gathergreatness.com

It may be a good idea to see the past in order to get direction for the future. This may be the obvious for the seasoned managers, but
this may help a few of you who are just starting out.

It had been weeks since I received the advice from my boss,
“I needed to develop my people skills.”

Hmmm.

I still had a very narrow idea of what he was talking about.

People Skills to me meant:

I was pleasant with the customers
Got along well with all of the other staff members
Took pride in my appearance
Reported to work a few minutes early for my shifts, and
Always did a better than average job.
In my mind, I had become ‘the model employee.’

But, I was still making close to minimum wage and not getting anywhere fast.

I wanted more.

I wanted more than just being an employee, and I wanted the benefits that came along with it.

I wanted to make more money.

It was time for me to make a big change.
It was time to take charge of my own development.
It was time to admit that I had more to learn, if I expected my dreams to come true.
I made a vow to myself, “I would change, I would take charge of my development, I would learn whatever it took to get what I wanted.”

And so the journey began:

I learned several valuable lessens that had previously seemed to be hiding from my view. These are but a few:

You have to be the one to start the ball rolling.
Ask for help.
You are being observed by someone, all of the time.
Life is not fair.
The bottom line is money and profits.
You have to be the one to take the first step. Don’t expect someone else will take you under their wing and show you everything you need to do so you can advance your career. You have more vested-interest in your personal success than they do.

You need to ask for help. Let the person that can get you that promotion know what you want. He or she may not even realize you are interested. Remember they also have their own set of objectives. Your needs may not be their top priority.

People form opinions about you on a continual basis. If you are looking for advancement to a management position, start acting like a manager. All your actions and reactions to situations which occur in your business everyday should consistently follow the company rules and standards of operation.

Life is not always fair. You can use “the wait and see method” for your success, and hope someone notices your exceptional skills and offers you everything you think you deserve. I can tell you from first-hand experience, this doesn’t work. Know that life is usually not fair, so I suggest you do things that tip the scale in your favor. Use your head, be creative and make a difference.

Making a difference is 95% related to the company’s bottom line, the bottom line meaning, the amount of money the company is actually making after all the expenses are paid. If you can contribute to generating more dollars in sales and profits, you are well on your way to being recognized as a valued employee, a leader, and an ideal candidate for becoming a MANAGER.

Bill

“Helping You Achieve Your Greatest Self”

I thought about sharing how I write my articles, my thought processes, or possibly even how to become a Writer, but maybe that’s not “your cup of tea.”

I toyed with the idea of using a “Writing for Dummies Picture” for my new book cover,………… maybe for a future post?

As I was about to say, usually something happens during the week that I just can’t wait to write about, but not this week, no such luck. So after staring at a blank computer screen for a half hour or so, I resigned to telling you a story of my youth, or maybe “THE STORY OF MY YOUTH.”

So,………… my story goes something like this:
I don’t think he ever truly understood.

He was a sports’ fanatic. He worked a lot of hours, but every free moment was centered around ‘the next game.’ He loved to play baseball, listen to baseball, and was always the first to volunteer to coach the local little league team.

He played to win, and he always brought out the best in his players.

Only one problem………………….. his energy was focused solely on the players who had the natural talent, ‘the gifted’ if you will.

He had little time or patience for the fledgling,
the mediocre,
or the second string.

His ‘words of praise’ were reserved
for the select,
the superstars,
the winners.

“Keep your eye on the ball!
“What are you swinging at?
“Stand closer to the plate!
were all too often spoken,
to the …………. not-so-talented.

He was excited,
he was passionate,
and as I said,
he played to WIN.

And, oh yes, he was my father, a great man.
He was there for many,
but……………..not for all.
When it came to sports,…………. I was the untalented, I was the mediocre, I was the second-string.

I’m sure he never really understood, the power of his words, and how much they shaped my life.

One thing I do know,
I know, first hand…………. Words are extremely powerful !!!

Words can raise you up or they can crush you.

Just as in my personal life,…….. my business life, and yours, are affected by the words spoken to us, and the words we speak to others.

Our restaurant day is filled with opportunities to raise the level excitement,
to uplift the spirits of our guests, and to encourage the people who work for us.
For better or for worse,………. we have the power to determine the outcome, to direct the response, to shape the final product.
Our kind words, our guiding care, and our desire to enhance the lives of others, should be our standard operating procedure.

Positive and uplifting words, spoken to us, or spoken by us, can make ‘all the difference.’

I live my life trying to be a positive example,
trying to speak only in kindness, and
trying to provide value to everyone I meet.

Thanks to all who have contributed to my success, by the praise, encouragement and by “the power of your kind words.”

Be the change that someone desperately needs.
Go ahead, I dare you !

Bill