Be an effective leader....

According to a recent Gallup poll, 4 in 10 workers think they’re underpaid - my experience tells me it’s closer to 8 or 9: most everybody thinks they should be paid more.  This has traditionally been a vexing problem for companies as managers trying to both balance budgets and keep employees satisfied. Today this is exacerbated by record low unemployment and a war to attract and retain talent: companies are increasing wages to attract more applicants.  Companies and leaders are responsible for addressing and owning this problem: they need to understand the value of work and price jobs both competitively and accordingly, explain how this works to applicants and continue to do so after they’re hired, be honest when determining if an employee has been effective (as opposed to basing increases solely on tenure), and talk openly with employees throughout their employment about the issues related to compensation budgeting. This is when leaders need to lead: prepare them to competently, coherently, and continually discuss this topic and support them with the rest of your company’s internal communications strategies. It’s not impossible and should not be limited to once-a-year discussions. Conduct your business with a compass, not a clock, today.

Stephen R. Covey (born 1932): Motivational Writer

Find what you're meant to do....

“To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.” Samuel Johnson

Our summer home is on a point that juts out into the lake, with water on three sides. Years ago, I collected rocks and stacked them along our nearly 400’ of shoreline to protect it against waves and erosion; the years have taken their toll so I had to redo it this summer. I reused what I had and ordered more rocks from a local quarry: between the two I then had more than needed so I set about fulfilling a dream of constructing a nearly 5’ tall cairnat the entrance to our property. People want to know what happens if the winter weather here causes it to fall; the simple answer is I’ll start again and see what it looks like next time. Some have called it a Zen rock garden, but to me it was a rare chance to seize a golden moment of opportunity. It taught me again that journeys are often better than destinations and provide chances to catch the good that is within our reach. Do what it takes to find the great art in your life today. 

Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784): English poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer

It's the little things that count....

Ever walk into a store or restaurant and have an employee stop what they’re doing and sincerely greet you? For me, that’s so rare that I notice when it does and it tells me a lot about a place. That kind of culture is easier said than done. It’s not so much about policies or training or the words in a mission statement as it is about the way managers act and leaders lead: it’s about the values people believe in and the many small things they do every day that show they’re more than just platitudes. Culture is most often driven by how leaders act when questions are asked: good leaders who care about employees and workplace culture stop and listen without distractions, consider all of the relevant issues and circumstances, reply in a timely and thoughtful manner, and follow up to make sure the answers are understood and useful. Those small actions prove that leaders care and ultimately are what create a culture of trust and respect. Be mindful of your actions and remember to see things through the eyes of others today.

Sally Koch: Author

Be the best you can be....

Our summer home is near where we grew up: each summer here includes visits to and talk about the local restaurant scene. The chefs here are people we’ve known and enjoyed: they work hard to maintain their hard-earned reputations. They’ve created a few ‘local’ dishes that seem to stand out: Utica Riggies(a dish usually consisting of chicken, rigatoni and hot or sweet peppers in a spicy cream and tomato sauce) and Utica Greens(a hearty dish of escarole, fried prosciutto, cherry peppers, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, bread crumbs, and spices). I hadn’t thought much about the notoriety of these until I walked into a restaurant in Taos, New Mexico last year and saw them on a menu: owned by two guys from Utica who’d moved there and were following a tradition. So, I tried them and, ‘lo and behold’ (as my grandmother used to say), they were both good: these guys were living on a reputation of the reputations of others. We’re all responsible for the things that define us: begin to build your reputation today.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (1809 – 1894): American physician, poet, and polymath

Take control of your life....

