Don't be a cow!

One of my friends gives a speech on why we should not be like cattle. I love the reaction that he gets when he starts with, "Don't Be A Cow!" People take notice because most of us can't imagine how we are anything like cows. Yet, he makes some very valid points.

The way to not have a bovine revolt on your hands as you run a feedlot is to ensure that you feed the cows at the same time and take care of their basic needs consistently. You give them water. You clean the lot areas. You let them get fat and ask for nothing in return. Everything is predictable. In return, the cows will do what they are told, when they are told, and how they are told. They become both compliant and complacent.

Because you are taking care of what they need to survive, they quit thinking about the grass on the other side of the fence. Instead, they focus on the fact that you are a good master. They never question what happens to the cattle who are loaded in a truck and never return. Because you are the one who takes care of their every need, they follow and do not lead. They are no longer self-sufficient. You are able to march them to their demise without a struggle or a fight.

This may seem extreme, except for the fact that studies show that two-thirds of all employees hate their jobs right now. They hate them, but they aren't going anywhere. They don't innovate or create businesses, because they get the cattle prod when they do from government and from society. A "good" person will get a job, have their needs met, follow all the rules, and learn to be "content." I think what people really mean when they say a person should learn to be content is that they should learn to follow along like the rest of the crowd.

As typical workers, we turn our creativity down to dim and follow the path of least resistance. We may not be happy, but at least we know what to expect. Me personally... I don't want to know what comes next. I want to be the one who breaks away from the herd and checks out the grass in as many fields as possible. I want to die of old age, not complacency. I want to explore, and create, and fail, and win, and struggle, and cry, and laugh, and truly live as a free being. I want to do things that people tell me are impossible, just to prove them wrong.

I don't know who you are or where you are. I do know this though. You will never be happier than when you are living into a dream that you have. You will never be more satisfied that when you are pushing yourself to identify what your outer limits really are. You will never be more engaged in life than when you know there is risk. I challenge you, just as my buddy Dan does, to not follow along the path of complacency. Divert from the path and pursue the real you that is in there. Be who you were intended to be! Whether that is as an employee or a business owner or an artist, jump out there and be yourself!

To Your Success!

Jody N. Holland - www.jodynholland.com

jodynholland@gmail.com

What we all need!

The greatest need of humans is the need to feel valued. Jody Holland

I will start with a prediction. I predict that as the economy comes back and things become stronger, large numbers of top level executives will quit their jobs and move on to other opportunities for the same reason. That reason is that they did not feel appreciated when they sacrificed during the tough times. The feeling of being appreciated and valued in the workplace is a tremendous cause of dissatisfaction for executives.

The basic problem seems to be that each person wants to be appreciated by others, but many people don't feel the compulsion to show appreciation to others. As leaders, it is our responsibility to set the right example for others to follow. If we are unwilling to demonstrate what appreciation looks like, it is very unlikely that the next level of employees down will demonstrate it either. I hear people say on a regular basis, "I pay them to work and that should be thanks enough." I will let you in a a little secret. It isn't enough! It isn't enough for you, for your teams, or for their teams.

People perform, or don't perform because of the sense of motivation that they experience. This motivation comes from the relationships that they have in the workplace. Even when people indicate that they do not work for the accolades, what they are really saying is, I need my accolades different from others. Some people feel appreciated when they hear the words from their boss. Some people feel appreciated by the raise that they receive. Some people feel appreciated by the recognition of their work. Regardless of how they get to it, they crave it.

As you look at your teams, ask yourself a simple question... What have I done to demonstrate that I appreciate them?

Once you know the answer to that question, ask... What can I do to reinforce those great behaviors? Your focus in your appreciation needs to be on what behaviors you want more of. You need to be consistent about recognizing good behaviors. And, you need to faithful in thinking of the value that your people add to your team.

I wish you nothing but success!

Jody N Holland

www.jodynholland.com

806-355-5567 office

jodynholland@gmail.com

Being held responsible...

"It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do." --Moliere

 

Whether we like it or not, we will be know for our actions as well as for our inactions. Our world is filled with opportunities to do more, to make a difference, to stand out, and to live into our fullest potential. Yet, many people will go out of their way to avoid the risk of failure by not taking actions and not risking. I say, go out and fail at something. Go out and put yourself on the line and see what happens.

One of my favorite shirts from Nike was the saying, "You'll never steal second with your foot on first." When an entrepreneur jumps out there and risks their finances, their reputation, and their ego, it is inspiring. We look up to the risk takers. We look up to the people who are willing to risk failure in the pursuit of success.

My encouragement to you is that you should find a way to do the things that you are capable of. You should seek success and take risk and live your life fully. It is the regrets of not taking action that we cannot get back. You can recover from not succeeding, but you cannot recover from not trying.

I wish you all the best!

 

Jody N Holland

www.jodynholland.com

 

Showing Appreciation At Work...

Showing appreciation is one of those things that I hear managers and leaders griping about "having" to do in order to make people happy.  It is usually followed up quickly with, "I pay them.  Isn't that thanks enough?!"  The truth is, NO, it is not enough.  In fact, I would argue that it isn't enough for any of us.  All of us want to know that what we are doing is being valued by the people that we work for and with.  We want to hear that they noticed what we did and how hard we worked to make something great happen.  When we don't hear that, we feel slided, or cheated.

There is a specific manner in which you need to show appreciation, though.  If you just walk around telling people they are amazing, it does not seem as sincere.  Besides, if they act like an idiot the next day, that only makes them an amazing idiot, based on their interpretation of your appreciation and then reprimand.  If you will include the following three components in any of your appreciation messages, they will begin to reinforce the positive behaviors you want and make your life easier.

1. Behavior - You must describe the specific behavior that the person exhibited, or demonstrated, that you would like to see more of in the future.  If you focus on behavior, instead of personal characteristics, you bring out the right behaviors in that person.
2. Feeling - How do you personally feel about this amazing behavior that the person demonstrated?  What was the emotion that you felt?  If it was pride, or honor, or gratitude, then say that. You are not getting mushy with the person.  You are being sincere.
3. Effect - What was the positive effect that their behavior had on you, your team, your organization, etc.?  You must describe how this helped.  This is the justification that they will need in the future to choose to demonstrate this right behavior again.

It isn't that you have to walk around telling everyone they are great.  It is quite the contrary.  You only reinforce right behaviors.  You only show appreciation for the things that are done that make your life easier or make your workplace more successful.  If you will focus on consistently reinforcing these positive behaviors, you will find that you will have ever-increasing opportunities to show appreciation.

I have yet to meet an executive or an employee who did not want to be appreciated.  I am also including a video that teaches you quickly how to show appreciation to others.  I hope you enjoy and I would appreciate you sharing the article and the video with your friends.  Your sharing helps to build more positive cultures and results in a happier, more productive workforce.

To Your Success!

Jody N Holland

www.jodynholland.com

806-355-5567 office

jodynholland@gmail.com