Be on the lookout...

My wife is a visual artist, capturing images that often go beyond the visible plane: she’s given me an appreciation of vision when it comes to her art and the world around us. And having worked on developing the Mirage, Bellagio, Wynn Las Vegas and Macau, and the Resort at Pelican Hill, I’ve come to appreciate the developer’s ability to also see beyond the ordinary… to create new realities and raise the bar of people’s sensibilities and perceptions. Artists and developers are not limited by what they see – they go beyond that and extend their vision to that grander yet unseen things that are possible. It’s a state of mind as well as a professional practice.  And it applies to most of us too. What do you see or pay attention to when you look around? Is it mostly the obvious or does it extend to what could or should be? Don’t complain that you’re not allowed – people don’t often stop someone from trying to do more, to improve things, or to creatively see possibilities. Don’t be limited by what you see – there’s always more.  As we continue to establish new norms – in life and at work – it’s going to take the most everyone can see and envision to rebuild our companies and communities and lives.  And it won’t succeed if we only see what we’ve always seen. Extend your vision today.

Edward Weston (1886 – 1958): 20th-century American photographer.

Go out and enjoy nature...

“Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit.” Edward Abbey

 

It was a beautiful summer here in the Adirondacks: lots of sunny days and hardly any rain.  The “experts” said that would probably limit the colors when the leaves changed in the Fall, and up until last week their predictions were mostly right. Then the temperatures got cooler and the leaves began to quickly change, and this weekend they were at the peak of this annual spectacle.  Reds and yellows mixed with green pine trees as this riot of color nearly stopped traffic. Cars were bumper to bumper for miles as people cooped up for the past 6 months sought to get out and be dazzled by nature… and she didn’t disappoint. The Adirondack Park is the largest state park in the US and is mostly wilderness – all the better as a palette for this spectacular foliage demonstration; it’s a luxury that does wonders for the human spirit. And it’s not limited to the northeastern US – look for places near you where the leaves are changing, and fall’s colors are on display. Stop your next Zoom call and pan the camera around to show the colors near you or take a picture with your phone and show them to others. We all are anxious for any good news or things to see and do, and this certainly fits that bill. Find how nature’s magnificence can rekindle your spirit today. 

Edward Abbey (1927-1989): American Author

Have a good and righteous day...

“We should not be the same person the day after Yom Kippur that we were the day before Yom Kippur." Rabbi Marc D. Angel

 

Today is Yom Kippur – the holiest day in Judaism. On this day we fast, reflect, seek forgiveness, and pray to be a better person in the coming year. To explain this holiday, here are several quotes that convey what it means to those who observe it:

 

''The High Holy Days are an intensification of what we're supposed to be doing all the time. Repentance, prayer and good deeds should be an element of our lives throughout the year.''  Rabbi Eytan Yammer

 

"Yom Kippur is our Day of Atonement, the most serious day of the year, when we do a 24-hour fast, refrain from normal joys of life, focus on the spiritual tasks of life, focus on living a life that God would have us live."  Rabbi Jonathan Miller

 

“Think of Yom Kippur as a lookout point on the top of a mountain that you have been climbing all year. See your days and their moments spread out before you. Be willing to look now at this big picture of your life.” Sara Gutfreund

 

"The real work of this holiday is on yourself. You really need to look deep inside. What did you do last year? What is life? What does it mean to me? What can I do to make it better? What do I want next year to turn out to be? Spirituality is inside you. Only you can do the hard work of sitting still and listening to yourself."  Rabbi Randall Konigsburg

 

“Yom Tov”: Hebrew for “Have a good and righteous day.”

Play nice...

