One of the greatest mistakes in any business is seeking blame when a problem occurs. A true timewaster, labeling someone as the enemy with blame does nothing to solve the problem. It wrecks morale and can seriously damage relationships, as well as building up resentment among co-workers. Blame is pointless until the problem is solved. Until solved, everyone should be working toward fixing the solution, and not toward blaming a co-worker.
As an employee, I have seen countless examples of several people arguing over who did what and who is going to fix it. Early on, these experiences made me extremely uncomfortable, and at times very anxious. Now? HA! It's hilarious. I mean, where else can you watch grown, responsible, hardworking adults bicker like children on the playground fighting over a swing?
It also makes the blamers look weak, especially if those laying blame are of management or even worse, ownership. Think about it- if you are a part of a fortune 500 company and suddenly your CEO comes down from their office and starts screaming because they noticed a problem? Worse yet, they didn't even come up with a solution, nor did they try to assemble the troops to try and solve the issue. It shows weak leadership, poor problem solving skills, and cruelty. Would you be motivated to help this person? I hope not.
That being said, if there truly is blame to place, place it later. In a private meeting, and discipline the person appropriately, IN PRIVATE. Berating and screaming at an individual that made a mistake does nothing. It does not make the aggressor look good, powerful, or intelligent. It does not make the employee being attacked more willing to work, or to even continue to work.
Try this. The next time crap hits the fan at your place of business and you're in the position to blame someone? Don't. Instead, come up with a solution, and then rally your fellow employees and superiors around you to help solve it. Then, leave the discipline and resulting discussion for later, and for god's sake, IN PRIVATE.
Be kind, get stuff done. Period.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Family- Blood is Thicker than Profits
Over the course of my short time here on Earth, I have had a multitude of jobs. Why is this important? Well, it's because there is no loyalty, no determination, no strength better than the powerful dynamic of a healthy, family owned and operated business. Period.
I know what you're thinking! Family owned and operated business aren't always healthy. Sometimes, they are quite the opposite, and you are absolutely right. No business is safe from the touch of corruption, negativity, or even hatred. It has been said (by who I don't remember) that family can hurt you the most out of anyone on this planet. And that, sadly, is also true. But for a second, let's pretend we're not all jaded and cynical.
Family business is so much more than just passing down a lineage, or an ownership title. When hardships occur, you aren't alone in weathering them. When triumph occurs, you are not alone when celebrating them. When you feel like you can't trust anyone, well guess what? You can trust in family. And that trust is what makes it all work.
My family and I fight when it comes to the business. Of course we do! I can't imagine it any other way for anyone else either. But the key is that we are always looking out for each other- this foundation of trust and honesty helps drive the business forward even in the face of horrific economic hardship. Even bankruptcy. This unique strength is something no other business can achieve. It is impossible, no matter how close, or friendly, or dedicated a workforce is.
Money becomes something to help the business opposed to a point of contention. Petty things come up, sure- but they are always put aside in the name of the business. In the name of its future, or even the family's future.
One thing I have never experienced in any job was the feeling of being part of a team. Often, I would be on the outside of cliques that would form internally due to the silly garbage of office politics. I also found that my seriousness about any given job was not shared, or even ridiculed. I am a firm believer that the phrase, "That's not my job!" shouldn't exist, and that everyone working together in any given job should be doing just that: actually working together! For the first time in my life, in my career, I can say that I am part of a team.
And it's a team that I believe in. Do you believe in your team?
I know what you're thinking! Family owned and operated business aren't always healthy. Sometimes, they are quite the opposite, and you are absolutely right. No business is safe from the touch of corruption, negativity, or even hatred. It has been said (by who I don't remember) that family can hurt you the most out of anyone on this planet. And that, sadly, is also true. But for a second, let's pretend we're not all jaded and cynical.
Family business is so much more than just passing down a lineage, or an ownership title. When hardships occur, you aren't alone in weathering them. When triumph occurs, you are not alone when celebrating them. When you feel like you can't trust anyone, well guess what? You can trust in family. And that trust is what makes it all work.
My family and I fight when it comes to the business. Of course we do! I can't imagine it any other way for anyone else either. But the key is that we are always looking out for each other- this foundation of trust and honesty helps drive the business forward even in the face of horrific economic hardship. Even bankruptcy. This unique strength is something no other business can achieve. It is impossible, no matter how close, or friendly, or dedicated a workforce is.
