So, we have turned the calendar page to November. I am always amazed at how quickly time flies. When November rolls around, it becomes close to that time when families begin talking about who will host Thanksgiving dinner; when everyone will be available to celebrate Christmas; and whether everyone will be available to come home this year. I have heard some of those conversations myself already. These discussions remind me of a

“Home is people. Not a place. If you go back there after the people are gone, then all you can see is what is not there any more.” – Robin Hobb

This quote is certainly true for me. I grew up in a very small Illinois town. I lived practically my entire early life there and knew almost everyone in town. But, my parents are gone and my siblings all live elsewhere. I have had no family members there for many years. On my last visit, it was a very comfortable, familiar place that I enjoyed seeing. I remember the school building where I attended from K through Grade 12… in one building. I visited the baseball field where I played hundreds of games. The old grocery store building where I bought baseball cards with money I saved from collecting recyclable soft drink bottles is still there. I used to ride my bicycle all over town. I drove by the railroad crossing where two of my basketball teammates and a mother lost their lives and, in many ways, ended my childhood. The house where I grew up looks so small and run down… not at all as I remembered. Despite all the familiarity of that town, it was no longer home to me. And, the reason is clear — I no longer have any family members there.

As you think about your plans for the upcoming holidays, it would be good for you to watch the short video clip linked below. I think it will give you better perspective on family as you think about your upcoming plans. And, it might even spur you to taking some long-overdue action today. Watching this will be well worth the less than two minutes you’ll spend and it might change how you view the upcoming holidays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6-0kYhqoRo

Have a wonderful day! It might be the best one you’ve ever had.

 

 

It is a challenge watching television for more than a few minutes without seeing a commercial talking about telephone data packages (fast, better, more, cheaper, etc.). Just a few years ago, we were just hoping that that bulky bag phone we had in our car could even pick up a satellite tower.  We didn’t even know about data.  Lately, I’ve seen a number of offerings for “unlimited data.”  Isn’t it exciting to know that with such a package on our phone, we’d never again have to worry about whether we should save our data or go ahead and look up who was Howard Taft’s vice-presidential running mate.  Or, we would never again be unable to see what the Kardashians are doing today.  Who wouldn’t want unlimited data?

I often think about how much knowledge and oral history we lose when one of our more “senior” colleagues leaves the company. Or, when we lose the last of our Great Aunt’s on our Mother’s side.  When they leave, they take so much with them.  They know what worked in the past and what didn’t.  They know why no one invites Uncle Joe to family events anymore.  They understand that critical manufacturing process better than anyone else ever did.  They know who was in that picture with your Mom at the carnival.  They know so much that goes with them when they are gone.

In a way, when we lose a treasured senior colleague or elder family member, we lose data that can never be retrieved. Some of these great stories are gone forever.  No one else will understand what they did.  And, sadly, we don’t take the time to capture that knowledge before they are gone.  Oh, how I wish that I had recorded with my smart phone “data” the stories about my grandparents or parents from their brothers or sisters before they were gone.  How valuable would the knowledge be from all the Scientific Fellows that have retired the last ten years from our company?

Over the years, I have personally written down many of the stories and events of our family history to preserve them for my children and grandchildren. Perhaps, they will never care to read them, but if they do, they are available.  I am considering taping some of these stories, so they can hear them first-hand someday.

If there are things in your history or in our work history that need captured, there is no better day to begin than today. Why not take some time and write down or record just one story or event per week for a year?  Why not capture personal stories from older family members at family reunions?  I believe that there will come a day when we were glad we did this.  And, what a treasure to leave our future generations?  It is worth a thought… right?

Have a most excellent day! It is possible that this could be a “top ten” day.  Be ready for it!

I was a Boy Scout as a young boy. I remember learning to tie knots, learning to make a safe campfire and cook on it, and how to work as a team. I recall getting merit badges for things like fishing, water conservation, soil conservation, and first aid. But, probably the most important thing I learned during my time as a scout was the value (and satisfaction) of serving others. I saw our leaders give tirelessly to serve the kids in our town. I learned that there were always individuals that need help doing things that they cannot do for themselves. I learned that a good leader was willing to set the example by serving others. In short, we were taught that a person of character, and a leader worth following, sought opportunities to serve others.

