QBQ! QuickNote - When will they Improve Things Around Here?  |
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 Could things be better at your organization? Does your organization have problems? Actually, most don't have problems. They have "opportunities," "issues," and "situations"! Do you ever want to say, "Hey boss, come over to my world, I'm surrounded by challenge!!!" Years ago I was driving to a sales call. I had just bought my first car phone - for $950! Hard to believe, isn't it? And that's back when car phones were actually attached to cars! The air time charges took some getting used to, but I was happy to have it that day because I was lost. I dialed the company's number and I'll never forget the woman who answered. Her name was Stephanie. With both joy and warmth in her voice (on a Monday morning, no less), Stephanie asked if I would hold. "No problem," I said. After a minute of expensive air time had passed, I was about to hang up when she came back on and said, "Mr. Miller, are you still there?" "Yes I am," I responded, and then came the words I've never forgotten. "I'm so thankful you held for me!" Her voice was sincere and positive. "No problem," I said. As she gave me directions I was thinking about her earlier choice of words. Thankful? She said she was thankful I had held for her, and I could tell that she was. And, by acknowledging my patience and thanking me as she did, she made me feel as if I had a 20-inch sign around my neck that said, "I'm special! I'm important!" So when I arrived at her building minutes later, I couldn't wait to meet her and I was not disappointed. She was everything I had imagined: Friendly, upbeat, and energetic. After getting settled into the lobby, I walked to the reception counter, leaned across, and spoke quietly. "Stephanie, if this organization isn't careful, somebody is going to steal you away." She smiled, looked left and then right, and said in a soft voice, "Someone already did. Today's my last day!"  The economy is unpredictable, the stock market is wild, and corporate layoffs and scandals are everywhere. Recently, I asked a group of eighty people from twenty firms, "How many of you know someone who has been laid off?" Every single person raised a hand. So maybe my personal favorite "meeting theme" doesn't work right now. I don't know, but I'll take the risk - here it is:"Believe or Leave!" There. I said it. And I said it because I still believe it. I hope it doesn't sound harsh. But in good times or bad, organizations still need people like Stephanie. People like you. Maybe more than ever. Certainly more than ever. But wherever we choose to be we need to have BELIEF - in self, colleagues, our products and services and the value they add to our customers' lives, and the institution I represent. Stephanie's BELIEF had cracked. So she made a choice. It was her choice and the right one for her. How about you? How's your BELIEF doing nowadays? Here's a test to measure your own BELIEF in the organization you represent: Do the things I say about my organization while at work match what I say about my organization at home that night? Go ahead and read that question again. What's the answer? "Yes" or "No"? If I say positive things at work and negative things at home, I probably have a crack in my BELIEF in the very institution I have chosen to be the ambassador for each day. And if that's true, who am I failing? Everyone from customers to colleagues to family to myself. There certainly is a better question than "When will they improve things around here?" Naturally, it's a QBQ! "How can I best use my gifts, talents, and skills in today's world?" Practicing personal accountability means answering that question honestly. If the answer means staying right where you are, then attack the problems with an attitude of BELIEF. But if it means a change of address for you, then take with you your BELIEF - and your cell phone just in case you need directions.  John G. MillerAuthor of QBQ! and Flipping the Switch ------------------------------------------------------------------- QBQ! QuickNotes may be forwarded by email to others or printed in their entirety with credit given for personal and group use. Copyright QBQ, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved. Host a QBQ! event at your organization and start making personal accountability a core cultural value. Click here for more information or give us a call today at 1-866-988-RAIN - we'd love to hear from you! Learn more about Personal Accountability and the QBQ! at our Personal Accountability at Work website Visit the QBQ! QuickNotes Archives Personal Accountability should be an important part of every organizational culture. Unfortunately though a culture of personal accountability is often times eroded and replaced by a destructive culture characterized by negativity, blame shifting, finger pointing, and poor employee morale. QBQ! The Question Behind The Question seeks to eliminate this noxious culture and replace it with one where individuals take responsibility for their actions and ask themselves what they as individuals can do to help the organization succeed and prosper. For more information about how you can create a culture of personal accountability in your organization give us a shout! 1-866-988-RAIN   |
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