Two weeks ago I was reading about Hezekiah in 2nd Kings. If you aren't familiar with him, you should check out his story sometime. He was a good king of Judah. This category was unfortunately far outnumbered by the bad. During his reign the Assyrians withdrew from the land after suffering massive casualties at the hand of God. If this wasn't enough, he was granted an additional 15 years of life after being told his illness would be fatal. A miraculous sign accompanied his healing.
The focus of our story today occurs immediately after that. Here is the text, starting with verse 12 (NIV):
12 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of Hezekiah’s illness. 13 Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine olive oil—his armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did those men say, and where did they come from?”
“From a distant land,” Hezekiah replied. “They came from Babylon.”
15 The prophet asked, “What did they see in your palace?”
“They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.”
16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD: 17 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. 18 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Now, knowing what you already do about Hezekiah, you'd think he'd be upset and try to do something to change the situation. Not so much.
19 “The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”
Wow. Who cares what happens in the future as long as life is good for me. That is not a true leader. That is selfishness pure and simple. Unfortunately, this idea has far from gone out of style. Two modern examples:
1. The CEO who make decisions based on what will help this quarter's numbers while ignoring the long term impact on the health of the company
2. Our politicians who refuse to make the difficult choices on shoring up our nation's economy. Instead they kick the can to the generations that follow. Let's be real here, balancing the nation's budget isn't different from balancing your family's. It's simple (but not easy). You either cut spending, make more money (aka raise taxes), or do both. Those are the only choices.
True leaders are as rare today as they were in Old Testament times. In the choices you make both professionally and personally, ask yourself if you are being a leader or only doing what leads to an immediately pleasant outcome.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Who Will It Be
This week I had a similar conversation on 3 different occasions. It goes like this: Which one of our 3 people who are on their last warning for attendance issues will be fired first? First, I'll list the contenders.
Employee A
Has done a no call/no show twice in two months. Hates his supervisor and vice versa.
Employee B
Has used 5 of his 6 personals days for the year. And it's mid-April. Apparently has constant domestic drama consisting of being apart/together with his wife. Stepbrother (also an employee) calls him every morning to make sure he's awake for work.
Employee C
Has used almost all of his personal days as well. A 15+ year employee. Coworkers say he stays up all night playing video games (despite being 20 years older than me!) and naps in the production area during breaks.
So, who will it be? No fair reading ahead. Pick one now. Got it? Good.
I'd like to run a pool on this at work, but everyone picks the same one- Candidate A. No call/no show is very serious (and stupid). To have 2 in a month is indicative of some sort of serious problem. Rumor has it the person was in jail for some sort of domestic dispute for no call number one. No data yet on no call number two which was Tuesday.
How'd you do? Even if you didn't win, you can see the sort of craziness HR people deal with daily. And yes, we're inclined to run pools, tell each other how stupid you are, etc.
Employee A
Has done a no call/no show twice in two months. Hates his supervisor and vice versa.
Employee B
Has used 5 of his 6 personals days for the year. And it's mid-April. Apparently has constant domestic drama consisting of being apart/together with his wife. Stepbrother (also an employee) calls him every morning to make sure he's awake for work.
Employee C
Has used almost all of his personal days as well. A 15+ year employee. Coworkers say he stays up all night playing video games (despite being 20 years older than me!) and naps in the production area during breaks.
So, who will it be? No fair reading ahead. Pick one now. Got it? Good.
I'd like to run a pool on this at work, but everyone picks the same one- Candidate A. No call/no show is very serious (and stupid). To have 2 in a month is indicative of some sort of serious problem. Rumor has it the person was in jail for some sort of domestic dispute for no call number one. No data yet on no call number two which was Tuesday.
How'd you do? Even if you didn't win, you can see the sort of craziness HR people deal with daily. And yes, we're inclined to run pools, tell each other how stupid you are, etc.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Now THAT's a corporate value
I was getting ready to recyle an annual report I'd finished reading when I saw the company's values listed on the back. What struck me was this one:
Integrity:
We do the right thing
We honor our commitments
We admit when we're wrong
Let me tell you, it can be difficult to do each of these at times. But the hardest for me and I think for people in general is the last one. I hate to be wrong, and I bet it's not your favorite thing either. However, it is definitely a necessary part of having integrity. I truly believe in the value of having integrity, and I wish my company did too.
