Suit up...

Get ready: you’re in the middle of the game of life; you may not win them all, but you have to play to have that chance. Don’t let a little rain, or any of the countless other obstacles that life throws at you, slow you down. ‘Stepping up to the plate’ is one of those sport’s metaphors that people use to describe the chances we all have to do something right (or, following that same metaphor, ‘get a hit’). In baseball, they play in the rain; in football they play in any weather: we’ve all experienced hardships, and whether they’re weather related or worse, the things we learn by overcoming them are what make us better and stronger. If you’re playing alone: act with confidence and purpose; if you’re on a team: collaborate with others to leverage everyone’s abilities. Don’t worry if you aren’t as successful as you expected to be: take that stride up ‘to the plate’ and try your best to make it count today.

Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige (1906 – 1982): American professional baseball pitcher who is notable for his longevity in the game and the crowds that came to see him play

Happy Thanksgiving...

                                           

                              

"Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have." Catherine Pulsifer

Is the glass half empty or half full? I’m older than I once was, but still have lots of life left in me. My knees hurt, but I can still get around. Some friends and loved ones died this past year, but most are still around.  My voice cracks when I sing, but I can still hit many of the harmonies. My life took some wrong turns this year, but most of my roads are moving forward in a straight line. Is it all perfect – No, but is it good enough to still look forward to getting up each day – YES. My glass is definitely half full and I am grateful for that. On this national day of Thanksgiving, I am reminded to give Thanks every day, and to never take for granted all the blessings that life gives us. Thank you to all the friends, family, acquaintances and things that make it all worthwhile… today, and every day.

Happy Thanksgiving

Catherine Pulsifer: eZine author of Words of Wisdom and other motivational messages

Listen for the truth...

I once knew a General Manager who always let everyone know he was the smartest person in the room. After a while it got to the point that he was the only one talking: his managers stopped making recommendations or seeking advice, they stopped thinking creatively or planning strategically, and they deferred every question or problem to him. Basically, they just nodded their heads at whatever he said, and behind his back rolled their eyes and stopped trying. Although he was technically a pretty smart guy, he couldn’t do it all, and performance began to suffer: but he kept telling himself and everyone else how much he knew. As it often happens, he self-destructed: his replacement had lived thru that era and was promoted from within. It took a while, but the new guy convinced his team to stop telling him what they thought he wanted to hear, and to begin telling him the truth. Not surprisingly, morale, creativity and performance bounced back. Let your team tell you the truth today.

Eric D. Thomas, Ph.D. (b. 1970): American motivational speaker, author and minister.

Get ready...

The Mirage in Las Vegas opened 30 years ago this week: it changed the face of gaming and Las Vegas. Expectations were high and it didn’t disappoint. It was my first opportunity to hire, train and motivate thousands of employees: like most of the things it promised, we did it as a team. And even though lots of competitors and pundits said it could never succeed, we prepared extensively, and that gave us peace of mind as the opening drew near: it taught us the importance of being ready. Through the years I’ve watched dozens of our former employees achieve leadership roles in casinos all over the world, and more companies than I can count seek to emulate the culture we created. The article below talks about the success of the Mirage over the years: it created a legacy not unlike the great sports teams of our time. Get ready to support your team’s efforts today.

Peyton Manning (b. 1976): Former American football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the National Football League

https://ggbmagazine.com/article/botanic-volcanic-dynamic-historic-the-mirage-turns-30/

Work together...

For many companies, this is budget season: when everyone plans next year’s business initiatives and projections. It’s an intense time that calls for studying historical data, market trends, competitive landscapes, best practices and creative ideas. It’s also a time to remember that working together with others – those you interact with all the time and others that support you indirectly: it’s today’s adaptation of the old truism “two heads are better than one”. It combines resources and brings more to the planning and implementation efforts; it takes full advantage of multiple and diverse perspectives to help see and understand more; and it can produce quicker go-to-market strategies and results.  And it’s another opportunity to reduce business silos and myopic thinking. Being aware of the interdependence of things creates cross-functional caring and commitments: seeing, supporting, and appreciating how everything affects everyone else can be the ultimate team-building exercise. That awareness recognizes the critical interdependencies that exist, improves understanding of shared needs, aligns interests and efforts, and creates a more robust team environment. Keep an eye out for how you overlap with others today.

Thomas Merton (1915-1968): Theologian, Author

Keep the faith...

