Many times companies fill executive and management positions from outside the company and not promote from within. They are convinced that their chances of success rests with “new blood” hires. Fresh perspectives and action items are the elements they are looking for. These outside hires are not labeled with past issues and same thinking stereotyping. So much for getting promoted from within.
Waking up every morning feeling like someone ran over me with a truck, I would mumble to myself, “Why am I not retired and sleeping in!”. Here I was in my late 50’s working 12 to 14 hour days and quite honestly a little burnt out on what I was doing. I pop in the shower and then caffeinate a little in an effort to put that negativity aside. Sound familiar? It was time to change my stripes.
At the end of our meeting a wonderful family going through a very trying time spontaneously gave me hugs for all I had done for them. Wow. They were dealing with the imminent death of their dad and husband. An emotional time to say the least. The reality of making pre-need plans had hit them hard and I helped to take this confusing burden off their plate. I have been in sales for many years and had never experienced getting a hug before. After that meeting I thought… “what could I do to make sure all my families felt the way these folks felt?”
We are all trying to stay motivated, motivating others, right? Training, meetings, one on ones, rewards, bonuses, spiffs and the list goes on. We even go to the negative with imposed pressure, tensions and ultimatums to motivate. How has that worked for you? Long-term? If you’re like me it didn’t. I needed to change something. Was it me or them? And then it hit me… everyone is already motivated.