Recruitment in general, and college recruiting in particular, takes a certain leap of faith: we are never sure what people can really do until they get hired and start working.  Culture, supervision, and environment can make or break a new hire; a new employee’s past experience, current skill and overall outlook can support or derail a company’s efforts. Thirty years ago, I started recruiting at hospitality colleges: the kids I hired were full of energy and enthusiasm, excited to move to Las Vegas, and very interested in a career in gaming. It was difficult because none of the colleges had experience placing students in gaming, none of the students had previously thought about careers in gaming, and none of their parents had ever considered either of those things.  We didn’t know if the program would be successful until those new employees spread their wings and tried. Training, mentoring, coaching and hard work resulted in a program that saw so many of its’ participants become leaders in the industry. The moral of this story: don’t be afraid to try something new today.

Gil Atkinson (1932-2013): Financial services executive and philanthropist

Look for the real deal....

Loyalty is given because it’s earned: it’s not about policy but rather about culture. Take, for example, the idea of no-solicit policies: these were created to try and stop people who leave a company from going back and recruiting former colleagues to their new company. Interestingly, companies are starting to get rid of these: not because they restrict free trade and opportunities, but because they stunt innovation and excellence. The point: motivate people to want to stay by creating a culture that encourages retention and loyalty. The solution: understand your employees’ needs, practice openness and transparency, invest in their growth, create value in the employment relationship, and prioritize culture. Employees respect and will remain loyal to companies that focus on that and be less inclined to leave for a passing promise of something better. The moral of this story: loyalty cannot be forced but, as the old ad used to say, it must be earned. That should be your priority today.

General of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley (1893 – 1981): Senior officer of the United States Army during WW II and the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

Know when to give and take....

There was an interesting story in yesterday’s news: more than a dozen restaurant chains agreed to drop language in their franchise agreements that prevents their workers from finding higher-paying jobs at other locations of the same chain. Those franchisees figured rigging the system would reduce turnover: maybe someone should have told them turnover isn’t just about the money. Surveys have consistently shown that employee satisfaction and retention is most often tied to fair treatment: the kind that comes when leaders are committed to talking with and listening to employees, providing job training and opportunities for advancement, recognizing employees for what they do and letting them know the company cares about their well-being, having competitive wages along with leaders (like the one described in today’s quote) who help build employee satisfaction. Rigging the system is one way to limit turnover, but creating a workplace culture that motivates employees to want to stay is a better way. Do what it takes to make employees content and loyal today.

John Calvin Maxwell (b. 1947): American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership

Look for why you love what you do....

I often tell people asking for job advice that the best job is often the one they have and that the challenge is to make it the one they want. If that’s true, supervisors can help employees in that quest: ask what they like about their job, and what they don’t; coach them about the things they don’t like about the job; see if they have suggestions about how to improve efficiencies and effectiveness; keep an eye on their overall level of engagement and ask what else might be needed to maintain it; show them you’re interested in their ideas and celebrate their efforts. If employees believe that a job is worth having, that belief will help create that fact. Balance the basic things they do with other things that challenge and excite them, keep them engaged, and actively manage their job satisfaction. Those that love their jobs will be your most dedicated, productive, and loyal employees today.

William James (1842 – 1910): American philosopher and psychologist, and the first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States

Be nice....

There are 40 cabins (we call them ‘camps’) on the Lake in the Adirondacks where I spend my summers: nice people who all share a special affinity for this beautiful place. We have an association that helps manage our few common needs: like many neighborhoods, nominal dues are assessed and the leadership positions are voluntary. When we first moved here, one of the then volunteer leaders made it a practice to wave whenever a car passed on the small road that runs the length of one side of the Lake: a small courtesy he’d learned from others before him and which made a big impression on the rest of us. To this day it’s a small courtesy we all continue to follow. In all groups, teams or communities, it’s the little things that bind the people there together in ways that show they care. They help knit a fabric of communications, understanding, commitment, and dedication that underpin the loyalty people have to each other and the efforts they share. Practice the small acts of courtesy that can have a mighty impact on the loyalty of the people you work with today.

Lewis Carroll (1832-1898): Author, Mathematician, and Clergyman; author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Show yourself to those you care about....

