The Fourth Rule of Awesomeness

I DON'T CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK!

- if you hear this terminology muttered...guess what....this person CARES what other people think - A LOT!

We are all insecure, we all want to be recognized, we all want our existence validated! Unfortunately, the knowledge of our deep dark secrets seems to have become the fuel for business management.

The Fourth Rule of Awesomeness is: Strategy and Happiness are not rival concepts!

We can grit our teeth, pound our fist and yell at each other; but these seaming acts of aggressiveness are nothing more than the clinging to the want to be wanted.

You see Salespeople presenting a solution in front of a room of 12 senior executives and you say...I wish I had that type of confidence....guess what? Salespeople are of the most insecure people in any workforce.

Your Manager gives a state of the union address at a company function and you say....wow she is really on the ball.....guess what? She talks to herself in the mirror! What a weirdo!

I don't understand why vulnerability cannot be a business strategy. Why we have to put on a suit to express credibility. Why we need to convey professionalism based on the regurgitation of a podcast. Why can't our ideas be our own. Why do we try to be someone we are not to impress others. Why we cannot just admit that we want to be happy...???!

Kovacovich's Hierarchy of Needs:

* Job

* Money

* Music

* Sports

* Beer

* Professional Purpose

* LOVE

We have been humbled in these times of professional struggle....AND IT'S A GOOD THING! We have learned to take delight in the little things, to quit trying to keep up with the Jones' and to endure...this too shall pass.

Smile, Speak Honestly and Allow You to be You as the only grounds by which you should be held to validate your existence!

Don't Forget to Remember!

Dave

references:

http://twitter.com/davidkovacovich

The Third Rule of Awesomeness

Last week we viewed this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQlzz6jGCfI

It is profoundly meaningful! A father projecting the discontent of his life to derail his son's quest for NBA greatness! It is so true that the more we learn, the more jaded we become, and the further away we get from that which is genuinely important to us.

The Third Rule of AWESOMENESS is: Every opinion is only an effort to curtail your unique motivation

I remember an interview with Tiger Woods (pre-whores) before his first professional tournament. A reporter asked him what he felt would be a respectable finish in the tournament...he replied:

A VICTORY!

- the snide group of reporters laughed for 10 seconds and looked up from their note pads to see a look of complete focus in the young man's eyes.

You may have read my posting on ReThinkHR.Org regarding Kyle Dake - the 'true' freshman who impossibly won an NCAA wrestling championship. When asked how he felt about his previously determined impossible achievement, he commented:

I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT I DIDN'T FINISH THE SEASON UNDEFEATED!

Let it be known that our greatest opponent is ourselves!

In any organization there will be a standard for greatness....it can never be capped. Why not recreate the standard yourself ? The first step to doing it is ignoring everyone who advises you what is not possible.

The Human Psyche is infinitely complex. There are a million places we can go with our thoughts and those thoughts then create our reality. Unfortunately, we humans are lemmings...tell me what is possible and I will set up a plan to get there.

It is time to put aside convention, to stop listening to those who's time has come and gone, to be aware that only one's own regret allows them to grab you by the collar and tell you to slow down.

Run through the halls, run over those in your way, let no one hold you back...you are bound by nothing! Nothing is impossible!

ONLY YOU CAN CREATE WHAT IS POSSIBLE!

"There are two pains in life; the pain of discipline and the pain of regret"

- Russ Hellickson, Ohio State Wrestling Coach

Don't Forget to Remember!

Dave

references:

http://twitter.com/davidkovacovich

www.linkedin.com/in/davidkovacovich

The Second Rule of Awesomeness

"NOW ALL WE CAN DO IS PRAY"

- Appropriate to say when your row boat has sprung a leak...not appropriate to say after you have just submitted a proposal!

The Second Rule of Awesomeness is: Wishing must be accompanied by a well prepared strategy.

I am all for the part in the movie where our well intention hero catches a break. I love the story of the underdog, I am a firm believer that everyone deserves a break and I think nice people usually finish first (no offense Billy Jo Armstrong).

Save your prayers for catastrophes that are out of your control!

If you prepare well, know your target audience and present your solution honestly; you have done all you can. It is important to get in where you fit in and to dedicate your time and effort accordingly.

