Comments on: Warning Signs: the Ugly Duckling Project

By: Robert Hruzek

Robert Hruzek — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:07:07 +0000

Well, at least nobody can ever accuse you of being afraid of a challenge, Luke! But don’t sell yourself short. History is replete with amazing things accomplished, by just one single person. And I seem to recall the painful memory of just one student in a certain square who began, or at least continued, a change in China’s views a few years back…

By: Luke Gedeon

Luke Gedeon — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:51:32 +0000

I am currently attempting the impossible times three. I am bootstrapping a non-profit with no cash (personally or in the organization). The goal of the organization is to convince the leadership of China that they want to switch to democracy. And, I am trying to learn Chinese in three months. Not just greetings – I need to be fluent.

The first is just difficult, the other two are impossible. Put the three together and I am guaranteed to fail. I just hope that by trying I will achieve something worth doing.

By: Robert Hruzek

Robert Hruzek — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:58:44 +0000

@Jean – Yep; there’s nothing quite as invigorating as planning an extensive trip with no sure dates! We’ve done it too, and I can say it definitely adds that extra spice, that je ne se quois to the experience!

But wow, the stories you have to tell, later!

By: Robert Hruzek

Robert Hruzek — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:56:20 +0000

@Karen – Way to go! Yep; sometimes it takes a vision to see what’s really possible, in spite of the signs. But you were willing to go the extra mile(s), too – and that can make all the difference is success or failure, too.

Stay tuned – I’ve got a special post coming up that exemplifies your victory…

By: Jean Browman--Transforming Stress

Jean Browman--Transforming Stress — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:43:12 +0000

I never had that problem at work, but years ago when we were living in France for a year my husband wanted me to make plans for a summer trip to northern Norway. He wanted us to fly to Tromso, take a bus to North Cape, take a boat back down the coast, then take a train back to Oslo. Sounds great. The only problem is he wanted me to schedule it without his knowing exactly when we could leave. I spent a lot of time being laughed at by travel agents in Paris (and the Parisians had perfected the art of sneering) before I found an agent who could actually help. My husband eventually picked a date and it was a great trip. And the agent got all of our business from then on, including our trip back to the States the long way, via the Mideast, east Africa, India, etc.

One of the best things about the experience was I impressed the heck out of my mother-in-law. She still talked about it years afterwards.

Jean Browman–Transforming Stresss last blog post..A Different Path to a Successful Life

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:47:27 +0000

Robert, what a great example of why we are sometimes called to what appears to be unmanageable. When I worked in Corporate we had a huge prospect that everyone said we could not close. I worked on the deal and probably met with everyone from their janitor to the C team to develop relationships and make the sale. I was there so often and had done so many presentations, that I started grocery shopping with staff members. After 18 months, it closed and was one of the biggest deals we had ever seen. No one wanted it, and no one believed I could do it either but it happened. Karen Swims last blog post..Embrace Your Obstacles

By: Robert Hruzek

Robert Hruzek — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:02:18 +0000

Phew, indeed, Ulla! Sounds like you’re a sortof Advocate, or maybe Mediator, right? That’s something I’d have a hard time with, I think. Not sure I could be impartial enough. I’d probably tell the employee, “Hey, c’mon – just get to work on time, for once!” Or, tell the employer, “Look, you’ve got to make allowances for things beyond this fellow’s control!” Or something.

The expression we’d use in English to describe your situation is “you are caught between a rock and a hard place”, meaning there is no easy resolution.

Great comment, Ulla – thanks!

By: Ulla Hennig

Ulla Hennig — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:50:35 +0000

I don't know if my experiences are a bit way off what you mean, Robert, but here they are: One of my jobs at work is it to represent the interests of our employees against the interests of my employer (The exact word is "Personalrat"). That means, that sometimes a colleague comes and complains about the way the employer is treating him. Of course he expects me to be on his side, without any limitations. Fact is, that things aren't that simple. I talk with the employer's side, get new information. My dear colleague is not the poor victim like he's telling me. I try to tell him that. I try to tell him that he should behave moderately. He doesn't understand. There is a meeting with him, somebody from the staff department and me. And that is the situation you described as "ugly duckling project". Either I try to fulfill the expectations of my colleague, and am considered as slightly round the bend, or I am not fulfilling the expectations of my colleague and therefore considered as not doing my job as somebody who represents the interests of the employees. Pheww! Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Off-Topic - What I learned from Transportation