I was having lunch with a friend of mine last week. She and her team had written an article documenting a clinical trial we had sponsored. We succeeded in getting the piece published in a reputable peer reviewed journal. The response was positive and one of the authors was invited to present the paper at the annual meeting of a key doctor group. Both events have generated considerable press coverage. All-in-all a very successful project.We were talking about things we did right. At one point she said many people in her office were impressed by the passion I had for the project. She said it was contagious. They performed better which got others to perform better.
I paused, smiled and thanked her for the comment. Afterward I got to thinking our project succeeded where others had not been as successful. If having a positive attitude was one small piece in its overall success I’ll take it.
I choose to wake up on most days and be excited about what I’m doing. I also like to work with others that feel the same way. Unfortunately there are lots of people out there that don’t feel the same way. I recently came across an article that summarized a survey of over 7,500 employees and interviews with 40 HR and line managers on employee engagement. The report found that 19% of those interviewed are completely disengaged, and 13% are disillusioned and at risk for becoming disengaged. A disengaged employee is an energy “taker” who uses energy and takes motivation down with them. If these statistics are correct and you have a team of 6 members there is a good chance that 2 of them may be dragging you and your team down.
Surround yourself with “Tiggers”
So what do you do? Mindy Grossman, Chief Executive of HSN Inc. was profiled in an article in the NY Times recently. In the article she said
“There are a number of things that are really important to me. One … is that you only hire Tiggers. You don’t hire Eeyores. It doesn’t mean they have to be loud, but I need energy-givers and I have to get a feeling that this person is going to be able to inspire people. Are they going to be optimistic about where they’re going? Are they going to attract people who are like that?”
Unfortunately most of the time we may not get to choose the members or our team. We make the best with what we have.
Make a difference
We do choose every day how we look at challenges and how we treat others. If we treat each other with respect, if we have passion about what we are doing and what our team can achieve my feeling is that the energy spreads. We create “Tiggers” around us.
Leadership begins with you. You choose how you will be perceived by your team. Are you concentrating on the positive? Are you shooting for the stars?
Do everything with passion! You may be surprised with what your team will come up with.
Until next time – all the best!
RolandB
Image: Tigger photo
3 comments:
Great post Roland!
I worked in sales & marketing at the Disney Channel from 1989 - 1997. Participants in the annual Disney Channel sales meeting, were given a Disney Channel jean jacket. Each meeting participant was able to choose in advance which Disney Character patch would be sewn on the back of their jacket. The jackets were distributed at the meeting.
Out of all the great Disney characters, I chose Tigger! To this day, I proudly wear my Tigger jean jacket!
Great post Roland,
I worked in sales & marketing at the Disney Channel from 1989 - 1997.
As a perk for attending the 1997 Disney Channel Annual Sales Meeting, participants were given a Disney Channel jean jacket. Each attendee got to choose in advance of the meeting their size and which Disney character patch would be sewn on the back on their jean jacket. The jackets were distributed at the sales meeting.
Out of all the great Disney characters, I chose Tigger! To this day, I proudly wear my Tigger jean jacket!
Thanks for pointing out this NY Times article. I completely agree with the "Tigger/Eyeore" discussion. From a third party recruiting perspective, its important to find these skills that are often considered "soft."
Many recruiters focus on the details of the resume to make sure a candidate has the skills to do the job, but most times a candidate with half the skills of the "ideal" candidate will get the job because they are a "Tigger." Its important also for companies to realize that their own "skill requirements" often get in the way of them hiring the best person for the job.
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