Be understanding

Whether it's dealing with boyfriend or girlfriends, or it is holding a general meeting with 20 business people, conflicts can be destructive. What I have come to find out, is that most conflicts arise simply from misunderstanding.

Sometimes people feel like they are being attacked, when you are joking. Sometimes people feel like you are criticizing, when you are trying to help out. Sometimes people feel like you don't care, when they really do and aren't showing it.

These misunderstandings start to escalate because people become defensive. They start saying things to try and show dominance and that they are correct. It becomes destructive. It becomes wasted energy.

My advice: step outside yourself and into the other persons shoe. Try to understand, and not to prove.

Force yourself to really see WHY that person would be saying something. Do you have the same goals? Are you fighting for the same thing?

Think about whatever you are saying, and if it is not CONstructive, don't say it. Anything using sarcasm or language that puts yourself at a higher point than the other person, isn't constructive. Show respect by putting yourself at the same level, and you will gain it.

Resolving conflicts is definitely a two person thing. All you can do is your part. Say things that only try to resolve the problem, not make it bigger than it actually is. Step outside yourself, and into the other persons shoes. If you can honestly say you did all you could to try and resolve the problem and it's not resolved, then its the other party not wanting to understand.

Excitement in the beginning...

Aloha Everyone!


I am so sorry I haven't blogged in a loooonnnnnnggg time. For the Entrepreneurs Club, we are starting off our new semester, and it has been pure craziness. We just finalized our membership, and have a fresh batch of 60 amazing entrepreneurs. Here are a couple pics from our recruitment events...






Through marketing, we have built a lot of excitement about our organization. People will gravitate towards interesting things, gaining their initial attention. But for leaders and tribes, you aren't just looking for their attention. You are looking for traction and movement. You gain initial attention by telling the truth about why your tribe is remarkable, but as a leader, you must show them the remarkable process. Take them on a journey where they keep that initial excitement throughout the rest of time. It is your job as a leader to show them enough value where they are excited to come to your events, want to volunteer, put their best efforts forward at all times for the tribe.

If people start to lose their initial excitement, that is a sign that their expectations aren't being met. Look back at what made them excited in the first place. If their excitement came from what your tribe truly is, and now they aren't excited, you might want to look back on your process and tactics.

If it came from another reason, the loss of their excitement is okay. It wasn't in the best interest of the tribe.

Do something you love to do

The Entrepreneurs Club just had it's fall semester kick off forum with keynote speaker Eddie Flores Jr. He is the President of L&L Hawaiian BBQ, with a franchise model that has sprouted over 185 restaurants from the west coast of the United States all the way to New Zealand.

Mr. Flores talked about his story towards becoming a success. Besides being a witty business man (one of the first things he noted was that whenever you give a speech you need to be humorous), there were a few key notes in which I would like to share with you all. Here are my top 4 Eddie Flores points:

1. To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be self motivated

2. As a young entrepreneur, nobody will respect you. You have to prove it to them.

3. Take risks. If you fail, look back, find your solution and make it a success

4. (my favorite) "if you like your job, you're already retired". Do what you like, success and happiness will follow

Reward is the WRONG word

This goes for my last post. I said reward great work, but when most people think of the word "Reward", they think of what typical managers do: cash compensations, higher benefits,etc. But I just wanted to make sure that this isn't what you all think when I say reward.

Cash compensations are nice, but can only go so far motivating innovation, but when the reward is an intrinsic value, this is what people will appreciate. When they feel empowered that they are doing something they are strong at, something they feel they are getting value for, something they can master, this is a greater "Reward" for the individual. Give them a sense that they are a part of the tribe and appreciate their hard work. Don't give them a standard and say "if this", then you will "receive this".

Appreciation is caring, so whatever way fit, show you care.


Here is an amazing video that summaries what I mean:

Reward great work

When leading a tribe, one of the most rewarding things is when you see other people putting their time into helping achieve your mission. When this happens, you know that your tribe feels a sense of acceptance and responsibility. But the goal as a leader is not to stop at that. It is to show them enough value as a part of the tribe where they want to help it move forward. Where they believe in the goals of the community enough to spread its story. Where they feel empowered enough that they can contribute to the bettering of the community.

When you find these people, and they start to dedicate more and more time and effort into achieving the goals of the tribe, make sure you value them. Actually, don't just value them, make sure they KNOW you appreciate them. Make them feel special because they are going out of their way to help you out, so you must go out of your way to show that much more appreciation. Let them know that their hard work is actually worth more than just something, and they will continue to keep working hard.

Fitness first- Weight Watching

Here is a pretty funny guerilla marketing ad from Fitness-First Health Club. Unaware commuters in the Netherlands get the shocking surprise of their weight in flashing red lights for the public to see, as they sit to wait for the bus. Who knows if this tactics will translate into more people signing for memberships, but the name will definitely get around. Creativity is awesome and very fun too! Think outside the box.