Teamwork – whether on a sports team, with office colleagues, or from the Three Musketeers, is, at its best, selfless. In the many employee surveys that I’ve conducted, some of the most positive responses are the ones related to whether employees feel their colleagues help out in good times and bad: in other words, they act like a caring team would and should.  This is one of the foundations of good relationships – at work or in life, and it’s often based on alignment between an individual’s personal values and those of the company they work for. A company’s value statements are usually developed by HR and included in their employee handbook: the key to these being relevant is taking them off those pages and bringing them to life in the many different things that occur in that workplace. Like in the what management says and does, their decisions, and the various ways they communicate. Employees are always watching and assessing management’s actions (in good times and maybe more so in these Covid-19 times), and these can reinforce or diminish how and why they work well with others and the resulting amount of teamwork they engage in. Bottom line: a workplace that encourages helping others is one worth working in. Make sure what you say and do creates a company your employees want to work in today.

 

Albert Einstein (1879-1955): Theoretical Physicist, Philosopher, and Nobel Prize Winner

Get it while it's hot...

You might think today’s quote and message is about politics: it’s not. It’s about annual performance evaluations, the kind that almost nobody likes giving and absolutely everyone hates getting. Managers who have to give them often obscure the truth, and employees that get them mostly think it’s a waste of time; neither is able to focus on what’s needed or achieve what’s intended.  That’s because they’re mostly out of date and context. For these and countless other reasons, many companies have abandoned annual evaluations in favor of more timely ones: some do them monthly, others weekly; but the best (in my opinion) are the ones that provide feedback in real-time.  If a supervisor sees something good, that’s the best time to compliment and celebrate it; and if they see something that needs improvement, it’s also the best time to offer feedback and coaching. Either way, there’s no reason to wait: get it over with and move on. This method works for every employee (no matter their age) in good times and maybe even better in these Covid-19 times when employees are working reduced schedules and/or remotely: it promotes communications, alignment, and engagement. And it makes them feel part of the team. Serve up the truth to your team in real-time today. 

George R.R. Martin (1948): American novelist and short story writer, screenwriter, and television producer 

Make the most of the passing seasons...

Yesterday was the fall equinox: the first day of Autumn and the traditional end of Summer. Even with Covid-19, we feel blessed to be healthy and safe at this time of year here in the mountains. There’s definitely a nip in the air and the leaves are changing colors, one of nature’s annual blessings. And, as the days keep rolling by, we count our blessings and look for ways to be a blessing to and for others. We’re a dog-loving group here and most days we see each other walking along the one-lane road that runs the length of one side of our lake, dogs in tow, sniffing and playing with each other. One of the guys lost his dog last year and he’s been walking many of ours as he seeks to continue some canine companionship; he adopted one yesterday from a local rescue agency and we all celebrated his good fortune – a blessing of sorts.  Another of the locals regularly stops her car and passes out treats to the dogs, her way of sharing in these convivial canine festivities… and being a blessing to others. Life is full of challenges, especially in these crazy times, but there are many ways – big and small, to make a difference in someone’s life.  Find a way to be a blessing for others today.

 

Jerry Smith (1943-1986): American Football Player

Be more, do more...

 The Las Vegas Raiders football team debuted in their brand new Allegiant Stadium last night.  Again, no fans, but a solid team effort and win. The stadium, like the T-Mobile hockey stadium across the freeway, are fancy examples of new sporting arenas – full of fancy seats, great technology, exciting fanfares, and winning organizations. Like The Mirage just down the strip, these are examples of how Las Vegas combines the sizzle with the substance, bringing larger than life showcases to a market filled with lots of things that both dazzle the mind and satisfy customer’s service expectations. Businesses and communities need both to survive in the global economy and once this pandemic is over those will be the things that make each successful. Many companies have used this time out to reevaluate what’s needed to satisfy customer needs and have integrated some cool stuff along the way. I know of examples where companies have installed cleaning equipment and air system that meets the current as well as future needs – they’ve satisfied real needs with great ideas. Don’t settle today for anything that might hinder your progress and success in the future. Find ways to include substance in your plans for success today.

 

Wynton Marsalis (born 1961): American trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center

Hop on board...

