scribbler extraordinaire and curator of wonderful artwork he generously shares with us using social media.  With his permission, I'm including one of his more popular pieces here, framed for the occasion.  A tribute to his Bricks of the Month will need to wait until a later entry.

MikeBoo image 2014-0607Thanks for listening.  See you next week!

Interested in my coaching, consulting, or creative services?  Contact me at parentehrg AT gmail.com.

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Today has been about adjusting my point of view.

While I had a few things to take care of in the office first thing this morning, I already had plans to play hooky.  Weather-wise, it will go down as one of this year's Ten Most Perfect Days.  The Shore wasn't on my mind, but photography was.

Since I already knew what I planned to shoot, I quickly grabbed my gear as soon as my tasks were completed and headed to Colonial Park.  I arrived at the rose garden, and the gate was closed for maintenance of an undetermined span of time.

Crap.  Do not pass go, do not get to shoot the roses.

I headed home, and ended up plucking some flowers from the abundant clover growing in my front yard (lawn needs a serious trim).  I was still determined to do some macro photography, and if I had to settle, so be it.  Even though clover flowers are as abundant as weeds in this area, I posted a few pictures out on Facebook anyway.  Imagine my surprise when people reacted positively to the images!

Quite frankly, I never anticipated that anyone would have seen beyond just the images of the clover flowers because that was all I was seeing.  My point of view was narrow and tainted by my attitude of "having to settle" on something that wasn't what I had planned.  Instead, the images touched memories and possibilities in others that became real to me as they shared their reactions.

There's a lesson or more still in here - and the longer I ponder, the bigger my  list gets!

In the meantime, here's a bouquet for you, fresh from the Great Garden State ...

K5S_1971 Interested in learning more about our consulting, coaching, and creative services?  Contact us!

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For a variety of reasons (and no judgments about them), getting the website for Parente HRG has taken much longer than I anticipated.

It became clear about a month ago that my hopes to have the site completed by an outside vendor had pretty much ground to a halt. Again, no judgments here. That's not what this post is about.

So, where am I taking you on this journey? It's about how I reclaimed skills I had let slip away over the past 5+ years.

Over time, we add and remove certain tools from our skills toolbelts as a matter of practicality. There is just so much time in the day, just so much opportunity to continue our expertise in certain areas. In my case, I've continued to grow my knowledge and add certifications, the most recent being Intentional Leadership Coaching and certification to administer and interpret the EQ-i 2.0. What did I remove from my toolbelt? I stopped staying current on what some call "that computer stuff."

Armed with a couple of new books from my local Barnes and Noble (picture me singing, "Where have all the bookstores gone?"), I jumped back into the web design pool yesterday. My skills? They're more in line with how retired Yankees must feel taking the field for the Old Timers' Day game each summer. Still, it feels great to be a techie once more ... the keyboard jockey rides again. 🙂

The website is nothing fancy, but it does what it needs to. Finally, at long last, parentehrgroup.com is up and running!

screenshot_website_banner 2014-0602

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The past two days have left me with "there's a lesson in here somewhere" bouncing around in my head.  I think I've narrowed it down to something to do with tools we use - and take for granted - in doing whatever we do in a business setting.

It's no surprise to followers of Just A Minute that photography is one of those "things" I do.  Several years ago, I made the jump from eyeglasses to multi-focal contact lenses to aid with extended periods of outdoor nature photography.  The complicating wrinkle is that I can only wear the contacts for taking pictures - my prescription is that specific.  I'll spare you the details if you're willing to take my word for it.

Rewind to Saturday night.  The Great Easter Vigil is a liturgical event like no other Catholic Mass.  Knowing I'd be taking pictures for close to four straight hours, I decided to pop in the contacts for the evening.

I really thought I had it all figured out.  I planned ahead.  I was prepared.  I had my mirror, contacts case, eye drops, cleaning solution, and my eyeglasses to change into for the drive home.  I've done this many times, and had no reason to think things would be different.

Wrong.

I found out how wrong I was when someone asked me a simple question.

