Live and let live...

At the end of the day, we are who we are. Not who our parents hoped we would be, or others think we should be. And, despite our own plans, it’s often a continuing work in progress. Things around us changes and that affects the way we view the world and ourselves in it. Our circumstances change and that challenges and/or reinforces our confidence and thinking. And countless other things that change and impact us in some way. All leading to who we are. There’s a long-standing debate between nature and nurture and the impact of each on our lives – at some point I think they blend together; but after that it’s mostly on us. Looking back, I can almost draw as straight line from my early and formative years, college, and my lifelong career in HR – all pointing to my interest in helping others. Each of us have similar lifelines that lead us to becoming who we are – it’s a personal journey that should be accepted and respected by all. Because if we diligently seek to know and understand our motives, are open about where and how the journey leads, and accept responsibility for our decisions and actions, then we become who we are. Hopefully, not too full of ourselves or judgmental, learning to live and let live. Be who you are and let others be who they are today.

 

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844 – 1900): Widely influential German philosopher. He began his career as a classical philologist, turning to philosophy early in his academic career.

There's no crying in baseball: just step up to the plate and take your best shot...

Everyone has had at least one or more moments of truth, where you achieve your objective(s). Some are big, others small, but they each are a reckoning – of success, where results abound, or something less than success, where you figure out why. Of course, there’s a third option – making excuses, pointing fingers, whining, and wasting people’s time. Leaders must deal with these options all the time – in the first, congratulations are in order and the second is a coaching opportunity. The third needs examination, to see if the leader set people up for success or failure – success because they helped them learn, plan, and prepare; failure because they were insufficiently involved in the preparation and planning and allowed someone to be equally uninvolved and unprepared. Involvement in this instance has a lot to do with leading by example, coaching, listening, and supporting. But if we’re honest, there are some people that never get that involved or prepared – when you see that, find out why. If they don’t know, help them; if they won’t try, explain why they must. For themselves, their colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders. This is where leaders earn their stripes – making sure every moment of truth has the expected results today.

 

Brigadier General Charles Elwood “Chuck” Yeager (1923 – 2020): United States Air Force officer, flying ace, and record-setting test pilot who in October 1947 became the first pilot in history confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in level flight.

Just be truthful...

What may seem like a good idea at first glance, often turns out to be something different and more complex. No, I’m not talking about politics, but the more mundane world of business; in this case, about Lowes, the ubiquitous DIY home improvement chain. I try to like them but am often rebuffed by their choice of business practices. Last week I was in there to buy a few things and found they no longer had live checkout lines and services, and required everyone to use one of 6 self-checkout stations, staffed by one lonely and harassed employee. The line was long because, in addition to people like me with only a few items, some had more and others had a question or two. The number of retail self-checkout lines has been growing over the past several years – ostensibly (this is what they say) to facilitate faster throughput by those with only a few items. At-a-glance, that sounds practical, but once they cut back on or eliminate the number of full-service lines it’s apparent, they’re just trying to save money.  That’s their prerogative (of course), but I object to their blurring the truth by hiding the lie. So, here’s my point – companies can do anything they want but they should truthfully tell the buying public why. Since there are more than enough customers to support the myriad of service options available, companies should be truthful and respectful and let people make their choices based on the facts today[1]. 

 

Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn (1918 – 2008): Soviet and Russian author, dissident and Nobel Prize winner who helped to raise global awareness of political repression in the Soviet Union, especially the Gulag prison system.

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[1] Case in Point: Trader Joe’s clearly advertises their stores as being full service while their sister company, Aldi, stresses that they offer only limited service. Both are regularly packed.

Make the most of every day...

Ever feel like you wasted your time? This is one of my recurring dreams – the frittering away of time, and the feeling that you can’t get that time back. Every morning we awaken to a new day – full of promise, challenge, and excitement, and each night we get to look back and see if we made the most of it. If we do, it’s because we have a plan, use our resources wisely, make time to check how our efforts are progressing, make any necessary adjustments, and keep at it until we reach our goal(s). The thing I had to learn was that not everything works out as planned, and in that there still can be accomplishment. The key is to set goals – big and little, ones that get done and others that continue towards longer-term timelines. The thing you never want to do is give up, get distracted, or give it too little effort – it’s this last that for me was the most troubling, because later that night you can’t avoid the feeling that you didn’t do all you could. But that too happens, and rather than let it be upsetting, learn from that realization and re-double your effort tomorrow. Make sure your morning meanings turn into satisfied feelings today.

