Words of wisdom for this week.
“If you have a job without aggravation, you don’t have a job.”
~ Malcolm Forbes
The stress and rapid pace of today’s world can force many of us to abandon plans, procedures, and proven practices that, over time, have served us well. It has been my experience working with my most successful clients over the years, that most of them – regardless of what is going on around them in the economy, with their competitors, in the government, with their employees, the latest management fads or the weather – have learned that there are three essential approaches they need to follow, adhere to and believe in if they want to achieve consistent, positive success:
- They stick with what works: the basics. Yes, they experiment, innovate, try new strategies, are open to new approaches and tactics and even embrace them when it is in their best long-term interests; but, in the end, the foundation for their enduring success is a strategy that always comes back to the basics that, over time – regardless of what is going on – work.
- They give the right people in their organization – those who have earned or deserve respect for their attitudes, values, work ethic, creativity, motivation, persistence and ability to get results – the freedom, responsibility and authority to operate their division, branch, office or territory without interference and meddling.
- They are optimistic and positive about the future, and this mindset permits them to weather any storm or temporary glitch in their business, the economy or anything else they can’t control. This doesn’t mean they are hopelessly optimistic thinkers who rant and rave positive affirmations day in and day out and put positive-thinking signs on every wall and in every office in the business. What it does mean is they know, ultimately, that they are in control of their own attitudes, outlooks, behaviors and destiny. They never blame anyone for anything. They believe in their vision, their people and their direction and pursue it with a vengeance, regardless of challenges or failures.
Yes, there are many other actions, attitudes and behaviors necessary for success during challenging times, or any time for that matter; but managers who consistently succeed know that if they will focus on a few fundamental behaviors, the rest will fall into place, sooner or later. They don’t operate in a knee-jerk or reactionary style, because they have learned that this approach, eventually causes poor decisions or ripple-effect consequences that can linger long after the current fad or circumstances have passed.
They have also learned that following proven strategies will help them, sooner or later, weather changes in consumer attitudes, needs or concerns. Let’s face it, folks: People are people, whether employees or customers. Technology has changed over the years, businesses have come and gone, products have evolved – but people are pretty much the same, with the same desires, dreams, hopes, and challenges, fears, worries and frustrations.
In case you have forgotten, you are in the people business; not the computer business, the food business, the housing business or the banking business. And, that as a manger, you are responsible to your people – customers, employees or vendors – to operate with a mindset of nobility, fairness and honesty. Remember this, and all of your decisions, actions and behaviors will pay off at some point.