At this point you're probably wondering where I'm taking you with this little story.  The kink in the works was that the question had nothing to do with photography (the focus of my preparation).  It had everything to do with something I needed to read for my other role, providing liturgical support.

Did I mention I can only wear the contacts for photography?  Translation:  I can't read regular-sized print while wearing them without a pair of "cheater" glasses, which I never thought to bring with me.

This small change of wearing my contacts at St Matthias had consequences I had never anticipated.  

Eventually, the person asking the question understood what I was trying to communicate about my compromised sight.  She got a good chuckle out of having to read something out loud for me to give her the answer she needed.  Still, she had to endure some confusion with the situation until it became clear to her that I couldn't do something that would usually require little or no effort on my part. 

There's a lesson in here somewhere.

The Great Easter Vigil begins outdoors with the Blessing of the Fire.
Catholic Community of St Matthias, Somerset NJ
Interested in learning more about my consulting, coaching, and creative services?
Contact me at parentehrg AT gmail.com.

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First, when Spring happens in Jersey, it really happens.  Proof?  Longer days, more sunlight, and FLOWERS, even if I only have some because a squirrel stole bulbs from a neighbor and replanted them here.

Next, the number of parishioners who offer their time and talent to get stuff done at St Matthias in Somerset NJ never ceases to amaze me.  If you should visit a house of worship this week for regular services or one of the many holy days, take a look around to appreciate all who were part of putting the service together.

Finally, a kind word shared really made my day earlier this week.  It also served to remind me to do the same every chance I get.

Thanks for listening.  See you next week!   

Interested in my coaching, consulting, or creative services?  Contact me at parentehrg AT gmail.com.  

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This morning, some odd inversion weather patterns have many of us in Jersey (and most of the NYC boros) working under a cloud - part moisture, part smoke from a fire burning about 70 miles south of here at Wharton State Forest.  Add to that a combination of cold and allergy symptoms which kept me up WAY past my bedtime last night, and I'm moving slower than normal this Monday morning.

I'll spare you the selfie of the bags under my eyes.  After all, I'd prefer you continue reading <grin>

How many of you have gone to work when common sense regarding your illness would dictate staying home that day?  How many times have you run in fear from a co-worker exhibiting obvious signs of contagion, hoping to avoid catching whatever?

There's a term for this:  presenteeism.

David Chenoweth, writing for the Society for Human Resource Management, describes presenteeism as "being at work but not fully functioning due to illness or other health condition."   

The reasons for company policies and corporate cultures that encourage presenteeism are numerous, just as are why some of us choose to go to work when maybe we shouldn't.  I would enjoy hearing of your experiences - feel free to comment below, or reach me directly at parentehrg AT gmail.com if you prefer some anonymity.

As a management and HR consultant, I have the gift of flexible work hours most of the time in the comfort of my own home office.  On those days I'm scheduled to be onsite with a client when I'm under the weather, I often leave the decision for me to show up with my germs on their company doorstep up to them.  Luckily, today isn't one of those days.

In the meantime, I'll keep that box of tissues and mug of herbal tea close by.

Is it naptime yet?


 Interested in how my management and HR consulting services can help your organization?
Contact me at parentehrg AT gmail.com.

 

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First, the changeover from Winter to Spring is finally happening here in Jersey, however tentatively.  That means POLLEN.  Tree pollen, to be precise.  There may not be many buds on the trees yet, but the pollen counts are already high.  While I reach across to grab a tissue to deal with an impending sneeze, I'll let you guess if this falls under "getting used to," or "or not."

Next, Instant Replay has hit Major League Baseball this season.  So far, I'm diggin' this rules change.  On the other hand, the catcher-blocking-home-plate rule still needs some clarification and refinement - stay tuned on that one.

Finally, the husband is finally home from his extended trip south.  It's always a bit of a transition with the two of us being under the same roof again.  So far, it's been OK.  Give it a couple of days, and this may change categories (just kidding - maybe!).


Thanks for listening.  See you Monday!

