Blameless Culture

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This week I heard the term “blameless culture.” Not knowing what the term meant, I Googled it. This is the first definition that came up.

Within a blameless culture, leaders blame processes, not people. They focus on understanding why something happened, not who is responsible. By striving to identify the root cause of an issue, they create systems that prevent it from happening again. This process of depersonalising mistakes can make a real difference.

Based on this definition (and not the context I heard the term), I can agree with it, for the most part. Finding the root cause of something happening (work not being delivered) can provide “lessons learned” to improve a process. However, outside of a purely automated situation, part of the root cause analysis of a process needs to be the people involved.

Having been a people leader, it was my job to ensure my team had what they needed to do their job well–equipment, time, and access to resources. A block in these things prohibits a strong team member from delivering on their work objective. If I fail to provide, they fail to deliver. I would take the blame, not push it off. If a team member has everything they need to deliver, and they don’t, that’s on them. Not me. Not the process.

Terms like #blamelessculture are a cautionary tale. We live in an imperfect world with fallible people. When things go wrong, it’s easy to point a finger of blame to circumstances or other people. There comes a time to own our part in the failure. If the process doesn’t work, whoever owns it, is responsible. Find yourself in an impossible situation where the process is preventing your success? Find the things you can own, you can control, and adjust. Own your part of the solution and don’t just blame the process. We can’t just sit back, throw up our hands, and blame the process.

Think about computers. If the functions of a computer aren’t set up correctly, the computer won’t produce what the user needs. In the early days of computing, we used the term, “garbage in, garbage out.” The code, formulas, and information had to be correct for the result to be correct.

Maybe the process is broken. Blaming a process isn’t going to make it better. Find the owner, or take ownership and make it better for the next time.

Just a thought,

KK

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Buying blue jeans

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There are more options when buying blue #jeans than when buying a car. After eleven months of Weight Watchers, it was time for me to treat myself to a smaller size pair of blue jeans. It’s been several years since I purchased jeans. Trends have changed and the options have grown.

I’ll start with the waist. I found super high-rise, high-rise, high-rise mom jeans (there’s a selling point, NOT), mid-rise, low-rise, and super low-rise. I don’t like high-rise jeans. They come up to my belly button when I’m standing and scooch higher when I sit. That helped me eliminate three options. And I’m not young enough or skinny enough for low-rise. There’s two more options eliminated. That left me with mid-rise, just below my belly button. Great, one decision was made.

Now we need to consider the cut. The options were regular, boyfriend, skinny, super-skinny, curvy (another great marketing tool, tell the woman she’s curvy as if she didn’t know), and loose cut. I tend to be regular to skinny, but I like my jeans longer.

Before we head off to the fitting room, there is one more decision to make the bottom of the leg cut. There is boot cut, flare, straight leg, skinny, super #skinny, and welcome back from the 70’s, bell bottoms. I’m typically a straight-leg person, but if the rest of the options work, I could go skinny.

So, off I went to the fitting room with mid-rise jeans of different designers in regular cut, straight and skinny legs. Did I mention that every designer has their own interpretation of all of these options? That’s right, I took seven pairs of jeans to the fitting room and came out with one that worked. I’d like credit for the workout I got putting on and taking off seven pairs of jeans. The real win came when I found out they were half off. Half off! I bought two of the exact same pair. I tried to find other shades of blue or colors, but that sent my head reeling into another dimension of options – dark blue, stone-washed, holes, no holes. It’s a thing.

By the way, I’m from the generation that wore jeans until they got holes in them. We didn’t buy jeans with ready-made holes. The holes in our jeans told a story of the places we’d gone and the things we’d done in our jeans.

There you have it. In two outings shopping, a total of four hours of my life in the last few days was spent on safari in multiple retail stores, hunting, gathering, and trying on blue jeans.

What’s your favorite style, cut, and designer of blue jeans?

All the best,

KK.

