The Power of Human Connection Is Real

Today the US recognizes all the hard work those employees and owners do daily to keep our economy moving forward. One day does not equal all the hours, days, and years of hard work but it’s still at least a moment to pause and recognize the sacrifices made daily.  Success is earned not given!   It’s important everyone takes time to stop and recognize that gift of being able to work. I am not saying work is easy or fun. However, I am stating that at least we can earn money for ourselves and families. My Dad would give anything to have the opportunity to work a normal day again. Unfortunately, at 75 years old and pretty much paralyzed, he can’t do what he loved, which is work.   Having the opportunity to work with others on a team is challenging and rewarding. Finding new ways to bring people together with the same goal is difficult. However, those teams that find a rhythm can produce great results and that feeling is amazing!   Time is not something we ever get back.   You need to take time to stop and enjoy the work you are doing and with the people you serve with. It’s hard to do when you are in the moment, but time slips by fast and one day you will regret not appreciating it.   Work is not sunshine and rainbows each day.   I know as 2021 was so hard for me in business and life. I was expected to lead, and my heart was broken. I saw close friends leave our company, people accuse me of not caring about company and I doubted my own ability to lead well. I felt like a failure in all areas of my life. Thankfully, I had close friends in my leadership team that picked me up when I was down. They took time to encourage me and show me that I am the leader the company needed to get through the difficulties. I was grateful to have a place to show up where I could work hard and with people I love.   Take time to do the following things with your employees, boss or owner(s):  Show an attitude of gratitude as you work together Give someone at work a positive compliment on their work Tell your family and friends that you are blessed to be able to serve in your job Do a social media post that spotlights your company, coworker or boss for their commitment to the job Bring a food treat into your department to show you care about them   I hope your Labor Day is spent with love ones and friends. You sacrifice so much to help your company thrive. You deserve a day to smile, laugh and hopefully enjoy some great food. You are not alone and together we can help each other keep going!   Want More? Book Steve to speak about podcasting or Patrick about family business transitions.  Check out our 50+ blogs. Engage with us on LinkedIn. Listen to the podcast!    We are here at the Impact of Leadership (IOL) Media Group to meet with individually on in groups. Please consider booking IOL as you prepare for Q4 and FY2023.  

My dad taught me that it’s important to fire yourself at the end of the year, wait 10 seconds, soak up that horrible feeling, and then rehire yourself. Why in the world would my dad tell me to do this each year?   Give yourself a scare and new outlook. It’s better to pretend to fire yourself before it happens for real. Now strategize! What would you do differently if you were fired and rehired for the same job? You can’t grow to greater success if you don’t look at your failures and change them.   Yes, my dad could have been a Jedi Knight because he motivated himself and others through mind games. Most of those mind games made him and others extremely successful. I thought he was crazy when I was younger. Now I try to do everything he taught me.   It’s better to pretend to fire yourself before it happens for real.   When people get comfortable, they can become lazy, which can lead to poor results. Poor results can eventually lead to one being fired. Don’t wait for that awkward and regrettable moment. I’ve never met anyone that enjoys losing. Go ahead and make that awkward firing moment happen on your terms. Write yourself a termination letter and put reasons behind it. Punch yourself in the gut(words not literally) and make it hurt so you can learn.   What would you do differently if you were fired and rehired for the same job?   It’s so important to motivate yourself to think about new strategies to prevent becoming comfortable. You want to drive in better results every year, but you don’t change anything. How is that working for you? Nothing changes if nothing changes! If you had a record-breaking year…good for you…now get over it. No one cares what you did yesterday, last year, or five years ago. Business is about what you produce month-over-month and year-over-year. People don’t get fired because they are growing. People get fired when they get lazy or stop taking initiative to learn. How can you continue to push yourself to prove to everyone you are not playing it safe? What must you do to grow your success?   ACTION ITEM: Take 15 minutes and make a strategic list. Make sure you put these strategies into practice by putting each one on your calendar.   You can’t grow to greater success if you don’t look at your failures and change them.   No Time Management Your day is chaos. You feel no control in your day. You feel like nothing ever gets done that you want. Poor Communication You hold people to expectations that you did not share with them. People don’t live in your head. Use your words! No routine Schedule your work duties, and don’t get distracted. Give yourself time to think. Make sure to take PTO and recharge your batteries. Boring Meetings No one is excited to be there. No conflict. Watching the minutes for it to end. Talk Too Much – Poor Listening Don’t dominate the conversation. Make sure you shut your mouth and open your ears to hear what others have to say. Show respect to others by listening. Too Many Excuses For Missing Deadlines Nothing is worse than a boss demanding deadlines but the boss lives by double standards. Get your work finished on time. Set the bar with your actions. No Humility Say the words “I’m sorry!” and “It’s my fault!” No one wants to follow a leader who is arrogant and full of pride. Lack of Passion Zap your heart and get excited about your work. No one wants to follow someone who is lukewarm or passive. No Accountability You need someone who will speak TRUTH into you. Make sure to ask others how you are doing and listen to their advice. Broken Trust With Failed Promises Let your YES be YES and your NO be NO. Follow through on your commitments, and show up in mind, body and spirit when you arrive. Need more?  Book us to speak at your next event, and we’ll light it up! Check out our YouTube and LinkedIn pages for more encouraging content.   If you’re looking to take your growth as a leader to the next level, we’ve got you covered. Join the Impact of Leadership Community today!