Focus on doing your best...

Tiger Woods says he’s finished playing golf. I always liked watching him play: no matter where it was, he approached every shot with passion, dedication, and focus to make the best of it. Golf for me has always been frustrating: that changed when I became less concerned with my score and more focused on doing the best I could with each shot.  In life, we often get so concerned with outcomes that we overlook the importance of each of our individual actions. Think how much better you might be if you just focused on doing your best every time you did something or made a decision.  Approach each of your tasks like a golfer would: carefully examining what needs to be done, asking for assistance much like when golfers confer with caddies, and then focusing on doing your best. Remember, there are experts, coaches, and mentors around to give you advice. And once you are ready to proceed, do it with confidence and passion. You can always review what you did to learn if that could have been better, but don’t waste time second-guessing that decision. Do that enough times and you’ll be comfortable and confident enough to take things as they come and play each where it lies today.

 

Henry Grantland Rice (1880 – 1954): Early 20th-century American sportswriter known for his elegant prose and writing 

Get into motivating others...

I was talking to a teenager at Thanksgiving dinner about his interests and goals. It was an interesting chat on many levels, not the least of which was because I spent time recently researching and developing a course on the challenges of managing a multi-generational workforce. This young man was, age wise, right in the middle of Gen Z, the youngest of 5 generations working today. Much of what I learned in my research could be found in his thinking: he was keenly interested in new perspectives, was looking for ideas and their reasons, had good questions and straight-forward answers, and was focused on how to be happy and successful (in that order). He, like others in his generation, was open to whatever is coming next, focused on being prepared, and reluctant to go all-in until it’s on his terms. Made me believe that putting a little heart, mind, and soul into the development of these young people may be the secret to their success. And reaffirms that young people today will have a lot to say and offer as they increasingly become colleagues and co-workers. Don’t be afraid of working with or managing today’s young people: they, like everyone else, are looking for direction, fairness, and respect. Those are the values that everyone looks for in their work.  Make sure you provide that and more today.

 

Vikas Runwal: Healer and spiritual leader; Chairman at Saibaba Temple Koregaon Park

Thankfulness matters every day...

Like many, I ate too much last night. But it was fun and worth this uncomfortable morning-after feeling. Those will probably be the most common comments today around offices everywhere. Because we like sharing stories about the good times – that’s human nature. But the tendency is usually to snap back to being all business on the Monday after as if thankfulness and business somehow can’t co-exist in the workplace. If we’ve learned anything in the past 18 months, it’s that being human and showing human feelings is great for performance and job satisfaction. Be thankful for your colleagues, family, and friends today and every day: let them know how you are doing and be curious about what’s going on with them. Listen to people’s needs, be there in that moment, and offer what you can.  The real test is keeping this humanness and thankfulness going: start by sharing it today.

 

W. Clement Stone (1902 – 2002): American businessman and author

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Make good decisions...

As a leader, you’re called upon to answer all kinds of questions. About policies, career advice, and sometimes even life itself. To your employees, you represent the company when answering questions about their job’s what, why, and how. You’re responsible to know as much about these things as possible – when you do, and you’re certain, state what you think; don’t be afraid to say you don’t if that’s the case, and then make it your business to find out and get back to them with the information they seek. And when you’re called upon to decide if something is true or not, or whether someone is right or not, ask good questions, take time to listen to everyone’s point of view, talk to colleagues if you need advice, make doubly sure about what you think, and then communicate your decision. When you do, be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. In those situations, your confidence and countenance will matter to those seeking certainty and assurance. Being a leader means confidently and competently weighing options and making decisions – big and small; easy or difficult. That’s your job and you’re responsible for doing it effectively. Take the time you need to make good decisions today.

 

Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865): American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States

Actively participate in whatever you're doing...

To the person who asked about yesterday’s message: I went to the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations and they had a requirement to spend a summer working in a unionized company… that’s how I came to be working on an assembly line. Aside from experiencing the habits of assembly line workers, I came away with first-hand experience of why people joined unions and that, along with the many courses I took on unions and collective bargaining, served me well throughout my HR career. At one point in that career, half of our 35,000 employees were unionized, so this was no small thing to have learned. My take-aways from that: all employees want to be treated fairly and with respect; they want straight answers from managers who listen to their concerns and recognition of the work they do. After the Mirage opened, we went 12 years without a grievance or arbitration – not because we always acquiesced, but because we were fair. Get involved with your employees to know what goes on at their level – maybe take a turn at their jobs every now and then to really understand. Putting time in like that pays dividends in many ways, not the least of which are forming bonds and building trust. Get up, walk around, and get involved with your employees today.