 

Gertrude Stein (1874 – 1946): American novelist (The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas), poet, playwright, and art collector.

An interesting life story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Stein

Get involved...

My friend and former colleague Elaine Wynn died last week. Along with her former husband Steve, she founded, developed, and led their namesake company from a small downtown Las Vegas casino to a worldwide gaming empire.  And along the way she brought style and class to an industry that needed and benefitted from both and inspired our tens of thousands of employees to being their best selves. Her Golden Nugget Scholarship Foundation awarded college tuition to deserving Nevada students; her sponsorship of Communities in Schools helped underserved students stay in school while building communities that support them; her idea to start Mirage’s college recruitment brought hospitality education into the mainstream of casino resort management; she served on and chaired the Nevada State Board of Education; and was a huge patron of the arts. The elementary school they named after her in Las Vegas was, not surprisingly, one of her favorite places to visit. She was an inspiration to so many because she helped them feel like they belonged – to an idea, a cause, a company, or a community. More than believing in people and causes, she was deeply involved in them. Her legacy is far and wide and deep – but more importantly, it will continue to be a shining example of what any of us can do when we get involved today.  

 

Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977): American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.

Check things out for yourself...

Most everyone has horse sense – which is defined as the ability to make good judgments or decisions; some refer to it as common sense. The real issue is whether they use it – that’s a choice. Sometimes people just follow along because that’s easy or they just want to – that’s a choice to not make a choice. But the key to either is making sure you have the facts. As an HR professional, I had to decide what to do about employee relations’ issues – that meant I needed all the facts and information available, to compare and apply them to policies, and then use common sense to decide what to do. Those decisions could be appealed and reviewed, but that whole process relied on real facts. Whether at work or in life, facts are important in the decision-making process. So is common sense – that helps make good judgments and decisions. Life is full of questions and choices – give yourself the best chance to make the best of each by asking whether the facts you’re presented with make sense. Common sense. Right from wrong sense. Your own sense, not what someone tells you. The kind of sense that’ll keep you from betting on the wrong horse today.

 

William Claude Dukenfield (1880 – 1946), better known as W. C. Fields, was an American actor, comedian, juggler, and writer.

You may disagree, but don't be disagreeable...

“If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read President Can't Swim.” Lyndon Baines Johnson

 

The media is filled with misrepresentations and complaints, so vehemently, that you’d think that lives were at stake. And it spills over to family and friends, as if agreement is more important than blood or friendship. Again, I’m amazed that the only place where civility reigns – by policy and norms, is in the workplace. Disagreement is allowed but disagreeability is not – because in that arena, customer service, satisfaction, and experience are more important than anything else. And because of that, disagreements often turn to tolerance because of the need to work together. Years ago, I was in a hospital for an extended period due to an industrial accident. The man I shared a room with, and I were total opposites – politically and otherwise.  But neither of us could get out of bed so we were eventually forced to talk to each other.  And I learned that if you dislike something, learn all you can about it – the pros and the cons, before getting mad. And if you still disagree, do it responsibly, looking for bridges rather than roadblocks. He and I remained friends long after we got better – not because we changed our opinions, but because we had learned to respect each other. Keep and open mind and look for the things in life that we all can agree on today.

 

Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908 – 1973): The 36th president of the United States. He became president after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, under whom he had served as vice president.

Don't make fun of others...

