(photo: Time Magazine cover story… inside it continues with intriguing photos)
The harsh reality in business is there’s a number behind everything.
Dear leaders, yes, financial obligations are the bottom-line. We hear you say this all the time when we ask for stuff we deem important, “It has a number behind it”.
Of course there is.
And there are people behind the numbers.
Profit is either the goal or the reward.
Our choice to see it as goal or reward determines the employees’ choice for compliance versus commitment.
Is Your Moral Compass Calibrated? Or Do You Go Wherever The Wind Blows?
My college friend Skip Gaskill returns (lucky us). Leadership is a 24/7 commitment. Or not. Skip helps us understand the HUGE difference between part-time and full-time commitment.
Never forget, someone is always watching.
Take it away Skip:
As I drive to work in the morning I usually listen to either the news or sports talk radio. One of the popular Sports Talk programs I listen to is called the Sports Junkies…a group of five locals who are in their late 20’s/early 30’s who talk about the local professional teams. They spend roughly 75% of the time talking about sports but the other 25% of the time they talk about anything and everything. I enjoy their banter about sports but when they enter the other 25% I change the station.
Why? In the course of their discussions they clearly articulate, to their own amusement as well as their audience’s, how they lack integrity, courage, commitment, self discipline, and a calibrated moral compass.
All of these men are married with children. What message are they sending? Are we endorsing this kind of behavior by listening?
I recently saw some commercials on television that were subtle recommendations to do the right thing. It can be as simple as giving up your seat on a bus to an elder or not cheating on a test. I wish there were more of them.
We all need to do a better job. Go out of your way to do the right thing…even when no one is looking….because someone is always looking. Happy Holidays.
Last night as my wife and I celebrated our 25th anniversary with our great company, it really hit me. I mean, it seriously hit me. And it really comes as no surprise. However, because of it’s simplicity, it is rampantly commonly overlooked.
Great companies are founded and grow for one simple reason: They want to make a difference in the lives of others.
Plus, great companies reward loyalty with valuable trophies. Trophy value is a priceless, intangible reminder that an employee’s longevity is an integral part of being world-class.
Say what you want, but nothing changes the fact that there is an unstoppable force when people are led with passion and are committed to make a difference.
And then it occurred to me this morning, that’s why I write five daily blogs. I mean, who does that?
