I believe this is a good comparison of Republican presidential candiates.  In any case, I agree with it.

This is quite likely an academic exercise because most of us do not have the resources to give away money, even if it is viewed by some as a good investment toward motivation of team members. 

The ability to use money as an incentive usually rests with a comparative few within the organization.  So, though in your current position the discussion may be of little practical value to you in the strictest sense, it may be of interest and it may be helpful in understanding and utilizing Maslow’s theory in other situations. 

Once we understand that others’ needs provide buttons we can push to motivate them toward certain goals, we can progress in a somewhat calculated way designed to increase the odds of success.

Now, if that sounds negative, control of others, pushing buttons, et cetera, let’s be honest about what leadership is.  Our objective is to achieve a set of goals we have signed on to achieve and it is our job to help others achieve those goals when they have signed on to do the same. 

In response to a question I was asked recently, this is an edited version of part of a leadership course I developed some years ago.  The course was delivered in seminar format so there is a lot of support material, delivery, and discussion not included here.

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The most common question when dealing with others’ behavior, is “Why?”  The longer version is “Why did they do…” Parents ask it of their children, coaches ask it of their players, supervisors ask it of their subordinates, and we all ask it of each other.The second most common question asked is “How?”  That is, “How do I get them to do it differently — the way I want them to do it?” Obviously the two questions are related, and the answers are, also. 

Consider the following. 

searched on “can I wear boxer shorts to basic training,” I assure you that though my first-hand knowledge on the subject is many years out of date, whatever you wear to Basic Training will be just fine because you won’t be wearing it for very long.

The taxpayers of this country will gladly set you up with all you will need, on a mandatory-wear basis, very soon after arrival.

Why do some insist on bearing defensive arms?

Well, maybe it has to do with events like this that seem to get only little to moderate press coverage so the general population will know what is going on.

Don’t get me wrong.  Law Enforcement for the greatest part is on the same side I’m on.  But then as we have found out over many many years, the enemy doesn’t always wear the enemy’s uniform, either. 

Consider that in the last 2 weeks,

• Putin, former KGB, has disbanded the governmental leadership body.
• Putin has selected a nobody to a position of some power.
• A spy scandal poisoning suspect is going to “run” for “office.”
• Putin’s hostility toward the US has become increasingly more obvious.
• And this from Reuters: (www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL1155952320070912)

Russia tests superstrength bomb, military says

Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:27pm EDT
By Dmitry Solovyov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has tested the world’s most powerful vacuum bomb, which unleashes a destructive shockwave with the power of a nuclear blast, the military said on Tuesday, dubbing it the “father of all bombs”.

During our time inside Tony’s we had noticed quite a few people headed toward the main gate, exiting the park, apparently not willing to gamble on the weather improving.  As we left the restaurant and started up Main Street toward the castle the rain had slowed to a drizzle, but at that point it made little difference.

It was 9:15 and the street was much less crowded than before, even less so than on most other evenings regardless of season.  We usually watch the Wishes fireworks show at the castle, from the middle of Main Street right in front of the ice cream shop, so we headed there. 

Hmmmm.  Where were we?

Oh yes, I believe we were here, at

Weather forecast for September 14, 2007 High of 92 Partly cloudy skies 30% chance of rain

and approaching a crowded and unmoving exit area as we attempted to leave Stitch’s exit-the-attraction gift shop.

No matter the conditions when you go into the inside queue of an attraction, an unmoving horde at the post-attraction gift shop exit can mean only one thing — RAIN.

As we showed my annual pass at the parking toll plaza for Magic Kingdom I couldn’t help but wonder how the cast members there feel about the change of parking fees from $10 to $11 (that matches Universal Studios now). 

It had to have been pretty easy before, because most tourists would hand over either the correct amount or a 20 dollar bill, probably fresh out of an ATM.  Now the cast members probably still get a lot of 20’s and have to handle four 1’s in partial change.  I wonder if WDW is going to create a shortage of 1’s within their own system and if they have considered the increased transaction time. 

For those not old enough to remember the comedian and showman Jack Benny, you’ll just have to figure it out with your fingers, but for those of sufficient vintage, you’ll understand that yesterday we celebrated the anniversary of whose number was Jack Benny’s permanent age, just a wee bit shy of forty.  Hard to believe I came back from Vietnam 40 years ago and we were married the following year.

Just as I was about to leave to pick up the wife at work the doorbell rang.  UH oh.  Don’t have time for this — I’m playing it close already and we have places to go afterward.

My guava tree is about 3 years old, from a cutting of my good friend’s tree which isn’t doing very well at all, but mine sure seems to be.  Photo 1

Last year, the first season of bearing, when the tree was only 2 years old, I got roughly 60 fruit. 

Though this year several smaller fruit have fallen prematurely and several are very much misshapen, the number looks like it will be about the same, maybe just a little less.  The first crop this year was in May, as it was last year, and the second of the year, the larger one in terms of numbers, is coming in now.  Photo 2