Whether at work or in life, a good laugh can help us through challenging times. Not that the more serious things in life are laughing matters, but a little comic relief among friends and coworkers can be just the thing to help keep situations light and companionable. Especially at work, where teamwork and positive employee relations go hand in hand with good customer service and experiences. Self-deprecating humor can be appropriate, but jokes making fun of people are never appropriate, nor is name calling or the use of racial slurs or demeaning comments. Saying something rude or callous about another person shouldn’t be laughed at, condoned, or repeated – that only serves to demean and diminish the ones making those comments. I’m not naïve – these things happen, and we should distance ourselves from them less they ultimately harm our own reputations. And we should remember that the Bible strongly discourages speaking ill of others, condemning gossip, slander, and negativity in one's speech. It emphasizes the importance of speaking truth and kindness and using one's words to build up rather than tear down. I rarely quote scripture in these messages, but sometimes the lessons from our youth need reaffirming. Whether leading or following, keep a light heart and a positive outlook today. 

 

Jerry Seinfeld (born 1954): American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He specialized in observational comedy.

It's all on you...

In the broadest metaphorical sense, today’s quote describes judgment day, not to be faced until we’re gone. But in the business world, we’re expected to review someone’s performance on a regular basis. For most, it’s an annual review, something that in my experience is universally disliked by both the reviewer and the reviewee. I’ve found that this practice works best when done in near real time, so that the facts are clear and the message actionable: clear because it’s current and remembered, and actionable via either a commendation or a retraining and learning event. That way it’s over and everyone can move on, focused and smarter. The reviewer might even keep a diary of however many of each are delivered throughout the year to keep a cumulative positive vs. constructive record. In these, the objective should be to make sure that people realize and accept full and total responsibility of their actions – everything they’ve done or have not done. In re-reading these last few sentences, I again wonder why we’re expected to hold people more accountable for their actions at work than for their actions in every facet of life. Same for drug testing and background checks – if they’re important then do them at work and beyond. Because accountability should be for everything we have done or have not done today.

 

Hubert Selby Jr. (1928 – 2004): American writer (Last Exit to Brooklyn and Requiem for a Dream), and educator (USC).  

Choose your words carefully...

One of the most important lessons for any leader to learn is that nothing they say is off the record. Certainly, for public servants – social media broadcasts everything, and then some. And even in companies, employees listen to everything, looking for information; and in that environment it’s hard to hide a harsh or false word. As a strong proponent of internal communications, I’ve learned that management must speak with a single voice, and it’s very important to train managers and supervisors how to communicate effectively; remember, the difference between a good manager and a great one is their ability to communicate. We used to pay for Dale Carnegie courses – while they’re still very good, there are many more options online and in local community colleges. Not only do those provide skills and practice, but they reinforce the idea that you should always speak as if someone’s listening, or maybe more important these days, if someone’s recording. Think before you speak and speak as though what you say could be on posted on social media or tonight’s 6 o’clock news. Nobody wants to read about their words in the news or to worry that they might be held responsible of it through time and eternity. If you can’t defend it – don’t say it; if you wouldn’t want your mother to hear it, don’t say it. Be factual. Be thoughtful. Be clear today.

 

Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865): The 16th president of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He led the United States through the American Civil War, played a major role in the abolition of slavery, expanded the power of the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy.

Allow people to be who they are...

brand (personal)

/brand/

Noun

 

1.     The process of defining and promoting what you stand for as an individual, showcasing your unique qualities and expertise.

 

Personal branding is a relatively new phenomenon; like personal influencers, these were originally affiliated with social media. But people have started to integrate this with resumes when being considered for a job and reputations when moving in social circles.  The purpose of a personal brand helps you stand out from the competition, build trust, establish authority, and attract opportunities that align with your values and goals. Key elements of a personal brand include skills and expertise, experiences and accomplishments, values, and one’s personality. These issues and elements have increasingly become associated with recruiting, career advancement, and building workplace relationships. When I was a kid, people that stood out like this were described as popular or referred to as a character – not in a derogatory sense but meant to spotlight an individual’s uniqueness. So, I suppose that with the amplification associated with social media, it’s only natural that one’s personal brand would be similarly amplified. Bottom line, people bring more of who they are into the workplace today and managers must fold these other personal attributes into how they manage both the individual and the teams they work with. Managers must still bring out the best in each of their employees and make sure they’re all engaged in the company’s and team’s objectives. With focus and consistency. Help each of your employees be who they are today. 

