Blessings

I'm not sure if you've noticed or not, but there is a heck of a lot of negativity in the world today. Political leaders don't talk to each other anymore, they simply retreat to the safety of their extreme left, or extreme right news networks and gripe about each other.

Often the world of work is no different. I hear the cries to be different, to embrace innovation, and to be more progressive. Then all of the close-minded biases raise their ugly heads and the organization (and it's people) suffer.

Work Blessings
As I reflect on the polarized world we live in, it strikes me that I have an awful lot to be thankful for in spite of all the noise. It's too easy to fall into the trap that everything around us is "bad."

That's simply not true.

While I may be repulsed at the behavior of our political leaders, I certainly have other leaders in my life who are nothing short of world-class. I work with a team of people who are committed to doing their best work every day...and it shows...as the results of their work has allowed my company to grow at a dramatic rate.

Personal Blessings
I am blessed with three incredible children, an amazing family, and close relationships that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I am a bit of a fitness junkie, and have discovered a passion for healthy eating and daily workouts that not only help me keep pace with my busy life, but help me feel great too.

The church I joined is an open, welcoming community of faith the treats every person with respect, no matter what their background or experiences may be.

Lastly, I live in a part of the world that can only be described as paradise.

How About You
Today I'm going to let all the folks caught up in their miserable, negative existence stay right where they are. There's no room for them. I'm too busy focusing on the incredible blessings all around me.

What blessings have you overlooked?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

Finding Freedom

What's holding you back from doing what you really want? Who or what is standing in your way?

Money? 
Status? 
Responsibilities? 
Comfortable routines?

Maybe it's time to...
- try something new
- take a risk
- stop accepting that things will always "happen" to you
- consider a fresh start 
- quit your job
- start writing
- stop playing politics
- follow your crazy dreams
- tell the naysayers and loud mouths to shut the hell up
- stop being a door mat 
- be fearless
- stop making excuses and live your own life for a change

Maybe it's time to find your freedom.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Engagement Doesn't Mean I Love You

I like to think (read here => convince myself) that I’m contributing to my organization somehow; and that the employees feel more connected to the company as their years of service grow. One of the ways many companies try to quantify this issue (after all, shouldn't everything in life be reduced to a number? Uh....no!)...is to use an employee engagement survey. We try in vain to identify how the employees feel, take a snapshot of those feelings, and then quickly move on. Or at least that's how it's been done using most survey tools.

Need to Go Deeper
Getting beyond the snapshot mentality is paramount to really understanding employee engagement and being able to make work better. As leaders, this is our primary responsibility => make work better. So the next generation of survey tools must be able to grab the snapshot and turn it into something more than just a kick-0ff to "better communication" at the department or unit level. 

"It's almost unfair that we survey employees for a moment in time and then expect our front line leaders to turn that into a fully engaged and satisfied workforce."

We're All Individuals

So how should an organization go about truly understanding their workforce, and then making changes based on that workforce? Well, it starts with moving away from the tired and ineffective strategy of putting employees in categories.

Each employee is unique, is motivated by different issues, and is struggling with their own special set of circumstances in their personal life. To think that so many different people can walk through the front door of a company and suddenly morph into one cohesive group that thinks alike, speaks alike, is motivated by the same set of drivers, and should be held accountable in the same way sounds absurd. Yet that's exactly what happens all too often.

How About You
Employee engagement is not about loving, or even liking everyone on the payroll. It is about understanding each member of your (and my) team, so we can provide them with the resources, support, and opportunities to be successful...to make work better. How do you handle engagement? Please don't tell me you get down on one knee.


I'd love to hear from you.


No Excuses.



pic courtesy of benefitscanada

Who Have You Forgotten?

This video is less than three minutes....but you will never forget it.

How About You
Who is that someone in your life that thinks you've forgotten them?  A friend, family member, employee?  It's never too late, and the circumstances can never be so severe that you can't reach out.  Are you going to take the first step?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.