Hang around like you mean it...

People today don’t think long-term when starting a job – it’s transitory and most likely one in a long list of job they’ve had and will have. Not like my father – who stayed in his first job until he retired. Or many others like him.

 

·      I’ve had 6 jobs in my career.

·      Thought I’d stay in each forever.

·      And acted like I would every day.

 

The bottom line is that most people will have multiple jobs in their careers – you’d like to think each one you hire will stay forever, but maybe not. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat them like they might – in fact, treat every day with them like a great occasion and maybe they will. Get to know them as individuals, encourage them to get the most out of each day, mentor, and coach them like they’re moving up the company ladder, encourage them to learn everything possible and get involved in everything that interests them. Like an executive. Gently push them and let them push you for more. And just maybe it will be so continuously exciting and challenging that the time will fly by. You’ve got nothing to lose by treating employees like that – if they stay, they’ll be valuable employees, and if they leave, they’ll have been valuable while they are there. Either way, you both win today.

 

Mary Teresa Barra (born 1961): American businesswoman who is the chair and chief executive officer (CEO) of General Motors and first female CEO of a 'Big Three' automaker.

Show someone you care...

I used to think early in my career that the things I did had to be big and grandiose. Computer systems, high volume hiring, having the largest United Way campaign. Those big-ticket items had maximum impact on the company and our employees, but they were more about managing lots of people than just going out and doing something special.

 

·      But then I quietly got someone into an AA program.

·      And gave someone a pat on the back.

·      And helped an ex-felon get a job.

·      And smiled and said hello.

 

Small things that nobody besides me and the person I helped knew. No fanfare. No speeches or awards. Just the personal satisfaction that someone was helped. And that’s how I learned that service doesn’t have to be big and grandiose to be meaningful and make a difference. Next time you’re managing by walking around, smile at someone, ask how they’re doing, listen carefully, and learn something new about them. Show them you care. Those are the kinds of things that really make a difference today.

 

Sister Cheryl A. Esplin (born 1944): She the Second Counselor in the general Primary presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Eat, pray, love...

The media creates a lot of pressure on people to be perfect. Perfect looks, ambitions, and achievements. Watching TV, listening to the radio, looking at the tabloids in the check-out lanes, looking at social media, or reading all the ads: until recently they’re filled with beautiful people living beautiful lives. 

 

·      The realities of life are hard.

·      What we achieve doesn’t have to be.

 

How do you react when something good happens? Do you take credit or think it might be a mistake. And how do you feel when something bad happens? Is it because s**t happens or that you’re not good enough. The truth with both is that they’re independent occurrences that don’t in and of themselves reflect on your true value. How you react to them does. If you’re careful, thoughtful, curious, and aware, you’ll look at the causes of the things that happen each day and process their meaning and importance; you’ll learn from each and move on accordingly. If you try hard, paint mostly within the lines, and are aware of the way things are, you can proudly lay your head down each night knowing you did your best. And you can and should be proud of that. It may not have been perfect, but you tried, learned, and are aware of your growth and potential.  And that’s a good place to be today.  

 

Elizabeth Gilbert (born 1969): American journalist and author. She is best known for her 2006 memoir Eat, Pray, Love.

Be humble and kind...

serv·ice

/ˈsərvəs/

noun

1. 

the action of helping or doing something for someone.

2.

assistance or advice given to customers during and after the sale.

 

 

Servant leadership and emotional intelligence are effective management practices, more so since Covid. Simply: be aware of the needs of your peeps and do something about them. Doesn’t matter if you’re the big boss or the first-level supervisor: every management position’s #1 responsibility is to make sure the people they manage are effective; think: successful in producing a desired or intended result. To do that you need to know what’s essential to your peoples’ needs and well-being. It seems like a daunting task, but not if you’re a good two-way communicator. My boss used to say: ‘the difference between a good manager and a great one is his or her ability to communicate’. Add effectively to that. That’s the 1^st step in creating a culture of trust and respect, one that opens the many channels needed for effective communications. Leadership is a full-contact role – designed around service, not authority. Get engaged with the work and workers around you to know and be best able to serve their needs today.

 

Tim Fargo: American author, keynote speaker, angel investor and entrepreneur, best known for co-founding insurance fraud investigative company, Omega Insurance.

 

Help people feel good about themselves...

·      Progress is progress. Period.

·      Feel good about it.

 

Bigger isn’t necessarily better. But progress – big or small, is always better. So, managers should stop trying to quantify everything and start recognizing effort, quality, focus, dedication, attitude, commitment, creativity, flexibility, teamwork and team spirit, motivation, acceptance of accountability, pursuit of objectives, attention to detail, and/or passion. If someone is hitting on any or all those cylinders, then something good is happening. And that’s the point: opportunities to catch them doing something right. And if they’re not – you have a full deck of coaching possibilities to choose from. Let people know you are proud of their progress, no matter how big or small. Let them feel good about that today.

 

Shawn Achor (born 1978): American author and speaker known for his advocacy of positive psychology. He authored The Happiness Advantage and founded GoodThink, Inc.

Repeat after me...

·      I spend a lot of time searching for quotes.

·      Few, if any, say as much as today’s gem.

 

I can imagine Ziglar giving a motivational seminar to a room full of salespeople – with this one quote, he covers pretty much the whole gamut of what to do, and not do. But hey, this message isn’t just for salespeople – every one of us can and should take these words to heart. 

·      Strong not rude: make your point but do so politely. 

·      Kind not weak: have a big heart and don’t apologize for that.

·      Bold but not a bully: be aware how others might hear what you say. 

·      Humble not timid: be self-effacing but not shy. 

And last, but not least:

·      Proud but not arrogant: you can beam but shouldn’t boast. 

These are like a complete primer on how to live your life, and while they look and sound easy, they’re not. You can practice these continuously and still slip off the wagon into embarrassing moments (I know that certainly happens to me). If ever there was a mantra worth repeating, this might be it; these should be in every employee handbook. Save and post this quote in a prominent spot today.

 

Hilary Hinton "Zig" Ziglar (1926 – 2012): American author, salesman, and motivational speaker.

Explode into space...

“You'll never know everything about anything.” Julia Child

 

·      I played guitar every day for 62 years.

·      Right up to the time I cut off the tips of my fingers.

·      Since then, I’ve realized I didn’t know everything about it.

 

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” Julia Child

 

·      But I was and continue to be passionate about playing music.

·      6 months after my accident that passion is as strong as ever.

·      I am focused now on learning to play music in many other ways.

 

It’s easy to think you know a lot about anything and it isn’t often that certainty ever gets challenged. But if we’re honest with ourselves, there’s so much more to learn about everything. I’ve had to learn to use my fingers in ways that I never thought I would – that’s called taking things for granted. And I’ve had to admit that there’s far more to playing music than what I knew – that’s called hubris, which is exaggerated pride or self-confidence. It’s humbling to find that to be true and challenging then to do what it takes to learn your way forward. Don’t wait for something to happen before you realize how much more there is to learn and to life. Blow away those false barriers today.

 

Julia Child (1912 – 2004): American chef, author, and television personality recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public.