Employees want and need to trust supervisors to guide them in the right direction. When that happens, all is well; but, if a supervisor fails to show the way, even once, that faith and trust may be broken. That’s why knowing what needs to be done and communicating it effectively is so important: meaning being aware of the technical and operational things related to what’s being supervised, listening to questions, considering all the options, and giving clear and unequivocal instructions.  This same level of care and clarity applies to all written materials, including policy guides, instructional manuals and materials, FAQs, websites, newsletters, emails, texts, and any other way companies convey the information employees rely on to be able to perform effectively. We all know that when information is in print and wrong, the time it takes to correct and re-disseminate it can be ponderously long, and it’s during that kind of gap in time that rumors and confusion can abound. So, take the time to get things right and communicated appropriately the first time. That’s what it takes to maintain the faith that employees have in you today.

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

Tell it like it is...

Truth matters: even if it hurts at first, you will always be good with the fact that it was a “truth.” Like in performance reviews: telling the truth every day helps people accept to it in real time. Like in responding to questions: giving straight answers every day fosters robust dialogue about every topic. Like in leadership: having the courage to lead with the truth every day helps keep everyone in on the truth. So, think about what you say or write to others: is it thoughtful, clear, truthful and constructive, or does it leave some feeling left out, and others confused. After a long career I am more convinced than ever of the importance of communications: it’s the difference between effective and ineffective leadership, successful or failed projects, sensible or non-sensical policies and philosophies, understood or confusing messaging, engaged or disengaged employees, and robust or ho-hum cultures. Don’t prevaricate or leave some out, meaning: don’t mis-lead, mis-speak, or mis-represent. If you can’t ‘tell it like it is’, either re-think and re-craft the message… or maybe you shouldn’t say anything at all.  That’s how to make the people around you feel worth it today.

Mishaela is a powerful wizardess and prophet, Darksol's foremost disciple, and the principal antagonist of Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict

Truthfulness matters...

This sounds like a good motto: for everyone you meet and deal with. If you’re working for someone, getting answers from someone, or reading labels about someone or something: you want to believe you can believe them; but the way things are going these days, that‘s not a sure thing. Kids sometimes chant “liar, liar, pants on fire” when they sense a lie; grownups, it seems, not so much. The thing is, at work, trust and truth are intertwined, and a company’s culture often balances on whether employees believe in the brand and the people behind it. But, forget all that for a moment: you can only control the things you say and do, so it’s important that you personally set a standard of truthfulness and stick to it. When you hire new employees, tell them you’ll never lie to them, and stick to it. And, when you don’t know something, admit it. Sounds simple, but it’s apparently a high bar to maintain. If you want people to trust you then start by being truthful with them today.

Mandy Pijning (b. 1996): Dutch writer and singer

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

The key to positive employee relations is good communications. The #1 complaint of employees is that they don’t feel like they’re being told important and relevant information about their work: they hate being ‘left out of the loop’ or having to learn things thru the ‘grapevine’. Most leaders understand this intuitively and yet they get distracted and often miss the chance to communicate directly and effectively: when that happens, the result can be distrust between leaders and their peeps.  Trust can be achieved by practicing good communication strategies such as not being distracted when talking to others, listening, catching people doing things right, coaching people to be better, being open, honest and transparent, doing your best to correct problems or mistakes, never going back on your word, and always responding in a timely manner.  You know that trust is the glue of life, so develop personal communication strategies and practices that will serve as the foundation for all of your relationships. When in doubt, communicate with others the way you want them to communicate with you. That’s one of the best ways to build trust today.

Stephen Richards Covey (1932 – 2012): American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker.

Keep the promise...

For more than 100 years, Sears was the most trusted name in retail: its catalogue was in everyone’s home and then its store were everywhere.  Through the 1980s it was the largest retailer in the United States until Walmart and Kmart surpassed it in sales: today, online giant Amazon owns that space. The local store in a mall near me just underwent a renovation and now I see it’s slated for closure by the end of this year: to be replaced by a giant game arcade and bowling center. I always liked shopping in Sears, but not so much in the past few years: their stock has dwindled, their staff has faltered, and they’ve failed to fix the cracks in their brand. Retail, like many things in life, is affected by trends and attitudes: the keys to continued success are awareness and the ability to adapt. Sears hasn’t done that; worse, they’ve failed to keep true to their values and traditions, the things that earned people’s trust in the first place. People will put up with a lot, but they won’t stand for breaking the promises upon which their trust is based. Keep your promises and earn people’s trust today.

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (b. 1986): Known professionally as Lady Gaga, she is an American singer, songwriter and actress

Be courageous...

