The Solomon Factor

Home-Grown Leadership

Somewhere along the parenting path I picked up the idea to ask my children two specific questions every night as I was tucking them in:
1. What was the most fun for you today?
2. What are you most looking forward to tomorrow?

The intention behind the questions was for them to remind themselves about at least one joy in their day, regardless of the way the rest of the day went. I wanted them to learn to focus on the positive. The first question set them up for the second, and their expectation became: I am going to have fun tomorrow. And guess what happened? That’s right….. the next day they could recall more than one fun thing that had happened.

Duh! After four years of doing this, it finally occurred to me to drink my own Kool Aid. So as I tucked myself in every night, I began to ask myself those same two questions. What happened? You guessed it! My focus changed, literally overnight. I began to look for the fun knowing that I had to report back to myself at nighty-nite time. My (unconscious) focus became ‘fun’. My expectation became ‘fun’. I began to look for ways to have even more fun, because I am very competitive—especially with myself.

My daughter has been our family’s CFO since the day she was born—Chief Fun Officer. This joy of my life can make any, and I mean any, activity more fun. It’s her nature. It’s not mine, though, so I have to work at it. I don’t really mind: It gives my little girl a place where she can lead and I can follow. The outcome? More fun.

TRY THIS AT HOME.

THE CONTRACT: When to Bill it? When to Bite it?

Recently I had, shall we say, a ‘difference of opinion’ with my satellite television company (the one I won’t mention by name because my attorney warned me not to). Although I had a legitimate reason for canceling my service, they were unwilling to adjust or waive the $300 cancellation fee.

Which brings me to a rant—Cable companies (or internet or cell phone or fill in the blank) who require you to:
A. Hand over your first born child or $300 in the event that you want to cancel your two year contract with them (regardless of why, including their lousy service and really bad attitude); and
B. Read a 4 page contract in 3 pt font that no one, in the entire universe, reads from start to finish (except the customer service rep who swore he does).

I don’t know about you, but I do not respond well to situations in which I haven’t any choices. Given the fact that I must use one of these companies if I actually want to watch the television, I am incensed that they offer zero flexibility in their policies. These airtight contracts are one way for companies to keep you in their grip, and away from their competition. I understand their desire to lock in as much business as they can. But, ultimately, it is we consumers who are paying the price (literally and figuratively) for the ongoing struggle over market share that they have with their competition.

May I naively suggest that if they had outstanding customer service, there likely wouldn’t be much competition?