tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post7858922448893350806..comments2008-10-23T12:26:11.761-05:00Anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673125042097858304noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post-35128005191685734582008-10-23T12:26:00.000-05:002008-10-23T12:26:00.000-05:00Kathryn,<BR/>Yes, but at the same time I would say you stepped out of your comfort zone more than a year ago when you launched your blog. You've already shown great courage!Anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673125042097858304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post-2060570391090677782008-10-23T12:04:00.000-05:002008-10-23T12:04:00.000-05:00I'm about to go outside my comfort zone and look for a videographer to make a video of my Scarf Initiative project which is going on display at a local artshop<BR/>next month! Yikes! Trust me when I say this is going to require courage!Kathryn/plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.comhttp://plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post-8794946880453221062008-10-22T12:57:00.000-05:002008-10-22T12:57:00.000-05:00Rick,<BR/>I think what is becoming clear (at least I hope it is), is that competition has driven the market to offer about the same prices to customers for the products they desire. So, what's going to help a company survive -- and thrive? That's going to be innovation and superior customer service. That comes from the employees -- they will be the ones to make the difference. Bosses who don't understand that may find themselves in the unemployment line.<BR/>Thanks for your thoughts.Anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673125042097858304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post-89923548401274252072008-10-22T12:49:00.000-05:002008-10-22T12:49:00.000-05:00Good discussion! It's true that displaying courage can only go so far in some businesses. If you work for an employer that openly encourages innovation from its employees -- no matter the state of the company or economy -- take the opportunity to show them what you've got.<BR/><BR/>And if they don't appreciate it (sorry about your experience, mikeb), find a place that will. Any workplace that doesn't foster a climate of creativity and innovation -- and, by extension, courage -- today is only shooting itself in <B>both</B> feet.Rickhttp://www.pongoresume.com/authors/1/saia-cprw.cfmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post-74022678309774558182008-10-22T10:02:00.000-05:002008-10-22T10:02:00.000-05:00Mikeb,<BR/>If that isn't the sign of a gutless, spineless boss, I don't know what is. And I've worked for a couple of those myself. I always held on long enough to get my resume together and get out of there. <BR/>You make an excellent point: We also MUST have leaders who are courageous.<BR/>Thanks for the story.Anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673125042097858304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post-83267259178218131472008-10-22T09:50:00.000-05:002008-10-22T09:50:00.000-05:00David,<BR/>I like the way you pose the question about a "meaningful life." I think it's much easier to deal with the consequences of our actions when we feel like we at least tried, rather than trying to live with the consequences of just doing nothing.<BR/>Thanks for posting.Anitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07673125042097858304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post-70690263766669431922008-10-22T09:47:00.000-05:002008-10-22T09:47:00.000-05:00The best story I can offer is the time I put together what I thought was an excellent proposal for our company to get involved in MQA. Our CEO read it and said, "Mike's really passionate about this stuff. Maybe he should go to work for somebody who shares his interest."<BR/><BR/>I managed to save my job, but it was touch and go for a while.<BR/><BR/>I would still recommend taking calculated chances on the job. If your company doesn't appreciate your courage, there's someone else out there who will.MikeBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859678002006606290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579284890902840419.post-88932981307991404382008-10-22T09:37:00.000-05:002008-10-22T09:37:00.000-05:00With the econmony in great flux, I speculate that most people are not willing to take risks. The media is reporting on layoffs, stock market declines and foreclosures.<BR/><BR/>This puts people into a panic and causes "spineless" behavior.<BR/><BR/>When obligation overpowers the cost return of risk, people tend to stay put and be quiet. <BR/><BR/>I agree with you assessment. The question then becomes - when is it the right to to live a meaningful life?David Bullockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11772296090380166925noreply@blogger.com