Share the pain and share the gain...

·      Shared mission and shared goals.

o   Shared work and shared accomplishment.

§  That’s work at its finest.

 

There’s almost nothing better than the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment you get when working with people you like, trust, and respect. On projects big and small. I was fortunate to work with pretty much the same team as we learned together through several large and complex casino openings, building on previous exploits, working through how to do things better, and watching those ideas come to fruition. Just before the Mirage opened, I suggested to our team that there probably wouldn’t be a dry eye as the ribbon was cut on opening day. And there wasn’t. And on subsequent openings, it was the same even though we knew what was coming. That sense of a successful and finished shared mission made even the hardest among us get choked up each time. That, to me, is the greatest part of working alongside people – knowing that we did something together. Whatever you’re doing, make time to communicate with your team, listening to their input, sharing ideas, working together, experiencing the same feelings and emotions, seeing how things work out, watching each other’s backs, pumping your fists in the air when it all works out, and rolling up your sleeves when it doesn’t. That’s when relationships get cemented. That’s when good work gets done. Take time to build your team together today.

 

Ranbir Kapoor (born 1982): Indian actor known for his work in Hindi-language films. He r is the recipient of several awards, including seven Filmfare Awards.

Disagree without being disagreeable...

·      Two heads are better than one.

·      And two hearts can overcome anything.

 

Team building isn’t just about working out together, singing songs, and telling stories – it’s designed and intended to build relationships based on openness, trust, and respect. Because the most effective teams must question and challenge each other; must be honest in assessing others and yourself; must speak up when something’s not right; must withstand scrutiny and not lose confidence or team spirit. The core team I worked with opening Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, and Wynn first had to get to know and grow close to each other so that we could each speak and act openly without worrying what others might think or fearing reprisals. Meaning: we had to be honest, and aware of others – because we each knew that everyone cared. We had to be competent and confident enough to speak up. And we couldn’t be too big to say we didn’t know something or that we were sorry. Take time to build your team during working hours and after, so that they grow close enough professionally and emotionally to handle good times and bad. Let them know that that it’s ok to disagree but they’re never allowed to be disagreeable. As the leader of a team, don’t be afraid to monitor what’s going on and to step in as a coach when needed. Done right, teams multiply the group’s effectiveness beyond the sum of the individuals’ talents. That’s why creating teams is so important today.

 

Patrick Lencioni (born 1965): American author of books on business management, particularly in relation to team management. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Lencioni

Teamwork can be a civics lesson...

The workplace is the ultimate melting pot – people want jobs and know that their outside-of-work preferences are secondary to the goals and objectives of the company and their colleagues. It’s the perfect environment for teamwork and shared objectives that are larger than themselves. Leaders are responsible for promoting and maintaining that and for the most part, employees expect and accept that. Years ago, we used to let employees dress up in western garb during the National Finals Rodeo week and everyone got into the mood. When the Executive Chef asked how we might expand that to employees in the kitchens who were required to wear white uniforms in accordance with health safety issues, I came up with what I thought was a smart solution: we offered to allow them to wear red bandanas; problem was that, unbeknownst to anyone, many were members of rival gangs outside of work (that had their own unique colors) and now that it became known, there were potential animosities. We let them choose their bandana colors but insisted that nothing changed in the kitchen – teamwork was still required. And suddenly, employees who may not have talked to each other outside of work, were acknowledging that they had more in common and could get along in the workplace and beyond. Teamwork is a great idea that can impact lives today.

 

Vince Lombardi (1913 – 1970): American football coach and executive in the National Football League (NFL). He is considered by many to be among the greatest coaches and leaders in American sports.

The best work is teamwork...

