In a blink of an eye, I find myself 38 years removed from graduation day at the University of Dayton, when I was ready and eager to take on the world. Fast-forward through four jobs, a wonderful family and three dogs, and I am blessed to still get up each day eager to take on whatever comes my way. Like most people, I learned a great deal over the years through observing and making plenty of mistakes.
Throughout the years, I jotted down these items, representing a mix of work/life lessons and beliefs. Perhaps some of these on my list (not in any particular order) may resonate with you:
• There is an awful lot of people who want change, until change happens.
• Fast growth in a company really does not benefit anyone except a few people at the top of the organization.
• Lack of courage holds too many folks back from having an amazing life.
• Business attire does not make a person a professional; it only makes them look like one.
• Women should not have to act like a man to have a fulfilling career in business.
• The best way to positively impact your community is to prioritize family.
• Regrets cannot exist if you feel you are making the best decision at the time.
• Dogs rule.
• We were so much better off when there was no social media.
• Standardized tests in school are not preparing students for work after graduation.
• Any company that does not provide equal pay for equal work should be ashamed.
• All bereavement policies at work should be replaced with “Take paid time off to grieve for anyone you cared for (including pets), for as long as you need.” If you feel you have employees who will take advantage of you with such a policy, then you have the wrong employees working at your place.
• It should be illegal to utilize probationary periods for new hires. Probationary period policies are archaic, meaningless and send the wrong message to new recruits.
• Handwritten notes remain one of the best ways to say thank you.
• If you do not feel like you are being treated fairly at work, talk with your boss, not your co-worker. If that does not work, find another job.
• Every day, make a positive impact with your family, co-workers, customers and the community.
• Know, believe and love what you are doing in life and at work.
• Once you accept mortality, you will focus on a life (including your work) that is fulfilling.
• Success is harder to sustain than
to achieve.
• Big egos kill great companies.
• Large companies are not better because they are big.
• Organizational leaders should ask their employees if they want their respective companies to grow fast.
• I’ll take great customer service over impressive sales results at our company, any day.
• It is important to get home for dinner every night.
• Work smart and you will work less.
• You can’t measure success before you define it.
• There truly is no time to waste.
• There seems to be more duplication in our country than innovation.
• Hang out with people who make you better.
• There is no substitute for
preparation.
• I hate wearing a tie.
• Put employees first, before your customers, and they will put the customers first.
• Use bright colors on the walls throughout your business.
• It does start at the top.
• Leadership by example is the only way people will follow you.
• First responders, teachers and a host of other professions should be paid more than professional athletes.
• If you are in a bad job, quit. Never quit and stay.
• Ask good questions in interviews. Ask good questions when being interviewed.
• Trust takes a while to earn and can vanish in a second.
• Work hard every day to provide employees a great place to work.
• Always reward employees for great service ahead of sales achievements.
• Top performers drive 100 percent of a business’s profitability, customer service and innovation.
• Living for the weekend is no way to live.
• If you are happy when your boss is on vacation, it’s a sign that you are in the wrong job.
• Everyone at work deserves equal respect, regardless of pay, tenure or title.
• Time does not heal all wounds.
• Just because someone is in upper management does not necessarily mean that he/she is competent or an excellent performer.
• Fast-growth companies are not necessarily great places to work.
• Do not bother employees with work-related items when they are on their own time.
• The kid in all of us should never be suppressed.
• The only way to think “outside the box” is to eliminate the box.
• Reward failure and risk-taking
at work.
• You can re-boot your life any time you want.
• There is no better feedback tool than the mirror.
• Wellness programs are not a fad. They work.
• Lead people. Don’t manage them.
• Never hit the “snooze” button. Just get up.
• Profits can mask organizational blemishes.
• No one likes to do performance reviews.
• There should be more laws in our country to protect employers from frivolous employee/former employee lawsuits and allegations.
• Share and discuss financial statements with your employees each month.
• Never take yourself too seriously.
• Pay your vendors at work on time.
• Be prepared for a new employee’s first day on the job.
• Everyone at work can be a leader.
• Try to attract and retain only top performers at your company.
• Figure out what is really important to you, and then be really good at it.
• Employ at least one intern a year.
• Never try to talk someone out of a voluntary resignation.
• Every day we have a golden opportunity to make a difference and change the world.