Thoughtfully rethink what you're doing...

A year ago, all I was writing about was the pandemic … but I never suspected that I’d still be writing about it on August 31, 2021. Back then, I wrote about “radical hope”, a term used to describe how everyone was wondering what the future would hold. This year, I’m hearing that many are thinking this is an opportunity to reboot just about everything. Companies are rethinking their policies and practices, managers are learning to value the employees they have, employees are demanding to be heard, and everyone is expecting everyone else to listen to what they have to say. A year ago, I was writing about the need for managers to learn to practice emotional intelligence; this year those that did are having greater success finding employees to work for them. A year ago, employees were reeling from being laid off; this year the companies that did that thoughtfully are re-staffed. A year ago, we wondered if there would ever be a vaccine; this year we’re wondering when everyone is going to take them. Bottom line: last year was a big unknown; this year we know a lot more and managers should use this opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogues with their employees. Make them feel safe, trusted, and respected, and they’ll work and be loyal. Take this opportunity to reboot your employee relations today.

 

Erica Keswin is a bestselling author, professional dot-connector, workplace strategist, and in-demand speaker about the employee experience

Make a difference...

When we start a new job, most of us wonder if we will ever make a difference. Those first few days present a perfect opportunity for managers to warmly welcome their new recruits and let them know that they can make a difference. That’s the best way to win over employees and create a company and team they’ll want to be loyal to. It’s not rocket science: good communication and coaching skills are essential to building trust and loyalty.  Especially now in this post-pandemic time, when employees are skeptical about returning to work or staying with an employer: this little extra effort can pay huge dividends. Make the most of your on-boarding process: make new employees feel welcome and part of your team, show them how to do their job and be successful, coach them when improvement is needed, catch them doing things right, and celebrate their achievements. Encourage them to be engaged with others and to let you know if they see areas for improvement; show them by your actions that no one is too small to matter and that everyone can make a difference. That’s how to nurture their trust, respect, and loyalty, and to make a difference in someone’s life today.

 

Madeleine L'Engle Camp (1918 – 2007): American writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young adult fiction

Trust your inner voice...

When I was a little boy, my mother always encouraged me to answer questions and speak freely: that advice has served me well. And it’s the kind of advice managers need to give their employees, encouraging them to speak up when they have ideas about improving work. Everyone has a voice inside their head that’s carrying on a conversation about what they see and feel, and if they have something good or constructive to say, managers should create a trusting and respectful environment where they can do so without fear. Everyone likes to be heard: be alert for employees who look like they have something to say and encourage them to speak up, thank them when they do, and celebrate the good ideas they generate. Those voices can carry individuals and teams to higher levels of engagement, commitment, and performance – the dialogue this creates can be the heartbeat of your team or organization. But it won’t happen on its own – be like my mother and nurture, encourage and appreciate all the voices that join in the discussions you and your employees have. I know how often my voice has carried me through life, and suspect you do to.  So listen carefully to the voices within your team today.

 

Nanci Griffith (1953 – 2021): American singer, guitarist, and songwriter

Be crystal clear...

I’m usually not the smartest person in any room; in fact, I often refer to myself as “the idiot” (meaning “clueless”) you can try things out on to see if they get it or not. During my HR career, I encountered lots of employees who legitimately claimed ignorance about all kinds of things: this surprised me because I thought we did a pretty good job communicating with them. But after analyzing the causes of their apparent “cluelessness”, I hired an HR communications director to write clear and coherent policies, training programs, handbooks and guides for employees and managers. Companies usually employ public relations and marketing people, and this makes sense; but if their most important assets are their employees, it also makes sense to employ specialists for communicating with them. Their work reflects the workplace culture, the company’s values, and its mission and vision. They create a “voice” of the company, and its consistency helps reduce the confusion employees often have.  Well-informed employees are more productive and satisfied, leading to improved customer satisfaction, and increased profits.  Other benefits include higher levels of trust and lower turnover. While often overlooked in the budget process, this position pays for itself many times over. I didn’t realize this need in the early years of my career, but once I did, the effectiveness of our HR teams’ efforts increased dramatically. Don’t leave your employees clueless today. 

