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.