Thanks for the feedback

I deleted my previous post on the blog.

I was asked to write something about common mistakes that interns make that lead to negative references. I couldn't find a fun or interesting way to write about it, so I wrote it as if I was writing to the worst intern someone could ever have. It wasn't based on anyone real. I turned my "id" loose, exaggerated and tried to have some fun with it.

But clearly, a good number of people didn't get the joke. I think most of the people who disliked the post thought that it was about a real person (it wasn't). One nice man called me a "moron" on a professional listserve. Another said he wouldn't be writing any more checks to my company.

Point taken. So, to satisfy the critics, here is the less imaginative version.

- Don't spend a lot of time on Facebook or texting your friends.
- Don't wait for work to be brought to you. Find work.
- Seek out ways to make an impact. Show initiative.
- Make people's work lives easier because you were there.
- Be careful to not let negative personal behavior come into the workplace.
- Don't let your sexual life or your partying come to the attention of your boss or coworkers.
- Stay focused and productive to the final moments of your internship.
- Dress nicely.

There. Nice, unoffensive, and no one calling me a moron.

To anyone offended by my previous post, my apologies.

This blog is a place for some free flow of ideas. My ideas. I don't write this on behalf of any organization, my company, or anyone else affiliated with me. I'm not writing it for student affairs professionals... I'm writing it for students who crave an honest perspective on the issues that affect them and their organizations the most.

Frequently, I don't agree with my Thursday posting by Saturday. Those of us who think of ourselves as writers have a basic need to put the thought down – good, bad and nutty – in a censorship free place. This blog is my place for that.

If I occasionally get people thinking and talking, then all the better.

I'm headed out for a much needed vacation. The blog will resume in a couple of weeks. For those who enjoy it, thanks for visiting.

Commencement Speech

Go start a fire.

It's a strange piece of advice, coming from the son of a firefighter. But, that's what I want you to do. Leave this place and go start a fire.

Gather everything you've done to this point into a big pile and light it ablaze. It's only purpose now is to provide fuel and energy. Create a fire that warms others and sets the darkest places alight. Start a fire that comforts, and spreads, and guides.

Remember that fire can also destroy, so tend your fire and burn it responsibly. That said, toss on something explosive now and then, because a fire is more interesting when it crackles than when it smolders.

There will be times when tending makes you tired, and it's nice to have others who help you keep things burning. Add to theirs, too, because there's far too much for any single one of us to burn.

Most of all, remember that fire is unpredictable. You can shape your fate no more than you can shape the flames. And someday, when only ashes remain, pray that they nourish and bring new life. For in that way, your fire will have shaped the landscape.

Go from here, and start a fire. You have everything you need. There is no need to be afraid.

Happy graduation.

Anti-Greek Week, Pt. 2

I got an email today from a young man who is a member of Theta Chi at Purdue. He read my "Anti-Greek Week" posting this week, and he wanted me to know that in spite of the negative press this week of the drug-dealing Theta Chi's at San Diego State University, he is proud to be a member of his fraternity. He also wanted me to know that his chapter was a very good chapter that was ashamed of the "brothers" who earned national headlines this week.

So, let me go on record... we all have some shitty chapters.

This week, it was Theta Chi and Pi Kappa Alpha's turns to get a black eye. Next week, it will be someone else. A month from now, it will be my fraternity. No one group corners the market on dumb asses.

Theta Chi is an outstanding national fraternity, Kenny. (Thanks for reading)

Again, my point... We need to be more aggressive in weeding out the losers among our members. We can't wait for the DEA, local law enforcement, and the coroner to do it for us.

Unfortunately, I am consistently disappointed by the leadership of most national fraternities who would rather play the odds that troubled chapters will avoid deaths, arrests, and scandal than confront the abuses that exist.

A national fraternity is more likely to close a chapter for dwindling numbers or mounting debt than for hazing, drugs, or sexual misconduct.

A national fraternity officer emailed me this week after my post and said, "We are not in the business of closing chapters, we're in the business of opening chapters."

I'm not advocating we throw the baby out with the bathwater. But, I'm kind of big on throwing out the bathwater instead of continuing to sit in it.

Let them know you got the message

Have you ever written a message to people that you thought was interesting or important, and then you get absolutely no feedback? You have no idea if people read your email, got your voice message, or received the card you sent?

A perfectly good idea or suggestion dies a quiet, unacknowledged death.

This is something that happens to me almost every day. Managing a team of 35 speakers and a staff of 7, I often throw out something and it falls completely dead. Or, so I think. I have no way to know, because people don't acknowledge most of the communication that they receive these days.

I suppose it would be a lot of work to acknowledge everything, but I sure like it when someone sends a message that says something like, "Thanks for that info!" or "That's cool, thanks!" It just lets me know that my effort was worthwhile. It tells me that I was heard, and I like that feeling.

When your advisor or one of your officers/members sends out something they thought would be interesting or helpful to you, give them a quick reply. It doesn't take a lot of time, and it makes them feel appreciated. You don't have to write a paragraph response to everything. But a quick "thanks" let's them know they were heard.

Of course, some people send out way too much email, and it would be impossible and massively time consuming to acknowledge everything they send. One of my speakers sends out a lot of info, and I'll admit that I haven't been great about acknowledging every one of her emails.

When this happens, encourage the person to start a blog. It's a great place to dump lots of random knowledge without bugging people. Then, you can watch that counter on your blog and get a measure of satisfaction that someone is reading.

Look, I'm about to hit 12,000. How cool is that?