Those lessons have proven valuable my entire life. Putting the needs of others first demonstrates the kind of character that makes a positive impact in any situation. And, seeing a leader go above and beyond to serve others first makes me want even more to follow that leader.

Today, we look at three impactful quotes from great individuals whose lives back up their statements. Each of these individuals made an impact on those around them. Look at each of these quotes and see if they are true in your own experience:

• “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” – Albert Schweitzer

• “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.” – Charles Hadden Spurgeon

• “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

I can say in my own life that one of the things that brings me the most gratification is helping someone else. And, more often than not, when I seek to help someone else, it ends up helping me even more. I can’t count the number of times that working to serve someone else changed my negative attitude to a positive one!

I also think the Spurgeon quote is an important one for all of us. We spend our lives pursuing things, titles, career, investments, or accomplishments, yet, it is the impact we have on others that means the most. When I think of my Grandmother Henson, I don’t think of the things she had, but I think of the ten kids she raised, their love for her, and her dedication to them.   I remember her propping herself on a crutch to cook dinner for guests when she really should have been allowing others to serve her. When I think of her, I think of her character.

So, how about you? Have you seen yet in your life the value of serving others? Are you doing it? As a leader, do you model service to others?

Have a fantastic day! I think there is still a chance that this could be our best day yet!

I recently ran across the following quote by author and educator, William Arthur Ward:

“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.”– William Arthur Ward –

Ward speaks of six important “actions” that we can take to change our lives from passive to active, thoughtful to productive, and self-focus to others-focused. Let’s look at each:

1. Participate – Too many of us believe that just being part of the team is enough… let others carry the load, but we’ll be there to support them. It is much better and more fulfilling to get out of our comfortable seat and participate. Getting in the game allows us to show what we can do and demonstrate what we can do.
2. Help – It is noble to care. Caring shows compassion. However, for those that need help, caring alone may not meet their practical needs. I think Ward here is saying that it is often better to look for practical ways to do something to help.
3. Practice – I believe I could break par in golf. I also think that I could play the piano that sits in our home. However, right now, I can do neither. I can believe it all day, but I wouldn’t be any better. Despite my strongest belief, nothing would change unless I took my desire and converted that into practice.
4. Be Kind – We should all strive to be fair to everyone else. It is better, however, to be kind. Kindness is fairness put into action.
5. Forget – When we forget, we have taken forgiveness as far as we can take it. Unless we forget, we haven’t totally forgiven.
6. Work – I admit that I am a dreamer. I am constantly looking at what is possible. I like to “what if…” things a lot. However, it is better… it is more, when I work to actually achieve those dreams. Work is putting my dreams into action.

I totally understand why it might be easier to be passive than active. Being passive is comfortable… you watch others take the risks, you are at the game and can see the action, and it is more difficult to make a mistake. However, are you really doing yourself or others any good, or at least as much, as you could if you were active? And, if there is one thing I have learned over the course of the last 3 – 4 decades, we often regret the risks we don’t take much more than those we do take.

So, let’s get off the bench and into the game today. Turn your compassion into help. Kindness is never inappropriate. Stop holding on to what you should forget. And, stop just dreaming and make it happen!

Have a wonderful and fantastic day today! Find a way to make the difference for someone that crosses your path today. Do something fun for yourself. Finally, this would be a great day to “be more.”

 

Over the years, I have become a student of leadership. I am especially intrigued about what makes some leaders great. Why is it that there are some leaders that you would run through a brick wall to support? What makes some leaders so compelling that individuals will do the impossible for them? What is it about some leaders that make everyone around them better than anyone ever thought possible? Great questions. I’m sure we have all seen these great leaders in action. Today, I would like to express my theory on that missing link… what is that element that makes a difference in great leaders?

I believe there are three key components or reasons individuals follow any particular leader:

RESPECT (or innate compliance)

For almost every individual, there is an innate desire to comply with leaders, rules, and requirements. We are raised to respect authority and do what is expected. One of the first words that children learn is “no.” We teach our children early that there are lines that we cannot cross. Thus, we eventually develop a respect for teachers. Though we may not like our teacher or leader, we follow them because of our respect for their position and our innate desire to be a rule-follower. In the workplace, we have that same innate desire to comply. We may not like our leaders, but we follow simply because it has been embedded into our DNA.

