Impact Today™

Wouldn’t you love to have a dedicated employee like Jeff Hornagold? He drove for UPS for 20 years before passing away from lung cancer. He loved his job so much his wife, Judy, described often referred to him as “the happiest UPS man alive”

Yet one of Hornagold’s dying wishes showed dedication to his employer far beyond normal. He requested that his body be delivered to the funeral home by UPS as “Special Delivery”.

There is no doubt Hornagold was a huge asset to UPS. Gallup Polling has shown that dedicated employees are so engaged in their job they consistently and decisively out perform non-engaged employees.

Wouldn’t you love to create that kind of dedication?

Labels: Attitude

On his 76th mission, naval jet pilot Charles Plumb was shot down over enemy territory. Although he survived, he spent six years as a prisoner of war during which he learned many lessons about bravery and leadership.

Today, Plumb lectures to others about these experiences. But the experience most moving occurred after he returned home. A man approached Plumb as he dined in a restaurant prior to a speaking engagement.

“Are you the famous naval pilot Charles Plumb?” the man asked.

“Why yes I am,” replied Plumb. “How do you know me?”

“I packed your parachute,” the man replied.

Plumb was immediately overcome. He realized it was because of this man that that the stories of bravery and leadership were possible. Without his expertise in packing the parachute, Plumb would have perished in the crash.

From that day forward Plumb would challenge his audience with the simple question, “Who packs your parachutes?” He causes people to reflect on those that are behind the scenes, working without recognition to make an organization successful. Plumb confesses he never thought about the person that packed his parachute until that night in the restaurant. He nor any of the other pilots ever spoke to the sailors that packed their parachutes. Yet it is precisely because of people like the packer that others are able to survive.

Life Lesson: you are never to important to shake hands and thanks the people that make you successful.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude, Leadership, Public_Speaking

Do you sometimes feel your team isn’t giving their full potential? Here are ten common clues you might be missing:

1. Members cannot articulate group goals


2. Participants are repeatedly late or absent to meetings


3. Squabbling among members results in tension and prevents frank discussion


4. Meetings are repeatedly cancelled or postponed, and no one asks why


5. The team leader does all the talking


6. Members make no effort to get to know each other


7. The team misses two deadlines in a row


8. Team members criticize ideas offered by others


9. No one gives the team recognition for a job well done


10. Leaders do nothing with data the team presents

Labels: Attitude, Teamwork

New research has shown that nearly half of the American workforce has resorted to “Desk Rage”. It is a substantial problem that places employers at risk of a “hostel environment”.

Anger in the workplace ranges from rudeness to abusive behavior according to professor Paul Spector of the University of South Florida.

Research also shows:

• 88 percent feel their workplace is growing less civil


• 25 percent admit they have been driven to tears by desk rage


• 17 percent say company or personal property has been damaged by desk rage


• 11 percent claim physical violence has occurred in their workplace


• 10 percent fear their workplace is not safe


• 3 percent admit pushing, slapping, or hitting a co-worker

Labels: Attitude, Behaviors, Retention, Survey

Labels: Attitude, Diversity, Motivation

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude

Indian statesman and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi is noted for his humanity and selflessness. One day he was boarding a train with a number of companions and followers when his shoe suddenly fell off, cascading the train and platform.

Determining it could not be retrieved he took off the other shoe and threw it in the gap between train and platform. His companions were dumbfounded by this action.

Sensing their puzzlement Gandhi explained that whoever finds a single shoe finds nothing of value.

However the person finding a pair finds something worthwhile.

Life Lesson: Turn your misfortune into another’s blessing.

By the way, did you know my book, Life's Leadership Lessons, offers 53 anecdotal leadership lessons? It cover the most important challenges faced by leaders today. If you enjoy the Impact Today blog, you will love the book. Go to www.getmaximpact.com to learn more.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude

The next time someone is close to getting your goat, before you let their anger get to you, consider this wisdom from Buddha, Gautama.

While huddled in a teaching moment with a group of learners a passerby confronted him with an angry rage.

After listening patiently, the Buddha asked the learners, in front of the passerby, “If someone gives a gift to another, who then chooses to decline it, who now owns the gift?”

The learners thought for a while and then answered, “The giver.”

“Any fool can see that,” asserted the complaining passerby.

The Buddha continued, “Then it is also true that, when someone tries to abuse us or pass their anger onto us, we can choose to decline or accept the anger. By our response, we can choose who owns and keeps the bad feelings.”

Life Lesson: Don’t let others get to you.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude

When Procter and Gamble developed a potato crisp they needed a way to ship it without having the chips crumble. Enter Frederic Baur. He invented the canister that has housed billions of Pringles potato chips while giving teachers a cylindrical object used for class projects such as lighthouses and barn silos.

Baur took great pride in his accomplishment. The design, which seems simplistic to Monday morning quarter backs, allowed the chip to be safely shipped throughout the globe. As a result, Pringles introduced potato chips that had never tasted the traditional chip – quickly allowing it to become the highest selling potato chip brand in the world.

