Listen with respect or you won’t hear anything at all. What does that mean? It means: You must care You must believe you have something to learn You must believe the other person has something to teach you
“59% of American high school students say they cheated on a test during the past year. 21% say they stole from a parent or other relative, and 80% say they lied about ‘something significant’ to a parent. Still, 92% say they’re satisfied with their own personal ethics and character.” (As seen in The Week magazine. Data from the Josephson Institute of Ethics.) It’s shocking, yes. Disturbing. Might make you worry about the future of our country. But maybe you should worry about the present. In what ways are you kidding yourself?
A friend recently asked me about the source of arrogance. While I suspect many of the arrogant are simply the insecure hiding behind a facade to protect themselves, I have met others who actually do believe they know everything that matters. They are the smartest, best educated, most talented, most logical, or most practical, at least that is what they think. They have a corner on that market and they just won’t listen to anyone else. I told my friend that she was asking the wrong person because I have never met anyone who couldn’t benefit from listening to more people, hearing more perspectives, and developing new insights. I can’t imagine denying the value others have to offer.
It takes a company, if not a village, to successfully and profitably provide value to your customers. Honor your employees, suppliers, shareholders, customers, and community for the role they play by showing respect and appreciation and by sharing the rewards you have reaped.
We all have so much to do that setting our sights on anything above surviving the daily rush can seem unthinkable. Thus, organizations without strong leaders surrender to the daily struggles and believe that tomorrow or next quarter or next year will be a better time to start making changes. Unfortunately, tomorrow is always tomorrow. That’s why leaders insist on starting today. Leaders don’t wait. Leaders Create Time By Creating a Shared Vision If you create a shared vision of a better future state, you will generate energy, commitment, and time people didn’t know they had. If people are excited about a better future, their excitement propels them forward. They find a way.
I just came from a meeting that could have been finished in a quarter of the allotted time. Max. But what is sad is that no one seems to have even noticed. As the newest member of the group, I listened and waited for something to happen. It didn’t. Granted this was a BOD committee meeting, which means there was a social and networking component. But that didn’t really happen either. How could all these powerful and accomplished people sit there and do so little? Are they so conditioned to standing still in meetings that they can’t recognize it? Have they given up? At least when people complain, you know they care. If your employees are complaining about wasteful and ineffective meetings, seize the day! If they aren’t, maybe the bar has sunk so low you should insist on meetings without lights so people could at least get some sleep. Wake up! Raise the bar! Don’t let 20, 30, or 50% of your organization’s resources be devoted to standing, or sitting, still. If you would like to turn your meetings upside down, make better use of your resources, and save free up numerous hours of company time, give me a call!
Politicians provide such excellent examples of how not to behave! Rewriting history is one of their favorites. Recasting their own beliefs, statements, and behaviors to reflect current sentiment rather than an ugly or unfortunate past is all too common. Worse, we seem to forgive them for it! But don’t make the mistake of following their example, especially not in the workplace! Instead, own up to your mistakes. Take heed from Verna Bailey, who said: “When history collides with self-image, it is not history a principled person seeks to change.”
I take exception to both “Pfeffer: Company Loyalty is Dead — Fend for Yourself!” http://blogs.bnet.com/harvard/?p=7563 and the referenced article. A business is a team sport. No one can win alone. If you help the business win and help those around you succeed, you are unlikely to be laid off or stabbed in the back. At the same time, you must don your own oxygen mask first. Toot your own horn when appropriate. Don’t expect others to intuit your willingness to step up, recognize capabilities you have yet to demonstrate, or identify opportunities to help you grow. Take responsibility for your own career and brand; neither is known to arrive on a silver platter for free.
Many businesses are gearing up to meet recovering demand. This is important to you whether you are hiring or not. If you are hiring: Don’t let loyalty drive you to re-hire an under- performer unless providing opportunities for under-performers is part of your mission. Rethink your needs before simply filling the same old positions using the same old criteria. Hire talent over skill and experience. Skill and experience can be acquired, talent can not. (For more about talent, read Talent Is Not Overrated, Nor Is It What You Think. )
Do you respect your employees’ needs and wants the way you respect your customers’ needs and wants? If not, why not? Are your employees chattel or business partners with whom you maintain a win/win relationship? Respecting needs and wants doesn’t mean satisfying each and every one, whether customer, employee, or supplier. But if you respect and understand the wants and needs of others, you can develop more productive, mutually beneficial, and sustainable relationships. You will serve your customer better, you will get better service from your suppliers, and you will get better service from your employees. Unfortunately some don’t understand this. They think employees owe them and should be thankful to have a job.