For most individuals, innate compliance is fixed. No matter what capability or capacity to lead might exist in a leader (that is, no matter how good or bad the leader), an individual will perform to meet the expectations of that leader. Innate compliance might vary individual-to-individual, but it is not likely to change much with an individual as leaders change. In short, any leader will get some level of “followship” simply due to the respect or innate compliance embedded in each individual.

REWARDS (or personal incentives or personal risk)

Most individuals can be influenced by personal incentives (e.g., money, titles, power, adoration, trophies, etc.). Others are significantly influenced by the desire to avoid personal risk (e.g., public humiliation, poor performance appraisals, etc.). Thus, there is a level of “followship” tied purely to this desire for rewards or to avoid that personal risk. Leaders typically have some ability to influence rewards for followers. In the workplace, leaders can influence pay, promotions, status, etc. Leaders can also influence future opportunities for team members.

For most individuals, the level of influence for rewards (or risk avoidance) can vary. Depending upon the reward, some may exert exceptional effort. So, leaders can count on some level of support simply because they can influence the personal life of followers.

RELATIONSHIP (or devotion)

Finally, another component of “followship” is a personal relationship or devotion to the leader. This is the component that makes an individual “run through a brick wall” to support. This is the element that makes an individual say, “I care so much for that person that I will do anything in my power to make this effort successful.” Or, “I will do anything to not let my leader down.”

 

To me, this component of leadership is the missing link. This is the piece that makes an ordinary leader into a great leader. Without a significant level of devotion to a leader, you might achieve success, but you will either have forced compliance or ordinary performance. Devotion is the element that transforms the routine into the fantastic.

How do you achieve this devotion or the relationship with team members needed to drive to exceptional performance? Entire books have been written on this subject. But, here are three quotes that provide a glimpse into this mystery:

 

“If you want to make a difference and leave your world a better place, let others know how important they are as you put their needs above yours.” – Jaren L. Davis

 

“You don’t inspire your teammates by showing them how amazing you are. You inspire them by showing them how amazing they are.” – Robyn Benincasa

 

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt

 

Clearly, making a personal connection is critical to achieving devoted followers. Showing others you care, putting the needs of others ahead of your own, and helping others do more than they ever believed possible are elements of devotion. I know leaders today that, simply by their position and ability to provide rewards, attain a significant level of success. However, they are frustrated that they cannot achieve the exceptional results desired. The reason is clear to me that the missing link – the piece of leadership missing – is that lack of personal connection. They fail to put the needs of others first or to nurture any personal relationship. Their followers comply simply because of their innate compliance or the promise of rewards, not because of their significant desire to see that leader succeed. Oh, how I wish that I could help leaders in our companies, our communities, and our nation see this!

“Great leaders get great results, not because they command it, but because they earn it!”  – Eldon Henson

Have a great day! I can feel it… this could be our best day yet… there is still a chance!

 

 

 

I ran across a great blog article that I thought I would share in its entirety today (https://karrickdyer.com/2015/10/21/i-never-thought-it-would-end-this-way/). I know many of you have children and some even coach your kid’s sports teams. Others have nieces and nephews; grandchildren; or others involved in sports activities. I think the perspective on teaching character that Karrick Dyer says so well can benefit all of us.

 

I never thought it would end THIS way (by Karrick Dyer)

For anyone who has ever coached youth sports of any kind, from pee-wee to middle school, and even high school sports in some cases………I have a deep question that has been floating in my mind in recent days. Just give me minute to circle around to it.

My youngest daughter wrapped up her high school soccer career tonight.  The days leading up to it flooded me with memories of all her games past, both far and near.  Thoughts of different leagues, cities, coaches, teammates, hotel rooms, victory, defeat.  Reflections of how she changed over the years as a player, a competitor, and a person.  Wondering how and why things have played out exactly as they have.  Thinking about influences both good and bad that could have or would have made things better or worse if they’d been different.

And I started thinking about the kids that I have coached as my kids have grown up, from youth soccer to travel soccer, Upward basketball to middle school basketball.  And I just can’t help wondering……

If all coaches could see into the future, to that very day when a kid puts away the cleats or the hi-tops for the last time and walks away from a game………would they choose to coach individual kids differently than they presently do?

Every kid walks away from their chosen sport someday…….then what?

Effective youth coaching is psychiatry and it is parenting.  Each player is unique, and they have specific needs that team sports can bring them.