Money becomes something to help the business opposed to a point of contention. Petty things come up, sure- but they are always put aside in the name of the business. In the name of its future, or even the family's future.
One thing I have never experienced in any job was the feeling of being part of a team. Often, I would be on the outside of cliques that would form internally due to the silly garbage of office politics. I also found that my seriousness about any given job was not shared, or even ridiculed. I am a firm believer that the phrase, "That's not my job!" shouldn't exist, and that everyone working together in any given job should be doing just that: actually working together! For the first time in my life, in my career, I can say that I am part of a team.
And it's a team that I believe in. Do you believe in your team?
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Rush Hour(s)
I've discovered something strange in my area.
Most people dread rush hour. It's when everyone clocks out, disconnects, and heads home. When I first started with Budget five years ago, rush hour in my area (New Jersey) was roughly from 05:00PM-06:00PM, with the final bits of congestion thinning out by 07:00PM. How do I know this? I've done the same commute to and from work just about every day of those five years. Honestly, it was easy to tell.
But this has changed. The rush hour has started to begin at 04:00PM (not too long ago really), and often, runs late into 07:00PM. Heavy traffic and congestion around these times are inevitable, as everyone is starting to go home. But! I've noticed that rush hour is not only longer now, but more hazardous. People often hang in large clusters on the highway, put putting along. As I look into these vehicles, I see the same thing all the time:
Fatigue. Or stress. Think about it- I'm sure you've been stuck in rush hour traffic at least once in your life. Have you once seen a happy face? Or hell, an emotionally neutral one? People look hollow. Vacant. Drained. These people are just moving forward through time and space to their next destination, unthinking. Probably exhausted, too.
I suspect that rush hour has gotten longer for two reasons. One, we are working more. A shift in the rush hour time, especially the beginning, may indicate traffic from supplementary or odd-houred jobs (when compared to the usual 9-5). Approaching 05:00PM, traffic is almost stopped, crawling inch by agonizing inch toward home. It only gets worse as it gets later, which could indicate that people are working later now, leaving work later. Longer hours, multiple jobs.
Busy does not mean productive. People drive home on their cellphones, probably still connected to their job somehow. I've seen people drift to the side of the road and jerk back, implying driver fatigue. Car crashes, stupid mistakes, everything. We are too tried and we are trying to do too many things.
Think long and hard about what is slowly happening, and how we are moving forward. How long will an average work week, or a shift be in twenty years? What will be expected as "just part of the job?" Think about it.
Most people dread rush hour. It's when everyone clocks out, disconnects, and heads home. When I first started with Budget five years ago, rush hour in my area (New Jersey) was roughly from 05:00PM-06:00PM, with the final bits of congestion thinning out by 07:00PM. How do I know this? I've done the same commute to and from work just about every day of those five years. Honestly, it was easy to tell.
But this has changed. The rush hour has started to begin at 04:00PM (not too long ago really), and often, runs late into 07:00PM. Heavy traffic and congestion around these times are inevitable, as everyone is starting to go home. But! I've noticed that rush hour is not only longer now, but more hazardous. People often hang in large clusters on the highway, put putting along. As I look into these vehicles, I see the same thing all the time:
Fatigue. Or stress. Think about it- I'm sure you've been stuck in rush hour traffic at least once in your life. Have you once seen a happy face? Or hell, an emotionally neutral one? People look hollow. Vacant. Drained. These people are just moving forward through time and space to their next destination, unthinking. Probably exhausted, too.
I suspect that rush hour has gotten longer for two reasons. One, we are working more. A shift in the rush hour time, especially the beginning, may indicate traffic from supplementary or odd-houred jobs (when compared to the usual 9-5). Approaching 05:00PM, traffic is almost stopped, crawling inch by agonizing inch toward home. It only gets worse as it gets later, which could indicate that people are working later now, leaving work later. Longer hours, multiple jobs.
Busy does not mean productive. People drive home on their cellphones, probably still connected to their job somehow. I've seen people drift to the side of the road and jerk back, implying driver fatigue. Car crashes, stupid mistakes, everything. We are too tried and we are trying to do too many things.
Think long and hard about what is slowly happening, and how we are moving forward. How long will an average work week, or a shift be in twenty years? What will be expected as "just part of the job?" Think about it.
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