Take a ride down memory lane...

I’m headed back to Las Vegas today for a week – a place I’ve called home for more than 36 years. Leaving the Adirondacks – which is where I started.

 

·      Here and there.

·      Part of each year in each.

·      One is where I currently live,

·      The other is where I was born.

·      It seems I’ve never left either one.

 

Strange how where life leads us – growing up, nobody left home: there were lots of jobs and family. Then companies started moving and communities began changing, and often the best opportunities were elsewhere. Knitting mills moved South, manufacturing offshore, and I reluctantly left too. I can’t complain – it’s been a great career, but each summer when we return to vacation closer to our roots, the pull of the past is strong. Driving around the old neighborhood and past familiar haunts is a nostalgic journey but going back is not the same as never leaving. The new always replaces the past in ways that create new memories. Somedays I wish I never left, but then all that’s transpired since reminds me of all that I have. I think everyone should go back to where they started so they get a sense of how far they’ve come. Take a ride down memory lane today.

 

Sir Terence David John Pratchett (1948 – 2015): English humorist, satirist, and author of fantasy and comical novels, best known for his Discworld series of 41 novels.

Love is a many-splendored thing...

Love, like friendship, fellowship, and followship is a recognition of another person’s integrity, truth, camaraderie, honesty, and commitment. It’s kind of hard to describe, but you know it when you feel it.

 

·      Integrity: 

·      Saying what you mean

·      And doing what you say.

·      Not just because you have to,

·      But because it’s the right thing to do.

 

Back in the day people followed the chain of command because that’s what was commanded and expected. Today (and this has been coming on for a long time), leaders (and in many ways, lovers) must prove themselves regularly. Employees are focused on receiving regular signs of commitment from their supervisors related to their happiness, career opportunities, wellbeing, and overall satisfaction. Also back in the day, annual evaluations and pay adjustments were enough. Today, transparency, continuous learning and feedback, and positive reinforcement are expected; without those employees may be quick to consider joining the Great Resignation. Look for ways to augment job descriptions with special assignments, real time coaching and mentoring, pay for performance, and career pathing. That’s how to show them you care and win their loyalty and commitment. The world is changing – keep up by making sure your employees feel the love. Treat your employees with integrity and truth today.

 

Captain Robert Graves (1895 – 1985): British poet, historical novelist, short story writer, and critic.

Make every day a learning experience...

Living life the way you want can be more difficult than it looks – the trick is learning how to deal with it.

 

·      Growing up

·      Can be quite a transition.

·      So much to learn and know

·      On the road to becoming an adult.

·      Start the journey by figuring out the rules.

 

My kids left this morning after spending most of the summer with us here in the mountains. 3 generations living and playing and loving in our camp (that’s what summer homes are called in the Adirondacks). The rest of the year we live in our separate homes but life at the Lake is meant to be shared. Summers here are about spending most of our time together – family meals, swimming, outings, after-dinner activities, campfires, and so much more. It’s hectic for sure, but it doesn’t get on our nerves because a few short years from now they probably won’t want to spend so much time with us. So, we learn to deal with the commotion and chaos. Many of the best parts of our lives can, at times, feel like an intrusion: learning to deal with those times allows us to truly enjoy the benefits of all that life has to offer. Whether at home or work, learn to deal with all that comes with life today.

 

Dame Helen Lydia Mirren (born 1945): English actor.

One size rarely fits all...

We all know people who act as though they only have an on/off switch: either moving ahead at full speed or asleep. Nothing in between.

 

·      Up or down.

·      Go fast or slow.

·      It’s not one way or the other.

·      Because life is full of in-betweens.

·      Be sensitive to everyone’s needs and hopes.

