Person #1: “You should wear your safety glasses.”

Person #2: “I’m wearing my safety glasses because it is the best way to protect my eyes. I want everyone who works here to wear safety glasses to protect their eyes.”

Which person is more convincing? We are more likely to be convinced by Person #2, because this person is convinced. Actions speak louder than words. Being told we should do something is not as effective as knowing that the person telling us is already doing it.

Whenever we discover problems or work to be done, we are seeing an ad that reads, “Wanted: Leadership.” It takes leadership (initiative) to solve problems and get things done. Every company needs problem-solving leadership from all employees.
 

How can we show leadership?
1. Take the first step yourself. If you want other people to do something, start by doing it yourself. For example, wear your safety glasses. This sets the example, and is a powerful way to convince others. The best way to convince other people is to act convinced yourself.
2. Ask specific people to help with specific tasks. Pick people who have a talent for the task and tell them so. “George, would you help us by tallying these numbers? You are good with numbers.”
3. When the job is done or the problem is solved, share the credit and give recognition generously. “George tallied the numbers, and Mary called for price quotes.”

What you often find is that when you take the first step, people help. If you take the lead, others follow. You see this at parties and family get-togethers. One person begins folding the card tables. Others begin putting the chairs away. You see this in organizing parties. “Do you think we should throw a birthday party for Alice?” “I don’t know.” This person only talked about it, and got no response, no help, and no followers. “I’m throwing a birthday party for Alice. Would you help?” “Sure. What can I bring?” This person took the first step and got a follower, a willing helper. The subconscious thought is: “If it is good enough for you to do it, then it is good enough for me to help.”

Whenever someone starts a comment with “I wonder why other people don’t…” or “I wish other people would…” they are using the hoping method of problem solving. It doesn’t work. Hoping rhymes with moping. Leadership works. One of my favorite sayings reads: “I wondered why somebody didn’t do something, until I remembered that I was somebody.” If you wish people would pick up trash in the aisles at your warehouse, pick up the next piece of trash you see. Act convinced that it is a good thing to do. You will inspire followers.

The other frequent objection is: “This can’t be solved by one person.” True. But if one person starts, then she may attract help to get the job done.

Mother Teresa is my favorite example of this. When she began her tremendous work with the poor in India, she began alone. She decided to feed hungry people, and so she took a basket of bread out into the streets. Someone told her, “Mother, that isn’t enough to feed so many hungry people.” She replied, “I’ll do what I can.” When shopkeepers saw what she was doing, they brought bread to refill her basket. She fed many more. By acting first, she inspired them to follow. Eventually, many decided to join her as nuns, monks, and priests. Today her religious order, The Missionaries of the Poor, feeds hundreds of thousands around the world. One frail little woman started this with one basket of bread.

Try this yourself. Find one small part of the problem that you can begin to work on alone. Begin the work. Show others what you are doing. Ask for their help. Don’t worry about those who turn you down. Focus on those who do help. You’ve gained some followers. When you and your helpers are finished, share the credit. You now have a reputation as a problem solver and a positive leader. Whenever someone wants to make a project successful, they will want you. This is the path to better jobs and better pay. You are a sought-after person. Enjoy!

To learn more, see book; You Made My Day, Creating Co-Worker Recognition and Relationships by Mike McCarthy and Janis Allen.  For more information, contact Mike at One Unutsi Court, Brevard N.C. 28712, phone 828-862-6558 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .