It starts with YOU....

This quote could apply to any of the casino opening projects I (or anyone else who’s done one) did. When we recruited our initial team for the Mirage we had to start where we were: evaluating plans, developing budgets, and creating timelines. We interviewed people that had opened companies in the then recent past: the information they gave us proved invaluable in finalizing our plans. These provided the foundation for all of the programs and processes we developed and became part of the orientation we gave to everyone hired for this project. This approach was how we learned the value of strategic planning, effective communications, and a professional approach to our work. Professionalism brings the structure, discipline and drive that make any project successful. You are most likely an integral part of the team you’re on and your colleagues surely rely on the professionalism you bring to the job everyday. So remember to start where you are, use what you have and do what you can today.

Arthur Ashe Jr. (1943 –1993): American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam titles.

Be yourself....

Professionals have lots of role models: the challenge is developing their own personality and style rather than trying to be a copy of someone else’s. In a large organization you have to be good at projecting a message to lots of people: Steve Wynn was great at this and I tried to watch and learn from him. I found that to seem like a speech was extemporaneous meant you had to know the topic so well that you could speak about it easily, and to keep an audience’s attention you had to gesture and look like you were speaking to a small group of friends. I developed my own style instead of trying to be a second-rate version of his. Look for people you admire and note the traits that make them what they are and then practice putting those into your own style. Being a first-rate professional means being the best you can be every day.

Judy Garland (1922 –1969): American singer, actress, vaudevillian, and recording artist.

Help others become what they want to be....

“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” Scott Adams

I loved talking to Wynn employees about their hopes and dreams: they asked for advice and I gave them encouragement. I could tell about lots of these conversations but there’s not enough space here and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out.  I helped them think through their opportunities: while the end of any of their journeys could not be known when we talked, they each were inspired to take a first step. As I look around the industry today I am proud of what so many of them have become: company presidents, general managers, senior vice presidents, directors, and so many other long term and satisfied professionals. You should become a coach and mentor, and inspire others to set goals and start the process of achieving them. During this holiday season, give someone the benefit of your advice: there’s no telling how far they might go or where their journey might end.

Scott Adams (b. 1957): Creator Of Dilbert Comic Strip

Learn what you need to know....

I’ve always believed that what you don’t know is sometimes more important than what you do know.  Worse, we often don’t know what we don’t know, and that can lead to unwanted or unnecessary efforts. Wynn continually challenged us when building new hotels: the baggage handling system at Mirage, the front features at Mirage (volcano), Treasure Island (ships), Bellagio (fountains) and Wynn (the mountain); the showrooms and extraordinary shows, the celebrity chefs, 10-year collective bargaining agreements, and the logistics of managing so many employees. These (and so many more) things stretched us to the limits of our knowledge: that’s when the illusion of knowledge, or not realizing what you don’t know, can be disastrous. Life is full of these obstacles and thankfully we have the Internet to improve our ability to search and learn.  But first you have to admit your limitations and then collaborate with others to learn what you need. Don’t be too proud to admit what you don’t know today.  

Daniel Joseph Boorstin (1914 –2004): American historian and the twelfth Librarian of the United States Congress

It's about what you say and do....

Being proud of yourself isn’t just about your accomplishments: it’s also about your actions. Most managers have to make countless decisions everyday, using their knowledge, experience, expertise and common sense, with an emphasis on this last attribute. Not surprisingly, many managers lie awake nights thinking about what they’ve done, maybe even second-guessing some decisions: that happens because there are two sides to every story, two or more perspectives to consider, and countless people involved. Wynn’s policy requiring managers to explain ‘why’ was designed to make them think and be able to articulate their decisions: the goal was to think about how it would sound and feel if someone said or did the same to them. It isn’t about being important or exerting your influence over others: it’s about being competent, effective and kind. Stop and think about what you say and do so you can be proud of your actions today.

Holly Bourne: Author of the Spinster Club books.

They say I'm a Legend....

I was on the cover of HR Magazine this week: they interviewed a few of us old HR types and are calling us Legends in the HR profession.  I don't feel like a legend: I feel like if you live long enough then people think you know something, or are something.  I'm just an old HR guy who loved all my years in the practice, and now enjoy mentoring and coaching others about some of the cool things I got to do while working for Wynn.

Here's the article:

https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/1217/pages/words-of-wisdom-discovering-a-different-diversity-nathan.aspx