In earnest, there is either a grounds for partnership or there is not. You are a good fit for a job or you are not. Your team will either play well enough to win or they won't....actually, praying and sports go hand-in-hand...scratch that last point!

Far too often we try to force things professionally. A few things to consider:
* If a position does not fit your true skill set...do you really want it?
* If a company is a bad prospect, they will be an even worse customer.
* Pretending to possess skills you do not can only lead to exposure and failure.

One of the greatest faults of business profitability measured by metric driven activity is the lack of concern for synchronicity. The thought being that if we meet with enough companies ultimately one of them is bound to say YES.....(on what grounds?).

It is much better to plan your time, effort, energy and resources in dedication of the pursuit of meaningful opportunities.

DON'T TRY TO BE SOMEONE YOU ARE NOT!

For far too long I lived a double existence - work hard/play hard! The problem was that the personality that made me fun to be around outside of work was put aside in the morning to fulfill expectations of others in pursuit of a professional demeanor....

There does not have to be a divide between work and play.....Be Yourself!
* If you put on a tie, comb your hair and pretend to be an expert - you will be exposed!
* If you pretend to like soccer to impress your boss - you will be exposed!
* If you read books you dislike - you are disingenuous
* If you do not voice your disapproval at critical decision making milestones - you are a liar

We need to stop pretending and dedicate ourselves to what is right! We need to stop talking about work and start working. Office politics are only an effort to make up for expertise through manipulation.

Do your talking in the ring! Avoid unnecessary motivational detractors! Have Fun for the right reasons.


Success Matters More When Your Genuine Intent in Fulfilled!


Don't Forget to Remember!

Dave

references:
www.linkedin.com/in/davidkovacovich
http://twitter.com/davidkovacovich

The First Rule of Awesomess

After reading Tony Hsieh's book Delivering Happiness, I came up with a personal core value map - it is called Awesomeness.

Using the letters in the word Awesomeness - I tried to come up with a personal mission statement that encompasses what I have learned, what I have done about it, and how it has helped.

The first rule of Awesomeness is:

Always Remember the Little People

My mom used to give the landscapers a six pack of beer at the end of each month. They were paid well for their hard work and they seemed to enjoy their work but while the neighbors shouted instructions at them; my mom gave them beer. It seemed like the right thing to do to.

I don't believe I ever became so overconfident that I categorized myself in front of another. It never made sense.

At some point, I came to realize that those who abused their authority had nothing else going for them and were thus not in the position of authority for long. On a larger scale, the condemnation of others on the basis that they know less than you is a way to divide not motivate. No one matters more than anyone else, everyone knows more about something than you do, and the same people you see on the way up you will see on the way down.

So, here are a few things to consider when considering others:

* If you ask someone to assist you in a friendly way, they usually put you at the top of the list

* Most people treat support staff like subordinates - don't

* Consider that they might not be as engaged as you are - and help them get there

* To Reiterate: The Same People You See on the Way Up, You Will See on the Way Down!

Don't Forget to Remember!

Dave

references: http://twitter.com/davidkovacovich

www.linkedin.com/in/davidkovacovich

Awesomeness

Friends -
A few weeks back I introduced you to the concept of Awesomeness.


This methodology for inspired living is based on years of professional experience, the lessons I have learned and some tips for doing right by yourself.

Awesomeness is:
Always remember the little people
Wishing must be accompanied by a well prepared Strategy
Every opinion is only an effort to curtail your unique motivation
Synchronize Professional Courtesy and Personal Interest
Only YOU can determine YOUR success
Many bridges must be crossed to find your way home
Even a broken clock is right twice a day
Never Give Up
Estimate impossible revenue goals - and double them
Simplicity can be the pathway to expertise
Some people are assholes - ignore them!



In the month of May we will review these concepts individually and expound upon them.



Drink them it, digest them and share them with the world!





Don't Forget to Remember,



Dave

Introducing Awesomeness

In his book 'Delivering Happiness' the Great Tony Hsieh introduces Zappos 10 core values. One of them being:

EMBRACE & DRIVE CHANGE

In no uncertain terms, Tony makes the point that if you are seeking any type of stability, whatsoever, Zappos is probably not the company for you!

How refreshing! A company that looks at the well certified, well dressed, well educated cog in the corporate wheel and shows them the back door.

The Reason why Zappos is great is because they view convention as mediocrity. They realize that structure by defacto checks and balances is the problem...not the solution.