Is your book club planning for 2024? Consider Curtains for Maggie! Available on Amazon.

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What are you reading to your children?

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Reading to children is much more than the words on the page. Although they are important as well. Those words and stories are fostering imagination, and filling our children with messages they will play back for their entire life. I remember Go Dog Go being the first book I could read to myself. Spoiler alert, it ends with a dog party. How fun!

Reading to a child also builds a connection with you, their parent, or a trusted adult. Do you remember being little and thinking the grown-ups around you were always in a hurry or stressed out? Maybe not. Hopefully not. But when they took time to sit with you and go on an imaginary journey, you connected with them on an entirely different level. One that wasn’t about chores, or school work, you went to another world together and had an adventure. Oh, and for parents who aren’t great at reading aloud. That’s OK! Our kids need to know that we aren’t perfect all the time. Reading to a child gives the adult practice time to improve their own ability to read.

The books we read to our children carry a message. It’s our job to be sure the message is uplifting. Even in silly stories, the message may just be it’s time to giggle. The world has plenty to not giggle or be silly about. Let’s encourage silliness and giggling as long as we can with our kids. Let’s fill them so full of fun, positive, enriching stories, that when they are older and the world gets dark, they remember to follow the yellow brick road, and find their way back home.

An author friend of mine, Nicole Lisa Schrader has published a new children’s book, Darwin Finds Freedom (from Elk Lake Publishing). Darwin’s grandfather tells him stories of other mice that are free, and to find them, he must follow the King of all Creatures. This means the little mouse has to take a step of faith to leave the familiar. Not unlike when your small child steps into a classroom for the first time; perhaps a little scared. But with every encounter with the other animals, Darwin is encouraged to keep moving forward toward finding his community. This story is all about being brave. I encourage you to check it out.

What was the first book you remember reading? Do you still enjoy reading? I’d love to hear from you. Maybe you can add a book to my ever-growing reading list, or give me ideas for books to buy for the children in my life.

All the best,

KK

#reading #books #novel

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Looking for something for yourself to read? Check out my latest book, Curtains for Maggie, also published by Elk Lake Publishing.

Friends in the garden

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We built our home to be a place for friends to gather. What a blessing it is to have them over for grilling and swimming. Laughter and conversations fill the air. This week, we’ve had other friends gathering in the garden. They don’t care so much for the grill or the pool. And I didn’t invite them with a text message. These friends were invited with the intentional planting of colorful bushes and flowers in hanging baskets. It’s amazing how close they let us get. Must know that we’re friendlies. Let me introduce you to Sunny, the yellow bird, Zippy, the Hummingbird (look to the right of the feeder), Flippy, the butterfly, and Buzz, the bee. Every visit is a blessing and reminds me how amazing our Creator is.

All the best,

KK

#gardening

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I’m on vacation

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We haven’t taken a family #vacation in over four years. Between our son’s summer DCI activities and the #pandemic, there really hasn’t been much opportunity. This year we planned a vacation. We took our son and his fiance and headed out west to the Grand Canyon (north and south rim). It was the first time for each of us to experience the grandeur of the canyon and two other canyons nearby, Bryce and Glen. Before leaving, I had my pre-vacation checklist to complete. It’s never been easy for me to stop working for a week. Normally it takes me the first few days to down-shift into vacation mode – to not wonder what’s happening back at the office. The ridiculous part of this is that it’s not like I’m a high-ranking leader at a Fortune fifty company. In truth, I’m about six levels below that. But I carry the curse of a strong work ethic and take ownership of my work. So to leave work for a week takes a little effort on my part.

This time it didn’t take me long to decompress and ignore emails from work. About halfway through the week, I realized that I needed this vacation. I needed a change of scenery, a new experience, and time with my family. We had a great time. There was no rushing, but we had specific activities planned most days. In the evenings after a good dinner, we played cards and enjoyed each other’s company. I haven’t seen the news in over a week. The world was doing what it was doing, and my family was making memories.

