ATLANTA, GA -- Monday is Labor Day in America -- a day set aside to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold", to use the words of Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. McGuire was the first to suggest holding a "Labor Day" in 1882, though it's argued whether or not he was the actual founder.
I agree. We do need a day to honor those hearty souls who bend steel, ship mail, plant seeds, paint buildings, fly planes, mill paper, bake bread, build cars, and on and on. But while Labor Day initially focused on members of labor unions, today it goes far beyond that.
It now constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions all workers make to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. Blue collar and white, hourly and salaried, factory workers and office, night shifters and day, weekends or weekday. Everybody!
I'd like to take it further. In my view, it ought to be a worldwide celebration, not just American. We should honor every human being who helps churn the economic engine of Planet Earth by being gainfully employed and doing honest, respectable work.
So my hat's off to each and every one. That said, let's switch our focus to you -- the leader -- in 3 primary ways.
You have important responsibilities on Labor Day.
First: You too are a laborer. Those at the top of the pyramid -- owners of businesses, managers of departments, and leaders of teams -- are also logging hours of toil. So please accept my thanks and congratulations for your contribution of blood, sweat and tears to the productivity of our beloved planet.
Second: As a leader, you guide the efforts of others. I hope you'll take pause to ask yourself, with brutal honesty: Am I doing all I can do to improve my effectiveness as a leader? And assuming you're not (c'mon, there's always more you could do), let me suggest you commit, right now, to 3 profound actions before the end of September to take your leadership game to a higher level. Maybe it's reading books, listening to CDs, attending workshops, spending one-on-one time with a mentor, a combination of several ... or whatever.
You choose. Just do something. Your followers deserve you at your best. (Hey, it's back-to-school month -- so jump on the learning bandwagon with all the kids.)
And third: You absolutely must not let this holiday pass without saying thanks to those who work for you. No, it doesn't have to be Monday, the holiday itself. You could declare that 4-day week to be "Honor Our Staff" week. Or designate all of September as "Celebrate Our Hard-Working Employees" month.
You could pick one day next week and order lunch pizza for your employees. Or pick any timeframe and give it any name. People are grateful for being recognized and appreciated -- they'll take it any time and frankly couldn't care less what you call it. (But do tie it to Labor Day somehow, so you don't miss this opportunity.)
Lessons & Actions For You:
I'd do 2 things: First, I would take immediate action on suggestions 2 and 3 above. Get the ball rolling. And second, I'd log those same 2 ideas into my calendar for next Labor Day ... September 1, 2008 ... so I don't forget them. Labor Day is more than just a day off work. It's a day smart leaders acknowledge their staffs.
Before I started my own business in 1991, I was an employee of other companies up to that point. In all my "employee years", I honestly cannot remember one owner, CEO, VP, supervisor, manager or boss ever saying thanks to me on Labor Day. To be fair, I'm not sure I ever said it to anyone who reported to me either. Blood on my hands too.
You have a chance to be smarter than that. What you do is up to you.
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Rick Houcek is President of Soar With Eagles, Inc. He specializes in facilitating off-site strategic planning retreats, helping CEOs and Leadership Teams create high-impact plans that overcome the crippling effects of lousy execution (the single biggest cause of plan failure) -- and get successfully implemented.
Rick's dynamic Power Planning strategic process drives action through his Escape-Proof Accountability system. It's ideal for small and mid-size businesses. To bring this potent weapon to your team, contact Rick at www.SoarWithEagles.com.
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