When we start a new position, there are often questions about the person we’ll be reporting to: are they fair, knowledgeable, and good to work for. One of my early bosses had previously been a World Champion of Poker which made him especially hard to get to know: his poker face masked many of the thoughts and emotions we normally watch for in our supervisors. I had to learn to read him and eventually trust him by the overall way he conducted himself: he was a careful and thorough communicator, was consistent in his approach and thinking, and ultimately revealed himself through his actions rather than his emotions. The best bosses show themselves in the care and concern they have for those that report to them. Learn to care more about others than you do for yourself and enjoy their loyalty today.

Megan Whalen Turner (b. 1965): American writer of fantasy fiction for young adults. She is best known for her novel The Thiefand its four sequels

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

Companies want good employees that come to work every day and are engaged, and employees want fair treatment and straight answers. This seems like a simple and fair exchange, but low morale and high absenteeism seem to suggest the deal isn’t working as well as it could be. This suggests the need for change, not in policies or procedures but rather in the way managers approach the employment relationship.  It’s not about money – it never is; it’s about the way we communicate. Managers need to learn how to talk to employees, listen to their concerns, empathize with their issues, accept the responsibility of getting this right, and own the outcomes of their efforts. Don’t fabricate or sugar coat the information or answers you give to employees – they’ll see right through those and resent them. Employee satisfaction relative to this issue determines your company’s level of morale, productivity, attendance, customer satisfaction and profitability. Nothing is as strong as the simple truth, period. So, be responsible for communicating clearly, honestly, and effectively today.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870): English Novelist and Social Critic, best known for his fictional characters and regarded as one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era

Improve the feedback you give....

My consulting partner likes to ask clients “at the end of the year, how will your employees know if they’ve been effective”. This goes to the heart of the work we do and the ways it’s measured: unfortunately, most job descriptions and performance evaluations fail to answer that question. Those two policies tend to explore and explain what to do and how rather than why and to what effect. Changing the focus like this takes work: objectives need to be carefully crafted, outcomes clearly identified and explained, feedback open and honest, and all of this needs to be wrapped in a culture of trust and respect. Sounds obvious and simple, but when you realize that most people hate giving or getting evaluations it becomes clear that changes are needed. Go back and review your job descriptions and the evaluation processes you use and see if they promote integrity and honesty as defined by today’s quote. Start on that goal today.

Spencer Johnson (1938 – 2017): American physician and author, known for the ValueTalesseries of children's books, and for his 1998 motivational book Who Moved My Cheese?

Do what's right....

Years ago, I took a group of employees on a trip: when driving with them I inadvertently hit another car while parking our van in an airport garage.  Ours was unscratched, theirs was scraped and it showed, and the group I was with, who knew I could just pull out, park somewhere else, and not fess up to the other car’s driver, was anxious to see what I would do. I wrote a note on my business card apologizing and asking the car’s owner to call and put it on their windshield. When I got back into my car the tense and questioning mood had dissipated: they were relieved and knew that my actions had prevented that mistake from turning into a failure of leadership, integrity, and trust. We all knew that was the right thing to do and later when the other driver called he was amazed that someone had done that. We are often faced with decisions that could go either way when nobody is looking: that’s’ the best time to do what’s right. Act with integrity in all you do today.

James Altucher (b. 1968): American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, best-selling author, venture capitalist, and podcaster

Be your best everyday....

An old college roommate visited us yesterday and it got me thinking about why some relationships endure. I first met Jim the day we moved into our freshman dorm at Cornell 50 years ago this week: like me, he was a little overwhelmed by our new surroundings and it impressed me when he said so. Everyone was trying to make a good impression on others and his quiet demeanor told me he was someone I should get to know. College is quite an experience and the people you meet there often have a significant impact on your life.  Those I was attracted to were open, honest, focused and fun: qualities I admired and which helped them and me navigate through those 4 years and beyond. Today he’s bicycling across the US and stopped for an evening of sharing and reminiscing: he’s still the same warm and sincere person I remember from long ago. Live your life well and leave a rich legacy today.