In these troubling times, more and more companies have taken less chances in a survival effort. But companies like Zappos, have taken more chances viewing market caution as an opportunity not a cause for paranoia.

In 2010, the best companies have not a panic button but an extra gear on their jet pack.

I want to introduce you to the concept of AWESOMENESS:
Always remember the little people

Wishing must be accompanied by a well prepared Strategy

Every opinion is only an effort to curtail your unique motivation

Strategy and happiness are not rival concepts

Only YOU can determine YOUR success

Miracles happen every day - if you work really hard

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

Never Give Up

Estimate impossible revenue goals - and double them

Simplicity can be the pathway to expertise

Some people are assholes - ignore them!


Don't Forget To Remember!


Dave


references:
http://twitter.com/davidkovacovich
www.linkedin.com/in/davidkovacovich

The Watch

Last week we made the distinction: EVERYONE LOVES TO BE APPRECIATED!

So at what point do we graduate from the the appreciated to the appreciator?

As an example: when we get married we give away half of ourselves, when we have children we give away the other half and ultimately live to provide for others.

When we achieve financial success we begin to set aside funding for a cause. When we develop business acumen we get to a point when we can share our success story.

Are you ready to give back? Are you ready to pat someone on the back for their sake (not yours)? Are you confident enough in yourself to trust and empower others without short term expectation?

Jane's life was filled with short comings. She always tried hard but was never a top performer. At the company awards banquet she sat quietly, alone, and watched others receive rewards then thank their loved ones. Jane just didn't have the intestinal fortitude to get to great.

Does this make Jane a poor employee?

Jane spent 10 straight years at 90% of her quota. Consistently good, reliable, easy to manage; a perfect example of how to exist professionally.

Her boss, Jennifer, remembered the one time Jane opened up to her....she told a story of her life being pleasantly drama-free: She enjoyed living alone, she enjoyed working hard for the right reasons, she loved her life and her job. It was incredibly pleasing to her to find the goal and get there. Jane said she did not want to be recognized because it embarrassed her. She was happy to get her lunch in her cubicle, read on the bus and find customer's that were easy to get along with. The only memento of achievement that ever mattered to Jane was a Minnie Mouse watch that her (now deceased) father had bought for her.

So on her 10th Anniversary with her company, Jane went about work as usual. As she headed to the bus at the end of the day Jennifer called her into her office. She gave her an evaluation on another year of productive work and handed her an envelope.

On the bus ride home, Jane opened the envelope to see a note that simply stated: I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!...with a Minnie Mouse watch in the envelope.

Amid a group of strangers on the bus...Jane broke down into tears. For the first time in her professional life she felt genuinely appreciated!

Sometimes it is not so much what we have said to our employees but how well we have listened.

Don't Forget to Remember!

Dave

references:
http://twitter.com/davidkovacovich

Transparency

I am fortunate enough to spend my day helping organizations develop the strategy of appreciation.

Occasionally, I will hear people say - "we don't believe in recognition here"!

LIE!

Everyone wants to be recognized for what they do, everyone appreciates rewards, everyone needs a pat on the back for encouragement!

I understand the commodity employee recognition has become and the according stigma:
- It does not make sense to give a person a gift with a company logo on it or to select a gift for them that they do not want.

- If you are inarticulate in the way you recognize a person's achievement in a speech to their peers it has an adverse effect.

- If you force someone to participate in a contest in which they have no interest, it is nothing more than another task.

- If you ask me to pat someone on the back for a job that was done in mediocre fashion the nominator, recipient and the organization suffer.

- If I am able to order an expensive prize after 5 years of shitty work, that is nothing more than entitlement.


If you have made employee celebration a commodity you might as well:
1. Burn company money
2. Post a company mission statement written in morse code
3. Help your employees sharpen up their resumes





You cannot be transparent in the way you LOVE your people:
* Every employee must be personally engaged in the reward with which you empower them!

* When you speak of someone who you have manged for five years and you do not have the ability to inspire them to tears - you should be FIRED!

* The Reward should encompass a Choice!

* Everyone should have an Equal Opportunity to be Appreciated!

* The choice to participate should be an Honor not a burden.


In simplest terms, everyone is different. Your employee should be a contributing business partner specifically because they can do things NO ONE else can do.


