Real Recognition Radio Show Guests

This week Roy & I had the privilege of interviewing Sonia Di Maulo and Tanveer Naseer on Real Recognition Radio.

While the effort to create a better work environment may seem like common sense, the value in the conversation comes from actually doing something about it. I encourage you to take a look at your own workplace to consider the following:

• What is the language like?
• Do people build each other up or spend more time protecting themselves?
• Are managers so concerned with their own ego that they are unable to genuinely celebrate their team member's success?
• Can you trust the people around you?
• Do people hoard information and hoard the credit for work others do?
• Is the culture one that supports an abundance mentality where many people can contribute and succeed?

I encourage you to take the time to listen to the show and read the blogs from Sonia & Tanveer summarizing the conversation.

My Favorite Tweets this Week

When used properly, social media can be an amazing tool and a vast land of learning. Here are some favorite tweets from people this week:

• "Nothing stunts a leader's growth like an overdeveloped ego." (via @tedcoine)
• "The greatest thing a generation can do is lay a few stepping stones for the next generation." Charles Kettering (via @johncmaxwell)
• "Leadership should be more participative than directive, more enabling than performing." Mary D. Poole (via @thehrgoddess)
• "The bridges you cross before you come to them are over rivers that aren't there." Gene Brown (via @salespowertips)
• "Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these, society will face tremendous difficulties." The Dalai Lama (via @UpayaChaplains)
• "Ask for help not because you are weak, but because you want to remain strong." Les Brown (via @ReadyTOFeedback @czaucha @BillyCoxLive)
• "Employee recognition is powerful when you understand the principles and practices behind it -- Make it more than a gimmick! (via @smaxbrown -- me)

The Measure of a Man or Woman

In his book titled, "Making Your Company Human: Inspiring Others to Reach Their Potential," Le Herron suggests that CEOs should be paid based on how fairly they serve their customers, their employees, and the shareholders. What is their reward? His answer was simple, yet important to repeat: "When you achieve the intangible result of helping people to open up and contribute their best efforts, it makes the tangible results, like revenue growth and market share, better and more likely."

He went on to say that for the "leader who tries to live in accord with the priciples of fairness and serving others," there is a greater reward. Le then shared the story of the day he retired and all of the associates at his company came together to present him with this poem titled, "The Measure of a Man":

A man's no bigger than the way he treats his fellow man.
This standard has his measure been since time itself began.
He's measured not by tithes or creed, high-sounding though they be;
Nor by the gold that's put aside, nor by his sanctity.
He's measured not by social rank, when character's the test.
Nor by his earthly pomp or show, displaying wealth possessed.
He's measured by his justice, right; his fairness at his play;
His squareness in all dealings made; his honest, upright way.
These are his measures, ever near to serve him when they can,
For a man's no bigger than the way he treats his fellow man.

Author Unknown

How do you measure success? Is it the way you treat others?