William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616): English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as both the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

Stand up for what you believe....

We all know people who have taken circuitous routes to leadership positions in spite of their qualifications and skills: their success is partly the result of statutory and regulatory developments and partly the acceptance, sometimes grudgingly, of societal changes. People generally don’t like change and often refer to those advocating for or benefitting by it as pushy or worse. Issues relating to change often seem most acute in companies where management is forced to deal with them in order to maintain morale and productivity - they can do more by openly discussing the issues, allowing people to express their views, and encouraging tolerance by highlighting the positive aspects of those changes. And while some may not like it, change relating to more inclusiveness is the right thing to do. Don’t waver on integrity today.

Mary Barra (b. 1961): Chairman and CEO of General Motors Company; prior to that she served as their EVP of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain

Find what's waiting over the horizon....

It’s popular these days to ask people what they want to be when they grow up: the answers are often a kind of personal vision statement. People, like companies, struggle to craft just the right message about their future aspirations. A great example is the ‘vivid vision’ statements that graduates of Hope for Prisoners reentry program write and share with each other. These tell what they hope to achieve one year later and are very thoughtful, hopeful, positive, and motivating. None of us know exactly where we’ll be in the future, but having a goal inspires dedication, motivation, and innovation. We can’t actually see all the invisible things that are waiting over the horizon, but if we dream and work hard enough these visions might come true. And if we keep our eye on the future and stay true to the things we want and believe in, there’s a good chance we’ll achieve our goals. Write down and begin working towards the great things in your vivid vision today.

Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745): Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, author (Gulliver’s Travels), political pamphleteer, poet and cleric who became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin

Listen up....

My mother used to say ‘you have two ears and one mouth’: meaning we should talk less and listen more. Like: Duh, no kidding. But it seems people are always talking about the need to do that as if it’s some big revelation. I know a guy that’s President of a gaming company who makes it a point to stop and really listen when walking around his properties: the look on his face says each conversation is the most important thing he’s done and heard that day.  But the real deal is the look on his employee’s faces: they’ve got his ear, they’re important, he respects them. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs say they learn all they need to know from talking to their employees: what’s working or not, what customers want, how to make the kinds of improvements that really do improve the bottom line. This is one of those things that really works and doesn’t cost anything more than time. And, truth be told, it’s the best use of your time. Listen up: listen more and be more successful today.

Bryant McGill: American human potential thought leader, international bestselling author, activist, and social entrepreneur

You gotta believe....

This may be the first time I’ve used a quote by an organization rather than a person…. probably not much difference, but still, it seems weird. I chose it because the Levo League is a network for and by millennials, a group that is generating much discussion these days. Most non-millennials perceive them, as a group, to be different; but hear this: they’re not. In general, millennials seem to staunchly stick to their ideas, one of which is supporting things they believe in. Consider the six things they look for in the workplace: effective leadership, to be challenged and trained, to work with people they like, to be treated with respect, a flexible environment, and having fun. Frankly, those don’t seem to be that different from what workers have expected for years. In spite of that, these are driving a serious review of corporate products, policies and culture: if that’s slowly reshaping the workplace it’s not altogether a bad thing. And since they, as a group, are quickly becoming the biggest part of today’s workforce, you may want to find creative ways to make your workplace attractive to them today.

The Levo League (www.levo.com): A network for millennials in the workplace. 

Know your customer....