Once upon a time I worked with a group of professionals at a company going through a reorganization. Change like that is often difficult: old habits can die hard and spawn doubt and anxiety. In times like that, it helps to have a plan, it’s smart to be curious, it’s good to be straight forward and transparent, and it’s advantageous to be fearless. But let’s face it: it’s hard to go through changes – big or small, and those who do best in those kinds of situations feel the fear and proceed anyway. They’re open to new ideas, difficult challenges, and real choices; they’re aware of other’s perceptions and interested in other’s suggestions; and they’re always looking for ways to collaborate with others. It’s not very productive to try something new unless you’re really committed to creating something more. Coaching people like this is exciting: they’re anxious to talk about new options and opportunities, they’re interested in continuous learning and growth, and they stretch to peer over the horizon to see what’s coming next. Reorganizations can be as large as enterprise wide or as small as personal practices. Either way: don’t be afraid step up to the plate and put your best professional foot forward today.

Susan Jeffers (1938 – 2012): American psychologist and author of self-help literature

Dig deeper...

I meet some very interesting Uber and Lyft drivers: my rides in Toronto have been no exception. Last night we rode with Ahmed, a 20-something Palestinian fellow who was born in the Gaza Strip (as were his parents). Two or three years ago he somehow got to Jordan, and has since been unable to return home: he then got a student visa to study in the US, training to make prosthetic devices, a profession that he believes will be very useful in his native land; he didn’t finish before the visa expired and has been living and driving in Canada while trying to get it renewed. He’s a young man without a country, living from temporary visa to temporary visa, and yet he remains positive and optimistic. Ahmed knows what he really wants to do and talked about struggling, without excuses, to find a way. Like many, what I know about Palestinians is shaped by what I read and hear; sometimes, that’s apparently different from what you might learn in real life. Dig a little deeper to discover what’s real today.

Jim Rohn (1930 – 2009): American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker.

Work hard...

I’ve met a lot of professionals during my long career: the thing that is common to all is their commitment to hard work and success. They’re the ones that come in early, stay until the job is done, always volunteer, and never say ‘no’; the ones you want on your team when there’s work to be done. They ask good questions, inspire others, remain motivated in the wee hours of a project, and remain positive and happy long after the adrenalin is gone: they will always be there when you need them. Like most of us, they suffer from self-doubt and worry, but they rarely let it get in the way: that’s what professionalism and hard work looks like in a person. When you’re recruiting, ask for examples of what they do when the work gets tough; when doing reference checks, ask their former colleagues and supervisors how they responded when challenged.  Your success comes in part from both the decisions you make about who’s on your team and the hard work you put in to develop and retain them. Be a professional today.

Steven Pressfield (b. 1943): American author of historical fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays

Take a chance...

“Behind every great achievement is a dreamer of great dreams.” Robert K. Greenleaf

I am always enthralled with winter’s first snowfall: I remember walking home from elementary school as a young boy in the snow at twilight: it seemed like a long 2 blocks from my parent’s home.  Those were magical moments as the snowflakes fell thru the twinkling light of the streetlights, and I dreamed of all that might be in the future.  Fast forward to a walk back to my Airbnb in Toronto last night: the snowflakes from this were just as enchanting as my thoughts ranged back over all that’s happened in these intervening years.  Greenleaf (today’s author) dreamed up the concept of servant leadership while working at AT&T: he researched management practices  and felt a growing suspicion that the power-centered authoritarian leadership style so prominent in U.S. institutions was not working. That was his aha-moment.  Every professional has the chance at their own aha moments: when those happen, it would be great if we were able to transform them into workable solutions. Keep an open mind in case one of those moments happens to you  today.

Robert K. Greenleaf (1904–1990): Founded the modern servant leadership movement and the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership

Use your time wisely...

“Time is the most precious element of human existence. The successful person knows how to put energy into time and how to draw success from time.” Denis Waitley

Everyone asks if I have a class on time management: the short answer = no. A longer answer: everyone looks at time differently and approaches how to make the best use of it based on their own interests and styles. But, no matter how you approach it, using your time wisely can be a key element in achieving success. And while everyone is unique, when working it can be helpful to have a few general rules, such as:

·      Set goals and schedules

·      Complete the most important tasks first

·      Respond to email 3 times a day (rather than all the time)

·      Take breaks

·      Prioritize

·      Leave a buffer between tasks

·      Make sure you have the right tools for the job

·      Wake up early

·      Delegate

·      Learn to say “n0”

·      Remain flexible to be able to handle emergencies

·      Keep a time log so you know what works 

Make up your own rules to manage your time effectively today.

Denis E. Waitley (b. 1933): American motivational speaker, writer and consultant

Have a solemn and meaningful Veterans Day.

Don't wait...

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce conducts an annual leadership program for executives and professionals from a wide range of industries who want to make an impact on the community. As it says on their website: Through the 10-month program, class members develop a deeper understanding of the region, its challenges and opportunities, to become more effective leaders and change agents. One of the most important outcomes of this program is a continually growing group of professionals who are knowledgeable about and proud of life here in the Las Vegas valley. I participated in the program 16 years ago and am still connected to the alumni: we interact regularly, serve on boards, volunteer our time, and generally look for ways to make the most of what is here. For most of us, the time is NOW to get involved: that’s how good communities get stronger. Don’t wait: get involved in your community today.