Henry Ford started as a farmer, tinkering with machines to improve his business. He saw early on the benefits and allure of motorized travel and pioneered many things related to the automobile – gas engines, assembly lines, transmissions, and the $5 wage. That last innovation proved extremely profitable; instead of constant employee turnover, the best mechanics in Detroit flocked to Ford, bringing their human capital and expertise, raising productivity, and lowering training costs. He had stumbled on the simple idea that happy employees worked better together and were good for business. Say what you will about him, but the fact remains that over 100 years ago he understood the value of keeping good employees and encouraging them to work together. Whether in business or sports, the power and value of teamwork makes sense, and dollars and cents. Good leaders discover what it takes to make happy employees and teams and aren’t confused about their value to the bottom line. Bring them together, keep them together, and give them the tools and support to work together. The world and the world of work have changed greatly in the last century, but the basics of human behavior and performance have not: people thrive in an environment of shared goals, hard work, and teamwork. Bring that to work today.

 

Henry Ford (1863 – 1947): American industrialist and business magnate. As the founder of the Ford Motor Company, he is credited as a pioneer in making automobiles affordable for middle-class Americans.

Don't wait until it's too late...

For the last quote this week, I chose to add one by Brian White to compliment the 4 previous E. B. White quotes. I thought this one sums up the theme of this week’s quotes: professionalism. Leadership professionals should approach every day as if were a truly important one, treating it with enthusiasm, engagement, drive, and inspiration; not just the next in a series, but one of great consequence. When opening the Mirage, I coached our team that while we accomplished great things each day, each was a building block of the project’s foundation, intended to prepare us for opening day; and to put their best creativity and effort into each and everything they did. Because it wasn’t the days in their lives, but the life in their days that counted. The proof in that pudding was the overwhelmingly positive response received from customers on opening day and every one of the days in the subsequent 34 years. And that continued after it finally closed its doors 3 weeks ago, with so many heartfelt comments and memories posted on social media. It's often hard to see the value and impact of your efforts on any given day, but if you’re lucky, there will be days when it clearly lights up the sky – and that makes it all worthwhile. Don’t wait until it’s too late to start giving it your all. Put your heart and soul into everything you do, big or small, today.

 

Brian Joseph White (born 1975): American actor.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_J._White

Try hard to get things right...

My granddaughters have been visiting us here in the Adirondacks for the past 2 months and we’ve gotten used to their pre-teen habits – one of which is the option of a ‘do-over’ if something doesn’t work or act as planned. Nice to have that option, but life isn’t always that forgiving. And if you’re a professional, you want to be more prepared and well-planned. Don’t start your day without some basic planning – even if it’s only in your head: review your calendar (so it’s fresh in your mind), know what you need to accomplish (so you can plan and track your time), review the work schedule (so you know and plan for who’s working today), use your time wisely (spending time on the floor), stay on your toes (so you can react to changes), and keep your wits about you (a steady hand on the wheel). Nobody likes to start, stop, and start again, but if it happens, make sure you’re immediately engaged in communicating what, why, and when, and leading by example. As a professional, you’ll want to be good at this because your style and behavior are on full display to and for your peeps.  You can cross something out or start over, but you can’t erase the memory or perception of your actions. Try hard to get things right today.

 

Elwyn Brooks “E. B.” White (4^th of 4): White published his first article for The New Yorker in 1925, then joined the staff in 1927, and continued to write for the magazine for nearly six decades.

Set the right tone...

While rarely written or talked about, leadership professionals face this conundrum nearly every day: work or play, strict or fair, happy or dour, demanding or inspiring. Fact is, they’re called upon to be each throughout any day. Their actions should make employees satisfied they came to work and inspired to do their best; they are responsible for the culture of their workplace – setting it, supporting it, maintaining it, and living it. That culture is impacted by the way they approach their day – with a balance of getting work done and making work fun. Don’t overlook the impact you have on the work you lead, nor underestimate how much your employees are affected by your style and vibes. Here’s where I usually list the kinds of things that you should be doing – like communicating clearly, actively listening, being aware, and catching people doing things right, but suspect you know the drill. Or at least you should. Setting the right tone is a big responsibility, one that all effective leaders should take seriously. Be ready to set the right tone today.

 

Elwyn Brooks “E. B.” White (#3 of 4): In 1959, White edited and updated The Elements of Style. This handbook of grammatical and stylistic guidance for writers of American English as first written and published in 1918 by William Strunk Jr., one of White's professors at Cornell.