 

Jerry Lewis (1926 – 2017): American comedian, filmmaker, director, producer, screenwriter, actor, humanitarian and singer; nicknamed "The King of Comedy

Play nice...

Back when I was working in casinos, I had a desire to be the best, and I became very well regarded; but sometimes I tried too hard. I know now that the drive to be the best professionally is only good when it motivates someone to be his or her personal best; when it’s pitted against others – either directly or indirectly, it can be (or perceived to be) detrimental to the entire organization. Good work is and should be its own reward; anything more is a bonus. When I openly vied to be a vice president, it alluded me for what I now know were obvious reasons. But after working to just be my own best self, it came to me as a genuine surprise. And I realized that was as it should be.  Don’t get me wrong: it’s okay to be competitive … with yourself. But in business, that drive should be for everyone’s benefit: it takes time and perspective to realize stuff like that. I’m still driving hard: and still trying to do that for everyone’s benefit. The best people to be around – at work or home, are those that share freely, play nicely, help quietly, give humbly, and engage openly. That’s how we should all try to be  today.

 

Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (1890 – 1977): American comedian, actor, writer, stage; film, radio, and television star considered to have been one of America's greatest comedians

Live life to the fullest...

“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.”  James Dean

 

Here’s a follow-up to yesterday’s Bucket List story. We pushed back from the marina at 5:45am for a day of fishing for salmon on Lake Ontario. The charter boat was impressive – Garmin electronics and fancy outriggers designed to help find a great catch.  The captain and crew were attentive – poised to help land the prize. I paid attention, asked pertinent questions, and watched other’s techniques. I was ready. When one of the fishing poles bent over, I was ready to see if I could, at this late stage in life, land a big one. Fifteen minutes later a 22 lb. Coho salmon lay on the deck: after long last, I’d experienced what it felt like to catch a big fish. After the obligatory pictures and high fives, life snapped right back to real time. And that’s the way it is: expectations and drama give way as the here and now again take precedence. We fished on, others landed more fish, and a good day was had by all. The big moments of our lives are special mainly to us; others may watch the experience, but achievements like these are mostly a personal matter. As you work hard, learn, and build our knowledge, skills, and abilities, the highs and lows come and go … and life goes on. Grab every opportunity to live your life today.

 

James Dean (1931 – 1955): American actor remembered as a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement

Make a bucket list...

I’m 70 and have done lots of things in my life – big and small. But I’ve never gone salmon fishing on the Great Lakes and today, for the 1^st time, I’m getting to do that. I wrote this last night and have no idea what to expect – we chartered a boat with a guide and now we’re off to see the Wizard. I went fishing as a kid on the St. Lawrence Seaway, and I once went fly fishing on the Colorado River – I don’t remember much on those trips. And I fish the lakes here in the Adirondacks but what I do should not be considered fishing – my 9-year-old granddaughter catches more fish than I do. But after friends brought back lake trout and salmon from Lake Ontario last summer, I decided it’s time I do this … because you only live once, and if you do it right, once is enough. Call it a bucket list or just an old man’s wish, this should go into making once enough.  Everybody needs a bucket list to keep track of the things they want to do. Sit down and either start one or add to yours today.

 

Mae West (born 1893 – November 22, 1980): American stage and film actress, playwright, screenwriter, singer, and sex symbol whose career spanned over seven decades

Do what it takes...

I’ve read that it takes anywhere from 6-10 years to get great at something, depending on how often and how much you do it. Some estimate that it takes 10,000 hours to master something, but I think it varies from person to person and depends on skill levels and other factors. Whatever the amount of time is, there are no shortcuts to achieving that or any other goal you might have. And rather than time, the measure of completion or competence often is the ability to perform within appropriate parameters. And if the goal is to be competent and confident rather than great, the time or effort that takes is different again. I’ve been playing guitar for nearly 60 years – sometimes I play every day, other times not so much: I’m pretty good but nowhere near great, and that’s okay. And I’ve known lots of managers who’ve had years in their jobs – some have been great, and others not so much, so I guess there’s more to it than time on the job. This mostly comes down to temperament, skills, knowledge, and drive. Each of us must decide what we want to be when we get to where we’re going. And then do what it takes. Remember: don't take any shortcuts on the road to getting where you need to be today.