Integrity:
We do the right thing
We honor our commitments
We admit when we're wrong
Let me tell you, it can be difficult to do each of these at times. But the hardest for me and I think for people in general is the last one. I hate to be wrong, and I bet it's not your favorite thing either. However, it is definitely a necessary part of having integrity. I truly believe in the value of having integrity, and I wish my company did too.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Being thankful in ALL things
Two weeks ago my coworker was catching me up on what had transpired while I'd been out of the office most of the week on a business trip. She said Sheena had acted up. Sheena is her car, a Benz she's had for several years and that is 11 years old. The air hadn't been working right, so she took Sheena in to the repair shop. The owner called her and said it would be $1200. My coworker told him to put Sheena back together. She told me she wasn't going to put that kind of money into a car that old. She said the next afternoon she called the repair shop and told them to fix Sheena. She said she been thinking about the cost of fixing the air in her otherwise in fine condition vehicle to car payments. It didn't take her long to decide that fixing Sheena was the way to go.
Some time later we started talking about being thankful for the things we have, as there are so many people with issues much worse than our own. She said how fortunate she was that she was able to have her car fixed. She said "How many people can't afford $300 to fix their car?". I said yes, and that to them not being able to fix their car could mean they can't get to work and they lose their job. She said her car repair, while expensive, was "merely an inconvenience. I even had another car to drive while it was being repaired". May we all remember to continually give thanks for how blessed we are.
Some time later we started talking about being thankful for the things we have, as there are so many people with issues much worse than our own. She said how fortunate she was that she was able to have her car fixed. She said "How many people can't afford $300 to fix their car?". I said yes, and that to them not being able to fix their car could mean they can't get to work and they lose their job. She said her car repair, while expensive, was "merely an inconvenience. I even had another car to drive while it was being repaired". May we all remember to continually give thanks for how blessed we are.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
A Divine Moment
Have you ever been in a situation where you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that you were exactly where you were supposed to be just then? I call that a divine moment. I'd like to share with you one I was fortunate to have recently.
I was sitting at the gate ready to board a flight for a business trip. An announcement was made: "We need volunteers to give up their seats on this flight. In exchange we'll offer you $400 in (airline name) vouchers". Yes, I RAN to the counter and asked when they could get me to my final destination. It would only delay me an hour and 45 minutes AND they would upgrade me to first class on the 1st leg of the trip. I told them "you had me at $400, but first class put me over the edge". I had never in my life flown first class. The gate agents were very appreciative and expressed their thanks that I was willing to take the bump. Yes, they really need that seat. I think they had a crew member they needed to get to another destination. Whatever the reason, I was THRILLED.
In addition to the fabulous blessing of the airline voucher and upgrade to first class, two other things happened that would not otherwise have occurred if I'd have taken my original flight. First, I got to have an hour and a half conversation with a friend in another state. She is normally unavailable when I'm off work and vice versa. It was great to get to catch up with her. Next, when I went to each lunch, I ran into a high school classmate I hadn't seen in years.
I know for sure that I was exactly where I was meant to be during this period of time. It was an awesome experience.
P.S. If you're wondering what I thought about first class, I loved it. What was so great? Your seat is much larger and nicer, and there is SO much more legroom. If you ever get the chance to get upgraded or fly business or first class on someone else's dime, go for it.
I was sitting at the gate ready to board a flight for a business trip. An announcement was made: "We need volunteers to give up their seats on this flight. In exchange we'll offer you $400 in (airline name) vouchers". Yes, I RAN to the counter and asked when they could get me to my final destination. It would only delay me an hour and 45 minutes AND they would upgrade me to first class on the 1st leg of the trip. I told them "you had me at $400, but first class put me over the edge". I had never in my life flown first class. The gate agents were very appreciative and expressed their thanks that I was willing to take the bump. Yes, they really need that seat. I think they had a crew member they needed to get to another destination. Whatever the reason, I was THRILLED.
In addition to the fabulous blessing of the airline voucher and upgrade to first class, two other things happened that would not otherwise have occurred if I'd have taken my original flight. First, I got to have an hour and a half conversation with a friend in another state. She is normally unavailable when I'm off work and vice versa. It was great to get to catch up with her. Next, when I went to each lunch, I ran into a high school classmate I hadn't seen in years.