“Guy walks into a bar”is the opening line to countless jokes that nearly always get a laugh. The fact that most of us have been in a bar makes this a familiar scenario: it might also be that nearly all bars and their bartenders usually develop deep relationships with their customers. The Cheerssitcom often comes to mind as the kind of place ‘where everyone knows your name’, with characters who are often very familiar to people we know in real life. Let’s face it: small businesses like that succeed because they do all kinds of creative things to make their customers feel welcomed. Things like remembering their names, always greeting them with genuine smiles and eye contact, knowing their likes and dislikes and acting accordingly, and always being prompt and attentive. There’s a bar like that (and countless other places) where we choose and prefer to do our business in all of our hometowns. Be like all of them: closely observe your customers and do all the little things that make them feel comfortable and satisfied today.

Jeremy Gutsche (b. 1978): American author, innovation expert, keynote speaker and CEO of Trend Hunter

Plant seeds of innovation....

My two granddaughters visited us here in the Adirondacks for the past two weeks: they’re 6 and 4, and full of energy and curiosity. Every day was a new adventure for them: walking in the woods, fishing off the dock, swimming in the lake, picking wild flowers, making moss gardens, listening to the loons, smelling the fresh morning air and so much more. We love having them here because we get to watch the wonder in their eyes as the seeds of these new adventures get planted in their minds. They love playing together because they get to make things up, and they love playing with us because they get to experience new things: for them it’s all about learning and they’ll take and use these and so many other lessons and memories as they grow. Give the people who work or play with you the opportunity to learn and grow by the things you share with them.  That’s how to begin to change the world today.

Ma Yun (b. 1964): Known professionally as Jack Ma, he is a Chinese business magnate, investor, and philanthropist

Care for those who take care of your customers....

As consumers, we have certain expectations, mostly centered around being served promptly and treated with courtesy and respect. But when listening to people talk about their consumer experiences, it seems there are more complaints than compliments. It’s a constant struggle to create an excellent service culture and I have to believe it’s because those service employees reflect their inhospitable surroundings.  If you want the people who work for you to be nice, try treating them nicely; if you want them to smile, smile at them; if you want them to be prompt and attentive then make sure you get back to them quickly and accurately when they have questions and needs; if you want your customers to feel like they got a good deal then don’t nickel and dime your staff, and if you want satisfied customers then make sure your employees are satisfied. These kinds of things start ‘at the top’ so do your part in creating a culture of service excellence: give your employees hospitable surroundings and they’ll do great things today.

Dr. Orison Swett Marden (1848–1924): American inspirational author who wrote about achieving success in life and founded SUCCESS magazine in 1897

Celebrate your successes....

Look around: there are lots of amazing people doing some pretty cool things.  Now realize this: they’re doing the same and they’re looking at you, and while most of us don’t think we’re anything special, the things we do look pretty amazing to them.  But when we look in the mirror we tend to notice only the flaws rather than the good things we are and do. Instead, try focusing on the friends and family that love you, the colleagues at work that rely on you, the small things you do for others that they appreciate, and the good that comes of your efforts. And if there are flaws, realize that everyone has them and that they’re nothing more than opportunities to improve. Amazing things are achieved by good people who try hard and care a lot. Like the song says: ‘If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same’.  Take time to realize that you’re amazing just the way you are today.

Bruno Mars (b. 1985): American Singer Songwriter, and Choreographer; from his song “Just the Way You Are on the Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Work hard to help others reach their potential....

I read that ‘The Rock’ gave his stunt double, who’s also his cousin, a new truck in appreciation for all he’s done during the past 17 years. Johnson is the guy in front of the cameras, getting interviewed, in all the papers: he’s famous and well known. You may not recognize or know his double, whose name is Tanoai Reed, unless you wait and read the credits at the end of The Rock’s movies. But the main guy, who’s famous and successful almost beyond imagination, took the time to surprise and thank Reed for his tireless work in making him what he is. Behind every successful person who does great things are any number of others who are consistently dedicated and committed to making those good things happen. Know and celebrate the people who stand with you in good times and bad, through thick and thin, and rarely ask for any more than the opportunity to make that happen. Recognize how good things happen today.

Dwayne Johnson (b. 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor, producer, and semi-retired professional wrestler