We had a couple of rental car challenges. Evidently Dollar car rental can take a reservation, they just can’t keep the reservation (Seinfeld reference intended). But we got it worked out and had a comfortable Honda SUV for traveling from one end of the Grand Canyon to the other.

I’m purposely not going to even attempt to describe what we saw. Here are a couple of pictures. Even as a writer, I am without words, and these photos don’t begin to give you a sense of the majesty our Creator put in these mountains. Please take time to make the #trip. It’s worth experiencing and our National Park Service has made it very accessible for pretty much anyone.

We wrapped up our adventure with a trip to Chase Field Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona to see the Diamondbacks and the Rays play. Great game. Something else I’ve never experienced is a baseball game played inside. With the extreme heat, the game was played with the stadium roof closed. The Rays won.

Back to work on Monday. I’m thankful for my time off. But I’m refreshed and ready to go.

How’s your summer going?

All the best,

KK

Do you remember?

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Memorial Day is an American holiday. We take time to remember those who said, yes when asked to #serve in the military. That three-letter word changed the trajectory of their lives. Their commitment to protecting our country from enemies foreign and domestic started a clock ticking. They just didn’t know how much time was on the clock.

Our #service men and women said yes when others said no or didn’t bother to even consider the option. Those who signed up or went when drafted, served above the politics and rhetoric around the military.

Today we #honor those who went and didn’t come home. Those whose last goodbye to a loved one, was their last embrace with that person. Today we pray for the person they left behind whose heart still aches.

Yes, we all love to have three-day weekends. This one is at the expense of many. The least we can do before the first grill is fired up, or the plunge into the pool, is to stop, remember, and pray.

All the best,

KK

Let’s connect. If you haven’t already, please choose to follow KK’s Candor. To stay in touch with my writing adventures you can find me on social media.

Check out my book Curtains for Maggie, available on Amazon.

#viral #novel #blog

Who are you?

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Who are you? Maggie Nelson, the main character, in my debut novel, Curtains for Maggie, feels like she’s lost herself; her identity. She married Dan, her college sweetheart, and they have two children. She decided with Dan when their first child was born to be a stay-at-home mom. A few years later their second child came along. Those early years were filled with the fun and challenges of having a baby and a toddler. Maggie loves being a mom. But when the book begins, the kids are in school, Dan is working his way up the corporate ladder, and Maggie is feeling #restless.

She asks the question, who am I when the kids are in school and Dan’s at work? Who am I when I’m not being a wife and a mother? The roles we play in life. The roles we love. But, what about continuing to cultivate something that is your own. Something outside of the roles we take on. Maggie once loved acting. She shared this love of the theater with her father. In the midst of feeling restless, she comes across a flyer for auditions at the Oakdale Community Theater.

The flyer pokes at her restless heart. We all have those seasons in life when we feel a little off. I hope you’ll check out Curtains for Maggie. You’ll journey with her and her two friends, Jen and Nora, as they each explore new options for their lives.

Let me know what you think, or drop a review on Amazon.

All the best,

KK

Let’s connect. If you haven’t already, please choose to follow KK’s Candor. To stay in touch with my writing adventures you can find me on social media. #Novel #Viral

Don’t overlook May

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It is easy to have such planned lives that we miss the hours or days that are in the present. I found myself guilty of this today when I asked my son if he wanted to go to a Louisville Bats game with us on June 3. June 3rd! It’s still April. What about May?

There are a lot of important things happening in May. There’s Derby Day for those of us here in #Kentucky and of course #MothersDay. Can’t let that slip away. Besides the holiday, it’s important to embrace each day. Live in the present. What special something, unusual encounter, or unplanned blessing will be missed if we’re busy looking forward to something else? One thing I like to do is sit out on our porch. Just sit. No phone or device of any kind. Be still. Within a few minutes, I notice something in the yard, a rabbit, or birds playing in the bird bath. Those few minutes change my spirit. They have an impact on the rest of the day.

