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.