It's always about the people....

I’ve had the good fortune to serve on many volunteer boards with some great HR leaders from every industry: computers, transportation, finance, education, hospitality, retail, education, non-profits, and more.  To say that we each loved what we did goes without saying, but it was the people that mattered.  Meeting recruits, inspiring new hires, coaching careers, and working with employees throughout their work lives.  That’s what makes working so special; it’s what makes all of us so proud of what we do. It’s been 12 years since I left my last HR job and became a consultant, and people often ask me if I miss it: the answer is that I don’t miss the stress but I do miss the people. Realize how special it is to work with some extraordinary people and be thankful for that today. 

Sir Jonathan Paul Ive (b. 1967): English industrial designer who is currently the chief design officer (CDO) of Apple and chancellor of the Royal College of Art in London

A Sunday thought.....

Do what it takes to make people passionate about coming to work today.....

Most of us grew up with the term ‘TGIF’ – the unmistakable celebration of time off. I wonder if this ‘TGIF’ attitude is part of the reason attendance is such a big problem in the work place and whether it might be good to change how people viewed work. Most companies have attendance policies that don’t work: some assess points for infractions while others are more laissez faire, but still the #1 reason for discipline and termination remain poor attendance.  Meaning we all have to find ways to make people want to come to work as much as they long for time off. Managers should set a tone at work by thanking and celebrating every employee who comes to work each day, communicating clearly and often about things that are happening and why each employee is important to doing those things, catching people doing things right, being more understanding when legitimate things come up that cause an employee to need time off, and having more part time and on-call employees to fill in when needed.  Think about what motivates people to come to work and do more of those things today.

Scott Hurtado: Investor, Entrepreneur, Author, & Speaker

Get involved in something special....

Since I’ve been writing here about Hope for Prisoners (H4P), friends and colleagues from all over the US have asked how they might get involved with a program like this. One of the keys to H4P’s success is an 18-month mentorship process that pairs every graduate with someone who’s trained to help them navigate the challenges of reentry. Mentors go through extensive training and are led by Rodney Taylor, a former graduate of H4P’s program who has been trained by Jon Ponder. Mentors come from all walks of life and provide assistance with the kinds of issues our graduates face: most importantly, they’re there when needed. If you feel like this is something you’re supposed to be doing, and have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it. If you live here in Las Vegas, contact H4P; if you live in other communities, look for reentry programs in your area (online or through your local unemployment office) and get involved today.

Wanda Sykes (b. 1964): American actress, comedian, and writer

Use your time wisely....

I read in today’s news that Facebook is launching a new marketing campaign to remind its users why they’ve always loved it. It’s nice being able to connect with others so easily but the ability to manipulate what we see and read there is clearly a wakeup call. It may be coincidental, but last night I took my family to an old-fashioned restaurant here in Las Vegas and noticed not one cell phone being used in the 7200 seconds we were there and that got me thinking about what most of us do with the 86,400 seconds we have every day. Work certainly takes up the majority of them for most people, but then there’s time that could and should be spent with family and friends, time for personal enrichment like reading and exercising, and moments spent on hobbies and other activities. Our primary passion shouldn’t be Facebook but rather all the rest of the things that make life so rich and rewarding. Put your phone down and experience the rest of what’s going on around you today.

James Thomas Anthony Valvano (1946 – 1993): American college basketball player, coach, and broadcaster

Find your passion....

Some people come to their calling later than others. My friend Jon Ponder founded Hope for Prisoners(H4P) after spending much of his young life being incarcerated, feeling alienated, and struggling to find his place. He finally realized there was more to life and discovered his faith in G-d.  Today he works and lives to serve others by teaching, mentoring, encouraging and leading men and women exiting the judicial system to make the rest of their lives the best of their lives.  His partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is a model reentry program that other cities are emulating, his drive to rebuild families is strengthening communities, and his positivity serves as a role model for everyone who comes in contact with him.  He’s attracted volunteers and mentors to help H4P’s mission and together they’re working tirelessly to make the world a little better every day. The world is filled with countless opportunities for you to serve others - find something you’re passionate about and get involved today.

