Strive to be your best...

This is the time of year in the US when sporting events seem to take on a larger focus – with football in the midst of its annual season and the baseball championships marching towards the World Series. We love quotes from athletes because their exploits seem larger than life (thanks to television) and they become metaphors for work. As we watch them, it’s clear they demand excellence – mostly of themselves, so that it sets the tone for their teammates.  It’s much the same for employees at work – we must inspire them to pursue a continuous drive for personal excellence so that their efforts support the work of their colleagues and work teams. We do that by making sure they each have the training that allows them to strive to be their best, by providing the tools they need, by being aware their efforts, by coaching them when needed, and by giving them feedback and recognition. Great organizations achieve that status one employee at a time. Making them feel part of the overall effort. By helping them see and appreciate how their individual effort supports the whole.  To me, that was always the most exciting part of work. As I’ve often said here, I was a singer, not an athlete – but the harmonies I achieved in the bands I was in were as rewarding as the winning a sporting championship as a team. Those kinds of excellence are the result of lots of individual excellence. Demand excellence of yourself today.

 

Emmitt James Smith III (born 1969): American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He is the league's all-time leading rusher.

Learn from everything that happens...

In his prime, Jack Welch was one of the most admired CEOs in the US – tough and successful businessman and inspiring leader. And it’s quotes like this one that made him so good. In today’s world where leaders won’t admit mistakes, this is a lesson worth listening to and learning.  Everything we do is an opportunity to learn something – when we fail to achieve our objectives, a review with colleagues makes the whole team better in the future, and when we do achieve them, that same review can confirm what’s good and keep the momentum going. And there’s no shame in that. Nothing to avoid. And everything to gain. Taking responsibility. And being a professional role model. That’s leadership. On a team, in a family, for a community, or just for yourself. Because everyone’s aware of what leaders do and watching how they react to the good and bad things that happen. Do everyone a favor and learn from everything that happens today.

 

John Francis “Jack” Welch Jr. (1935 – 2020) was an American business executive. He was Chairman and CEO of General Electric (GE) between 1981 and 2001.

Don't hold back...

I’m not sure today’s quote is clear in its meaning and intent. I suspect Land meant that collaboration needs honest and open communications and that participants must speak their minds. To suggest that politeness should be abandoned is a bit much – people working together must still be respectful and professional, but they should never hold back for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. Work team members must have thick skins, able to give and take and learn from honest feedback, positive or negative. Because projects end best when everyone contributes their best efforts and thinking.  Leaders of work teams must establish and clearly communicate rules and expectations and facilitate discussions that examine everything and surface all ideas. When selecting team members, leaders should make it clear they want them to speak up if they disagree or see something that’s wrong, and when leading them they should foster the kinds of challenging cross communications that support achieving the best results. Participants in group efforts must stay focused on the project’s objectives and add their expertise and comments in good faith and real time.  Any form of politeness that limits the free and open exchange of thoughts and ideas should be discouraged. That’s how to get the most out of your work teams today.

 

Edwin Herbert Land (1909 – 1991): American scientist and inventor, best known as the inventor of the Polaroid Land Camera which could take a picture and develop it in 60 seconds or less.

Work together to succeed together...

I’m often lauded for opening so many successful casinos, but in all honesty, the teams associated with those openings are the reasons for their success. That’s why so many of those individuals tell of the excitement and experience of being part of those teams. Working long hours, creating things they never thought possible, growing close to people they only recently met, and developing friendships that last a lifetime. Working without offices, in open bullpens that promoted interaction and teamwork, learning stuff about each other’s roles that gave them a deeper understanding of the whole company. Feeling a sense of individual and collective ownership and pride that drove performance and excellence and created memories that have lasted a lifetime. Any time people work on a project together – big or small, a team spirit develops that inspires teamwork and a deep feeling of ownership. I often see the people who worked on those teams, and they always reference back to those times as some of the most fulfilling parts of their careers. Whatever you do, wherever you work, find ways to create work teams – they’ll spark morale and excellence in anything you do. They’ll make you better and more successful. Get yourself on a team today.

 

Alan George "A. G." Lafley (born 1947): American businessman who led consumer goods maker Procter & Gamble (P&G).

Listen with all of your senses...

Listening may be the most important part of communications. Words, tone, gestures, and inflections can affect its overall message, adding nuances and emphases that should be noted. Body language adds another dimension – sometimes adding to, limiting, or altering the overall message. Listeners must be astute enough to note what’s not said – this can add further meaning or context to a message. This last element is often missed in the rush to either complete an interaction or move on to what’s next. It can be helpful for the listener to silently think “but” at the end of a conversation – helping to imagine what might not have been said. Also helpful is to say to the speaker “that’s interesting” or “tell me more” – this may prompt the speaker to add what was initially unspoken.  That said (no pun intended), sports and work teams often develop a sixth sense about reading or sensing unspoken messages that enhances teamwork, something that can be extremely useful. Either way, participants in communications should listen with all their senses and take time to process all that occurs in and around a conversation to ensure getting everything. Interestingly, I worked with two colleagues who previously had been poker champions – both spoke carefully, clearly, and completely and I learned that with them, nothing intended was left unsaid nor did their communications include gestures or body language. But communications with nearly everyone else requires hearing what ins't being said. Listen carefully and pay close attention to any communications you’re involved in today.

 

Peter Drucker (1909 – 2005): Austrian American management consultant, educator, and author, whose writings contributed to the philosophical and practical foundations of modern management theory.

Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Drucker

Focus on being effective...

One of the primary roles of any leader is to make sure their people are effective. In sports, that leader is responsible for making sure their players are effective at their positions. In business, it’s much the same – making sure their employees are effective at achieving the objectives of their jobs and department. By being clear in their communications, following up with their employees, coaching their employees to be their best, and inspiring them to want to. It’s a role that never ends, is always focused, and must nurture trust and respect. In sports, that’s focused on winning; in business, it’s focused on effectiveness. In both, you play by the rules, support your colleagues, and always do your best. Every team – from youth leagues to the majors, and every business – big and small, succeeds or fails by the effectiveness of its leader and the people they manage. Make a plan, follow thru on it, listen closely, adjust as needed, stay close to your peeps, and be there for them. That’s a good formula for making an impact today.

 

James R. Stengel (born 1955): American businessman, author, professor, and public speaker. He served as the global marketing officer of Procter & Gamble from 2001 to 2008.

Still crazy after all these years...

This will be a short message today. It’s my birthday and I want to live, work, and act today. Thankful to still be getting the most out of life. It’s been another wonderful summer in the Adirondack Mountains – seeing family, friends, familiar places, and another year of Fall colors. Feeling engaged at work with two new start-ups and a few interesting consulting gigs. And getting up every day and doing stuff that excites me. In the back of my mind, I’d always thought of 75 as old… but now that I’m looking through the lens of a 75-year-old, it’s just more of the same. Nothing to brood about. Everything to be thankful for. And thrilled to still be at it today.

 

Henrik Johan Ibsen (1828 – 1906): Norwegian playwright. He is considered one of the world's pre-eminent writers of the 19th century and is often referred to as "the father of modern drama.