 

Beverly Sills (1929-2007): American opera soprano

Keep things in perspective...

Good work is often its own reward … and that shouldn’t change you. But when everyone starts telling you how good you are it can go to your head in not so good ways.  Back in the day, the applicant tracking and paperless HR systems that my team and I pioneered were both challenging and rewarding. Challenging because we were working in uncharted territory; and rewarding because those creative ideas worked as planned. But life and work go on, and the accolades, speeches, presentations, and being featured in professional publications can be distracting … in times like that, effective bosses help their employees keep things in perspective. Whether your creativity is groundbreaking or simply applied to everything you do, that extra effort and attention to detail should be celebrated by both the people working on them as well as those enjoying their benefits. Back then, we were creative because our culture valued creativity and encouraged us to take well-calculated risks.  Your culture should encourage employees to dream, think “outside the box”, and take well-calculated risks. Listen and coach them throughout the creative process, celebrate all the big and little successes, and help your people keep things in proper perspective. Let good work go to people’s reputation and not their heads today.

 

Whitney Houston (1963 – 2012): American singer and actress. She is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 200 million records worldwide.

Don't make the same mistake twice...

The worst thing you can do in business (or anywhere else) is to keep repeating the same mistake. The problem is that many organizations and professionals continue doing things because ‘that’s the way they’ve always been done’. In situations like that, I believe anyone should be allowed to speak up if they know a better way. But habits are hard to break, organizational resistance to change is legendary, and fear of failure can paralyze the best intentions: a mistake or an ineffective practice should strengthen the resolve of those in charge to be open to change. A case in point: many organizations and leaders made the mistake of not being empathetic to the plight of their employees throughout the pandemic and they are short staffed now because people don’t want to work for them. They should admit their mistake(s) and change their ways – failure to do so compounds that original mistake and jeopardizes the future of their companies, employees, stakeholders, and reputations. A growing number of companies quickly realized the importance of emotional intelligence and are fully staffed now because they responded appropriately during and after the pandemic. I realize it’s hard to admit a mistake, but there are more than enough good examples of leaders doing that successfully. Don’t compound your mistakes today.

 

Robert Cleckler “Bobby” Bowden (1929 – 2021): American college football coach at Florida State University (FSU) from 1976 to 2009

Always sweat the small things...

I remember how exciting it was to start work on each of the big casinos I opened during my career: that kind of excitement quickly dissipates once the hard work begins. Especially as the work on perfecting that first applicant tracking system at the Mirage (mentioned in yesterday’s message) continued through all those openings. It’s difficult now to remember how rudimentary computer systems were back then: we set up a call center to schedule appointments to fill out applications at Bellagio and the volume of calls shut down the phone lines in Las Vegas. So remembering that when we developed the online app at Wynn Las Vegas, we overbuilt our internet capacity and worried whether it could handle the anticipated volume – we received nearly 13,000 online applications in the first 24 hours, more than anyone had ever gotten in one day. While sweating the volume of applications received, we also worried that the application itself would be able to work as planned – page loading times, proper cursor placement on each successive page, and autofill programs to name a few. It was one thing to have the inspiration to create those systems, but the perspiration associated with the work of building them was the lesson we really learned. The moral of this story – sweat the small things when creating something new today.

 

Carole King (born 1942): American singer-songwriter who is the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century in the US and U.K.