“Life is a train, get on board.” Khaled Hosseini

 

Football’s back on TV. It’s weird because the cameras show the seats with nobody in them and the audio has fan sounds like they are. Like life, it’s hard to tell what’s real. But the players are playing like it is so there’s some degree of normalcy in this regular Fall pastime. Maybe we’re supposed to take our cues from this, to play like things are sort of normal, to live our lives like a train, and get on board. Its ok making believe like this, sort of like we do most of the time; making the most of what we have. Trying to do the best we can with what’s been dealt to us. Buying pumpkins, getting into Fall, planning like Halloween is really coming. But it’s probably not.  But that’s probably no reason not to keep trying. It’s colder here in the mountains now, a sure sign of Autumn; the wooly bear caterpillars are out, and the leaves are changing. People are picking apples now instead of blueberries. Life goes on… as best it can. Funny in a weird way, but good to see that even in this normalcy people are wearing masks.  I wonder if they let the fans in the stands if they would wear them too. This is our new normal (for now): get on board today.

 

Khaled Hosseini (born 1965): Afghan-American novelist and physician

Show a little kindness...

One of the bigger surprises in my professional career was the Fine Art Museum in the Mirage, featuring paintings by world class masters like van Gogh. We all received a pretty thorough briefing on the artists and their work, including many of van Gogh’s flowers. While normality may be a comfortably paved road without flowers, the view from the Covid-19 seats is hoping for a new normal with a little of both.  As you navigate your company’s return from closures related to this pandemic, remember the rush to find some normalcy should also include some kindness and empathy, and a flexibility to adapt to the changes and challenges that some are finding. After these past several months of fairly sterile distancing, employees need your empathy to help in adapting to whatever that new normal might be; let your actions be like floral window-boxes along the hallways of that return. Be sure to give lots of ‘hellos’ and ‘thank-yous’, remember to listen for signs of stress and need, and over-communicate about goals and performance. We’re all anxious to get to the end of this – it may be more time in coming than we’d like, so cultivate some good programs to help with this transition today.  

 

Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853 – 1890): Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art

Stay in shape...

 Everybody seems to be dieting: the news is filled with information about how to eat right, exercise, and stay healthy during good times and bad.  We should be practicing good habits at all times and they should be the basis of how we get through the days and nights of our lives. This same philosophy applies to how professionals should stay balanced at work: it starts with eating well and exercising regularly, practicing mindfulness, staying focused and positive, being aware of how others are doing, keeping an open mind about the changes that are occurring, and remaining flexible enough to roll with the tides. These are the habits that can keep you fit – in body and mind… and help keep you balanced in times of stress. They’re for the long haul – through all the ups and downs; ignore the fads and stick to the basics so that you can build your life and career as a healthy and balanced professional. And being balanced is the best way to deal with the things that happen every day: you can’t stop them from occurring, but you’ll be better at dealing with them if you have both feet on the ground. Being an effective professional starts with being fit today.

 

Marika Tiggeman / Mia Zaccardo: Australian Psychologists and Authors

Hard work is its own reward...

 I remember listening to the fights on the radio and the heavyweight championship matches stick out the most in my mind. Joe Lewis, Jack Dempsey, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Smokin’ Joe Frazier – the names of fighters who were larger than life and earned their reputations in the ring. Back then, everything about their fights – the training sessions, the weigh-ins and the bouts were exciting and well-publicized. These men were professionals who defined what it meant to be recognized as such. When I grew up and became an HR professional, that term meant something. When I broke into the gaming industry, I respected the men and women I worked with who were gaming, hotel, and food & beverage professionals: they were proud of what they did and how they did it, and they ‘earned their stripes’ every day. People who take their work seriously, strive to be their best every day, study and learn continuously, and proudly perform at the highest levels earn the right to be called professionals.  It doesn’t come with a title or happen overnight: it comes because others recognize it. Smokin’ Joe was known for his hard work and straight-ahead style – qualities that are important in good times and bad. Be recognized for those qualities as you work towards being a professional today.