Many coaches fail to fill those needs because they falsely assume they are training the next state champs.  They fail to see each child beyond that day when the sports equipment goes in the yard sale or the closet.

Shouldn’t the journey of sports teach these things and more to prepare kids for life beyond sports?

1. Standard of excellence
2. Work ethic
3. To believe in themselves
4. To trust others
5. The value of encouragement
6. To know they aren’t the center of the universe
7. To know that success does not come overnight (or in one practice)
8. To lose with dignity
9. To accept temporary failures without blaming others, and to realize these failures aren’t permanent
10. To be pushed to their physical limit, time and time again
11. To love and to be loved
12. To sacrifice for others
13. To respect authority and rules
14. Teamwork/unselfishness
15. To never give up

These things still matter when the cheering stops.

The cheering stopped for Maddie tonight.  Her team lost in the regional semi-finals.  In a game where she and her teammates truly “left it on the field”, the score was tied at the end of 80 minutes of regulation.  Two 5-minute overtimes later, the score was still tied.  Penalty kicks would now decide the match.

Maddie stood over the ball, ready to attempt her shot with her team facing a nearly hopeless 3-1 deficit.  If she missed this shot, the game was over.  The season was over.

Sitting on my knees beside my wife, I simply muttered, “Maddie needs to be the one to take this shot.”  Not because it could be the game winner………because it would be the shot that would seal the loss if she missed. I don’t know what kind of reaction or look Kristy game me, but I went on to say, “Maddie needs to be the one to take this shot, because I know she can handle missing the shot to end the game.  She can handle it.  That’s my daughter!” And my voice cracked at the enormity of what I was saying in a trailing voice……..”that is OUR daughter”.

She missed.  Game over.  Season over.  High school career over for her and her senior teammates.  Maddie played her heart out.  And I was so proud of her.  But when those words came out of my mouth, “that’s our daughter” it hit me so clearly.  I was not proud of her effort or her performance.

I was proud of who she has become.

She met her mother and me after the game with head held high.  That’s our daughter. Do your best.  Have fun.  Train and play to win.  In the end, it’s just a game.  The end came tonight.  I’m thankful for all those who have prepared her in the right ways to go beyond this “end”.

If you’re coaching your 1st game or your 1000th, take an occasional peek toward the end.  Winning is a by-product of doing all things the right way.  Some lessons can’t be cast aside for the sake of early wins or just because you ARE winning games.   And while your players are dreaming of making that dramatic game-winning shot, you better spend some time preparing their toughness and character… for missing it!

 

Does this speak to you about how you approach your children’s sporting activities or how you might coach others?

Have a wonderfully fabulous day! And, take some time to do something fun (or even crazy fun) today!

I have been involved in continuous improvement activities in the workplace for many years. I have also experienced the continuous improvement journeys for dozens of other companies through conversations, tours, and presentations.  As a result of my exposure to these activities, I think it is possible to capture the TEN key elements of continuous improvement common to all successful efforts.  These elements apply, not only business processes and applications, but, continuous improvement in our own lives, as well.  These apply to improving our golf game, improving our relationships, or improving our performance in anything.

These are the elements that drive all successful continuous improvement journeys:

1. Recognition of the need to improve – The first step for any improvement journey is to recognize the need to improve. Without this realization, your mind will simply not fully engage in the journey for improvement. You may participate, but you will not be all in. Recognizing and believing that improvement is important provides the energy to take that first step. For teams, it is important that all members buy-in to the need to improve to ensure full engagement and participation.
2. Demonstrating the benefits from improvement – It is one thing to realize the need to improve, but the journey to improvement is energized or fueled when we see the benefits of improvement. For example, you may believe that losing weight would improve your life. But, you buy-in when you realize the benefits you gain when you do so (e.g., better health, ability to do things you can’t do now, positive self-esteem, etc.). Unless we can see the benefit, our efforts are only temporary and, perhaps, half-hearted.
3. Outlining the necessary steps or training needed to achieve improvement – Once you recognize the need for improvement and can see the benefits, it is time to develop an improvement plan. What will you do first? What after that? What training is needed? What tools are required? For example, to improve your golf game, you may need to outline a program of lessons and practice. For a weight loss program, you may need some nutritional counseling. For a team transformation effort, you may need to provide Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing training to members. The essential element of this step is to develop a plan and obtain the needed tools that will allow your journey to be successful.
4. Developing metrics that will us to monitor our progress – Every continuous improvement journey must have a method or way to gauge success. Otherwise, participants will fail to see the progress that is occurring. Progress almost always motivates individuals to greater effort and success. What measures will define success? How will you know when your continuous improvement journey is making strides? Identify these metrics and create a tool (e.g., spreadsheet, graph, table, etc.) that will allow you to monitor progress over time. Progress in golf is easily monitored through improved scores. Weight loss is easy to monitor. However, some continuous improvement journeys may require more subjective measures. Nonetheless, a method to monitor progress by some means is essential to continued success.
5. Establishing aspirational, but attainable goals – Most individuals are competitive, at least to some extent. We enjoy victories! So, it is important to establish goals for improvement that we strive to defeat. Establishing goals against which we monitor progress is important for any successful continuous improvement effort. And, our goals should be attainable, but aspirational. By this I mean that the goal should be meaningful, not easily attained, but doable, if we put in the needed effort. Striving to achieve our 5K personal time target, our golf score goal, our weight loss goal, our educational aspirations, etc. helps to motivate us during the journey.
6. Regular checkpoints to monitor progress – Monitoring our progress motivates us to keep striving and keep working to achieve our goals. Many experts say that, if possible, you monitor progress daily. That works for some continuous improvement efforts (e.g., weight loss), but may not be possible in other cases. In every case, though, regular checks to show how we are doing is an important element for ongoing success.
7. Celebration for small and large successes – We need to recognize and celebrate those successes we do attain. Recognition is an important motivator and should not be ignored. Success breeds more success. So, recognizing that success will drive more.
8. Establishing processes or systems to get you back on track – Occasionally, the continuous improvement train will get off track. We will have disappointments or delays or we may regress. Unless there are processes or systems to recognize this and shift the effort back on track, the journey may fail. Every continuous improvement effort will have barriers or temporary hiccups. We simply need to recognize this and work to reestablish the process and resume the plan we have outlined.
9. Developing processes or activities to sustain or normalize gains – Once we see the gains or improvement desired, we must establish methods to sustain them. We must “normalize” the improvements or they will be lost. For example, once you have achieved your weight loss goals, unless you modify your lifestyle to include better eating habits or more exercise, it is likely that you will regain the weight. For business processes, unless you establish new systems to accommodate the improvements experienced, it is likely you will revert to the old, less efficient system. To keep the gains, you must make them the normal, expected way of operating.
10. Establish your next aspirational target – Continuous improvement means you continually improve… the status quo is unacceptable, even if it is much better today than it was last month. Individuals or companies that are always upgrading their aspiration targets are the most successful. Resting on our laurels is not compatible with a continuous improvement culture or lifestyle. Once you achieve your target, establish a new one.

Whether you lead the continuous improvement effort for a $6B company or you are working to help your children maintain clean bedrooms, there are steps that can help ensure our success. The ten steps above are proven essential elements to many successful continuous improvement efforts — large and small.  You might improve your success by ensuring you include these steps in your effort.

Have a fabulous day and keep plugging — we have no chance for success if we don’t put in the needed effort to attain it.

Can you think of someone that you have met in your life that made an indelible difference?  Perhaps, it was someone that made a huge positive difference in your life.  Or, possibly, it was someone that made a negative one.  Probably, each of us could name a teacher in our young years that made a difference.  For me, it was my Kindergarten teacher, Jewell Murphy.  Mrs. Murphy was the perfect Kindergarten teacher… she was kind and loving, but firm; she challenged us, but recognized differences in learning ability between children; she was an amazing communicator, yet constantly asked her children to express themselves; she challenged us to think big, yet was patient with the little things.  Now that I think of her, I realize anew just how special she really was.  I think she may have set the tone for my entire educational experience.  She made a huge difference in my life.  Do you have someone like Mrs. Murphy in your life?

In a way, we all make a difference to everyone we meet.  To some, we make a significant and life-long difference.  To others, we leave a scar.  And, to others, we simply either make a day better or worse.  Let’s look at three quotes below to see just how impactful we might be in the everyday occurrences of our own lives:

“Each of us can look back upon someone who made a great difference in our lives, someone whose wisdom or simple acts of caring made an impression upon us.  In all likelihood it was someone who sought no recognition for their deed other than the joy of knowing that, by their hand, another’s life had been made better.” – Stephen M. Wolf

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.  What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide is what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

“I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” – Edward Everett Hale

Reading these quotes is humbling and convicting!  If you really knew that every encounter you have with someone else makes a positive or negative difference, would you act and live differently?  How I hope that somehow, Mrs. Murphy realized the difference she made in my life and the lives of so many others over her many years teaching Kindergarten.  If I could, I would thank her again today for what she did and meant to me.  It also makes me even more thankful to all of you that have impacted my life.  I appreciate you more than you could ever know.

