| How do you look at the people who work for you? I | | | | As a leader you must always remember to stay |
| hope it is with respect and appreciation. A recent | | | | connected with your employees at deeper levels |
| Oprah show featured Larry O'Donnell, CEO of Waste | | | | than your immediate staff. You need to know what |
| Management, Inc. He said what he learned about his | | | | is driving your people. Don't insulate yourself from the |
| company was startling when he went undercover. He | | | | reality of your entire area of responsibility. |
| went undercover because he truly wanted to | | | | You need to be visible, let people in your organization |
| understand what was going on in the jobs and lives | | | | see you personally walk around the office. Take the |
| of his hourly workers. | | | | opportunity to stop and say "hello" and ask questions |
| As a result he was able to make some very positive | | | | periodically. You are the leader in your company, |
| changes that would affect folks on the job and in | | | | however, it is the people you surround yourself with |
| their personal lives. It is important that you are willing | | | | at all levels that support your mission, vision and sales! |
| to look beyond your own walls and meeting rooms. | | | | The old saying, "people don't care how much you |
| Reach out and get to know the people that make | | | | know until they know how much you care," need to |
| your business run; those that see your customer | | | | be taken seriously. Show yourself as a genuine |
| every day. When the front line is happy, your | | | | person, one who does care about the opinions of |
| customers will see it on their faces and hear it in their | | | | others. It will go a long way toward developing and |
| voices. Your staff with hold you in high respect and | | | | nurturing employee respect, loyalty, and retention. |
| will work their hearts out for you. If you are loyal to | | | | How would you judge yourself? Do you connect with |
| them, they will return that loyalty three-fold. Your | | | | your employees at all levels? |
| employees with feel appreciated and validated. | | | | |