Celebrate Labor!

Although meant as an annual celebration of U.S. Workers and their achievements, Labor Day now often marks the end of the summer vacation season and children’s return to school. It was first celebrated Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. Some 10,000 workers, who took unpaid time off, assembled and marched from City Hall, past reviewing stands in Union Square.  It was organized by the Central Labor Union, an umbrella group made up of representatives from many local unions. Not unlike today where Labor Day festivities include parades, parties, barbeques and fireworks, the workers and their families in 1882 gathered in New York City for a picnic, concert and speeches.

There is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers. Some records show it was Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor workers. He had witnessed an annual labor festival in Canada prior to suggesting a similar holiday in the United States. Many people believe that it was Matthew Maguire, a machinist and later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., who proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. 

Nevertheless, by 1884 similar organizations in other cities followed the example of New York and celebrated a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country. Oregon made Labor Day a legal holiday in 1887, becoming the first state to do so. In 1894, Labor Day was established an official national holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September, by President Grover Cleveland and the U.S. Congress.

This first celebration of U.S. workers originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapter. At the time, most employees worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week in order to make a living. Although some states imposed restrictions on the age of workers, in some other states children as young as 5 or 6 years old were working in mines, factories, and mills, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. Children, the elderly, the poor, and recent immigrants often worked in unsafe working conditions with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facility and breaks.

Instrumental in making changes to these conditions was Frances Perkins, the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, and the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet. She accepted the offer from then President-elect, Franklin Roosevelt by setting forth items she wanted to address and change: a forty-hour work week, a minimum wage, worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, a federal law banning child labor, direct federal aid for unemployment relief, Social Security, a revitalized public employment service, and health insurance.” During his first term, Roosevelt accomplished all of these goals, except national health insurance.

This year, Labor Day is next Monday, September 4, 2017. Enjoy it and take a moment to remember its origins and honor all workers.

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Stuffing Envelopes & Other Lessons on Leading

While having breakfast the other morning with our friend, Ralph, in one of our favorite places, we were telling him how much we admire the manager. When he’s there, he’s very visible and always greets the customer. That particular morning, while serving plates of food, he was taking direction from the cashier who was letting him know where the customers were seated. We often talk with him as he walks around the restaurant and chats with customers – but he’s not just wandering around aimlessly. He’ll clear dishes that he sees on tables and tend to other necessary tasks while he takes the time to engage with customers. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. The staff tells us that things run so smoothly when he’s there. As one person put it, “He doesn’t stay hidden in his office like other managers – he’s out here with us.” He’s also out and about with us, the customers. One of his most admirable leadership traits is his willingness to work side by side with his team and do any task that they do. What a great example he sets!

Ralph remarked that this type of behavior is simply intuitive to some leaders. Something needs to be done and you just do it. He shared the story about a time when his staff was engaged in a process that included stuffing thousands of envelopes – a process that was later automated at his staff’s initiative. He joined them in the conference room and started stuffing envelopes right alongside them. They were amazed. Talk of it spread all over the organization and when he retired, the story was retold. What a great example he set!

At a doctor’s appointment earlier in the year I overhead the doctor talking with a staff member out in the hall. Apparently someone had spilled coffee on the carpet and the staff member was cleaning it up. I couldn’t see what was happening, but his words caught my attention. “Do you want me to do that?” he asked. He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Not only did he set a great example, but he sent a powerful message to me, his patient. He had a great amount of respect for his staff.

Management text books are filled with examples and case studies of leadership theories. All three of these examples fit the Blake-Mouton theory that describes leadership behavior along two axes: concern for people and concern for task. All three of these are clearly team leaders ranking high on both axes. They lead by positive example, foster a team environment, and encourage individual and team development.

We don’t have to look very far to find positive examples of leadership behavior. Often these examples are right in front of us. They will vary by company size and industry. Not all examples are visible to customers or clients – but they are all visible to employees. Leaders who set a positive example for their teams go a long way in building trust and respect!

Words Matter

The words in the letter which was laying on my desk leapt out at me. “It’s imperative that you complete and return the enclosed form as soon as possible. Failure to do so will have [dire consequences].” Okay, I’m exaggerating just a bit, but the appeal to provide certain information and a particular form struck me as somewhat harsh. It was more of directive than a request. Even though the information request was reasonable, my immediate reaction was to retreat and say no! I knew that wouldn’t have solved anything. However, I couldn’t help but thinking that the message would have been much more positive had the writer said “We appreciate your attention to this and please return the form as soon as possible.” 

Have you ever been in this situation where someone’s words don’t meet the situation or elicit the wrong response or reaction from you? Have you ever been in the situation where the right words don’t come to you, or they just come out wrong? We certainly have. So when our publisher approached us about writing another book – The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book – it didn’t take us long to say yes.

There are so many positive ways to say things, even in a negative situation. At times, you may only have one opportunity to ask a question or share your opinion or solution, but no matter how hard you try, you don’t know what to say—so you don’t say anything at all. That’s when you just need a prompt to help formulate your thoughts and help the words come out right.

No, you can’t plan for every conversation or confrontation. There are times when something unexpected happens, but there are also many times you initiate or anticipate a difficult conversation and that’s where The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book can help.

Nobody wants to go into a potentially difficult situation fumbling for words. Instead of shying away from such a conversation, you can use The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book to prepare for a situations or conversations you suspect will be difficult. Becoming familiar with phrases can spark a useful thought or give you the words you need to feel more confident and prepared. It can help you be ready with your own words and language – words with which you’re comfortable and which feel right to you. 

Words really do matter. Having the right words on hand empowers you. The more you use and practice using positive language, the stronger the habit will become and it will be less likely that you will want to flee from a difficult situation. 

The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book is now available for pre-order from Amazon – http://tinyurl.com/y7je7z9l – with a publication date of September 18, 2017. We’re excited about this new book which is a natural complement to The Essential Workplace Conflict Handbook. We know you’re going to find it to be a valuable resource. 

Cornelia & Barbara

What Do You Notice?

An article I was reading recently in Writer’s Digest magazine had a great suggestion for sharpening your writing skills. In essence, it said to train your eye to notice things and then write about them. It suggested that at odd moments throughout your day – in public transit on your way to work or at a restaurant during lunch – notice and jot down your observations – snatches of conversations you may overhear, gestures or expressions you notice on other people – then write a few sentences about these observations. The purpose is to deepen your awareness and keep you focused. 

The passage caught my attention not just because it was an easy and effective exercise, but because it reminded me of a book I’d just read in my book club, The Noticer’s Guide to Living and Laughing, by Margery Leveen Sher. She wrote a whole book about the amazing things she notices – things about nature, the seasons, the city, art, books. You name it, she’s noticed it. In a world where everyone seems to be staring at their phones, it was refreshing to read about someone who took the time to look up, down and all around. 

When people become too self-absorbed and don’t pay attention to what’s going on around them, they can miss great opportunities. It reminds me of an encounter that I had over breakfast one morning at a small neighborhood café. It was crowded and the space was tight. We ended up sharing a table with another couple and struck up a conversation. Someone else couldn’t help overhearing us and it turned out she had a possible job opportunity for the woman in the other party. A connection was made because someone was listening and paying attention.

Ideas and opportunities arise when you least expect it, but you’ve got to notice them.

• Do you pay attention to the action around you?
• Do you listen to the stories people are telling?
• Do you listen to ideas from people throughout the organization?

Pay attention to how ideas flow in your organization. Do they flow freely? More importantly, do team member have the freedom to either act on good ideas or at least bring them forward? If communication channels are rigidly defined, you may be stifling creativity and productivity.

I've been in organizations and heard of situations where directors only talk to directors and if you’re not at that level, you cannot pass an idea up (or worse answer a question or provide information) to a person at a "higher level".  I once served on an industry/government task force.  A good idea had been presented and I asked if it could be taken back to the appropriate agency.  "That's above my pay grade" was the response I got.

You gain a great deal if you encourage open communication channels. How you communicate reveals much about your culture.  Open communication leads to problem solving, creativity and innovation and it will keep your team members motivated, engaged, and in your employ.

It’s Summertime!

Summertime – the living’s supposed to be easy, as the song goes. The kids are out of school and it’s a delight to hear them playing outside on summer evenings. They are thrilled to have a break from their routine. So why are adults so afraid to use the vacation time that they’ve earned?  After all, it’s part of their total rewards!

A colleague once shared that when he returned from a two-week African safari his staff told him he could never go away for that period of time again! His boss was okay with it, but his staff wasn’t. They obviously got a taste of what it’s like to be the boss. Yes, we Americans think it's unusual to take a two-week vacation anymore, and that used to be the norm. During his trip, my colleague met Europeans who were taking month(s)-long holidays. Some people don’t use their paid time off because they worry the job won’t be there when they get back or that while they are away, their boss will notice mistakes they’ve made that might have gone unnoticed if they’d been on the job.  How sad is that?

Several years ago, I wrote a passage as I was sitting in the Tulleries Gardens outside the Louvre in Paris. It is a spectacular Monday with bright blue skies and all around me are flowers in bloom.  Children are playing while parents and nannies chat nearby.  I am sitting in a café sipping a coffee.  My mind is clear because I am totally relaxed and I am not focused on the usual “to do” lists that drive my workday at home.  Today I have no deliverables, phone calls to make or book chapters to write—I am free to think and to create.