 

Alex Malley (born 1960): Australian accountant and business executive who is currently the CEO of the Australian Chiropractors Association and the former chief executive of CPA Australia.

Make people believe in you...

Leaders are nothing if nobody follows them. However, creating followers sometimes takes more than some leaders think, or seem willing to do. Not that it’s all that hard – good communications skills, saying what you mean and meaning what you say, being alert and aware, and being humble and empathetic are what it takes to earn the trust and loyalty that makes employees want to follow their leaders. Every day. Because employees often get asked “how was your day” when they go home each night, and their answer is what makes them excited to go back or start looking for another job. And make no mistake – employees most often quit because of their supervisors, not the job or the company. The best companies understand this and provide training for their managers and supervisors – technical training, soft skills training, and management training. Because that’s what it takes to make your managers and supervisors effective which, in this case, means able to create an environment of trust and respect that inspires employees to acknowledge the quality of their leaders. The return on that investment is happy employees and happy customers. And that’s what makes leaders and their companies successful today.

 

André Maurois (born Émile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog; 1885 – 1967): French author of novels, biographies, histories, children's books, and science fiction stories.

Read his story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/André_Maurois

Trusted employees make trusting customers...

Everyone says that their employees are their most important asset, but I believe few know what that really means. Some say that because payroll is usually their biggest expense, treating employees like a costly asset that needs to be reduced. But managed effectively, they are the embodiment of management’s mission, vision, and values, and often the most important touch point for their customers. As such, they should be effectively supervised, well trained, highly engaged, and appropriately motivated. Give them the tools to engage with your customers, provide a managed forum to allow them to give feedback about customer behaviors, preferences, and other information to management directly, and use that information to continuously improve the customer experience. Companies often invest money in CRM systems and business intelligence tools and overlook the value of the input and feedback that their employees can provide, complete with the benefit of their nuanced judgment. It shouldn’t be a question of using one or the other, but armed with the CRM information, their human touch and feedback can provide you with more than either could alone. That’s how to make the most of the important asset they represent. Trust them to do this kind of value-added work and turn them loose on your customers today. 

 

Roger Staubach (born 1942): American former college and professional football quarterback. He played in the NFL for 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and prior to that he attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he played college football. He was the first of four players to win both the Heisman Trophy (1963) and Super Bowl MVP (Super Bowl VI). 

Steady as you go...

 

This applies in all facets of life, but maybe most importantly, at work. If we want our employees to be comfortable and confident, they can’t be looking over their shoulders or second guessing themselves. That takes good training, lots of practice, real-time coaching, and on-time recognition… consistently. Day in and day out. That your employees can count on. Then they can focus on what’s needed and what they’re going to do about it. Because they know what’s expected of them. And they know what to expect from others. That’s a culture of trust. And it all starts with steady and consistent supervision today. 

 

Lincoln Chafee (born 1953): American politician. He was mayor of Warwick, Rhode Island, from, a United States Senator, and the 74th Governor of Rhode Island.

Decide what's really important...

val·ue

/ˈvalyo͞o/

noun

plural noun: values

1.     the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

a.     "your support is of great value"

2.     a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.

a.     "they internalize their parents' rules and values"

 

There’s a lot of talk these days about who and what to be loyal to… that kind of decision that should be based on one’s values. Before people start thinking about who or what philosophy they might choose to be loyal to, they should decide who and what they want to be. Those decisions are helped along by one’s family life and upbringing, and the things they’re exposed to. That’s why civics lessons and religious school training were such big parts of how baby boomers were raised. Things like the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule were drilled into us, and they subtly guided our thinking and actions. You might say we were loyal to the values they stood for. So, when it came time to choosing friends, working, and getting involved in things, we tended towards those who believed in and were guided by similar values. And while you couldn’t always control what others did, you could always act according to your own values. And that’s still important today. Everyone should listen, learn, and think about what they want to be. That’s what each of us can control today.

 

Wayne Dyer (1940 – 2015): American self-help author and a motivational speaker.

Thou shall not bear false witness...

