My team and I were having breakfast with a bank president in Oklahoma City. This banker named Sean remarked on how friendly and attentive our waitress was to our needs. Later, Sean informed our group how difficult his bank had found it had become recently to find friendly employees. Later, Sean went to his car for a job application. “I’m ...
Over two thousand years ago, there was a business owner having a good day. With his motel 100% occupied, this entrepreneur even rented out his stable when a pregnant woman and her husband requested a place to stay. Imagine this businessman’s possible thoughts 35 year later when he learned that he had hosted the King of Kings in his stable. ...
Years ago, I was involved in planning a new school. We had a meeting where our launch team was seeking wisdom from a group of experts about who should be our target customer. Unfortunately, our launch team had our own agenda that significantly differed from the experts. Our team doubted their collective wisdom because of our personal biases. Months later, ...
Kathy and I were having dinner with our friend, Sandy, when I noticed that Sandy was being blinded by the hot sun on her face. I asked the waitress to adjust the blinds, but there were no blinds on that particular window. The waitress, however, realized that her customer had a problem that needed resolved. She quickly moved our table ...
My wife, Kathy, recently shared with a group of friends that she was named “The Best Waitress in Kansas City” in 1985 by a local magazine. Kathy was quick to say, “There were many waitresses far better than me, but I was fortunate to learn who I was serving.” Her award came about because a busboy informed Kathy that she ...
After being involved in a wreck, my car spent a month in a body shop. This wasn’t as frustrating as I imagined because this body shop has learned a valuable tool in customer service – communication. Two to three times a week, I would receive a text message or a personal phone call with an update on my car. They ...
In this series, we’ve been discussing a Biblical perspective on work. Many believe the purpose of work is for a paycheck only, or, something to be avoided. On the other hand, God has created each of us with a purpose that fits into His greater plan. God has created an earth that needs cared for and people who need provisions ...
Coach Tommy Bowden recently shared with our network the changes he saw over time when he was recruiting players. For example, early on, there was usually both parents involved in his player recruitment conversations. That has changed. Now it’s rare to have two parents involved. Tommy determined he needed to spend more time on character development. He developed a system ...
Many years ago, two businessmen considered buying a bank. They had discussions with me about becoming the CEO of that bank. Unbeknownst to me, they asked a former boss of mine his opinion on my ability to run the bank. It was reported to me that he told them, “Rick certainly has the skills and background for that job, but ...
In the book “Rare Leadership in the Workplace,” authors Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder contend that maturity is the core leadership quality. They define maturity as a “collection of skills and habits we develop over time.” When thrust into leadership, our past skills of self-management are important, but incomplete. For now, we are charged with leading others as well. Relationships ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