Know What Makes Your People Unique and Celebrate accordingly!


Don't Forget to Remember!


Dave


references:
http://www.mcfrecognition.com/
http://twitter.com/davidkovacovich
www.linkedin.com/in/davidkovacovich

The Ripple Effect - part 2

John assists Jennifer with an order and she sends him a friendly note along with a link to buy his favorite MP3. John's accomplishment is then broadcast to the company in a newsletter. He receives 22 emails from his colleagues extending further congratulations. He goes home happy for the weekend. So much so, that he asks his girlfriend to pick the movie tonight. She is so surprised and elated that she decides not to dump him.

Bill thinks the Sales guys get all the credit for his hard work; driving a truck picking up boxes of highly sensitive documents. After a long shift his boss asks him to come into the distribution office. He fires up his computer, asks him to read a heartfelt note from the guy with the tie and then tells him to select a piece of jewelry to give to his daughter to wear at the spring dance this weekend. Bill gives his daughter the necklace. She decides that her Dad is still the only guy for her and tells Travis that she will only be his dance partner that evening. Bill and his daughter spend a Sunday in the park like they used to. On Monday, Bill sees a full route on his itinerary and sprints to his truck to complete the orders on time.

Pauline has been passed over for a promotion for the 3rd time. Her job is effecting her marriage, she is always stressed and she really does not feel that all her hard work has had any impact. She walks into the office ready to quit and move to Nebraska with her husband. There, her whole team waits for her. Each tells her a brief story of how she has helped them. Pauline realizes that leadership is not about climbing the corporate ladder or making more money but the legacy you pass on to those who you touch every day.

Dear Reader,

This is the Ripple Effect! It is real. It makes companies better. It carries human interaction into the workplace and makes your office the best place to work in the world.

The Ripple Effect limits turnover, saves the company money, drives revenue, limits entitlement, and creates a community.

The Ripple Effect saves marriages, prevents teenage pregnancy and prohibits people from making wrong life decisions.

Your office is full of HUMAN BEINGS with Human Interest Stories. Celebrate Them!

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

How was work today?

The inevitable questions that is posed to us at day’s end when we are at the dinner table with our family, on the back porch with Grandpa, or in the gym with our friends is…how was work today?

The key to opening a positive dialogue in these ‘end of the day’ conversations is…The Ripple Effect.

The differentiating element in making any company great is our people…If we are celebrated we are inspired and if we are inspired we are engaged.

So if we spend most of our waking hours at work…and we love what we do…the world can be a better place!

BELIEVE!

Don't Forget to Remember,

Dave

references:

http://twitter.com/davidkovacovich

The Ripple Effect

Last week we talked about producing a Ripple Effect in the workplace to inspire a 'pay it forward' mentality. We used the Disneyland Formula:
If a woman sees her son laughing his face off on a roller coaster, I guarantee all the frustration of parenting escapes in that moment. She is filled with the irreplaceable joy of giving life and growing it. So when they hop off that ride and she holds the door for a guy who is frustrated that the vacation is not going as planned maybe he will remember why he is at Disneyland. That hug that Gentlemen gives to his wife may help her remember why she loves him. And so a Ripple Effect is produced......why can't your office be the Happiest Place on Earth.

I am asked daily to help organizations determine the ROI of recognition. It is not an easy question to answer and I do not believe in stretching the truth to pontificate a presumed point. But, if we review the example above, everything depends on our interactions and their positive outcomes. Will your company go out of business if you do not appreciate the people who work hard for your organizational cause....probably not. But, if you hire great people they have choices. So let's ponder the cost of the following:
* What does it cost to hire, train and onboard a new employee?

* If your company was 10% more productive would it be worth it to give each of your employees a $100 gift card?

* What is the savings to your organization if every employees stay onboard for at least 5 years?

* If non-incentive based departments were given rewards for performance would they perform better?

* If a customer service rep got a pat on the back from a Sales Rep for every order they completed would this expedite their process for order completion?

Bottom line, if you appreciate your employees in a formal manner through nominations, spot awards, service celebration and performance incentives your business results will increase. The expense of an i-pod is not greater than the benefit of completing a project a week early and sending 6 temps home.

Rewards without meaningful delivery and an according company culture are meaningless. We need to produce a Ripple Effect.

Find out how next week......

Don't Forget to Remember

Dave