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Category: Self Help

You’re Fired!

You’re Fired!

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This is a mouse pad found in a supervisor’s office.  What message is it sending?  In today’s economic conditions smart companies should be praising, motivating and training the employees they haven’t laid off.  Not threatening them and managing by fear.  Fear and threats are counter productive to your success.

Here are a few examples of poor management that damages morale  and productivity and scare away the success you are working for.

Getting the whip out and telling employees if they don’t increase sales, take more calls, produce more product they’ll be punished until they improve.  Once person described the situation as, “the floggings will continue until morale improves.”

Focusing on mistakes and poor customer comments and not praising and thanking employees for positive comments.  An employee I know said that if they receive a complaint or negative customer comment they are immediately punished and threatened to improve or get out.  He explained, in contrast positive customer comments are not acknowleged quickly or even at all some times. He was in a group of peers when another employee told the boss about a good letter he received.  The boss took it lightly and didn’t give him the praise he deserved.  They employee felt bad the rest of the day, didn’t work at his peak level and will remember this incident for the rest of his career.  As the boss was beginning to leave, another employee said that she had received 3 complimentary letters in the passed two weeks.  How did the boss respond?  He said, “that’s great” and turned and walked away!

At another company a memo was sent to employees saying recent results have shown a continuous positive trend in sales and employee performance.  You’d think that would be a good thing, right?  Well, it goes on to say that because employees performance is improving and business is improving, the company is going to raise the goals and targets for satisfactory performance and possible bonuses.  So, in other words, employees, you’re doing good now, so we’ll raise your goals to make it harder to reach them.  Does that make sense?

Are these good ways to praise employees and motivate them to work hard and be loyal to the company.  Will these actions help the company meet their goals and be successful?  Will they encourage employees to stay with the company?  Will employees want to recommend the company to their friends as a good, fun, great place to work?

The www.nielsongroup.com which “coaches organizations for breakthrough performance” explains fear motivation below.  I’ve underlined key words.

“There are three types of motivation. The first is FEAR MOTIVATION, a “do it or else we can replace you” approach. This motivation in negotiating is basically the “take it or leave it” approach. Fear motivation is the easiest form of motivation; however, it is a motivation based on intimidation. The person in power is unable to effectively create a climate for other types of beneficial motivation. The person in power resorts to fear tactics for motivation. “Take it or leave it” often gets results because the person will do what you ask for fear of loss. Fear motivation always results in inner anger and resentment against the person using the fear tactics. Sometimes the threat of loss or punishment for motivation must be used, but should only be used when all other methods have failed. Fear motivation is the lowest form of motivation and usually results in “when the cat is away, the mice will play.”  (taken from http://www.nielsongroup.com/articles/articles_climateformotivation.shtml). The other types of motivation are Incentive Motivation and Casual Motivation which take a much more positive approach and are much more successful.

So, ask yourself, what kind of motivation are you using with your group, family, kids, employees and those who look to you for leadership?  Is your approached working well, giving the results you want?  How do these people look at you, do they want to help you be a success, or is every encounter a struggle.

Are you proud of the type of person you are and the way you treat others?

And most of all, would you want to work for YOU?

 

Five Human Truths

Five Human Truths

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As we look at our lives from the solitude and darkness within, to the sunny landscape around us we realize each of us are very different and unique.  We all have our own voice and spirit that is unique to us.  No one else is exactly like us. As mentioned in my previous post Now Is The Time For Reflection, it’s important to take time, at least once per year, to take some personal, alone time to reflect on where we are now, if we are being true to ourselves and where we want to go in the future.

Even with this uniqueness there are some things that each of us needs, just like others around us.  The Starwood Hotels group describes them as the Five Human Truths.  They strive to fulfill them each time you are their guest.    What is it that all of us need to feel good?

The 5 Human Truths

1)  We need to be understood

2)  We want to belong

3)  We long to feel special

4)  We crave more control over our lives

5)  We dream of reaching our potential.

When you’re by yourself, reflecting on the future, be sure these basic needs as well as your unique needs are being met.  If they are, life will be easier and feel more fulfilled.

You deserve to Live Well and be the real YOU!

Do You Know Who You Are, really?

Do You Know Who You Are, really?

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We tend to attach our identity to one part of our lives.  It could be work, “I’m an accountant”, “I work for 3M”, or it could be a person, “I’m Mary’s husband”.  But aren’t you a whole lot more than that one thing?

Yes you are.  As an example, your job does not define you and it shouldn’t consumer all your waking thoughts.  Instead, honor all that you are and can be.  When you think of yourself as a whole person, your work, your relationships, your artistic side, your love of sports, and your charitable activities you will be happier.  That happiness will be projected out into the world and new people and opportunities will come your way.

So, how do you decide who you really are?

One way is to ask yourself the “I am …….” questions.

Get a piece of paper and write down “I am (a good person, happy, a good brother/husband/sister/wife)”.

As you do this it’s important to say the words out loud.  Say what you are out loud, then write it down.  It sounds simple, most good things are, but keep at it.  Fill the page up with your wonderful traits, habits, talents, etc.

When you’re done say them out loud everyday.  Soon, you’ll find yourself with more confidence, holding your head up high, being happier, living life with style, and show the world who you are.  Then you’ll attract new people into your life and you’ll help each other to live your dreams.

Give it a try, it can’t hurt.

(I’d like to thank Denise Silvernail for introducing me to this technique. When your web site is up I’ll refer readers to you.)

What Message Are You Sending?

What Message Are You Sending?

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Each of us create and send energy or vibes out to others and the world. That energy is then received and interpreted by others. They use the energy input to determine if and how they will react to us. This energy is being transmitted to others, constantly, and usually unconsciously. If you’re stuck in a rut or not being received the way you’d like, examine the energy you are putting out. That energy creates your present and future situation. So send positive energy to the Universe and it will come back to you in many ways, ways you’ve never dreamed of.