David Sarnoff (1891-1971): American Businessman and Pioneer of American Radio and Television

Choose a job you love....

For the past two months an exhibit of photographs has been on display at a studio in Las Vegas.  Titled “Introspective – Retrospective”, it features 30 years of work by the visual artist Kathleen Dillon Nathan. Doing anything for that long requires passion and commitment, qualities this artist has embodied with dedication. Real professionals do what they do because it satisfies their inner needs, provides outlets for their deeply held beliefs, and, in this case, serves as a palette for her unique perspective. We all need feedback about the things we do: while most want to hear applause, the muted responses to this show are contained in what attendees wrote in a log book at the entrance – the consensus being that it moved the viewers to realize their own inner thoughts and feelings. I’ve watched as this artist chose a job she loved and made it her life.  Her images will continue to inspire all who viewed them long after they come down today. 

Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC): Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history

Get in there....

People generally hate getting performance evaluations.  The traditional exercise is to spend the most time and effort going back over what, why and how something’s been done…. with not much focus on what’s next and how to be effective at it. Truth is we usually get feedback in real time: if something’s not right it’s usually pointed out immediately, and if it is, the reaction is often muted. The dynamic between employees their supervisors are works in progress, subject to contemporaneous scrutiny, reaction, feedback, coaching, and openness. Leading companies are changing the way they supervise and give feedback: deal with issues now; be fully involved and committed; learn and move on. If you’re worried about how to manage millennials (and every other generation) then work on getting this right. If you’re not doing this then you’re probably not as effective as you need to be: this is what everyone wants. No exception.

Laurie Buchanan PhD: Teacher, author and student of purposeful living

Under-promise and over-deliver....

I’ve got a client who learned that nothing comes easy. They needed a new HR and Payroll system and contacted several vendors: some were private label brands you buy, others were outsourced solutions. We’d talked a lot about my paperless HR projects and they were curious and inquisitive enough to ask about and then figure out exactly what they wanted. They put together a scope document that detailed what they expected and received responses from sales people who assured them it was all doable. I’ve been to this movie enough times to know how it ends so I cautioned them to beware of those who overpromise and under-deliver. When they selected a vendor, they didn’t just go through the motions - they dove into the details, asked tough questions, required live demonstrations, and refused to take “no” or “sorry” for an answer. If your job requires you to make decisions, know exactly what you need and don’t accept anything less: in the end it’s your money and reputation. Get involved in understanding the details today.

Tom Robbins (born 1936): Novelist, Short Story Writer, and Essayist

Help yourself....

I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately; but today’s a brand-new day: time to get back to focusing on stuff that matters. Like eating better: I know friends who keep cut fruits and veggies in the fridge for when they want a snack; those are healthier choices. Like exercising more: aches and pains have kept me from walking and stretching – maybe I’ve just got to start walking and stretching more to get rid of those aches and pains. Like getting back to other things I should be doing – like playing golf and making music, things that get me up and out of the house or myself.  But there’s nobody going to do this for me: because if I don’t, nothing is going to get better…. it’s not. Hey: if I can do it, so can you. Say good bye blues, hello world today.

Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904 – 1991): American author, political cartoonist, poet, animator, book publisher, and artist, best known under the pen name Dr. Seuss

Understanding where you are helps determine where you go next....

A couple times a year people ask me to audit their HR practices: I don’t look to see if their files are kept correctly as much as whether they’re doing the right things to keep employees motivated and engaged. I usually start with the employee handbook, looking to see if the first thing they put in there is about their culture or their employment at will doctrine: the first suggests they care, the second says it’s more about the bottom line. Then I look at turnover: how much and whether it’s voluntary or involuntary; employees vote with their feet and this is as good an indicator of the health of an organization as any well-crafted employee survey. And lastly, I check on their internal communications: how much energy and creativity they put into making sure employees are in the know. These are as telling as the lie of a golf ball because it matters less how it got there and more what happens next.  It’s the same with determining how to approach life’s challenges today.