It’s best to support the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. The problem is the truth is hard to find these days – unchecked claims abound on most of the channels we turn to for our news and that’s clearly not helping. Many people long for the days of unbiased news, when newscasters told what was happening without coloring it with commentary. People long for the time when ‘truth in advertising’ was the rule, not the exception. And people want to believe in what politicians, business leaders, spiritual leaders say. What I don’t get is why these leaders aren’t held accountable when they break the 9^th biblical commandment: Thou Shall Not Bear False Witness. That’s simple and straight-forward – tell the truth. Not an interpretation of the truth, or a truth that suits your purpose. Or to be clearer: don’t lie, even when the lie suits your purpose. You lie on an application for a job: you’re disqualified. You lie to your lover: you’re dumped.  You lie under oath, when you've sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth: you're in contempt of court. We may not like the truth, but we all deserve to be told the truth. Which means that everyone should be held accountable for telling nothing but the truth today.

 

Byron Pulsifer (born 1960): Canadian author

Doing good should be its own reward..

Young boys often do outrageous things to get attention… mostly from girls. Class clowns grow up to be group jokers, and it takes a lot of growing up to learn that’s not the right way to get attention. Along the way, we learn not to trade our self-respect for some fleeting attention. That often comes when we first note the kind of attention doing good things and the right things attracts. And while that’s not something we study or learn in school… it may be one of life’s most important messages. It comes from the realization that doing good is its own reward. That may come from the admiration of others, but more importantly it comes from the self-satisfaction you get from a job well done. The first time that happens, it’s like a light bulb going off – understanding the importance of doing what’s right. That lesson is certainly highlighted and emphasized when someone catches you doing what’s right. So, when you see someone doing something good, pay it forward by giving them an atta-girl or atta-boy. That’s the best way to teach them the importance of doing what’s right today.

 

Gary Goodridge (born 1966): Trinidadian Canadian former heavyweight kickboxer and mixed martial artist fighter; before that, he was also one of the top ranked contenders in the world of professional arm wrestling.

Another way to say the Golden Rule...

 As kids, we used to say all kinds of things about others, never thinking about their feelings; getting laughs at the expense of others just seemed like a fun game.  Until someone says something mean about you… then it starts to sink in. It’s a long time learning the meaning and nature of respect – that one must give it to get it. And as one’s authority or position grows, it becomes far more important to refrain from saying things that are nasty or untrue – it reflects badly on the person speaking, on their position, and those they’re associated with. The nature of leadership is to be respectful to all, always, and to set the example for others. Whether in a corporate setting, a social setting, or a political one, disrespect reflects badly on all associated with it. That’s something you’re supposed to learn as you’re growing up – the right to be respected is won by respecting others. It’s a universal lesson. One that everyone should learn and practice today.

 

Vasyl Olexandrovych Sukhomlynsky (1918 – 1970): Ukrainian humanistic educator in the Soviet Union who saw the aim of education in producing a truly humane being.

Act the way you want others to act towards you...

As kids, we used to say all kinds of things about others, never thinking about their feelings; getting laughs at the expense of others just seemed like a fun game.  Until someone says something mean about you… then it starts to sink in. It’s a long time learning the meaning and nature of respect – that one must give it to get it. And as one’s authority or position grows, it becomes far more important to refrain from saying things that are nasty or untrue – it reflects badly on the person speaking, on their position, and those they’re associated with. The nature of leadership is to be respectful to all, always, and to set the example for others. Whether in a corporate setting, a social setting, or a political one, disrespect reflects badly on all associated with it. That’s something you’re supposed to learn as you’re growing up – the right to be respected is won by respecting others. It’s a universal lesson. One that everyone should learn and practice today.

 

Vasyl Olexandrovych Sukhomlynsky (1918 – 1970): Ukrainian humanistic educator in the Soviet Union who saw the aim of education in producing a truly humane being.

Be open to change and true to yourself...