 

William Christopher (W.C.) Handy (1873 – 1958): American composer and musician who was the first to publish music in the blues form

Clearly communicate your expectations...

People often complain that employees today don’t try very hard. Truth is that people have been complaining about that for the 50+ years I’ve been working. My take on this is that people do as much or as little as they have to unless someone is there inspiring and motivating them to do what’s expected. One of my first jobs was working on an assembly line – I was the new kid and they put me at the head of the line so that my low productivity (while learning) would be a natural brake on the rest of the line’s efforts, which they all liked. But I didn’t know any better and quickly learned how to produce more – so much so, that one of the other guys from the line came and told me to slow down. That mindset surprised me; I thought everyone would naturally want to work hard and produce as much as possible. But as I learned, that’s not always the case; the role of leaders in any organization is to inspire and motivate others to learn what and how much to do each day. Effective leaders communicate expectations clearly, coach them when they fall short, and catch them doing things right. Productivity, like morale, shouldn’t be left to chance. Inspire and motivate your employees to know what’s expected today.

 

Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis (1898 – Nov 22, 1963) was a British writer and lay theologian. Lewis and fellow novelist J. R. R. Tolkien were close friends.

Speak and act clearly...

It’s often difficult for managers to know what to do when disagreements arise between employees: sometimes, things are not what they seem. This can be the case when the disagreement is about what was said or meant. That’s why managers owe it to themselves and their employees to conduct a fair and thorough investigation, talking to everyone who may have information about may have caused the disagreement. And even then, it sometimes comes down to subtle differences of meanings or expressions: where managers would rather things be clear and uncomplicated, too often the facts are shaded in nuances of verbal and non-verbal communications. In those cases, getting the people directly involved to talk out their differences and find common objectives going forward is important. When disagreements are based on imperfect communications, giving everyone another chance to say what they mean (or meant) is the first step in clearing the air and moving forward without tensions or lingering complaints. These are the kinds of workplace issues that policies fail to address: being clear, or not, is rarely covered in a handbook. That’s when managers have the responsibility – some would call it an opportunity, to clear the air and build understanding and trust. Effective communications – both verbal and non-verbal, are everyone’s responsibility. Pay close attention to what is spoken and unspoken today.

 

Sarah Vaughan (1924 – 1990): American jazz singer

 

Keep a positive attitude...

I’ve actually had people tell me that they’d enjoy their management job more if it didn’t require dealing with employees. Having employees is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about that problem. As a leader, you’re responsible for being prepared for whatever comes at you each day, meaning to learn all you can about how to manage all of the technical, compliance and people issues; for taking care of yourself (nutrition, exercise, and rest) so that you’re fit in body and mind; for getting the training, coaching, and mentoring you need to be up to date with all of the people skills you need; and for learning the finer techniques of managing and handling difficult schedules, situations, and conversations. As you prepare to go to work each day, take time to adjust your attitude so that you’re in the right frame of mind for whatever might happen. Looking at work as a hassle is the wrong way to go about that; seeing potential challenges as opportunities to hone your management skills is the best way to approach your work as a leader. And if you start to feel anxious or overwhelmed, take a walk, talk it out with a trusted colleague, and use that time to get back on track. Focus on your leadership attitude today.

 

Captain Jack Sparrow is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series and is portrayed by Johnny Depp.

Help others be more effective...

Throughout my career – both in HR and now in consulting, I spent (and still spend) time training managers and supervisors to learn new ways to be effective. Interestingly, a regular comment from people in these classes is that they wish their supervisor would take the same class: meaning there is often a disconnect between the new skills being learned and their supervisor’s knowledge or use of those same skills. My take on those comments is that the leader of a department should always review the materials their subordinates are learning in the classes they take, follow up by asking them questions to determine if they fully understand and use them when supervising their employees, give them assignments so they can practice what they’ve recently learned, coach them to make sure they are using those new skills as intended and expected, and generally support them and their newly learned skills. And in their regular meetings, they should discuss how that material and those skills affect the overall productivity and efficiency of their department. After all, a leader’s role is to make sure their employees are effectively using all of their tools and skills. Make sure you’re aligned and in synch with the things your subordinates are learning and doing today.

