The Seed Sower Coach

Learning New Tricks

“We’re doing twice the work we used to do and getting paid the same.”

“This new machine’s not as good as what we had before.”

Are these common refrains from your work environment? Although we’re all no doubt busy, I tend to find that the underlying issues have more to do with technological frustration and change more than most other factors.

Consider the first statement, which essentially addresses the “do more with less” argument. It is entirely true that nearly all of us are and are required to be more productive than we were 20 or even 10 years ago. Yet, look at the tools that are now at our disposal. Computer speeds are faster than ever. A single cell phone has more capability than the early computers that helped us land on the moon. Groceries and other goods are delivered to our doorsteps often within a day or even hours of ordering. Scientists developed an immunization for a threatening and sometimes deadly virus in less than a year, far exceeding our expected standards.

So yes, most of us are doing more than we used to do, yet with the aid of technology. If we are still where we were in 2001, we have simply not kept up.

Still, learning how to Zoom, text, or even email can be uncomfortable propositions for many. The reward for first tackling the challenge and then succeeding at it can be immensely rewarding.

In my work in college football, basketball, baseball, and softball for ESPN I provide statistical data and observations to the “on air” broadcasters during the course of a telecast. Basically the job description summary is to share information during an event that will enrich the production and allow the announcers to come across as even more informed and up to date than they already are.

Although sports has slowly made a return during Covid, the broadcasts are different. For one, there may or may not be fans in attendance. Further, the on air talent may not even be present, announcing from a room or basement in their home or some other venue. The same goes for me: out of the events I have been assigned and worked thus far in 2021 all have been from my home office in Florida.

I recall my very first remote production a few months back. Admittedly not as technically proficient as I would like to be, I was overwhelmed at how I was going to adapt, produce quality information, and communicate it effectively. From that experience, I developed a step-by-step formula that not only worked for me, but that I believe can apply to many of the challenges any of us face to make them seem not so intimidating. If I may share:

1. First of all be grateful that the powers that be have demonstrated the confidence in your abilities to entrust you with the responsibility. They may very well see or know some things that are not so readily apparent to you.

2. The long-time question and adage of “how do you eat an elephant?, “one bite at a time,” is very helpful. Break the project down into smaller increments.

3. Seek advice next from those who may have some experience with the same or a similar challenge.

4. Begin tackling the undertaking from the perspective of what you do know. For me that translates to studying game notes and statistics from a variety of websites and transferring that information into the format and tools with which I have most familiarity.

5. Next, tackle the technology options that are most comfortable. For me that is Zoom. In my instance it also meant acquiring two laptops to begin with—one for the live game broadcast and another in which to communicate notes specifically to on air talent.

6. A third laptop was then to be added to the equation in order to receive “live” or current statistical information.

7. Assure that internet connectivity is strong and that there is reliable back up, such as a cell phone “hot spot” in order to remedy a communications void.

8. Speaking of the cell phone, it plays a role in continuing to serve as a communication device, however, through an app that allows the ability to talk to the announcers and production truck, much like a headset at an on site event.

9. Finally take a deep breath, say a prayer, have a good show, and feel gratified that you did it.

Resourcefulness feels good. These sophisticated times of ours also provide a reminder that none of us are ever too old to learn new things. It is good for me to get a taste of obstacles similar to those I task to my coaching clients.

What is the new challenge that you’re going to take on?

The Seed Sower

Peabody’s student, Sherman

What if we really could take a vehicle back in time? What time would you go to? Even if it were possible, would you even be accepted in that era given your current knowledge and understanding? Or might you be considered a lunatic, arrested, locked up and put away, or even worse?

Working Well with Others

Going for a Ride in the Wayback Machine

January 26, 2024

The notion of traveling through time has long captivated my imagination. From the Jay Ward produced cartoons that introduced us to historian canine, Peabody, and his pupil, Sherman, to the more sophisticated drama of fictional time travelers, Tony Newman and Doug Phillips from the Time Tunnel, the concept provokes fascination at the “what if?”

Mr. Peabody

We are sometimes asked what advice we would have given the younger version of ourselves if we were in fact afforded the opportunity to travel back. What would we say?

· Don’t be afraid to try new things.

· Rejection is sometimes redirection.

· Take risks.

· Stop caring what other people think.

· Travel and spend your money on experiences not things, you can’t take that dress with you when you die.

Regrets, things said that I wish I had not said, things not said that I should have said, reactions and over reactions.

Traveling through the Time Tunnel. Why did the time travelers always end up at a historical destination and moments such as the Titanic in 1912 or Pearl Harbor in 1941?

On Friday, November 22, 1963 I was in my first grade classroom. In a little while we’d be dismissed to go home to cartoons that afternoon and whatever activities the weekend would bring. Thanksgiving was next week!

In Fort Worth, Texas shortly after lunchtime we were advised that our President had just been assassinated. I did not even know what that word meant but I do recall that in short order we were ordered to be picked up by our parents and ushered home. President Kennedy had just given a speech at our very own Fort Worth Hotel Texas that morning, before traveling to Dallas. I remember being sad, but even more disheartened that all my afternoon cartoons had been preempted.

Though only seven years old at the time, I regret having not fully appreciated the full scope of that historical event.

In 1980 I was in my first professional job out of college as a Personnel Director at a manufacturing plant. There was an industrial injury and major one at that whereby during an annealing (metal texturing process) an employee became literally inflamed. Panic stricken he ran, further exacerbating the blaze. Burned over 90% of his body, he painfully endured 18 more days before finally succumbing.

I visited him in the hospital and watched him writhe in unfathomable pain. I regrated having no words of comfort or encouragement, whatsoever.

In May 1990 I was presented with an attractive job opportunity. The downside is it was in an unappealing location. Plus, it was going to require relocation. I was comfortable with the status quo, discouraged by the hassle of disruption, and opted to decline.

Within months the job I was in erupted in tension. Public criticism was launched by not only the news media, but some in the community I had considered allies. Being targeted was not enjoyable, the job lost many elements of enjoyment and satisfaction for me. Immediately I was compelled to consider other opportunities but was either not interviewed or passed over. It would be eight years before another offer came…in that same community I had formerly eschewed.

What we would give to do it all over. Or maybe not.

In 1963 I was a kid. How unfair to myself to have thought I was supposed to have the intellectual capacity to process such a milestone event of the 20th century? Instead, how about considering myself fortunate to have witnessed such a dark and tragic history and recalled the parts that I have?

Seventeen years later as I watched my fellow worker suffer and writhe, might that have been an event for which words were woefully inadequate anyway? What’s to say that what would have been uttered would be meaningful, or even appropriate for that matter.

Finally, the “delayed” opportunity to shift someplace I didn’t want to be, led to another move to a more desirable spot a relatively brief time later. That relocation in turn brought about even greater fortuity, circumstances, and connection that eventually delivered the joy now celebrated.

In reflection would my younger self have even heeded the advice and wisdom of my current version? Maybe, but more likely not. Had I followed those instructions would I be in better standing? Once again, possible, but I’ll accept where chance and circumstance provided delivery laughing at many more foibles and indiscretions that have brought me to today. Sure, I could have undoubtedly made stronger choices. Yet, there’s a peace with how it’s all turned out so far.

I’ll take it.

The Seed Sower

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Working Well with Others

Going for a Ride in the Wayback Machine

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

314-677-8779