Simple Truths – Nobody is born with a good work ethic.

This past week I attended a meeting where some people were lamenting that their new hires didn’t have a good work ethic and they seemed not to know how to function. Their comments inspired this post because “work ethic” is a learned skill and knowing what and how “to work” is also something that organizations should teach rather than assume.

Useful tips to “Pick yourself back up.”

Do you have days where everything seems more difficult than it should be? Days where you feel overworked and underappreciated? I do.

What do you do? How do you find the strength to get up the next day when all you feel like is hitting snooze and going back to sleep? These are the things I do and they work for me, see what you think, try them, share them, and add to them.

More than doing just one thing …

I began as a good manager but a poor leader. I benefited from good mentors and people who believed in my potential and through hard work, and many missteps, I have become a better manager and a good leader. In a small way, I hope this post repays their faith and helps you.

Success does not result from a single action, success is the cumulative result of hundreds of small intricate actions and decisions; but most importantly success comes from treating your people well.

Employment Common Ground

What does it take to get a job? The answers are as varied as are the number of careers and opportunities. There are however, some universal ground rules that transcend virtually very sector.

Employer’s Expectations/Student’s Expectations

Recently I sold some property and when sought legal advice it was supplied by a lawyer who had been once a summer student I had worked with. Thinking about them, I thought about all of the other summer students I had been lucky enough to know. They inspired this post about things I wish I could tell future students as well as future employers.

I hope that you read this, apply the points, add to them, and share them. As employers we can make a tremendous difference for students. And, for students, consider the tips provided to help your employers as well.

We all struggle with decisions sometimes

Recognizing key opportunities, considering different doors to open or ignore, and making difficult choices are learned skills.

We have all struggled to learn the skills necessary to make better choices. This approach was shared with me, and it helps, see if these tools will help you or someone your know.

ADJUSTING, FITTING IN, and CONTRIBUTING

oining a new organization can be both exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. Everyone wants to adjust, fit in, and begin making a contribution as soon as possible. Many people, myself included, can struggle with finding that sense of belonging. Everyone knows what they want to do, just finding the “how” to make that happen is what is difficult.

Don’t cry, learn from spilled milk …

People are the “everything” for any organization. What if I told you, your organization could be much more successful without seeing any more clients or customers than you are right now? Every organization has “spillage,” clients or customers who leave your organization unsatisfied.

Starting today, especially after reading this short introduction, you and your people, regardless of your place in our communities, can do better. Providing an “Exceptional Customer Service Experience” is the starting point. This is true whether your organization is dedicated to sales or an established charitable organization. Take 5 minutes and see what you think.

A short guide to spending time …

How often do you wish for just a little more time …

Time to finish, time so you don’t have to stay late or work from home. Time to better prepare, to do a better job, to feel less behind? No one is born with the ability to master time, we cannot save it, we can only spend it.

What follows is a short (very) guide to some “Tools Everyone One Can Use,” to begin to spend their “time” better. Each of the tools works, I use them daily. I have learned them, with difficulty (lol), from my mentors, from experience; and like all of my other posts I would like to share them.

ps. This post is dedicated to HM.

Leading by example … one mentor’s difference

I write “Tools Everyone Can Use,” for small and medium-sized organizations, community issues we should all know about, and personal stories that might help people professionally, academically, and/or personally.

Today I am writing about a singularly unique person; what makes him remarkable isn’t what he has done, it’s about his willingness to share what he has learned and how that knowledge ripples outward from him.

This post reflects his generational ripples and it is my hope that anyone who reads this will be able to use his lessons to make a difference for themselves.