 

Henry Jackson van Dyke Jr. (1852 – 1933): American author, educator, diplomat, and clergyman

Believe that you can...

Much is being made of the Great Resignation: statistics show that September 2021 set a record for voluntary resignations. Rather than fret over this trend, companies are finding ways to stem this tide: one of the best ways is to let your best performers know how much you appreciate them by outlining a career path for their success. Those best performers are ambitious and that’s not a dirty word: they believe in themselves and their abilities and hope their bosses do as well. This is a significant change from the past when promotions were a long time in coming. Employees today have lots of options: with all the current job openings, they can pretty much find opportunities anywhere. Your job is to show them their best options are with you and your company: talk to them about their goals and map out a plan to get them there. Yesterday, organizations were inflexible; now they must move roles, responsibilities, and schedules around to maximize employees’ interests and expectations. They must trust employees with more autonomy by clearly outlining expectations and giving lots of feedback. Let employees learn and do more and then recognize them for those achievements: that’s far less work (and chaos) than dealing with lots of resignations. Turn the Great Resignation into Great Retention with increased flexibility and career coaching today.

 

Reese Witherspoon (born 1976): American actress, producer, and entrepreneur; Forbes listed her among the World's 100 Most Powerful Women

Focus on the human in Human Resources

People often ask what’s the difference between being a line employee and a manager: first and foremost, managers are responsible for the people that report to them. People often think it’s the technical duties and soft skills needed to be a manager, but the lives and livelihoods of their people often are the things that weigh most heavily on their minds. Employees want you to take that seriously: meaning to choose who they work with wisely, to train and coach them to be successful, and to regularly recognize their contributions. Those are the things that make for a productive workplace.  But they also want their leaders to be human: meaning to not take themselves too seriously and to make work fun. These are the two sides of the management coin – productivity and employee satisfaction, and together they motivate people to be good at and enjoy what they do. A good rule of thumb is to remember what you liked best about your supervisors, and that’s usually that they were competent, fair, and human. You owe that to yourself and them today.

 

George Alexander Trebek (1940 – 2020): Canadian American game show for the quiz game show Jeopardy! for 37 seasons

Be the leader of the band...

Companies try to hire people who match the profiles of their best employees. But in the end, each employee is unique, doing the things you teach them in their own unique ways. Allowing employees to insert their own styles and attitudes into their work allows them to be themselves while also being part of a larger team. They’re unique because nobody else acts the way they do – or make the sounds they each make, and that diversity is what makes for the great customer experiences. The way they each smile, gesture, and put your practices into their own words is what creates an overall dynamic that is what customers feel and talk about to others. So, when you get an employee to the point where they are comfortably being themselves, let them know how much you appreciate them and the way they perform. They’ll feel good about themselves and where they work, you’ll feel good because it will show in their work, and your customers will feel good because the experience feels so natural. That dynamic creates a bond between all three that can be a competitive advantage. Let your employees create their own unique sounds today.

 

Yo-Yo Ma (born 1955): Parisian-born American cellist - he was a child prodigy who graduated from the Juilliard School and Harvard University, and has recorded more than 90 albums and received 18 Grammy Awards

Unsolicited testimonials are the best...

Acclaim is sweetest when voiced by others. Whether it’s an individual effort or a brand’s performance, the best ones never have to toot their own horns – their satisfied customers gladly do that for them. The media is full of advertisements touting what’s purported to be the best of any and everything, and I suppose that’s generally intended or needed to gain name recognition. But the internet has evened the playing field by listing everything and all you need do is search. Between the pictures, narratives, and testimonials, you can pretty much find whatever you want to know. Personally, I hate the hype of TV ads, especially the ones that are forced by regulatory requirement to quickly state what’s in the small print; I also hate the billboards that only show things alongside beautiful smiling people. Deep down, I suspect they’re trying too hard to talk me into something I probably don’t want or need. Referrals, on the other hand, mean much more to me – real experiences from people I admire. If they’re unsolicited, even better. Like many others, whenever I experience something that is surprisingly good, I tell everyone – the opposite of that is also true. And since many people are like me, I believe that whenever something’s great, I’ll hear about it not from them, but from other satisfied customers.  Keep your ears peeled for unsolicited testimonials today. 

Walter Payton (1954 – 1999): American professional football player who was a nine-time Pro Bowl selectee and is regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. 

Keep your promises...

People are loyal to those they trust and the best way to build that trust is to keep the promises you make to them. Those promises are like the coin of the cultural realm and get deposited into employee relations bank accounts to be used later on to pay for all of the employee programs that meet their well-being needs and promote employee satisfaction.   Break a promise and you immediately lose that trust. And no amount of reserve can cover that loss. Most companies claim they care about their employees but then put that Employment at Will clause on the first page of their handbook. Most managers say they have an open door, but it’s often closed when someone needs it. How often have you committed to getting right back to someone… but for any number of reasons, don’t?  And how prepared are you to answer the questions your employee ask throughout a normal day? Sending them someplace else for those answers shows you didn’t care enough to prepare to provide the leadership they needed. I understand that honest mistakes happen, but late or insincere apologies don’t make up for the failures in leadership and trust that these missteps create. To them, an apology sounds like another broken promise. As a leader, understand that employees will always perceive your word as being your bond. Call it integrity, emotional intelligence, or the Golden Rule: say what you mean, mean what you say, and keep your word. Those are the promises and premises upon which trust and loyalty are built today.

 

Walter Wangerin Jr. (1944 – 2021): American author and educator best known for his religious novels and children's books.

Be loyal to your best self...

We talk a lot about loyalty – to companies, brands, politics, and friends; but the most important loyalty should be to ourselves. To our own values and beliefs. Problem is, there’s so much competing and distracting noise that it’s easy to get distracted. About what’s real and what we believe. Meaning: you must know and stay loyal to what you believe.  Don’t rely on others to tell you what to believe - there’s more than enough real and verified information out there to do your own research. Don’t listen to or get swayed by all that debate; do your homework and validate. Because having and living your own set of values is the best way to be the best you. And once you have them firmly set in your mind and actions, look for companies with values consistent with your own – talk about them with their recruiters and live them in your work. And do the same with friends. The thing is: believing in yourself and hanging with others who share your values and beliefs is the best way to live your life and be fulfilled in your work. When entering the great theater of life, there’s not much that’s more important than having well-thought-out convictions. Be loyal to your convictions today.

 

Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814 - 1880): American preacher, poet, and editor of the Christian Leader.

Service and smiles matter...

Loyalty programs are everywhere, but in many ways, they fall short. I get points for just about everything I buy – groceries, gas, flights, credit card usage and more. Companies put a lot of marketing dollars into these programs, but then they turn around and provide poor service which lessens their perceived value. Don’t be fooled into thinking these programs will buy a customer’s loyalty all by themselves; you must earn the devotion of hearts, minds, and souls everyday by mixing them with good products and service. Companies should review how much they spend on these loyalty programs and compare that to what they spend on the training, recognition, and motivation programs that are essential to getting employees engaged in really creating loyalty. Some loyalty programs are straight-forward, like grocery points that can be redeemed for gas discounts… only to find too few stations that accept them. Others make you call, only to be placed on hold for long periods of time. But then there’s Amazon – no points, just fast deliveries, and good service. Or Southwest Airlines – lots of unrestricted points and great service too.  If you want to be in the loyalty business, earn it.  If you want customers to love you, it’s more than points. Make sure you include great service and genuine smiles with your loyalty programs today.

 

Clarence Francis (1888-1985): American business executive best known as President of General Foods

Think for yourself...

We are creatures of habit – the clothes we wear, the side of the bed we sleep on, the things we say and do, the values we live by. So, the question is: are these informed and well-considered choices? And are the choices we make indicative of who we really are or are we just following a crowd? It starts with knowing who you are and what you really want and ends with always being true to yourself. It means thinking for yourself rather than merely following the latest trends and fads. There’s a lot of information available and sometimes it hard to sort through it all. Surrounding yourself with good people and discussing these things with them is a good habit. Being open to good change and going slowly as you consider your options is another good habit. And making sure you continue to be true to yourself and your core beliefs is the best habit. Don’t sweat the small stuff like changing hair or clothing styles – those kinds of choices can be fun. But the big things – your job, your core beliefs, your friends – those are important and should be carefully considered. Make sure what you do is what you want to be doing today.

 

Wilt Chamberlain (1936 – 1999): American professional basketball player who played as a center, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history

Stand tall...