Henry Grantland Rice (1880 - 1954): Early 20th-century American sportswriter who was published in newspapers around the country and broadcast on the radio.

Live your life fully....

I had dinner last night with long-ago neighbors who grew up around the corner from me as a kid.  Some of them I’ve kept in contact with, others I hadn’t seen in 60 years. Within minutes it was like the years merged as we talked about where we’d been and what we’d done; we talked about stuff and people from back then and since then, and all to soon it was time to say goodnight. Driving home I thought about all the people that have shaped my life: parents, siblings, my own family, extended family, professional and work colleagues, acquaintances, and so many others who’ve come and mostly gone.  But it’s those who’ve remained, both close and on the periphery that I thought about: those are friendships that only get better with the passage of time and, like good wine, are to be forever savored. While the internet gives us access to them like never before, there really is no substitution to walking and talking, and sharing a glass of wine and dinner, with ‘old’ friends: that’s the real trick to living.  Do what it takes to stay connected to them today.

Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith (1905 – 1982): American sportswriter and Pulitzer Prize winner. 

Say what you mean and mean what you say....

I’ve long held the notion that businesses are a lot like families – the managers are like the parents and the employees are like the children. I’m not suggesting that employees are or act like children, but sometimes they can be very similar in nature and outlook. All the more reason for supervisors to imitate some of the parental behaviors found in families: like caring for others while still having to enforce the rules, communicating clearly and timely, saying what they mean and meaning what they say, bringing people together regularly to make sure everything is okay, being mindful of relationships, and fostering trust and respect. Miscommunications are a problem everywhere, especially when people take hints that weren’t intended and miss some that were. That can cause families to break up and employees to leave their jobs, and both are equally disruptive.  Plan and communicate your intentions as if your job or success depend on them. Because they do.

Robert Frost (1874 – 1963): American poet, Pulitzer Prize Winner for Poetry, Congressional Gold Medal recipient, and poet laureate of Vermont. 

Think for yourself....

I spent last week with a client who wanted to reengineer their performance management process.  Like most companies, they’ve always based evaluations on how well their people accomplished tasks – were they on time and within budget, did they meet expectations, and were they continuing on the right path. But they wondered whether these reviews should focus on outputs rather than inputs; they want their people to know whether they’ve been effective. So, they are beginning to ask questions like did they add value, what was the quality of their decisions, were their subordinates properly trained and motivated, and how have their innovations impacted the organization. Maybe the most interesting aspect of the week was watching them learn new things: we all need to fill our minds with all the fresh new things that are out there.  Nobody talks about the information super highway anymore, but it’s out there and full of interesting stuff you may want to learn more about and consider. Be comfortable with learning and growing today.

Lin-Manuel Miranda (b. 1980): American composer of Puerto Rican ancestry, lyricist, playwright, and actor

Helping to find solutions is everyone's responsibility....

I’m late.  I’m usually good about getting these messages out early each day but this quote had me thinking more than most and the time got away from me. I ended up thinking about a nervous breakdown I had years ago that left me seriously depressed; before that I thought I knew about that stuff but after it happened I realized how little I understood about it or how many others suffered from it. I started talking about it with everyone I met and that’s when I realized those of us in that boat couldn’t bail water fast enough on our own to keep it and ourselves afloat. That’s when I really understood how much we need others to coach, counsel, mentor and lead us to find our way or learn to fly.  Listen and sense what’s really going on around you and look for opportunities to help. Turn ‘me’ into ‘we’ and learn how much change you can make happen today.  

June Jordan (1936 – 2002): Caribbean-American poet, essayist, teacher, and activist for issues of gender, race, immigration, and representation

Think for yourself....