 

Joseph William Frazier (1944 – 2011): American professional boxer who competed from 1965 to 1981 andreigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1970 to 1973

Tell me a story...

 People were often fascinated by my career in the gaming industry and the people I encountered: I was too. We used to sit and listen to the ‘older guys’ (that’s what we called the men and women who’d been in the business a long time by the time many of us started) telling stories, explaining how things worked, and explaining about how they dealt with people. They liked talking about the old days and we liked hearing about them. Every business has people like that who employees can learn from. Story telling is such a powerful way to communicate and create and support a culture, passing down information about how and why things are as they are, what’s special or not, and what’s behind their traditions. Companies need to identify these influencers and story tellers, create situations where they can talk and others can listen and learn, and find ways to celebrate them and the story telling process. Just imagine the kind of stories people will tell years from now about how work and life were during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Whether it’s around a campfire or a round table, storytelling is a great way to promote and preserve a company’s history. Don’t worry that this might bore your employees: there’s no better way to encounter the people and tales that make work-life interesting and worth living today.

 

Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant (1850 – 1893): 19th-century French author, remembered as a master of the short story form

Align you words and actions...

My consulting partner and I have been posting live Facebook chats (https://www.facebook.com/Tiny-Classroom-Training-102224348087976) ever since Covid-19 shut down most businesses and communities: our theme has been Lessons in Leadership in Times of Crisis. After nearly 90 chats we decided to transition them into Lessons in Leadership in Good Times and Bad and do a deeper dive into each of the key leadership skills because, in many cases, they apply to both. So, we decided to focus first on Communications because, as my boss once told me, the difference between a good manager and a great one is his or her ability to communicate, it’s more than just one of the necessary skills, it is THE skill around which all the others revolve. Employees listen to what leaders are saying and also watch what they do. Effective leaders align their actions and words, and their verbal and non-verbal messages, and make sure to say what they mean and mean what they say - accurately, clearly, and timely. In every instance; in every format; in every situation. Effective leaders listen nearly as much as they speak because that helps them to know if what they’re saying is understood accurately. And effective leaders think twice before speaking because employees look for honesty and transparency in their leaders and has very little patience for anything less than that. Make sure your communications are accurate and effective today.

 

Seth W. Godin (born 1960): American author and former dot com business executive

Always remember...

Looking quickly at this quote, it’s not clear what tragedy she’s referring to: for many of us who lived through 9 11, that was the Tragedy – with a capital T, of our lives. But these words can also apply to the tragedy of this Covid-19 pandemic; fact is, all tragedies leave us a similar feeling: life is short and there is no time for hate. Tragedies bring us together in shared circumstances and emotions, leaving us stunned but hopeful. Life continues on for the living and, how we respond, shows our true nature. Caring, empathetic and resilient are the characteristics that bind us together, get us through the darkest moments, and help guide us into the future. I know exactly where I was and how I felt when first seeing the images of those planes hitting each of the Twin Towers and suspect you do too. And I remember where I was and how I felt when we first learned of the danger and extent of Covid-19. All tragedies bring their own terms and images into our lives and leave us forever touched. This latest one most likely won’t be the last, so remind yourself that life is short and there is no time for hate today.

 

Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in 2002

Workin’ 9 to 5 is all takin’ and no givin’…

In the news last week, Finland’s Prime Minister proposed a 4-day work week to go along with that country’s flexible work policies. This is an idea that has never had much support in the U.S. but, in the current Covid-19 work environment, it may not be so far-fetched. Clearly, many employees are operating beyond the line of sight of their supervisors, but that doesn’t mean the work isn’t getting done. As people continue to work from home, managers are having to re-think how they assign and measure productivity and getting more experience and comfort with this practice, it’s conceivable they might be more open to the concept of universal 4-day weeks. People have long been able to opt for four 10-hour per day weekly schedules, but that’s mostly been voluntary.  If this practice were to ever gain traction, it would have to coincide with accepting the concept that success is the result of the quality more than just the quantity of time people put in at work. And managers would have to adapt their practices and styles to be better communicators, coaches, and monitors. Maybe now is the right time to consider whether this idea is really doable. Whatever happens, remember that success is primarily the result of the quality of time we put in at work today.

