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Jeff Colvin
Management Consultant & Founder of Link,
a Management Consulting Group
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'Tis
the season of giving and you have probably begun making out the
list of what to buy for whom, and have also decided who will not
be given a gift this year? Will your decision depend on who gave
you something in the past? How will you determine how much to spend
on those few lucky ones?
The holiday spirit reminds me of a very simple, yet effective,
behavior that applies to housewives, children and managers across
all levels of companies and industries. When done sincerely, with
little pretense, this special approach to dealing with people can
actually get you further in relationships and business than many
of the modern techniques to managing people.
Be nice. Common courtesy, goodwill, helpful attitude, and general
sincerity will propel you to the top of anyone's list in terms of
who they wish to associate with and who they will favor in returning
a good deed.
In today's busy world of information overload and too much to do
with too little time, many of us have left behind the basic fundamentals
that cost little time and no money. Human kindness is not wrapped
in a package and delivered once a year. It appears in many different
sizes and shapes and must be handled with care.
- Holding the door for someone (whether or not their arms are
full).
- Giving up your seat to someone on a crowded bus, subway, or
train (they don't have to be elderly).
- Answering an email or phone message in a short time frame (even
if you don't know the person).
- Keeping the elevator door open for just a few seconds longer
(when the person approaching is more than 5 steps away and you're
in a hurry).
- Smiling at someone you've never met (and if you dare say, "Good
Morning")
For you business types, let's put this all in perspective. What
is the return on the investment? The math gets tricky on this one.
When you invest zero and you get career opportunities, connections
to special events, promotions, favors from people you know well
or barely know, the multiplier is very difficult to discern.
If management is defined as "getting work done through others",
you may find that the logic of being liked, reciprocation, and a
positive attitude all may add up to making your job easier; if not
more enjoyable.
This holiday season put everyone on your gift list; even people
you have yet to meet. Make your New Year's resolution to give something
to others at every opportunity. Give people something that they
will remember you by and something that will require little investment
of time and money; but will require a bit of extra effort. This
is the effort of conscious thought.
Good idea or good kharma; you decide?
"`It is the coward and the fool who says this is fate,' goes
the Sanskrit proverb," said Swami Vivekananda. "But it
is the strong man who stands up and says, `I will make my fate.'
It costs nothing to be nice.
Be Nice
Raise Your Consciousness
- Be nice; what could you do?
- Evaluate the costs of time/money
- Sensitize yourself to courtesy
Prepare and practice
- Think of things you can do; daily
- Try simple gestures or actions
- Deliver sincere phrases of greeting
- Be interested in others
Reinforce Self and Others
- Let other's know their actions are appreciated
- Translate good behavior to yours
- Enjoy the positive feedback
- Recognize success in the moment
Reward Yourself
- Acknowledge your changes
- Evaluate changes that other's have toward you
- Buy yourself a gift (you've earned it)
Happy Holidays
Jeff Colvin (Jcolvin@linkllc.com)
founded Link, a management
consulting group in 1997 whose mission is dedicated to the Systems,
Structures, and Behaviors that make people and companies successful.
Link's bottom line focus on process improvement is achieved through
the facilitation and training of cross-functional teams to address
key strategic goals. Learn more about Jeff
Colvin & Link...
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