Don’t get stuck not knowing what you don’t know…

Years’ ago, I was motivated to find a solution to a problem that no one else seemed to know or care about: we had just finished going through 55,000 applications for the Mirage and I was buried in paper and struggling to keep track of it all. Back then, I figured that companies like Xerox and Microsoft might have some innovative ideas about things like that, so I inquired if they could help with this. They politely declined – not because they didn’t want to help … but rather because they had no idea how to help. They legitimately didn’t know what they didn’t know, and unless someone there, or anywhere was curious about something, that wouldn’t change. That’s when it dawned on me that if you expect someone else to guide you, you’ll be lost. They’d never been faced with the challenges I was experiencing, and it wasn’t that they couldn’t figure it out … this just wasn’t on their list of priorities. So, I set out on my journey to find a better solution to collecting, storing, sorting, and analyzing applicant data because I was motivated to find solutions to my own problems. And the rest, as they say, is history. Today, the internet has changed all of that – there’s no excuse for ignorance unless you don’t need or want to know something. The moral of this story: do your own research and guide yourself to the innovative solutions you need today.

 

James Earl Jones (born 1931): American actor whose diverse career spans more than seven decades

Practice storytelling...

As airline travel resumes, it’s game-on for people watching. No matter how normal they look, the people we see in airports and on planes have a story to tell. The same is true in business: as companies continue to re-open and staff up, leaders often look see their people more as employees than individuals … each with a story to tell as well. Story telling is an ancient practice of passing knowledge and history from one clan or generation to another … and many companies today use this same technique to describe and promote their history and culture. Company leaders should use storytelling to explain what they do and expect, and they should encourage employees to talk about who they are and what they do each day. Take this last idea: it’s sometimes hard for a supervisor to see what employees do or appreciate the nuance of the behaviors they see. This is especially true in the service sector where supervisors are rarely close enough to see a moment of service; that’s why it’s a good practice to ask employees to tell their service stories. It’s amazing what you can learn about your employees - their likes and dislikes, and their triumphs and failures, when they're given an opportunity to talk about themselves. And it’s also a great way to foster 2-way conversations, let others hear about what others do, and create opportunities for recognition. Promote storytelling today.

 

Sanhita Baruah: Indian marketing executive and author

Inspiration matters...

I know lots of people who get so excited about the projects they’re working on that they feel little need for sleep: successful people are like that. 3 or 4 hours and they’re good to go. Especially now, after hanging around for more than a year, interacting mostly on Zoom, missing the feel of being there. It’s weird getting back into it: I’m on the road this week and next and meeting with clients; sleeping in hotels and trying to get back into my non- Covid-related routines. I’m a little out of shape (workwise), but up at 6am just the same; no alarm needed because being back in the game wakes me. It’s always been that way for me: the challenges and excitement of opening hotels, designing computer programs to improve efficiencies, coming up with creative recruiting strategies to win the war for talent, and inspiring employees to want to do and be more gets me up and going each day. Work is work unless you make it more, accepting its challenges and letting them inspire you; letting that keep you sharp and on top of your game. Being inspired like that rubs off on others, making work fun and worth waking up for everyone. That’s how we all want work to be today. 

 

Ray Bradbury (born 1920): American fantasy, horror, science fiction and mystery writer

Plan for your future...

Creating a strategic plan is anything but easy the first time a company does it. Leaders must first learn how and why to change from focusing solely on their respective daily operational duties and to begin thinking strategically about future company-wide strategies: getting things done every day within their own organizational silos is often easier and more comfortable than planning with others about what and if things need to be done in the future. They then must create Mission and Vision Statements which explain the company’s overall purpose and direction. When expressed clearly and concisely, these can motivate their team, and the organization, with an inspiring vision of the future. Once they have these, they can begin to plan the strategies and timelines needed to get there. And while it might be easier to engage consultants to tell a company’s leaders what these things are, it’s better that they personally engage in making these decisions themselves because, as with most things in life, you don’t get anything good without planning, commitment, hard work, persistence, teamwork, and openness. Consultants can facilitate this process, but it’s best when the organization’s leaders own it – meaning they accept the authority, responsibility, and accountability for developing and implementing their strategic plan. That’s how great strategic plans are created today.