 

Arianna Huffington (born 1950): Greek-American author, syndicated columnist, and businesswoman

Safety is a state of mind...

The summer is over and, looking back, we didn’t do many of the things we normally do here at the lake. We didn’t have indoor get togethers – this year we kayaked on the lake instead because that was an outdoor activity that naturally kept us appropriately distanced. We didn’t play card games or work on puzzles together, but we took hikes and kept our distances there too. At the beginning of the summer, everyone was cautious and wondering if being here together was possible - the alternative activities we came up with were creative and safe: just because we couldn’t do some things that weren’t naturally safe forced us to find others that were.  We didn’t take unnecessary risks, but we still had fun. I see that this past weekend there were lots of large gatherings around the country: the worst of them were massive parties without any precautions while the best included appropriate masks and distancing. It’s not that difficult to find appropriate solutions when we all put our heads together. Whether it’s summer fun or being back in school or at work, we are all in control of the things we can and can’t do; think safe, play safe, and be safe. That’s the best we can do today.

 

Timothy Ferriss (born 1977): American entrepreneur, investor, author, and podcaster

Trust me...

Business leaders have been challenged during this pandemic to get people to complete their work wherever they are, without supervision. Throughout my career in the gaming business, we were challenged when we our employees were on their own at the moment of service – mostly out of sight and beyond a supervisor’s direct control. The solutions in both of those situations are similar. Pick the right people for the job, clearly explain what’s expected of them, provide training and coaching to hone their competencies, make sure your instructions and expectations are clear, maintain open two-way communications, have proper methods to measure their work, give lots of feedback, and create a trusting workplace where all of these can flourish. The best companies are those where employees trust their leaders and the leaders trust them: that’s nurtured when people treat each other the way they want to be treated, clearly and demonstratively care about each other, and remain flexible in the face of changing and challenging circumstances. This is true in good times and bad, especially now as people continue to work from home during this pandemic. Of all the skills needed to be a effective leader, building and maintaining trust is at the top of the list.  Create a trusting workplace today.

 

Sir Richard Branson (born 1950): English business magnate, investor, author and philanthropist

Happy Labor Day...

 

 

Today is Labor Day, the long weekend and holiday that traditionally marks the end of Summer: schools and businesses are closed, and people usually have picnics and family outings. This year’s celebrations may be muted due to Covid-19, but if college campuses and public beaches are any indication, people are looking to play, have fun and enjoy their freedom. Can’t blame them since the pandemic-related restrictions have limited these kinds of activities. But what if you tried to bring some of this fun into the workplace? While it can be complicated, managers who have people working from home or in re-configured workspaces can find ways to make work fun.  It starts with your attitude: lighten up, be empathetic and supportive, and ask your employees to suggest ways to have fun in and around work – break up the work day like they do with kids in school, encourage employees to get up, walk around, and socialize safely; have actual or virtual potluck events; and start book or recipe or other kinds of clubs that employees can participate in safely. Get your employees engaged in finding ways to lighten up your workplace today.

 

Rasheed Ogunlaru (born 1970): British life, business and corporate coach

"The times they are a-changin"...