Have a “top ten” day today!  Take the time to thank someone that is making a positive difference in your life.  It might make all the difference to them.

 

 

I believe there are some individuals in any organization that are simply so capable that they could do almost any job you asked. When you find one of these, you need to nurture, challenge, and constantly cherish that person.  Such a person has unlimited potential.  These individuals should represent the very core around which you can build your successful team.

However, most individuals have some limits in their abilities and/or potential. They may be highly capable in one role, but struggle in others.  For instance, that rare individual mentioned above likely possesses both strong technical and relational abilities.  They may be strong leaders, yet capable of making valuable personal contributions.  Most other individuals, though, must specialize, as least until they possess enough experience to diversify.

Michael Jordan is considered by most to be the best basketball player in history. Jordan led his teams to six NBA championships, led the league in scoring multiple times, was a perennial all-star, and is a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.  He may also have been one of the best defensive players of all time.  As good as he was at basketball, he was less than mediocre in baseball.  Mid-way through his career, he retired from basketball and began playing minor league baseball.  Even at the minor league level, his statistics and contributions were minimal (batting average below .250, excessive strike-outs, poor overall contributions offensively and defensively).  In short, though he was a superstar in basketball, he was below average in baseball.

The example of Michael Jordan is a good lesson for leaders in business. Yes, there are some superstars in multiple disciplines.  However, most individuals perform better where they have honed the skills, experience, and passion to perform with excellence.  Certainly, we need to help individuals expand their capabilities, but, depending upon the importance of the project or role, we may need to use functional experts.  Development of others is essential, but we may not be able to afford having less than proven superstars for critical roles.  We must work hard to find that perfect balance.  We may need the “basketball Jordan” – not the “baseball Jordan” for these critical roles.

Have a superstar day! I hope this is one that you remember fondly for years to come.

 

I have frequently had discussions with colleagues about how to assess the performance or attributes of other employees. For example, what factors tip the scale when an employee is on the borderline of the highest rating at year end?  When assessing an employee’s performance, you naturally look at both the positive and negative and their overall contributions to the team or company.  However, it is often a challenge to determine exactly which way to go when that employee is squarely on the borderline between the two.  Or, if you are struggling to determine whether to hire a particular candidate, you might find yourself weighing the pros and cons to make that final hiring decision.

One of the ways I look at this situation to assist my decisions is to ask these questions about that individual, “What kind of company would we have if every employee was just like him/her? Would we have a great company?  Or, would it be mediocre?  Would our customers love working with us or hate it?”  It is amazing to me that when I ask these questions, my answer almost always becomes clear.  You form the culture of a company or team person-by-person, action-by-action.  And, having the wrong person can either make an unbelievably positive difference or it can destroy the team.   By making promotion, rating, and hiring decisions based on this set of questions, you can often see clearly the direction you should go.

In the same way, I find that asking those same questions about yourself during an introspective moment can have a profound impact on your own performance and direction. You might ask, “Would this company or team be better or worse if every employee performed just like me?  Or, behaved just like me?  Or, served others just like me?  Or, cared for others just like me?  Or, went the extra mile just like me?  Would this be a better place or more encouraging environment if every employee was just like me?”  If you can be honest about these questions, you can reveal ways that you can become a better employee, better person, or better friend.

Likewise, this same set of questions can help you self-assess in other areas of your life. If every spouse was just like me, would our society be better, happier, and more fulfilling?  If every father/mother was just like me, how would the kids of this world be different?  If every neighbor in our community was just like me, would this be a better place to live?  If every driver was just like me, would our roads be safer and happier?  If every friend was just like me, what would be different about our world?  It is never too late to make a difference.  It is never too late to make those around you better.  It is never too late to turn a bad day for someone else into a good day simply by serving their needs.  In short, it is never too late….

I hope today is your very best day yet! There is still that chance, you know.  Never give up on it.