 

Grace Kelly (1929 – 1982): Successful and popular American film actress who became Princess of Monaco by marrying Prince Rainier III

Make yours the job you love...

I’ve met lots of people in my life – students, artists, musicians, academics, clergy, business leaders and professionals, colleagues, competitors, civic leaders and more, and each, in some way, made a mark in life. Some have been hugely successful, others lived simpler lives; some have been good friends, others were passing acquaintances; many I hired and others I just knew of. Each was a somebody, distinct and unique, whose face, name, and story I mostly remember. And all, in their own way, made it in life. Big or small. Alone, or with help. I learned a long time ago that the best recommendation is what you’ve made of yourself – that’s what recruiters look for and want to know. That’s the proof in the pudding, the ultimate behavior of and about you. I tell people that the best job is most often the one you have – the challenge is making it the one you want. Because life is what we make it; always has been, always will be. So, put yourself fully into whatever you do and push on the edges to make it fit your skills, strengths, hopes, needs, and personality. Do the best you can do, and you’ll become the best you can be. That’s how it always should be today.

 

Anna Mary Robertson Moses (1860 – 1961), or Grandma Moses, was an American folk artist who began painting in earnest at the age of 78

Experience all that life has to offer...

We spent the last month with our granddaughters here in the Adirondacks: these two little Las Vegas ladies again got to touch, taste, and see the grandeur of some of our country’s unfathomable variety. Kayaking, swimming, biking, boating, tubing, paddle boarding, walking in the woods, picking wildflowers and berries, roasting marshmallows over campfires, standing in the rain, and going to an old-fashioned county fair were just a few of the many things they did during this summer’s vacation with us. Experiencing life far away from the glitter and glamour of home exposes these two to so much more of the great things that life has to offer. And we get to watch as they develop very different likes and personalities based in part on these annual vacation experiences.  It’s wonderful to spend The Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer with family.  Enjoy all of the variety that life has to offer today.

 

Bryant McGill (born 1969): American best-selling author, speaker, and activist in the fields of human potential and human rights

 

P.S. If you subscribe to my blog, you may have noticed that your daily messages are now being emailed from follow.it – that’s because my site is using this new company to handle its subscriptions (and more). I appreciate all who subscribe and follow the Arte of Motivation – if you haven’t subscribed, please visit www.thearteofmotivation.blogspot.com and consider doing so today.

 

Thanks.

Pitch in...

 

The past 18 months of this Covid-19 pandemic has been a crisis that’s made us forget about all previous ones; in reality, crises are common occurrences in business and each, big or small, is a challenge. Even the ups and downs of a somewhat normal day at work has its share of mini-crises and people at all levels of an organization must deal with them. In each, steady leadership is essential to provide the vision and guidance everyone needs to get by. During my career we had our share of them –deaths, fires, hurricanes, environmental emergencies, floods, robberies, and more were but a few, and in every instance, there was a plan to guide us through. The unpredictability of emergencies can be unsettling … more reason again for a steady hand. And once there was that beacon to work by, those plans were implemented by employees who rolled up their sleeves and got the job done. Meaning working together as a team without gossip or slacking, knowing what to do and keeping at it until the work is finished. We supported them by setting up command centers that were points of contact and information for everyone: timely and clear communication helps steady the nervousness that happens naturally in times of uncertainty. Be calm and clear and help your team get through whatever happens today.

 

Les Hiscoe: American businessman who is President and CEO of the Shawmut Design and Construction company

Be a concerned citizen...

