Purpose at work is hot. It’s easy to draw this conclusion for people in the arts. Writers must write. Pianists must play the piano. Artists must paint. But what about the schlep who punches the same hole in a piece of metal all day long. Or, the computer coder who has been working for months. …
What does your customer or employer want, require, and expect of you? Can you meet these? What are the tradeoffs? The following story may make some sense. When I tell people that on ‘death march’ projects, I’ve worked 80 hour weeks, they’ll say ‘oh yeah.’ Impossible! You’re kidding! Well I wondered if I’m a minority. …
Be proactive. Don’t stand still. Take the initiative and be responsible. Begin with the end in mind. Start any activity, a meeting, run, day, or life, with an end in mind. Work to that end and make sure your values are aligned with your goals. Put first things first. Prioritize your life so you’re …
Learn to chill Open up to opportunities and possibilities Participate in an exciting experience Take a time out Gain clarity Overcome mental and emotional challenges Get a perspective Develop a quiet mind and healthy body Invigorate yourself Develop a great attitude Learn to trust and give up control Connect with higher thoughts[i] [i] Gordon, …
The signs of workplace spirituality are all over. Stephen Covey’s, Deepak Chopra’s, and Jack Canfield’s books fly off the shelves. Time and TV Guide recently had cover articles on workplace spirituality. Work is now more than a meal ticket. For many of us, it’s becoming a calling, a higher form of endeavor. As a result, …
The new workplace evangelists believe there are universal principles in life and work. More of these principles are people and principle centered. Individual and people values involve human dignity, fairness, integrity, and honesty. Stephen R. Covey is probably the most prominent writer promoting the importance of individual values and clarifying the meaning of work. His …
The high priests of the spirituality movement include Stephen Covey (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People), Deepak Chopra (The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success), and Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul). Their messages are much different that those of the 1980s ‘greed decade’ when we saw books like Swim with the Sharks Without …
Leaders in sports, politics, and business set an example or serve as a role model. The stakes are high and the impacts are lasting and profound. In basketball, we hear ‘be like Mike’ (Michael Jordan). In business, the CEO is the moral and cultural leader of the organization. On a team, the captain or lead …
For years it seemed that business ethics was an oxymoron. Expediency was the rule of business. Now, the risk of an ethical lapse is much higher. Ethical lapses such as sexual harassment, pollution, or product defects may cost a company millions of dollars. Business logic (the head) is sometimes at war with organizational values (the …
Customers Commitment Diversity Excellence Ethics Fun Growth Leadership Performance Profitability Passion Quality Respect Service Shareholders Stakeholders Success Teaming Values