Today we are celebrating our countdown to 400 episodes! This is episode 398, and Jody and I are talking about a topic that means a lot to me personally.
People often talk about work-life balance. What they don’t realize is work-life balance is an artificial barrier. You have one life, and you have to get it all in. Every area impacts and affects the others, so it doesn’t do any good to try and separate them. Sometimes you have to take home to work. Sometimes you have to take work home.
It’s not enough to focus on one or the other. Focus on good time management and quit wasting time. Know when to stop taking stuff on. Prioritize what is important and then schedule it to make sure it happens. It isn’t hard to learn. Study it, read it, and implement it. A new habit can take a while, but stay with it, and you will see improvement.
As far as wellness at work is concerned, leaders need to set the example and provide the space and accountability employees need to take care of themselves. Encourage your team to prioritize their health and set the example yourself.
If you have a goal of taking a vacation this year, prioritize it and schedule a time to talk to Magical Vacation Planners. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.
Also, make sure to check out cockerellacademy.com for deeper dives on the many great topics we cover here on the podcast.
When I was a General Manager at a hotel in Marriott, I came up with a purpose statement for all hotel staff to use as they did their job.
"Be so nice to the guest they won't believe it."
A listener asked if the purpose statement should change depending on the level of the employee.
Your organization should have one purpose statement to apply to every role. Even if someone has a backstage role, they still contribute to how you serve the customer. Even if you never see a customer, understanding the purpose statement can change the way you approach your job.
If "being so nice to the gues they won't believe it" is our purpose statement, it may change how you approach your backstage role. Maybe you make a purposeful walk through the lobby to say Hello to customers. Maybe you walk to your car slower to see if you can find a chance to help someone. Maybe you help out front-line workers so they are better prepared to serve.
At Walt Disney World, our purpose statement is "make sure every Guest has the most fabulous time of their life." When Cast Members keep this top of mind, the front-line gets focus and support from managers and backstage roles. And the Guest wins. Everyone is focused on making sure every Guest has a fabulous time.
No matter what your role or your organization, you can apply a purpose statement to drive you every day. When customers feel good about you, they will do more business with you.
Someone once asked us about their dilemma about investing in their staff or focusing on business results during a tough time.
It's not an easy situation for any organization to be in. A business needs to survive. If you aren't making any money, you can't support the employees or serve customers.
When a listener sends us a question, we don't often hear how it turns out. This episode updates what happened when we answered a listener's question about investing in people.
If you are faced with a challenging situation in your organization, the best thing you can do is be upfront with everyone. Let them know what the organization is going through and the impact it is going to have. Create the feeling that you are all going through it together, and let as many people as possible offer input and ideas.
Investing in people had a big payoff for the listener who gave us the update. They took the short-term hit to the bottom line to make the long-term investment in their people. He was promoted to president and promoted three of his people to Vice President. Usually, when times get tough, the first thing companies do is pull back from what they offer to employees. Instead, this company discovered when you take care of your people; they will take care of you.
Every situation is different, but you will make the right decision if you lead with empathy and discipline. The key is to invest in your team before there is a crisis. If you are already taking care of them, they are more likely to be committed when there is a crisis.
Today we have a special guest Tim Schurrer with us. Tim spent ten years on Donald Miller’s Storybrand team, and now he is publishing an impactful book. The Secret Society of Success.
If I had to boil down Tim’s book to one sentence, it is this: don’t become a big deal. When we think of success we picture climbing a ladder or being the boss. But is that success? If fame, money, and power are not the building blocks of success, what are they? According to Tim, it is helping others win. When we help others be their best, we experience true success.
Everyone wants to do what is meaningful. We do that by asking: who are we here for? In the office or at home, you have to show up and play your part. Take the posture that allows you to help someone else. Check-in with yourself and ask the hard questions. How am I showing up as a leader? As a spouse? As a parent? Success isn’t only found in the boardroom. It is found in the living room at home. Everyone matters and that is the mindset that will help you experience true success.
Another society that will help you find success in your vacation preparations is Magical Vacation Planners. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.
If you want to submit a question, you can reach us at jodymaberry.com or leecockerell.com.
Resources:
Build a Winning Team Podcast
Secretsocietyfree.com (get the first two chapters free)
Now that the world is opening back up, many leaders wonder what they should focus on to contend with the current climate. Many employees are resigning and looking for something else. These are the five things that every company needs to be mindful of.
Retention is a big deal; employees know they can find a new job easily. Why should they stay where they are unhappy? Do you want to know how to retain your employees? Find out what makes them unhappy, and fix it. Once you identify what makes them happy, double down on it.
Four pillars are imperative for success: collaboration, trust, communicating with clarity, and competency. Collaboration is an attitude, and it sets the tone for your company. Trust is what creates return customers and retains employees; be the person who returns the call, encourages others, and seeks to help. Communicate clearly. Be clear about expectations from the beginning. Lastly, always work on competency. You need to be growing and getting better at what you do for as long as you do it.
Whether you are dealing with the older generation or younger, meet them where they are at. You don’t need to be recruiting more; focus on retaining the talent we have by creating value and fostering an environment where employees want to be.If you need a change, maybe it is time to take a vacation. Make sure you connect with Magical Vacation Planners. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.
If you want to submit a question, you can reach us at jodymaberry.com or leecockerell.com.
Resources