But Baur took his product much more seriously and when he died last month his interment request was granted. He was cremated and a portion of his ashes were buried in one of his canisters.

Wouldn’t it be great if all workers had pride in their accomplishments?

Labels: Attitude

Have you ever thought about the difference one degree makes? It is not just turning up the heat, it is striving for just a little extra. Do not underestimate the important of a little extra effort. This video will prove the point.

Labels: Attitude, Video

Last week we reported on a survey revealing chocolate as the best way to get someone to give you their password. Today we read research from Dr. Elizabeth Triche of Yale University. She notes that chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical known to stimulate the heart, relax muscles, and dilate blood vessels. Therefore chocolate becomes an effective treatment for high blood pressure, chest pain, and hardening of the arteries. These qualities also make it an important part of a pregnant woman’s diet it can reduce complications.

The benefits of chocolate are much more extensive. For example, did you know that eating a piece of chocolate 30 minutes before a meal will curb your appetite? Also, chocolate qualifies as two servings of vegetables and one serving of dairy. Its made from cocoa beans, sugar beets, and milk. If you have chocolate covered raisins, cherries, or strawberries you can also count it as a fruit serving.

So dismiss the attitude that chocolate is bad and go grab something in a Godiva, Hershey, Ghirardelli, or Nestle wrapper and get healthy!

Labels: Attitude

There is no apparent end to what people will commission a survey to discover. Here is one of the strangest questions we have seen in a long time.

According to a survey conducted by InfoSecurity, 45% of women and 10% of men will tell you their password in exchange for chocolate.

The survey did not specify the brand or how big a piece of chocolate works best.

Labels: Attitude, Survey

Yvonne, the clerk I wrote about in the difficult personality chapter of Life’s Leadership Lessons, once told me a joke. I remember it because it was such a great example of how to achieve success when it seems everyone is taking swings at you. Here is how the story goes:

An ant colony had established itself in the sand trap at the country club. Life was typically quiet and peaceful as the ants went about their daily busy. However one afternoon the tranquility was suddenly broken when a golf ball landed smack dab in the middle of the main entrance to the colony’s underground tunnels. The ants tried to move the ball, but to no avail – it was simply too big and heavy.

Soon two men carrying clubs walked toward the ball and soon one would be standing next to it waving a club. He swing and missed the ball. Ant-filled sand was flying through the air and when it landed hundreds of ants were dead. The man took a small step forward and raised his club again. He swung even harder than before, sending another flume into the air. More ants were dead.

After a few more readjustment in where he stood, a few more swings, and more dead ants, the ball remained untouched.

Finally there were only two ants left. As the man got ready for another swing, one ant turned to the other and said, “It looks like the only way we are going to survive is if we get on the ball.”

Morale of the story: no matter how many times they swing at you, keep alert – stay on the ball.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude, Strategy

At the foot of the mountains a BBC interviewer approached five mountain climbers preparing for an ascent. She asked a simple enough question, “Will you be successful in reaching the top?” The first four gave the same hopeful answer using different terminology.

'I'll do my best,' said a big burly guy with a heavy black beard.

'I'll give it my best shot,' said a tall, wiry man with muscles on his muscles.

'We'll see what happens,' said a blond headed poster boy for what a mountain climber ought to look like.

'I'll sure try,' said a young, dark headed woman with bright flashing eyes.

It was not until the fifth climber, a short, scrawny guy, responded that the reply changed.

'Yes.'

'Excuse me?' she said, surprised.

'Yes. I'll make it.'

And at the end of the day, he was the only one who made it to the top. Not because he was the biggest, or the brightest, or the most able...but because he was the only one who said he would. Not 'maybe' or 'I hope' or 'with any luck' or 'I'll give it my best shot' or 'I'll work hard at it' or 'I'll try!' All he said was 'yes'. Because he knew that to 'try' is to die...because when you leave yourself a way out, you'll always take it when the going gets rough.

If you were asked if you are going to be successful in a new endeavor would you be able to confidently say, “yes”? Think like a winner -- anything less could mean failure.

Labels: Attitude, Motivation

Two years ago my daughter had a dream of someday becoming a cheerleader. She translated her dream into action steps which involved weekly gymnastics training, the addition of a trampoline in our backyard, and occasional jogging.

She went to her first tryout and poured her heart into it. She practiced every evening and on the weekend, teaming with another to develop her final routine. She had confidence in her effort and performance. She had trouble sleeping the night before the new cheer squad would be announced as anticipation chased away all morsels of melatonin. Tears flowed when her name was absent from the final list.

She would not give up. She read cheerleading books from the library, subscriber to a cheerleading magazine, and intensified her use of the trampoline to develop and refine her moves.

Finally it was time for another try-out. She committed her body and time to the sacrifice necessary to make the time. But alas, at the end of the tryouts only the names of others were on the roster.

