“Stamping out fires is a lot of fun, but it is only putting things back the way they were.” ~W. Edwards Deming, American Engineer We are two weeks into 2023. Have you taken a moment to examine any lessons you may have learned in 2022? For instance, what did 2022 teach you about your people? Any drama among your employees on the ground? Were there moments when you wished your leaders were stronger and better able to problem...
Managing Gen Z Workers Recently, I got a question about managing 21–23-year-old workers who are in the habit of staying connected to their mobile phones 24/7. Gen Z (or Post-Millennials as some call them) started entering the workforce in greater numbers in 2022. Born after 1996, this generation will make up over 1/3 of the workforce in the next 8 years. Right now, it is not uncommon to have as many as 5 generations working together. How...
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” ~Tony Robbins Each year our department issues out a custom-made calendar specific to our department. Each employee receives one. The purpose of the calendar is two-fold. One, to communicate clearly to the team what our work game plan will look like month to month, and second, to give us a plan for departmental growth and change. A few years ago, I added seven blank goal lines...
“The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious.” ~Martin Luther That little baby in the manger came years ago and was greeted first by the service industry workers of his day, the shepherds who were working the fields. That really is special when I think about it. As it was in those days so is it today; the front-line workers are the ones making the first impressions, greeting others, and assisting behind the scenes. As...
“My biggest issue with MEetings is that, despite their name, they are rarely about ME.” ~humorthatworks.com A newly appointed department head walks into their first full department meeting….and no one was there! Oh dear. Meetings have ceased to be funny, informative, engaging or, some would argue, even necessary. One department leader I worked with shared that the employees complained the meetings were a waste of time and spent their early morning hours avoiding him, fearful they would be...
creed noun: a set of fundamental beliefs ~Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary Terry Johnson, a former Green Beret, now motivational speaker, introduced me to the power of having a creed. He had memorized the Green Beret Creed back in his days in the service and recited it word for word to our staff when he came to speak. It was powerful. It gave me goosebumps. Each United States Military special forces unit has a creed. So do faith-based organizations and universities. Creeds...
“The purpose of a team is not goal attainment but goal alignment.” ~ Tom DeMarco, Author, Teacher & Speaker Recently, I read about an outdoor supervisor who started the morning by setting the expectations for the day in front of his entire crew. The supervisor’s expectations were in line with previous workdays – in fact, they were fully staffed for the first time in a while which was a big advantage for production expectations. But immediately he got...
“To lead the people, walk behind them.” ~ Lao Tzu Every morning my mom would get up before anyone else in our house in order to get ready to go to school where she taught high school chemistry for some 30 plus years. Each morning she made breakfast for herself, my dad, brother, sister and me. I can still see those scrambled eggs, grits, bacon, toast or biscuits waiting for me on a plate or bowl covered in...
With Thanksgiving a few days away, it may be a great time to exercise the practice of gratitude. Some people seem to be naturally grateful for the things around them, circumstances and whatever is in their life. Many view this attitude as a positive personality trait. Others seem to struggle with gratitude and instead feel that something is owed to them and all expressions of gratitude their due. If you have worked in an organization that...
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to tour Tomb of the Unknown Solider with my family, in a small tour group. At the last minute, a decorated soldier, an Iraq War Veteran, joined our group in his wheelchair. His war injuries were permanent. I remember thinking, “He is so young.” The soldiers guarding the tomb immediately accepted him and took him down into their sanctioned private chamber near the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Our tour...