We all have experiences that feed our souls and open our hearts.  What does it for me is being in a place with beautiful artworks or listening to music.  In Paris, that means spending time on the 5^th floor of the Musee d’Orsay with the Impressionists or attending a concert in the stunningly beautiful Sainte Chapell surrounded by the most incredible stained glass windows listening to Vivaldi.  My spirits sore, my mind is free and I am renewed.

I’m not suggesting that everyone needs to take a long vacation to Paris or an African safari! I am suggesting that we all need to step out of our routine and get some rest.  I find I am most creative when I am not tired and not focused on the daily routine.  A weekend away is enough most of the year but from time to time, it is worth it to take a week or two to really unwind.

Rest and rejuvenation go hand in hand for me.  What do you do to unwind?  Are you taking time off to allow your body to rest and your spirit to rejuvenate? Take those vacation days and see what it does for you and your career!

Qualities of a Good Team Player

We talk a lot about team play in sports and marvel at how well they work together to win either a game or a  championship.  So how do we translate this to the world at work?

Here are seven tips for becoming a good team player—whether on the baseball diamond, the basketball court, or in the workplace!

1. A good team player keeps their commitments.  When you work on a team, by definition you depend on the other team members to get your work done so it is critical to hold up your end of the bargain.  Once a commitment is made to a project or any deliverable, you must complete your assigned tasks so that the deadline is met.  And, if you find you can’t hold up your end of the bargain, a good team player lets the rest of the team know in advance so other arrangements can be made.
2. A good team player supports the other members of the team.  This includes picking up the slack when someone has a family emergency or taking the time to sing the praises of a co-worker—just because it’s the right thing to do.  Supporting the work of others makes the entire team more successful. And, a good team member avoids gossiping about co-workers!
3. A good team player appreciates the work the others contribute and says thanks!  It can be highly meaningful to your co-workers to hear you say how much you value them and the work they do.  It also is a great idea to pass along praise to your manager as well.
4. A good team player handles the inevitable changes that occur with grace.  Deadlines and priorities are constantly shifting in today’s organizations.  Rather than fighting the change or complaining about what the change will do to your work or your life, accept it and move on.
5. A good team player consistently exceeds expectations which ensures that projects are successfully completed.
6. A good team player takes pride in the work they do but also in the accomplishments of others on the team.
7. A good team player works hard to increase their skill and/or knowledge.  A good team player is a continuous learner!

Teams are important. We dedicated a chapter to teams in The Essential Workplace Conflict Handbook. We’d love to hear your ideas on what makes a good team player so send them on and we’ll share them in future blogs.

Don't Be Trapped in the Past

“But, we’ve always done it this way!” How many times have you heard these words spoken over your business career? I think they are deadly and can stop growth and innovation cold!

If you’ve been reading these blogs for a while, you know that Cornelia and I frequently attend the ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.  One of the best parts of the ballet season is that we get to experience productions from a wide variety of ballet companies—everything from the amazing New York City Ballet  to less traditional groups like one we saw recently—the Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

This is a group of very talented artists who danced that night to music by the legendary, David Bowie.  They describe their style as “a singular approach to reinventing dance through a groundbreaking mix of methods, styles, and cultures.”  Their idea is that dance should be about removing boundaries, not reinforcing them.  They’ve created a dance company that provides a place where” those who are passionate about dance can celebrate its past while simultaneously building its future.”

This company has been around for 23 years and their creators say they’ve “born witness to a world that is becoming more fluid, more changeable, and more culturally interconnected than ever before.”

Listening to Bowie’s music while watching these talented dancers—especially when they danced to his memorable song, “Changes” reminded me of the dangerous trap so many people fall into by wanting everything to stay the same. 

So, how does your organization keep from falling into the “We’ve always done it this way” mode? What can you learn from this artistic team of choreographers and dancers who see that the world is more “changeable and culturally interconnected than ever before”?

Change is never easy and we’ve seen during our business careers that the most important piece of making changes (which is really just doing things differently) in organizations is the communications process and it’s the piece of the process that gets missed most often.

If you’re going to change a process or policy or strategy, your employees need to know—before you start—why the change is necessary.  Then, during the change process, they need to hear from you and other leaders, how it’s going so you need to not only talk to them—you need to listen as well.  As far as I know, no employee has ever complained that their manager communicates too much so you can’t over do it!

Remember Einstein’s definition of insanity—“Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”?  Is this what happen in your organization or are you open to changing how you do things in order to improve results? If you really want to succeed in our very complex world, be open to doing thing differently, just like the Complexions Contemporary Ballet and share with us what happens! And if this amazing dance company is ever in your city, go—it’s quite an experience!