It was summertime when thoughts of school fall to the back of the mind, yet my daughter continued to hone the skills required for the cheerleading squad. “This year there will be more girls on the squad,” she reflected with surety that she would be among the new members. Learning, practicing, and mind-development filled the summer days, although giving into some of the uniqueness of the summer season’s special activities.

Soon the weather chilled signaling another fall with another opportunity to make the cheer team. The long afternoon tryout drills were tiring, but they did not dim her hopes – which thrived until the third occurrence of announcing the squad, without her.

Disappointment was severe – three tries and three failures. In despair, she indicated she would move on to something else.

We were surprised when she announced that another cheerleading tryout was coming up for the winter semester and stated she was once again going to make another attempt for the team. As with each prior endeavor, the try-outs occupied her time. She worked out on the trampoline, did back-walk-overs in the house, read her books and magazines, and dreamed that her action plan would finally deliver the most wanted reward. She tuned out the critics by encouraged others trying out to do better, which also helped her draw on her talent.

When I went to pick her up after the new squad was announced she was sitting in a rejected posture on the bench in front of the school. “How long is she going to subject herself to disappointment?” I thought.

As she approached the car she could contain herself no long. “I made it!”

Now the team has won two championship trophies. That’s them in the picture above.

Not only had my daughter’s dream, turned into a plan which grew to fruition, she experienced that rare feeling that she was part of championship team.

Who could learn from my daughter’s lesson? What about the entrepreneur that feels like giving up? What about the business executive that feels they are in over their head? What about the culture that feels they will always be oppressed? What about other dreamers?

Labels: Attitude, Goals

A recent survey by Taleo Research took an interesting perspective on one's dealings about their job. He asked respondents to consider their feelings toward their job if it were to take human form.

Given that scenario, one in three said they like their job seriously enough to date it. Nine percent felt so strongly about their job that they would propose marriage. Only 5% claim they would break up immediately.

Labels: Attitude, Survey

Age isn't always a factor in your success or failure. Consider these famous examples:

• Actor George Bums won his first Oscar at age 80.


• Golda Meir was 71 when she became prime minister of Israel.
  At age 96, playwright George Bernard Shaw broke his leg when he fell out of a tree he was trimming in his backyard.


• Painter Grandma Moses didn't start painting until she was 80 years old. She completed more than 1.500 paintings after that: 25 percent of those were produced when she was past 100.


• Michelangelo was 71 when he painted the Sistine Chapel.
  Physician and humanitarian Albert Schweitzer was still performing operations in his African hospital at 89.


• Doe Counsilman, at 58, became the oldest person ever to swim the English Channel.
  S. I. Hayakawa retired as president of San Francisco State University at 70. He was then was elected to the U.S. Senate.


• Casey Stengel didn't retire from managing the New York Mets until he was 75.

Excerpt: Glenn Van Ekeren. The Speaker's Sourcebook. Prentice Hall. New York, NY

Labels: Attitude, Coaching, Motivation

A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to themaster's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path and this cheered it some. But at the end of tile trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.

For two years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Do you know your employee's weaknesses? The Profile XT™ makes it possible to see any individual's weaknesses and strengths. A coaching report offers sensible and practical tips enabling the individual's supervisor to draw talent from the employee to overcome weaknesses and build on strengths.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude, Motivation, Story

Malcolm Muggeridge is quoted as saying that only dead fish swimwith the stream. I was reminded of this truth yesterday as we enjoy the beautiful summer day by taking a walk for the neighborhood. A small stream flows under our street a few yards down from our house.

The afternoon sun illuminated a small portion of the stream where between the surface and the bottom a school of small fish provided some intellectual entertainment. Dozens of these fish no more than 2 inches long were swimming aggressively against the current as if their life depended on it. One might think their ultimate destination was upstream. The truth is their journey was going to take them down stream where they eventually would join the Great Lakes.

It seems logical that they could get to the Great Lakes quicker if they would turn around and use the same energy to swim downstream. However as I watched them it became apparent that by swimming upstream the current was slowly taking them to their destination, and in the process their actions were making them much stronger. Undoubtedly by the time these small fish reach Lake Erie they will have built the stamina and strength to deal with the adversities that await them, particularly from the large fish we could not even fit in this small stream.

Such is life in the business world. Some go with the flow, doing what others do, doing it the way others do it, and become surprised when their results are less than stellar.

Others go against the flow. They take chances that no one else will take, giving them results that others will not achieve.

This is the case with Sam Walton. When there was a cry that discounters needed to upscale their product lines and store presentations, Sam bucked the trend. He not only stuck with what he was currently doing, he looked for ways to cut the glitz and glamour of his already modest stores. The result speaks for itself. The fish that went with the stream died, without realizing that once the flow started to carry them they were already dead.

As you look at the results of your current efforts, and feel you want to improve them, look at the way the stream is flowing -- and go the other way.

© 2007 Max Impact, Rochester Hills, Michigan. All rights reserved.

Labels: Anecdote, Attitude, Story, Strategy, Wal-Mart