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To celebrate March 4th (March Fourth - get it?), I kicked off My March Madness series.  Throughout the month, it was my goal to explore how my time marching in the Saints Drum and Bugle Corps provided the foundation for many of the skills I came to find as essential in leadership. 

Jane Kise's Intentional Leadership served as a great touchstone for many of the experiences.  The specific skills I referenced throughout the month included networking, relationships, individuality, and personal development (Lens 1);  loyalty, accountability, visioning, and optimism (Lens 4);  as well as balance and discovery (Lens 12). 

Skills aside, there was something nagging at me throughout the month, some story I felt I was leaving out somehow.  As such things sometimes do, the missing link hit me smack upside the head last week with a Throwback Thursday image I posted to Facebook.

The "likes" and comments kept coming, and coming, and coming.  Many were from my Saints Siblings and Corps Cousins, remembering who that person in the picture was back in 1974.  Reading what they shared forced me to step back and think about what influences had the greatest impact on me at that time in my life.  Simply put?  It's when I learned Servant Leadership.

As Robert K. Greenleaf (2002) explains, "The servant-leader is servant first ....  It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.  Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead."  The simple action of me wrapping up the rope used to space out stanchions on the competition floor brought it all back.

We were surrounded by servant leaders in the Saints.  Parents who drove buses, crafted equipment, hunted down opportunities to march and perform.  Instructors who worked for next to no money, and even had to wait for that.  Judges who would stop by a rehearsal to give us a critique before the season started.  
 

Just some of my Saints family ...


Even more than experiencing servant leaders, we were encouraged to serve one another.  It's how I ended up doing everything I did BESIDES march while in the Saints.

Did we have our share of "leaders first," as Greenleaf describes?  Sure.  Truth is, they didn't work out very well in our corps culture.

I'm fortunate that I'm able to "give back" as a servant leader these days as part of the Catholic Community of St Matthias, and am forever grateful for those lessons learned during my drum corps days. 

Thanks for following along with my March Madness!

Interested in how my consulting services can help you
improve focus on leadership skills?  Contact me at parentehrg AT gmail.com.  

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First, there's been LOTS of press and discussion over the new euphemism for separation and divorce coined by a couple of popular entertainers.  At the same time, to / too / two, there / their / they're, and dozens of other homonyms continue to be abused without little regard.  Don't even get me started on misused apostrophes.

Next, I wish that all those who complain about the crazy, cold Spring we've been having here in Jersey could have been with me Thursday.  I stood in my front yard for a bit, entertained by a lone robin tenaciously harvesting a reluctant worm for its morning meal in sub-freezing temps.  When done, it gave me a "what the heck are you grinning at, lady?" kind of look before it hopped off to another spot. 

Finally, in a way I would not have expected, I received inspiration for the wrapup My March Madness related to leadership skills I learned in drum corps.  While it will be posted on March 31st, here's the photo that triggered it all:


Thanks for listening.  See you Monday!

  

 

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Just to be clear, there were LOTS more than three things I appreciated this week, but I'm trying to stick with my original format ...

First, having the means and ability to travel is a gift I will never take for granted.

Boyton Beach, Florida


Next, the opportunities I've had this week to photograph so many different things / people / events have been exhilarating.

Tufted Cormoran, Flamingo Gardens, Davie FL

Sabatino Verlezza, Loretta Fois - RVCC Faculty Dance Recital Tech / Dress Rehearsal, Branchburg NJ

Alan Chesnovitz - Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk, JP Stevens HS, Edison NJ

Finally, I think it's really neat that so many of the "kids" I marched with in the Saints Drum and Bugle Corps still get together after all these years - even though our corps disbanded over 35 years ago.

Just some of my Saints Sibs in attendance at the Al Chez and Brothers of Funk concert.
L-R:  Patty Antol, Mark Scotto, Karen Parente, Lisa Wagner, Jack Bodzas, Lorraine Ravino, Valerie Fair, Kathy Donnelly, Maureen Fastuca.


Thanks for listening.  See you Monday!