Science Scene - It Is Almost Rocket Science

A newly discovered molecule called trinitramid could be the key to a future rocket fuel that is 30 percent more efficient than current rocket fuel.

Scientists at Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden discovered this new molecule in the nitrogen oxide group -- only eight such compounds are known to include only nitrogen and oxygen -- while doing research on new rocket fuels.

The scientists realized that the new compound could be stable in solid form and, if so, could lead to rocket fuel that is 20 - 30 percent more efficient, could dramatically cut the greenhouse gas emissions from a shuttle launch and support a rocket with a much larger payload. 

The research team has been able to produce enough of the compound in a test tube for it to be detectable, but more will have to be produced and more tests will have to be conducted before its deemed stable enough.

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Listening Tour

Successful leaders know that it’s critical to tune in to what’s most important to their stakeholders.   Listening is a great way to do that.  Especially if you’re the newest member of the leadership team, going on a listening tour can be a valuable way to build relationships and determine your priorities.   In planning your listening tour, identify your stakeholders and develop a list of questions to ask each of them in conversation. Building your conversation around some questions will enable you to compare what you hear and to identify your initial priorities.

• What are the key outcomes that will make this year successful for you and your team?
• What kind of support would you like to see from me and my team to support your success?
• What is working well that my team should keep doing?
• What would you like to see my team start or stop doing to be more effective?
• If you were to look out 12 to 24 months from now and envision my team as completely successful,  what would you see in terms of results and the mindsets and behaviors that drive results?
• What advice do you have for me in my new role?

What do you next?  Here are some road tested suggestions:
1.        Organize your thoughts and come up with your short- and long-term priorities.
2.        Share what you’ve learned with your team and get them engaged in creating and following through on an action plan.
3.        Circle back with the rest of your stakeholders to let them know what you’ve learned and how you’ll be following up.
4.        Stay connected with your team and your stakeholders to ensure that the priorities are addressed and that everyone is aware of the progress and what they can do to help.


We have two ears and one mouth for a reason.  When you’re the leader the best way to make progress on the things that matter most is to listen more and talk less.  Going on a listening tour is a great way to get started.


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Sunday Silliness - Worth :o)

For those that have been following me for awhile, I hope you have enjoyed the Sunday Silliness series.  There are 132 demotivators, so this has been an at least 2-year endeavor.  If there are no complaints, I will start over again next week with the "A's" :o)

Happy New Year - Tips :o)

So here we are, it is the morning after, do you remember what you were so resolute about last night just as the clock struck midnight?  It is rumored that more than 40% of us make New Year's resolutions.  If you remember, and if your are part of that 40%, then here are some tips to keeping those resolutions.  (Source)

Be specific. 

Write it down.

Review your resolution constantly. 

Hold yourself accountable. Tell other people about your resolution.

Think small. Change does not need to be radical unless you want it to be.
Consider making only pleasant resolutions. 
Keep your resolution every day. 
Set a deadline.
Don’t give up if something interferes with your deadline.


Hope You All Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

A tradition continues :o)

Today was nice.

I picked my Mom up and we went out for a great lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, Margaritas included :o)  Then it was off to the movies.  What did we see, Disney's Tangled.  Why you might ask?

Since high school, I am the only one that will take my Mom to a Disney movie.  It has become a nice mother-son bonding experience, and now that she lives here again, we have resumed our tradition.

While not movies I would pick now (used to take the kidlets to these types of movies, but that was quite a few years back), we always have fun, and frankly, they do a pretty good job these days.  There are just enough references and jabs added that are at an adult level that you chuckle throughout the movie.

This is a tradition that I will happily continue for many years :o)

Irish Victory :o)

One of the gifts that Ken Beth got for Christmas was tickets to four home ND Men's Basketball Games.  Tonight was the first game, with the #15, 11-1 Irish taking on the #9, 11-1 Hoyas.

Notre Dame 69, Georgetown 55    Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center Go Irish!

From Certifiable to Certified :o)

It has been a challenging couple of weeks with getting ready for vacation, training, and Christmas, but it paid off today.  After a four hour exam with 200 questions, 70 of which I marked as "review", and changing at least 10 of those, I clicked the "End Exam" button.....

And as my heart rate increased with each end of exam survey question I answered (damn you testing place!), I got the sequel server twirling circle, and then there it was "CONGRATULATIONS".

Over the next week, I hope to get back to regular blogging.

Sunday Silliness - Wishes :o)

Hope your Christmas Wishes came true.

Merry Christmas To All :o)

Sunday Silliness - Winners :o)