Fads, like shiny pennies, can easily catch your attention – you can’t ignore them, but you should be appropriately wary... that’s easier said than done. But then there are real shifts in trends – like Elvis, Dylan, and the Beatles in music, some catch on and endure. When we were opening the Mirage, computers were beginning to gain traction, but my boss cautioned us to stick with proven practices and processes that had served us well for years… eventually they proved their value. But those are just things, and the pace of innovation continues at a dizzying speed. But values – they are the beliefs and principles that guide behavior and decision-making, reflecting what is considered important, proper, or desirable. They are a compass for individuals and groups, shaping priorities and actions. These too can change, but respect, honesty, and integrity should never go out of style - they are the bedrock of civil discourse and human interactions. They are based on the things that all major religions have taught forever – like love thy neighbor. These may be challenged at times, but you shouldn’t cut one’s conscience to fit this year’s trends. And even though the pendulum swings naturally, it always comes back towards the center. My long-haired, hippy days certainly challenged my parents, but they lived long enough to see my behaviors and hair styles become more corporatized and conservative. Be big enough to accept the changes happening around you and wise enough to ride with the tides. Keep your eyes open and your wits about you today.

 

Lillian Florence Hellman (1905 – 1984): American playwright, prose writer, memoirist and screenwriter known for her success on Broadway.

You've got to stand for something...

This week’s quotes and messages will be about integrity, something we looked for in the people we hired – all of them, line, and leadership: it was part of our hire for attitude and train for skills philosophy. If you look in thesaurus it lists similar values like trust, trustworthy, trustworthiness, respect, honesty, and reliability, things you’ll most likely find in people with integrity. Looked at holistically like that, it gives an overall picture of the kind of people you want to employ, no different from those you’d want as friends, colleagues, or leaders. People whose respect for themselves guides their morals – those with a conscience that makes them behave in a way that is believed by most people to be good and right. People whose respect for others guides their manners – those generally considered polite, respectful, and considerate, demonstrating good etiquette in their interactions with others by showing courtesy and awareness of others' feelings. Those are the people you want to be around, and what to look for in supervisors and leaders.  But nobody’s perfect – if you, or the people you’re around, fall short of any of these, you should, and expect others, to own up to their shortcomings, apologize, and move on without judgment or animus. That too is a measure of integrity – without the willingness to do that, there is no integrity of character. Hold yourself and others to that today.

 

Laurence Sterne (1713 – 1768): Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric.

The answer is blown' in the wind...

Change is everywhere – learn to go with it. Lots of people say they’re good with change – most of them are lying. Change is hard – it upends the order of things, creates lots of uncertainty, and tends to be chaotic. If you’re going to change things, plan it carefully, start by setting objectives, include everyone involved in the process, figure out what may hold you back, and make plans to overcome those obstacles. When those winds of change blow, be the driving force that overcomes the restraining forces. And once you start, keep communicating, be sensitive to others’ concerns, help where you can, and lead with a clear head. That’s how to build windmills when the winds of change blow today.

 

pro·verb

/ˈpräˌvərb/

noun

1.     a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice.

Encourage curiosity and creativity...

·      Nobel earned 355 patents in his lifetime. 

·      A man named Shunpei Yamazaki in Japan holds the Guinness World Record for the most patents, at 11,353. 

·      Dr. Spencer Silver, a chemist at 3M Company, invented a unique, low-tack adhesive that would stick to things but also could be repositioned multiple times... called the Post-it Note. 

·      Since the UNLV International Gaming Institute's Center for Gaming Innovation launched in 2013, students have filed over 60 patent applications, with 25 resulting in issued patents and over 50 commercialized products. 

 

It’s interesting to note all these patents, but most of the good ideas many of us come up with never achieve that status. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep trying. But it does mean that managers should encourage their employees to think about improvements to the things they do every day – improvements big and small that can impact productivity, customer service, and profitability. And when they find something, make a big deal out of it.  It’s called critical thinking, the benefits of which include enhanced decision-making, improved problem-solving, increased creativity, and the ability to evaluate information objectively. In promoting this, let them know that if only 0ne out of a thousand ideas turns out to be good, you’ll be satisfied – make that thrilled, at their effort. These are the things that stand out in great companies. And it starts by encouraging curiosity and creativity in your employees today.

 

Alfred Nobel (1833 – 1896): Swedish chemist, inventor, engineer, and businessman. He is known for inventing dynamite, as well as having bequeathed his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes.