Don't get stuck in a rut...

Habits can be good or bad. The good ones are great to build, and the bad ones should be broken.

 

·      Don’t get stuck

·      In a deep dark rut.

·      Push yourself to find

·      New and better habits.

 

Here’s a very interesting article on the nature of habits, both good and bad: https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/habits.html - in case you were interested. Good ones, like making eye contact and smiling, or being flexible, or looking for the good in everything, should be encouraged. Bad ones, like doing things only because that’s the way they’ve always been done, are not, and should be discouraged. But we all are susceptible to falling into ruts that are difficult to get out of – that’s when a good manager can make all the difference. Don't let their mindless habits rob them of the creativity needed to succeed. They can usually spot someone in a rut because he or she looks bored and does things unenthusiastically. When that happens, stop, and ask them how they’re doing; when the answer is a simple and unemphatic OK, ask again like you really mean it and care. If you can get someone talking about old habits that have become ruts, you have an opportunity to coach them and inspire them to see more of the good things in their life or job. And once they see that, their curiosity and creativity will blossom. Ask your employees how they’re really doing today. 

 

Rosabeth Moss Kanter (born 1943): American professor of business at Harvard Business School, and director and chair of the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative.

Be more specific about what you really mean...

Statements like ‘you need something ASAP’ or ‘you’ll get back to someone soon’ are way too vague. It’s always better to say exactly what you mean.

 

·      Vague orders

·      And casual requests

·      Are usually too unclear.

·      Be more specific if others

·      Are to understand what you mean.

 

Too many things in life and business are either too hurried or end up making people hurry up and wait; we’ve grown too accustomed to being less than specific about our needs and expectations. I’ve recently been working on some projects that require job descriptions and job postings. Unfortunately, most of the existing job descriptions I’ve seen are so wishy-washy that nobody can really be sure what’s expected. Many contain phrases like ‘provide excellent service’ and ‘have a good attitude’ and ‘increase EBITDA’ and ‘maximize resource utilization’ and others. People may take those jobs hoping to later learn about more specific expectations, but all too often the only thing they find is confusion. Take the time to define and explain exactly what’s expected and by when; better yet, determine your specific needs with those responsible and make certain you’re both aligned. Give feedback regularly, and let people know exactly where they stand. Ambiguity usually leads to uncertainty and missed opportunities to make your employees as good as they can be. Clearly state your intentions and expectations today.

 

Janet Anne Haradon Dailey (1944 – 2013): American entrepreneur and author of romance novels that have sold more than 300 million copies in 19 languages worldwide. 

 

Try to be great...

Opening some of the premier gaming and hospitality properties was a tremendous experience. Being part of what they became was an honor.

 

·      Everyone works hard

·      In hopes of doing great work.

·      The difference between good and great

·      Is in your attention to detail and commitment.

 

Planning and opening the Mirage was an exercise in excellence. Competitors and pundits predicted failure, but we never wavered in our belief that it was going to be great. There were challenges that tested the depth of our thinking and there were days that tested our strength, but our goal to be great never faltered. We were driven to be attentive to the smallest of details while wrestling with unheard of volumes – for me it was handling more applications and new employees than anyone had every done before. And when we opened it was dealing with thousands of customers every hour of every day for months. And when the boss decided to host a championship boxing match 17 days after opening, we had to figure out how to build temporary stands and bars and bathrooms and entry and exit lanes for 17,000 fight fans. But by then we’d mastered excellence and there was no going back to mediocrity. Make a personal commitment to excellence today.

 

Thomas Spencer Monson (1927 – 2018): American religious leader, author, and the 16th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Steady wins the race...

I love listening to sports coaches motivating their players. Exhorting them to keep working towards excellence.

 

·      Inspiring others

·      Ought to be the most

·      Important thing leaders do.

·      Nothing else even comes close.

 

I met a guy early in my career who’s been a friend and continual inspiration to me ever since. He’d been a professional football player and was always repeating things his coaches had told him. A lot of rah-rah stuff that, if you listened closely, made sense. I got him to transfer into my HR department (he’d been in the Security department) to be the company’s safety manager – he dove into that like he was preparing for the Super Bowl, with a can-do attitude to continually learn, grow, and excel. We worked together for nearly 20 years and his attitude never wavered – he was and continues to be the embodiment of today’s quote. Always working, always striving to do better. Today he coaches young people in football and softball, using those same techniques. We often overlook the power of inspiration while managing employees, and I’ve found that it’s one of the best things to do to get people to achieve the results that you and they want. Managers should consider adopting the strategies and techniques of sport’s coaches: exhorting employees to strive to be better, a little at a time. That’s how to achieve excellence today.

 

Patrick James Riley (born 1945): American professional basketball executive, former coach, and former player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Make the time to get things right...

Sometimes we’re defined by our titles or business cards. But more often we’re known by the work we do.

 

·      People remember

·      The work we do.

·      And how they feel  

·      When it’s done.

 

Everything people do in every job they complete is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Good or sloppy, simple or complex. It’s all in the details and easy to note. Like opening hotels – there have been great projects that followed good plans, and others that looked like nobody cared. Like common everyday projects – done on time and as expected, or late and sloppy. Like customer service – well planned and at or above expectations or catch as catch can and perfunctory. People notice these things and the doers get painted with judgments that last. It takes planning, discipline, communications, and teamwork to get it right (or as right as can be). It’s not the money spent as much as the effort expended. Interestingly, those same things can end up getting it wrong too. The difference is in the willingness and desire to get it right. A cynical judge may suspect that the doers of sub-standard work don’t much care: that’s a harsh judgment but fairly common just the same. Everything we do is a self-portrait. Since you’re spending the time, autograph your work with excellence today.

 

Ted Key, (born Theodore Keyser, 1912 – 2008): American cartoonist and writer, best known as the creator of the cartoon Hazel, which was the basis for the TV series of the same name.

You can if you want to...

The old-time athletes played for pride and glory, not the money (like some of today’s players). They played because they loved the game.

 

·      Do what you love

·      For all the right reasons.

·      Do what you love 

·      If you want to do great things.

 

Coaches and business leaders alike talk about being getting employees to be motivated to show up and do their best. In many ways, that motivation is in part from the team spirit, camaraderie, and enjoyment found in the things we do. But even more comes from within, the spirit that drives each person to want to be their best and to do their best. It’s called a ‘can-do’ attitude – you see it in people’s eyes and faces, in the bounce in their step, the hustle in their efforts, and the smile on their faces. You can tell when people have it, and even more so when they don’t. It’s not a skill we can teach, but an attitude that lies within. I’ve often said here that leaders must encourage that self-motivation and compliment it every time they see it. Not sometimes, every time. This is a team effort – employees making sure they come to work with a fire in the belly and managers thanking them for that. Talk about that kind of attitude in your pre-shift meetings today.

 

Ralph Fulsom "Red" Marston (1907 − 1967): American football player who played college ball at Boston University and one game of professional football for the NFL’s Boston Bulldogs in 1929.

Make up your mind...

Cartoonists, like bloggers, get to reinvent themselves a little each day. They may change the message, but not the genre.

 

·      Drawing and writing

·      Are everyday events.

·      What you say and do

·      May change daily.

·      But you don’t.

 

It’s the same with how we live our lives and do the things we do. They’re our habits, in the best sense of that word. Doesn’t necessarily mean we’re stuck but altering them takes a bit of effort. People often change careers, something that as an HR guy I saw all the time; but they don’t change who they are or how they approach things. But like changing careers, changing our personal style usually is only done with introspection, reflection, research, and practice. I changed from manufacturing to gaming early in my professional career – that took patience and study to get to know one set of nuances from another. But to change from one level of doing things to another takes a personal commitment. Professionally, I know that people can change jobs and often do. But going from being an hourly employee to a supervisor, or a task-oriented worker to a strategic thinker, requires a change not just of duties but of mindset. I’ve seen both often enough to know they’re possible. But only if one wants to change. Make up your mind what you want to be today.

 

William Boyd Watterson II (born 1958): Retired American cartoonist and the author of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, which was syndicated from 1985 to 1995.

 

Live your values like you wear your clothes...

Think about your role as a leader of a team, company, or group of employees. This quote sums up what how you should act in that role.

 

·      Curiosity helps you learn.

·      Honesty eliminates confusion.

·      Integrity promotes trust and respect.

 

The most effective leaders embrace these three characteristics. They’re curious about the people and things around them: learning all they can to maximize how they react and respond to any situation. They always tell the truth because honesty is always the best policy – it only takes one mistruth to cause others to doubt you. And they always act like someone is watching – integrity allows them to sleep with a clear conscience each night. Leaders spend most of their time dealing with others and these three characteristics set the tone for an environment free of drama and anxiety; they are values that form positive working relationships. Think of the best people you’ve worked with or for – most often they’re straight shooters who care enough about others to always do what’s right. No double talk, hidden agendas, or games. They create safe and trusting environments by treating people the way they want and expect to be treated. Do these to create team spirit and teamwork today.

 

Roy T. Bennett is the author of The Light in the Heart. He loves sharing positive thoughts and creative insight. that has helped countless people to live a successful and fulfilling life.

Look at change as an opportunity...

It’s that season when professional football teams and players consider changing teams. Fans mostly don’t like it, but it happens often. Same with companies and employees.

 

·      People often change

·      What they’ve been doing.

·      While that may be difficult,

·      It can also be uplifting and rewarding.

 

As an HR guy, I knew the ins and outs of people changing jobs and employers. Whether their choice or ours, there was a degree of uncertainty and disruption that occurred. Much of that had to do with the change itself. But viewed objectively, often the outcome was generally positive. People learn and perfect their skills and sometimes they get complacent or bored and then feel the urge to change. The best antidote is for the manager to communicate often with that employee and challenge her or him with new assignments, giving feedback and support. But if the time is appropriate, don’t wait for what may be inevitable and proactively help the employee find new opportunities in the same department or company. And even if they choose to change employers, thank them for their service and wish them well. And while there’s nothing new under the sun, there are new suns and opportunities. Look for the best in these kinds of changes today.

 

Octavia Butler (1947 – 2006): American science fiction author, multiple recipient of the Hugo and Nebula awards, and the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.