 

I’ve repeatedly heard people say how difficult it is to manage a multigenerational workforce – there now are 5 different generations working side by side and somedays it’s hard to figure out how to deal with each. But it’s not one way or the other: while they all approach things from different life experiences and perspectives, they each still want managers to recognize them as individuals, listen to their concerns, and treat them fairly. Nothing in life should be treated as if ‘one size fits all”: that doesn’t work for shoes, nor will it work with dealing with people. Life is full of diversity, from the skills people have to the way they each view and do things. As a leader, you’re responsible for managing all of that effectively. And while we each see things through the lens of who and what we are, a good leader helps us all to see and understand and approach things together. And while life itself can be one big adventure or nothing, our daily efforts are usually a blend of both. Live life like everything matters today.

 

Helen Adams Keller (1880 – 1968): American author, disability rights advocate, political activist, lecturer, and the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Trust your instincts...

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do. So many voices, opinions, options. Sometimes it’s best to just listen to yourself.

 

·      In good times,

·      Listen to yourself.

·      In tough times,

·      Listen also to yourself.

·      Your inner voice will know.

 

Growing up and taking on more responsibility is hard. Working and moving up in an organization is also hard: with authority, and accountability added to increased responsibilities. When you start something new is when you especially need to listen and learn. Most companies train their people on the basics of what to do. But when questions or issues arise, you’re often on your own: that’s when you should rely on your own instincts and common sense, ask for advice from others, and collaborate with your colleagues. Listening to yourself can be key to success.  I started my working career in the manufacturing business, and when I started working at the Golden Nugget (in the hospitality and service sectors) I was uncertain how the things I had learned in the past would apply there. My inner voice told me that people in every business have the same needs and that I could surely use what I knew about that in my new job. I listened hard and paid attention. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something and listen hard to good advice today.

 

Anne Sexton (1928 – 1974): American poet known for her highly personal, confessional verse. She won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1967 for her book Live or Die.

Stick to your own plan...

Some days you just want to bury your head in the sand. Too many complexities. Too much drama. Too much frustration.

 

·      Don’t let your days

·      Be like drinking from a firehose.

·      Take control of the things you can.

·      Remain flexible and look to collaborate.

·      Face things head on and stick to your objectives.

 

Things get out of control when you don’t have a plan. A simple daily plan will work: one that recognizes where and when you’ll start and lists no more than three objectives. And because you can usually expect unexpected demands to occur, leave some flexibility in your thinking. And because everyone and everything you may deal with is subject to change, leave time between scheduled events so you don’t get jammed up. And schedule time for yourself: for the things you need to do. Some call this time management, but I prefer to just call it realistic planning: use common sense, try to be sensitive to others, and keep an eye on your needs. Work can and should be full of promise each day and, if you take control of what you can, it should be fulfilling. Remember: you’re not alone – communicate, collaborate, and (where possible) compromise. With a little understanding and luck, you’ll get through your day. And if not, there’s tomorrow. Be aware of what you need to get done today.

 

Don DeLillo (born 1936): American novelist, short story writer, playwright, screenwriter, and essayist.

The same old same old won't get you anywhere new...

 

It’s so easy to keep doing things the way you’ve always done them. Unfortunately, you’ll then miss all the new and interesting stuff that’s out there. Your choice.

 

·      Do the same.

·      Stay the same.

·      Or take the 1^st step

·      And learn something new.

·      It’s up to nobody else but you.

 

Everybody’s complaining about the fact they can’t find good employees. That nobody’s applying. And their good employees are leaving. Try doing ‘stay interviews’ – ask your employees what they think of their job and the company: listen to what they say, find out before they leave, and do something about what you learn.  And try hiring for attitude: forget the skills you’re looking for; you’re going to train them to do those. Make sure they have the right attitude and outlook to fit into your culture – like being optimistic, flexible, willing, and open: those are the characteristics of the kinds of people I suggest you should hire. Even if there aren’t many applicants, at least pick the rights ones. And if you’re lucky enough to hire one or more of them, remember that good fortune and treat them accordingly every day. Having good employees takes time and effort and since having employees is the key to being able to run your business and take care of customers, make the time to make them feel good about their job and your company. Be creative about this: push away any bad habits or practices and make that happen. That’s better than complaining about not having enough good employees today.

 

Daisaku Ikeda (born 1928): Japanese Buddhist philosopher, educator, author, and nuclear disarmament advocate.