Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
at 8:37am
My son, Alex, just landed his first real job! He is working at Festival Foods, a grocery store here in our hometown. Alex ran downstairs when he got the call for the interview. Afterward when I asked him how it went, he said, “I nailed it!” Seeing his pride and confidence was intoxicating for me.
I know that I can’t raise this kid alone. I need real leaders stepping up to help shape the values we’ve instilled in this young man. Yesterday, my sister and my wife, Danica, and I were reminiscing about our first jobs and what we learned.
I was lucky and had great leaders as bosses when I worked for the city of De Pere. Both John Zegers and Jerry Perkofski taught me to be excellent or go home. Whether you’re cleaning a city park restroom or cutting grass on a boulevard, be excellent or go home. I took these early lessons in the form of discipline and compassion and carry them with me every day.
I’m excited for Alex. I’m hopeful that he has leaders who care enough to hold him accountable and teach him what it means to be excellent!
Joe Kiedinger
Action plan: Be excellent every day by helping people realize their potential!
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
at 9:49am
We all have biases built into us from years of programming growing up. If I said the word VALUE to you, what does this mean? VALUE to one person might mean “best quality product” and yet to someone else it might mean something different. What if I said EASY WAY? Some of you may interpret this as “lazy.” I know I did in the beginning. I did until I met a person, one of the hardest workers I know, who said EASY WAY means “efficient.”
We all speak English, yet it can feel like we’re speaking a foreign language. This is because of all the biases we have for the words we use. This is why information is often misunderstood. If you go to some employees and ask them to get you the best VALUE and value means “lowest price,” what often happens is that some will get you the best value and some the lowest price just because of individual biases related to best VALUE.
So how do we become aware of all the biases in our lives? It’s very difficult. It’s asking questions and listening. One trigger point is to step back and evaluate when you’re asking someone to do something, or if you’re at a point in a meeting where tasks are being assigned. Have that person explain back to you what was said to make sure there is understanding. Remember, just because one person spoke to another doesn’t mean that communication occurred. Communication occurs only when mutual understanding is achieved.
Listen. Ask questions. Execute!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Carry out an “understanding” conversation with one person this week. Practice, practice, practice!
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