The main thing about a team is its shared sense of purpose, goals, and responsibilities. When I lived in Atlantic City, I took advantage of its proximity to the water and joined a crew team: we’d gather 3 times a week at 6am and be on the water by 6:30, rowing for 90 minutes and enjoying the rhythm of the workout. It was all about being in synch with each other, focusing on the cadence and making sure you weren’t the one who missed a stroke and splashed everyone or, worse, put everyone in the water. That team sport was an exercise in focusing on the here and now. Most other things in life, however, are more about the future and our individual and collective responsibilities for achieving it.  Whether a short-term project at work or other types of long-term goals, the inter-connected nature of those efforts should make them everyone’s concern. You don’t want to be the one who’s actions start the inadvertent ripple effects that lead to failure. Acting like it might every be someone else’s concern is short-sighted and irresponsible. The headlines are filled with the effects of a cavaliere attitude about the future – the continuing impact of Covid-19 and climate change to name a few. Don’t be seen as being unconcerned about the future today.

 

David Andrew Sinclair (born 1969): Australian biologist who is a Professor of Genetics and co-Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at Harvard Medical School

Facilitate forgiveness.

There are good times and bad when you work with others. Good times come from the comradery found in shared goals and seeing things through together. Bad times can happen when feelings are hurt by things someone says or does. In the latter instance, people need to clear the air so they can continue working; unfortunately, that’s sometimes easier said than done and the longer hurt feelings are allowed to remain, the harder they are to resolve. We’ve all known people who can never admit a misstep, misspoken word, or mistake, and others who know the importance of apologies and forgiveness. But if people don’t have it in them to apologize, the damage it does to the team and its individual members can be painful to watch or live through. I bet you’ve been there – I know I have. And even though it’s hard to say I’m sorry, it’s the right thing to do … for you and those you work with. Because if you haven’t any charity or forgiveness in your heart, you’ll have the worst kind of trouble – heart or otherwise. Lingering hurt feelings and disrespect go right to the heart of performance, productivity, and the work environment. Whether through policy enforcement or coaching, leaders need to assist in resolving issues like these. Admit your mistakes or forgive those of others and move beyond them today.

 

Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (1903 – 2003): British-American stand-up comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, athlete, and author 

Be a team builder...

You don’t often think that famous musicians have highs and lows: the truth is, we all do. Being in a band, like any group or team activity, is a tight rope act of trying to maintain your individual self while being an integral part of the whole. That’s also true at work: the hard and low times put the high ones into perspective and make them that much more enjoyable. Lots of companies today are struggling with pandemic-related staffing shortages caused by a myriad of challenges: in times like these those that are employed appreciate the colleagues they have and the full teams they’ve been a part of in the past. Now is a time for leaders to talk about those times and how each employee should value their colleagues: this will help promote retention now as they continue to find new recruits to fill open positions. And leaders should encourage every employee to welcome and mentor new recruits to make them more quickly feel a part of the team: that’s how great teams are built, in good times and bad. You can help new recruits learn the ins and outs of the job, the company's shared values, the things that make up its culture, and the ways employees support each other. Make team building a part of your leadership plan today.

 

Joseph Michael "Dusty" Hill (1949 – 2021): American musician who was the bassist of the rock band ZZ Top for 50 years. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004

Keep a can-do mindset...

These past 18 months have been difficult for everyone: most of my clients were closed and my consulting partners and I weren’t able to see any of them in person. But rather than think about what we couldn’t do, we found ways to do other impactful things. We stayed in touch with our clients and provided coaching and mentoring to keep them engaged and ready for when they would be able to reopen… and helped them to stay focused on what they could, rather than couldn’t, do.  We posted 120 short and timely management lessons on Facebook Live about the challenges of managing during and through a crisis (like a pandemic) … and found a broad audience for these messages.  We started an online training company called Tiny Classroom Training that will offer soft-skills courses that managers and supervisors can take anywhere, anytime… and are getting ready to launch later this year. And we partnered with academicians and consultants in Europe who were involved in researching Emotional Intelligence as an important skillset needed by managers and supervisors in this post-pandemic era… and conduced an online symposium for leaders eager to learn how to be more effective. During challenging and uncertain times, it’s natural to cautiously wait and see what might happen next; but as a team we knew that 2020 wasn’t the time to do that. Always think about what you can do with what you have today.

 

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961): American novelist, short-story writer, journalist, sportsman, and Nobel Prize winner in Literature