I’ve probably written about this attitude before, but overlooking the “now” for the “coming soon” hit hard today. While I’m looking forward to June — a night at the baseball field, my book release, a family gathering, and vacation — I’m also thankful for completing a normal week of work, and a quiet Friday night at home with my husband.

What about you? Did any unexpected #blessings catch you while you were planning something else?

All the best,

KK

Let’s connect. If you haven’t already, please choose to follow KK’s Candor. To stay in touch with my writing adventures you can find me on social media.

I want credit, don’t you?

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Like many others, I began a #diet journey in #January. I committed to using the Weight Watchers app. The wonderful part of the app is that when I exercise, it gives me additional points for the week. I’m getting #credit for my good choices. But when my son is headed to Graeter’s Ice Cream parlor and asks if I want something, and I say “No, thank you,” I want credit for it! By the way the “no, thank you” comes after a three-minute internal argument and justification with myself. “Well if I use my points this way, or I only get the mini cone, I’m only using this many points.” The struggle is real.

Then there are the times when I’m home alone. I’m working upstairs as far from the pantry as possible and still be inside the house, and the Oreos call out. “My precious, creamy cookie…” Or I open the pantry for a healthy snack like granola or nuts, and there they are eye-level. I want credit for not snagging the package and scurrying up to my office to devour them.

But I don’t. Most of the time. In full disclosure, I did scan the package and found out I could have two #cookies for five points. I get 23 points in a day and another 21 points to use over the course of a week. Ok, so I’m getting to the end of the week, I’ve already done my weigh-in, so why not enjoy two Oreo cookies?

Could you eat just two? It’s a slippery slope. Self-discipline has to be rock solid. There’s another opportunity for me to get credit — when I only eat two cookies AND when I do have the third one, I don’t lie when I report it on the app.

What are your thoughts on the matter of credit and #fairness when no one is looking? Kinda makes you think about the true character of an individual. But that’s a post for another day.

All the best,

KK

BTW — I weighed in this morning, down 10 pounds!!

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Dreams coming true

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Is it a #dream or a #goal? I’ve wanted to write a book and have it published for as long as I can remember. It started as a dream, but when I got serious about #writing and learning the craft, it became a goal. Writing workshops, critique groups, editing, and a lot of rewriting. Last June I pitched the book to Elk Lake Publishing. They requested a proposal, and about a month later they offered me a contract! WooHoo! That began my journey toward publication.

You are now a very important part of that journey. Below is the cover of Curtains for Maggie, my debut novel! Check it out and let me know what you think.

Back Cover

Maggie Nelson lost her identity. Nora St. Claire lost her husband. And Jen Stephens lost her job—sort of. The three friends from college, now in their forties, rediscover a special part of themselves that time and relationships have stolen.

To rediscover who she is, Maggie revisits a passion from her past. Something that was her own—acting. With this, her family begins a season of their orderly, planned, and scheduled lives becoming not so orderly. How can Maggie regain her identity without losing her husband?

Nora is an interior designer whose husband was killed in the line of duty. After years of mourning, she is ready to rebuild her life. Her career launches when she wins over a difficult client for the firm. And in her social life, she finds herself volunteering alongside a man who sparks her interest. Work, friends, dating—what will the design of her new life be?

Jen is a free-spirited personal trainer who never expected to find herself as an assistant manager at the gym. The role is a stretch, but it includes all the components of healthy living that she believes in. The rest she can learn. The transition has a few twists and turns Jen navigates well with the full support of her husband, and her two friends. And yet … is it the best fit for Jen?

Their path is messy, but isn’t that true about life? Along the way, each woman discovers that she is more precious than rubies. Even in her imperfection.

I know you can’t wait to read it. I promise you will be the first to know where to purchase a copy.

All the best,

KK

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