Grit is a great term.  Like perseverance, determination, tenacity, and fortitude, it’s both a trait and an attitude, one found often in successful people with integrity. I’m not saying that these attributes are always found in people with integrity, but people with integrity tend to display these characteristics when conducting themselves. Ok, that might be an over generalization, but think of people you know with integrity: they are truthful, act with honor, are reliable, and upright – they usually say what they mean and mean what they say. I can think of several whose quotes I’ve used in these messages, like Mahatma Gandhi, Abe Lincoln, John Wooden, and Albert Schweitzer (to name a few), who were tenacious in their pursuit of doing what they believed was right. One could argue for or against any of these people, but what’s indisputable is their commitment to what they believed. When considering recruits, ask what they do when having to admit a mistake.  When choosing friends, see if they do what they say. Good people (and recruits) have good character and the determination, some might call it grit, to be of good character. To learn from and move beyond their challenges, with grace and humility. That’s who you want to be. And who you want to associate with today.

 

Edwin Percy Whipple (1819-1886): American essayist, author, and critic

Create trust...

This quote can have many connotations in today’s crazy world but let me try to put it into a business context. Business leaders must create a sense of community in the workforce, using a mixture of culture, communications, policies, practices, and engagement. Everybody wants to belong to something, and the disruptions of the past 18 months created a loss of security and trust in work, the part of their lives that is so pivotal to their self-confidence and esteem. That’s why emotional intelligence (EI) is such an important skill for leaders – the use of empathy can help bring your employees together. And not for nothing, research is showing that companies that practice EI are having more success at recruiting and finding enough employees to meet their current needs. A lot of that comes down to helping employees discover the things that bring them together. Review your company’s mission, vision, and value statements, check your internal communications’ practices, and improve employee engagement to address these extraordinary post-pandemic needs and further the healing process. This isn’t about singing Kumbaya around the water cooler, but rather about letting employees know you care, listening to their concerns, and rebuilding trust. Nobody was ready for the disruptions caused by the pandemic, and steady and understanding leadership is now needed to help make your people feel more secure. Bringing people together is the right thing to do today.

 

Garth Brooks (born 1962): American country music singer and songwriter, the only artist in music history to have released nine albums that achieved diamond status in the United States

Practice integrity...

I love looking at road maps - you know, the really detailed ones produced by AAA and Rand McNally. So, I was pleasantly surprised several years ago when walking out of a gas station/mini mart I saw a display of them that said: “enjoy a map for the road”. I took one, thinking they were free, and didn’t realize otherwise until my wife pointed out the price on the back. I was mortified and because we were miles down the road by then, I later stopped and paid for it on the return trip home. The clerk was surprised, but my conscience was clear. Just like 30 years ago when I was driving a group of employees to an airport in Florida, and I bumped into the car next to me in the parking garage. Everyone heard the crunch, and they all looked to see what I’d do. I guess I could have moved to another parking space and that other car’s owner would never know what happened, but I got out, left my card with a note on it, and we all went on to catch our plane: I didn’t want to disappoint myself, or those employees who were watching to see what I would do. Call it integrity or a conscience: do the right thing even when nobody is looking. Don’t disappoint yourself or others today.

 

Colin Powell (1937 – 2021): American politician, statesman, diplomat, and United States Army officer who served as the 65th United States secretary of state

Take control of your destiny...

Last night, kids (and kids at heart) everywhere dressed in costumes and went door to door celebrating Halloween: a tradition that has long instilled the thrill of costuming in many of us.  My costume history has a different source: years ago, I suffered a serious industrial accident and spent several years in recovery. Unfortunately, that recovery also left me addicted to pain medications at a time when little was known about the dangers of those meds. And even less was known about gently getting someone off them. When my doctors suggested they couldn’t help, a friend introduced me to the wonders of clowning – you know, painting your face, slapstick humor, crazy tricks. He helped me get enrolled in a regional  clown school run by the famous Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus people. For nearly 8 weeks after learning some rudimentary skills, I played the clown in hospitals and community centers: everyone laughed while allowing me to stutter and stumble my way to better health. I still have the face paint and wig, the big tie and floppy shoes, and the memory of a story that only a costume could tell. And the lesson I learned is that we are each responsible for who and what we wish to become. Decide what you want to wear today.

 

Mason Cooley (1927 – 2002): American professor emeritus of French, speech and world literature at the College of Staten Island and an aphorist known for his witty aphorisms