It could be argued that everything begins the moment you decide to be yourself: the problem is that everything seems to pull us in other directions.  It’s information overload: ads telling us how cool it is to be whatever they’re selling feature people that rarely look like us, robo calls you can’t understand interrupt us at all hours, fast-talking pitchmen explain the dangers of medications we probably don’t need, unsubstantiated tweets replace honest reporting and Mark Zuckerberg tries to explain how and why Facebook went off the rails?  Says he was naïve. Says others hijacked his good intentions. Time to tell these hijackers to back off and let us decide for ourselves. Let our own good sense guide us. Nobody knows better what you should be than you - look for straight talk you can trust and respect to help you decide what you want to be today.  That will be beautiful.

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (1883-1971): French Fashion Designer

It's how you look and feel....

Most everything starts with a first impression and successful people seem to understand you rarely get more than one chance to make a good one. It’s not difficult, although unless you’re focused on it the opportunity may get away from you. It starts with a smile: that’s a choice you make and not something that can be faked. I often watch people and it’s obvious when it’s less than genuine, like when it starts and stops too quickly and doesn’t include the eyes; it’s an overall thing that reveals happiness or doesn’t.  And it’s abetted by a sense of confidence in themselves and what they’re doing that also can’t be faked: like a poker tell, the signs are there to let you know if they’ve been curious enough to learn all they need to know about what they’re doing. The choice and curiosity are theirs, without it there’s little chance that first impression will be good; the icing on the cake comes from culture they work in: good coaching and a pat on the back let them know they’re dressed for success today.

Taylor Swift (b. 1989): American Singer Songwriter

Don't let the headlines get between you and your friends....

It’s hard to find things to talk about with some of the people you meet these days: some get too caught up in their convictions and often forget what’s important.  But I’ve started to notice that real friends are willing to put aside whatever convictions they might have because they know that friendship is more important than any current events or issues: they respect their friend’s right to believe whatever they want because they value all that the friendship has been and can be. Life is full of spirited debates: when that happens, remember that unlike loyalty to a conviction, loyalty to a friend is a virtue, perhaps the only remaining virtue in this mixed-up world. Cherish your real friends and don’t let the ever-changing issues of the day get between you. Life is too short and real friendships too important to let something like that happen today.

Milan Kundera (b. 1929): Czech-born writer who went into exile in France in 1975, and became a naturalized French citizen in 1981

Be loyal to honest and fair service or friendship, not shallow promises or gimmicks...

“There’s something wrong with your character if “opportunity” controls your loyalty.” Sean Simmons

Seems like we can’t shop, eat, fly or stay anywhere without being asked to join a loyalty program. I remember when loyalty was earned by giving good service, food, opportunity, or friendship: we were glad to give it for nothing more than genuine kindness and satisfaction.  Years ago, I flew so often that I earned a free flight: the last thing I wanted to do after flying that much was get back on another plane. I once stayed at a hotel chain so often they awarded me a free two-night stay at any of their properties: that sounded cool until I found the only dates available were when they were doing extensive renovations. And the points I get for buying groceries don’t even come close to making up for the long faces and empty shelves of my neighborhood store. I’m loyal to those who are nice and friendly and fair and honest and thoughtful and kind to, and genuinely interested in, me. They earn my appreciation and loyalty the old-fashioned way by being good at what they do: no need to offer anything more than that.

Sean Simmons (1958-2002): American actor

Commit to helping others....

Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve.” MLK

50 years ago, today, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated: a part of many of us died with him that day. My mother and father cried, friends at school cried, and complete strangers cried: his words touched us and his actions continue to inspire us.  We were idealistic back then, believing that good would triumph over hate, and that the ideals we cherished and were loyal to would survive in a world that was seemingly spinning out of control. Much was lost in the 60s, but so much more was ultimately gained: a good example is this notion that everybody can be great because anybody can serve. On days like this it’s good to reflect on what you can do to make a difference – big or small – for those in need: deliver meal and companionship to shut-ins, read books to children, mentor someone whose life needs to change, or give what you can to those who have nothing. Find something great to be loyal and committed to today.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968): Minister, Civil Rights Activist