 

My wife made another great meal last night and, when I thanked her effusively, she reminded me that it was dinner #171 since we entered our Covid-19 bubble. Having not kept close count of the days, this was a sobering reminder about how long we’ve been plowing through this pandemic. Back when it started, there was optimism that the closures and restrictions would be short-lived; it’s been anything but, and not clearly knowing when it might end may be this year’s definition of “uncertainty”, a condition that, like I wrote yesterday, can lead to worry, pessimism, stress, burnout and depression. We think about employees working from home 5 days a week but, in reality, they’re home every day and, like my wife, are increasingly tired of this seemingly unending routine. As a leader, be aware that this collision of work and life has probably upset the balance that people achieved, in varying degrees, before this pandemic started, be sensitive to how they might be struggling to re-set that balance, and think how your actions (assignments and Zoom meetings) and your company’s policies (wages, attendance and time off) affect their efforts. Be mindful how Covid-19 is changing the way people work and the challenges they face today.

 

Greg Kincaid (born 1957): American author, best known for the best-selling book series, A Dog Named Christmas.

"Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the halls"...

As this pandemic drags on, it's increasingly affecting the mental health of those working from home. Surveys are beginning to show that a growing number of those in this situation are tired, stressed, burned out, discouraged, distracted, and depressed. In yesterday’s message, I talked about the need for leaders to be resilient and compassionate: to those I am suggesting they’re also going to have to be more empathic when dealing with these growing mental health issues, all of which can affect an employee’s personal as well as the organization’s overall performance. Leaders need to step up and start doing the things that will deal with these issues, like being mindful of your employee’s issues and needs, being flexible when scheduling work and meetings, creating a safe environment where people feel a sense of belonging, being understanding and adapting when unique circumstances arise, making sure people are receiving the information they need, when they need it, and talking openly about how all of this may be affecting you. Covid-19 may be a turning point in workplace mental health and the best leaders are being part of the solution, not the problem. Stand up and actively deal with the issues your employees are facing today.

 

Nikos Kazantzakis (1883 – 1957): Greek writer who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature nine times

"Keep your eyes wide, the chance won't come again"...

 

I recently read an article about the need for managers to be both resilient and compassionate. There’s been a lot written in the past 6 months about the resilience expected from managers – adapting everything to keep up with the continually changing pandemic landscape: closing, working from home, planning reopening, changing everything to meet demands and expectations, adjusting for volatile business levels, ordering furloughs, identifying new-normal realities, and agonizing about layoffs.  All that resilience can be tiring, frustrating, and mostly unfulfilling… for the leader and those being led. In the midst of that is the need for compassion – not just bouncing back but helping others understand and deal with the changes that are inevitable. Managers used to refer troubled employees to Employee Assistance Programs; now they’re on the front line with employees and trying to help them cope with all that’s going on: they weren’t trained for this and often told not to go there. Traditionally, employee assistance programs were used by a relatively small number of employees; today, everyone’s affected by and suffering from the effects of this pandemic. It’s hard enough going thru this alone; harder yet to go thru it with others. Keep your eyes open for the chance to be considerate and supportive of people’s feelings and tribulations today.

 

Mary Kay Ash (1908-2001): American Entrepreneur and Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics (resilience and compassion)

"You better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone"...

 

I opened up one of my news feeds yesterday and saw: The University of Alabama reports more than 1,200 students have tested positive for COVID-19; India sets record for new cases per day at more than 78,000; total US cases at 6 million as of this morning, with 183,068 deaths. I’m living in a bubble here in the Adirondacks where there’ve been fewer cases than just about anywhere, passionately doing all I can to stay safe and sane and hoping the rest of the world takes the most basic precautions to protect themselves and others.  But then I read this, and it burned a hole in my hope. A lot of people who live in this area year round are skeptical because there’ve been so few cases of the virus here, but they all are wearing masks, just in case.  So, add ‘just in case’ to all the other good reasons to wear a mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands. I don’t know if any of the stories (above) might have been changed had people followed these safety practices, but it makes me wonder. Stay safe and hope for better stories today.

 

Jesmyn Ward (born 1977): American novelist, associate professor of English, and winner of the 2011 National Book Award for Fiction