Ernest Rutherford (1871 – 1937): New Zealand-born British physicist who came to be known as the father of nuclear physics

Make good first impressions...

A local restaurant here in Las Vegas recently closed after many years: it was part of a medium-sized California-based chain that is downsizing and will only be operating there. The manager of the now-closed local establishment opened another restaurant here and hired all of his former employees for the new venture. We ate lunch there recently and were very impressed: the food was very good, and the staff was even better. They treated us like they owned the place, explaining how proud they were to have been a part of the previous restaurant and humbled to be able to continue together in this new one, telling us about being part of a family that has stuck together. There are lots of restaurants in this town – both old and new – and it’s hard to stand out in the crowd: that waitress made sure she made a great first impression on us. This combination of pride and humility made us feel welcome enough that we invited friends to join us there for dinner last evening: a different crew but the same warm and gracious service. That’s how to proudly and humbly make new friends and loyal customers today.

Radhe Maa (b. 1965):  A humanitarian who believes firmly in her own divinity

Be proud of your part...

One last retail experience: this one’s about Trader Joe’s (TJ’s). These guys make it look easy: their employees are having fun and seem really proud to be working there. I often write about my grocery store experiences, where lines are long and the faces of employees are longer. That’s not the case at TJ’s.  Food displays and check-out lines at other stores are like war zones – no product or process knowledge, smiles, or eye contact. Not so at TJ’s: information and smiles are free.  Yesterday I watched a manager at TJ’s talking with employees, pitching in where needed, and making sure they knew he was aware of their good work and efforts. That’s the kind of thing that’s missing in so many other stores where employees are left alone to act any way they choose. For many people, grocery shopping is not a discretionary shopping exercise: we have to do it. TJ’s understands and obviously schools their employees to respect that: they’re proud of who they are and the role they play in people’s lives. Take a lesson from Trader Joe’s today.

Matthew James Moy (b. 1984): American actor and artist

Show your pride...

Here’s another retail experience story: this one’s about UNTUCKit brand shirts. These are men’s shirts that are made to be worn out, or untucked. They were initially sold only online but now there are some brick and mortar stores, one of which is in the Fashion Show Mall here. It’s small, and the sales people are all really into this new style: you can tell from the looks on their faces, their body language, and the cleanliness of the store – it shows they’re proud to be part of this new trend. The staff were genuinely nice and sincere in their approach: they didn’t so much try to sell me anything as much as they wanted me to enjoy the experience. I’m so sick of pushy sales people in stores with disheveled racks where clothes are strewn.  This store was just neat, nice and comfortable: it really shows when people are proud of what they do. Find work you can be proud of today.

Amul Roger Thapar (b. 1969): United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the first South Asian federal judge in American history

Don't be so full of yourself...

I do most of my shopping online: it’s easier than fighting the crowds.  But every now and then I like to go to the mall to get my retail experience fix: when there I always stop in the Apple Store. It’s the epitome of what a shopping experience should be. It’s simple design is uncluttered both physically and visually: minimal and bright; it’s staff both personal and professional. They are quick to check you in and get you pointed in the right direction, and they always have answers for your questions. I marvel at how much they know and how quickly they can take care of whatever issue you have: like most techies, they’re full of information, but unlike some, they don’t have the big head that often goes with that knowledge. They’re proud of what they know, but humble in how they act, not making the rest of us feel less because we don’t know that much. Of all the things in an Apple Store, that’s the one I find the most impressive. Be both proud and humble today.

Robert Burton (1577 – 1640): English scholar at Oxford University, best known for the classic The Anatomy of Melancholy

Know your priorities...

Our daughter was a champion equestrian and successful hospitality manager: like many professional women, her life changed when she became a mother. She was always so passionate about both of those professions: always at the barn and then at work, totally committed and focused. Championships and promotions came as a result of hard work. But in that first year of motherhood we saw subtle changes, brought on by love and passion of a different kind. She introduced her daughters to her horses, and balanced her work life in order to make a strong family life. So, we weren’t surprised when she told us of her plans to be a stay-at-home-working Mom when her oldest started kindergarten. She, and many of her professional friends, all started developing alternate careers so they could stick to that timetable and their newly-found businesses flourished. The same energies and skills they put into their original professions drove the success of their new work. Just because their lives changed didn’t mean that their passions had to – they found ways to have both. Don’t let life’s changes alter your deepest passions today.

Shannon Lee Miller (b. 1977): American gymnast who was an all-world and Olympic balance beam champion