#360: Why nonsense is so abundant

Why is nonsense so abundant? Because it is a natural, renewable resource.

I realized this when I watched two dung beetles at work. I looked around the African bush and saw lots and lots of dung baking in the sun.

Do you think dung beetles will ever run out of dung? I hesitate to ask why not. For the same basic reason we will never run out of nonsense.

Here’s my simple rule of thumb to judge when nonsense is being created, refreshed, recharged, renewed, reborn, re-whatever. It happens when you are caught unsure of what you stand for. Because when you are unsure, you make noises like ‘um, you know, ah’ as you struggle not to put your foot in your mouth. That’s when your other foot steps in nonsense.

I have another simple rule. Be clear. And if you can’t be clear, be quiet.

Unless, of course, your intention is to produce more nonsense.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Why nonsense is so abundant'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#359: The right to be against any solution

I’ve been told that I am full of nonsense. That is simply not true, because I know what I stand for. We all know that when you don’t stand for something, you will fall for any old nonsense.

So let me prove to you that I am a no-nonsense sort of guy by telling you what I stand for:

I’m against this stupid healthcare bill... until I fall ill.

I’m against government meddling in the economy... until I lose my job.

I’m against higher taxes... until I need unemployment relief.

I’m against road taxes... until I hit a pothole.

I’m against regulated businesses... until I get scammed.

I’m against gun control... until I get shot.

There you have it. What do you mean that you still don’t know what I stand for? It’s perfectly clear, isn’t it?

I stand for the right to be against any solution, until I get hurt by the problem.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'The right to be against any solution'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#358: Working from home is impossible

Have you wondered why so many people treat coffee shops as workstations? I’ve finally figured it out. No, no, it’s got little to do with this recession even though this recession has forced many more people to work in strange places.

My figuring out has to do with experts-in-the-know who believe that working from home increases performance. I don’t believe it and here’s why.

A basic law of physics is that work equals force times distance. Now, if you work from home, then distance becomes zero. We all know that if you multiply with zero you get zero. Therefore, working from home means that force times no distance equals zero work.

In other words, it does not matter how much you force yourself to get work done at home, you will get no work done unless some travel is involved, even if only to the coffee shop around the corner.

I should know. I often work from home.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Working from home is impossible'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#357: Always hungry is not a bonus

Once on a walking safari in South Africa I almost became lunch for a charging lioness.

Now that it’s bonus season on Wall Street, I’d like to send a few bonus buccaneers on a walking African safari. Not because I wish them on the poor lions, but because I wish they would learn something about the real jungle.

In the real jungle, animals are only nervous when lions are hungry because lions only hunt when they are hungry. Only man is always hungry, because only man believes in scarcity to the extent that we behave as if a bonus in the bank is worth a crippled future.

I’m here today because lions aren’t inherently greedy. They’re at the top of their food chain and yet they know when enough is enough.

That’s the jungle lesson I wish for Wall Street so that the rest of us mere mortals can be less nervous about our future.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Always hungry is not a bonus'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#356: Ask as you want answered

How should you ask a question? Well, that depends on the answer you want.

If you want a ‘no’ answer, then frame the question in the negative; if you want a ‘yes’, then structure the question as a positive. Note how you feel about responding to the following questions:

“Do you think you should?” or “Don’t you think you should not?”

What if you are on the receiving end of a leading question, how should you respond? Simply respond with “Why do you ask?” No doubt, this will irritate the questioner, but it should result in the right question being asked enabling you to give a better answer.

Effective questions are neutral, of the “what do you think?” type. Of course, the problem with asking it that way implies that you are really interested in the other person’s opinion. And then you will be expected to take the answer seriously.

How annoying.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Ask as you want answered'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#355: Enough with the leadership dreams

To all real business people out there, I say it’s time to stop encouraging leadership at work. Actually, go the whole hog – tell them to stop this leadership nonsense all together.

What are leaders supposed to do? That’s right, they are supposed to create a passionate vision that will inspire me to live up to my full potential.

Well, guess what. If I manage to get there, I’m gone. Working for you will never reflect my full potential. Working for you is a simple necessity; I must eat.

What your organization needs, and what I need, is a manager. Someone who can manage me to do my job, perform my duties, play my role, deliver as promised, whatever you want to call it. And my manager must manage me in a way that the organization reaps the best of my abilities while I am at work.

Enough with the leadership dreams. It’s time to manage your business.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Enough with the leadership dreams'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#354: Be brave, trust is (still) dangerous

A critical thing we lost last year, apart from money, is trust. Without trust we cannot form workable relationships.

But as we found out, trust can be dangerous. It involves risk, the risk that you could lose whatever it is you entrust to others.

Trust requires that you accept the risks and make yourself vulnerable on purpose. And your purpose is to secure specific future outcomes or behaviors from those you trust.

Here’s the rub. A time lag exists between when you extend your trust and when you experience the anticipated outcome. And because of the time-lag, doubt creeps in.

Don’t let it. If you have enough reason to trust someone to do as expected when expected, then trust them. Then let them be and let them get on with it. Don’t second-guess, don’t expect the worst, don’t interfere.

You made yourself vulnerable for a reason. Now be brave, don’t doubt and keep fear out of it.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Be brave, trust is (still) dangerous'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh