• Category Archives Training

  • How To Forge Teams By Deliberate Discomfort

    Posted on by Tim

    Using deliberate discomfort to make teams is what makes the U.S. military. Since I served in the U.S. Navy, I can only speak for my service branch.

    The more elite or special a unit is, the more difficult the process becomes for a trainee to join the unit. Most people think physical exertion is a hurdle to get over.

    In my opinion, the mental challenges are far tougher than the physical barriers.

    To join the submarine force, I need to have a psychological evaluation for mental fitness. Again, I was evaluated for mental soundness to support special operations units in combat.

    Yes, there were physical components involved in the qualification and selection process for both areas. For me, those were not the same as a special operator who would go through Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUDS).

    The “shared suffering” involved in my inductions into these communities left me wanting more. Not in a sick, twisted way, but wanting for closeness that comes with the processes.

    My deliberate discomfort

    After initial training at the Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS), I was assigned to the USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678). Fun fact, I was filmed as part of the documentary, Submarines – Sharks of Steel.

    Screen grab Submarines Sharks of Steel
    Submarines – Sharks of Steel video

    My toughest test was on the ARCHERFISH. It involved two years of qualification and training.

    Qualifying is a “make or break” choice. You either thrive or dive. You can’t tread water.

    I chose to thrive. I completed the process in a year; by putting the time in, studying for hours in my off-duty time.

    I finished the work at sea. Oh, the stories I could tell! As the saying goes, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

    Submarines are a crucible that test adaptability and I passed. I learned to perform under pressure.

    Deliberate discomfort as a non-useful body (nub) turned to shared suffering as a qualified submarine Sailor. Diving and driving submarines are not for the faint-hearted!

    Bringing discomfort to business

    I’m working on how to simulate the identity forging process for business.

    This post frames my experience. More will follow!


    Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • How To Prevent Burnout – Just Say No

    Posted on by Tim

    We must learn to just say no. Europe takes a vacation in August. In the U.S., we don’t take a month off work.

    As people, we need time off to relax, recharge, and reconnect with family and friends.

    Creative work is hard. It demands a lot of energy to stay focused on the goals. As a result, rest is a second thought.

    If one factor tops others, then it is rest. Rest is essential to staying mentally sharp.

    A quick search on rest revealed the following articles:

    If research is indicating rest is important to performance, why, then are we avoiding rest?

    Just say no

    Based on neuroscience, the human brain is wired to seek pleasure. Because dopamine is released into the brain when it encounters enjoyment, behavior becomes pleasure-seeking reinforced.

    In a way, the same thing happens when we connect with people. As well, when we take on and complete projects.

    So, it seems we have wired ourselves for overload. As a result, we’re seeking more dopamine to increase our happiness.

    We resist just saying no as it would stop dopamine from flowing in our brains.

    It’s fair to ask, is burnout worth the dopamine high? Science indicates it isn’t.

    Learn to say no and get some rest. It will do you and those around you good.

    Krk island, Croatia

    Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • 5 Steps For How To Develop A Confidence Stack

    Posted on by Tim

    Countering imposter syndrome is tough. The steps below are ways to develop a confidence stack and they are worth a read.

    1. Be willing to suck for a while
    2. Find a coach or mentor who will push you
    3. Do the reps
    4. Take small, measured risks
    5. Rinse and repeat

    The concept of stacking isn’t new. If you ever played with Lego blocks, you know how stacking works.

    Lego Technic BMW motorcycle

    By design, a stack adds up to form something out of parts. The saying, “the sum of the whole is greater than its parts.” reveals a result of stacking.

    When I was searching for a way to break from childhood to adulthood, the military provided a way. The process of becoming a Sailor is stacking by building confidence based on an old and new experiences.

    I understood American history from school. I stacked Navy history and tradition on my previous learning.

    Using the same process, the Navy stacked on physical education. As well, it stacked on basic math and added basic engineering.

    Develop a confidence stack

    We all have abilities and skills. Some we are born with. Others we develop over time.

    As we learn, we build or stack on basic structures. As a result, each new concept connects with a prior concept and triggers a neurochemical response.

    The five steps listed above acknowledge learning is tough. As we get older, we become risk-averse.

    Some avoidance might come from fear. Other exclusion might come from ego. It doesn’t matter where the response comes from, it has to be evaluated and understood.

    Our brains are conditioned to side-step danger when it’s possible. However, most of life in modern times is not dangerous in the pure sense.

    So, we have to make an effort to override survival instinct. In effect, we’re rewiring instinct with logic to build confidence by taking calculated risks.

    It all starts with willingness. Are you ready to suck at something new to build confidence?


    Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • Challenge Accepted, Level-up To Mentor

    Posted on by Tim

    I needed to be challenged.  For me, one way to be stretched is to mentor a colleague or friend who is on their own journey, just a bit behind me.

    My dad shared with me this saying from my grandfather, 

    “The best investment any of us can ever make is in a fellow human being.”

    I don’t know about you, that statement feels both comforting and like a punch in the gut, all at the same time.  I think about what I could have done if I had paid closer attention to people around me.

    Pinning ceremony and re-enlistment
    Receiving my Enlisted Submarine Warfare Specialist designator and my first re-enlistment

    Consider this, former colleagues who might have developed faster professionally.  Contemplate this, acquaintances and friends who might have benefitted from me sharing my experience if I had made myself available for a conversation.

    Now, I’m doing life differently.  Currently, I’m pouring into others as people approach me for advice.  I had two people connect with me in recent weeks, one from my company and the other from my client.  In addition to my day job, I am showing up and being present for my family!

    As I write this post, I recognize how unique mentoring is in the context of human behavior.  In future posts on mentoring, I plan to unpack what the concept is and what the concept is not.

    Take a challenge

    Today, I want to challenge you to examine your relationships.  Who might benefit from a few hours of your time? Mentor a colleague or friend who would genuinely benefit from your expertise and experience.

    If they are open to receiving it, time spent with you listening to their concerns, providing feedback, pays rewards. Time invested for in that person, for their own personal and/or professional growth, benefits you both.

    Will you take up this challenge? Will you invest in another person this week?


    Agile Scrum Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • Learning Made Easy For Hard Heads Like Mine

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. A Scrum training learning enhancement tool I endorse.

    Actual game results

    Learning is my thing. It just is. I enjoy concept application as much as the experience of expanding the boundaries of my understanding.

    What about you?

    My interest leads me to continually improve my skills as a Scrum Master. As a result, playing games are complimentary to my willingness to learn. 

    I was introduced to a tool that may enable Scrum teams to learn by practice.

    Scrum training – online scrum card game

    Tim, the creator of Scrum Card Game – Scrum Simulation. Simple and realistic. He walked me, James, Sweta, and Valerie through the most recent updates to the simulation. 

    We learned the “why” behind its creation and had Tim as our coach while going through the Sprints.

    I’m not going to spoil the enjoyment you might receive from trying this experience out, so there are no details provided in the remainder of this post!

    I will give you a peak behind the curtain with this video. 

    Tim shared that the online version of the experience came from community feedback. He noted that the online game is based on iterative development of the original, physical product that he used in training classes.

    As the tool evolved, it was met with more positive feedback, going from a PDF file to a physical card deck to the online version of the same, but better!


    Scrum Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • Team “Human” And How Co-workers Can Make You Laugh, Smile, And Be Happy

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Team human, we’re all on it.

    How were you this week with your team at #humans_being?

    To follow up on my post on Monday, I wanted to share my experience this week showing up with my colleagues. I didn’t experience tech issues this time around, which was wonderful!

    Our learning session on teamwork was thoughtful and thought-provoking.  We tested a couple of approaches in the process of creating the learning experience.  IMO, I’m happy with the outcome, but I could improve my timing and sharing.

    For me, using electronic tools is easy.  Mural, PowerPoint, and Teams are not overly challenging to get proficient at using.  They are and have been part of my way of working for a while and are an enabling constraint for me to deliver content and information that is intended to enable learning.

    Not everyone is so fortunate.  Not every electronic tool is built for #accessiblity or #ease_of_use.  I am mindful that while I might make training #look_easy, it is not easy to #create and #facilitate engaging training.  The electronic tools might hinder learning and prevent the experience of #humans_being.

    Here in the United States and Canada, we are heading into a holiday weekend.  I want to challenge you, my followers, and my connections to consider how the fall or spring seasons might be for you and your teams.

    Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Team human

    Be mindful that we are still moving through stressful times that serve to create PTS.  Be thoughtful about meeting people where they are at in their career journey, both at work and socially.  Take time to be empathetic and compassionate with yourself and with the people around you.

    Enjoy your weekend and please share your stories.  I have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth, so I should be listening and watching twice as much as talking!

    Huge thanks to Janelle, Lisa, Nicole, and the rest of my Improving colleagues for being a part of the learning journey and showing up!


    Teamwork Technology Training 📎and tagged

  • Conference Speaking Really Wasn’t Part Of My Professional Plan, But Hey!

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Conference speaking, for me? No, not really.

    What did you do to show up? 

    I showed up this week (8/19/2021), in a personal way and professionally.

    My professional moment was during the 2021 Summer UACon.  I have Derek Lane to thank for that opportunity.

    My neighbor and I met for coffee last week.  It was a deliberate appointment as he and his family were completing the pack-out of their home to move to Arizona.

    We talked about several topics which have been consistent themes in our conversations over the 4+ years we’ve known each other.  We created space and we showed up, for each other.

    It was a simple way to be “#humans_being”.

    Mozart Café, Salzburg, Austria

    Conference speaking

    Admittedly, it’s kind of cool speaking at a conference. There is something special about sharing insights.

    Above all, it’s about inspiring people, being human, and showing up. In addition, each story shared is unique providing insight that might not be known.

    Before speaking, I have to prepare. It takes time to get a session “just right”. In addition, I rehearse before delivering or recording my session. Further, I have to be in the moment for the time in the session.

    In the end, it’s not about me. It’s about the message being delivered and received by someone who can use it.


    Personal Teamwork Technology Training 📎and tagged