I know for sure that I was exactly where I was meant to be during this period of time. It was an awesome experience.
P.S. If you're wondering what I thought about first class, I loved it. What was so great? Your seat is much larger and nicer, and there is SO much more legroom. If you ever get the chance to get upgraded or fly business or first class on someone else's dime, go for it.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
What To Do When It's Time To Say Goodbye- Part 3
My final bit of advice pertains to anyone leaving a job for any reason. It can be summed up as follows: "Don't burn bridges". This means you are nice (or at least professional). You never know what the future may hold in terms of interactions with your former company and coworkers. Also, turn in your company property. Last year we had two people to whom we sent certified letters in an attempt to get back what was ours. One worked, the other didn't. We could have taken the person to small claims court, but it wasn't worth it. If it's not yours, keeping is stealing. Give it back!
Monday, March 26, 2012
What To Do When It's Time To Say Goodbye- Part 2
In my previous column, I listed things you should do if you are involuntarily separated from your job. Now onto a happier scenario. Let's say you've found your dream job. It's exactly what you want to do, the hours are perfect, the pay is extraordinary, the benefits fantastic, and the commute a breeze. I realize you're probably ready at this point to dance into your boss's office and say "Nah, nah, na, nah-nah. I'm OUT of here". You can do that, but I'd advise doing so only in your head.
Here are things that would actually be advisable:
1. Do not give notice until everything from your new gig is in place.
That means you have an offer letter and they have all the things they need (transcript, drug test, background screen,etc.). You want to make sure the only thing between you and your new job is appropriate notice to your current employer.
2. Give appropriate notice to your current employer.
Each company is different as to what this constitutes. Check out your handbook or ask around to find out what it is for your workplace. A minimum for most jobs is 2 weeks. Now, how long is 2 weeks? No, this is not a trick question. It is 14 days. That means resigning on Monday with your last day a week from Friday is NOT sufficient notice. In addition to being common courtesy, lack of proper notice can have negative consequences. Some companies will make you ineligible for rehire. You might not ever want to go back there, but remember two things. 1. Situations can change 2. This is sometimes asked of former employers by prospective ones. There may be other negative results from lack of notice. For example, at my company, you are not paid any remaining vacation or personal time if you don't give two weeks notice.
3. Choose your last day carefully
Of course, after reading #2 above, you are going to give at least the minimum required notice. But choose your last day wisely. Two examples from my company.
Example #1
Our insurance ends the last day of the month. If you quit on March 31, your coverage ceases that day. If your last day is April 1, you have coverage until April 30. Depending on when your eligibility starts at you new job, you might want to consider moving your last day out a few days.
Example #2
Last year I wrote about one of our former sales people who was demanding his leftover vacation time though he was not eligible as he hadn't been there a year. What I didn't mention then is that he also gave up his bonus (potentially several thousand dollars) because he resigned just before the end of the eligibility period. And yes, he whined about this too. However, had he been a nice guy and ASKED, I could have told him what to do. First, put in for vacation for the days between when he planned on leaving and the end of the period. Once that's approved, THEN give notice with his last day being his last vacation day requested. He would have been paid for his days, gotten his bonus, AND started his new job while on vacation. Yes, this can be done. One of my friends did it when she resigned. And yes, she might have had some friendly HR advice from me. You could also do this if you're trying to make your insurance last longer. Now the company might try to cancel your vacation after you give notice, but I know we wouldn't as once it's approved, it's approved.
Here are things that would actually be advisable:
1. Do not give notice until everything from your new gig is in place.
That means you have an offer letter and they have all the things they need (transcript, drug test, background screen,etc.). You want to make sure the only thing between you and your new job is appropriate notice to your current employer.
2. Give appropriate notice to your current employer.
Each company is different as to what this constitutes. Check out your handbook or ask around to find out what it is for your workplace. A minimum for most jobs is 2 weeks. Now, how long is 2 weeks? No, this is not a trick question. It is 14 days. That means resigning on Monday with your last day a week from Friday is NOT sufficient notice. In addition to being common courtesy, lack of proper notice can have negative consequences. Some companies will make you ineligible for rehire. You might not ever want to go back there, but remember two things. 1. Situations can change 2. This is sometimes asked of former employers by prospective ones. There may be other negative results from lack of notice. For example, at my company, you are not paid any remaining vacation or personal time if you don't give two weeks notice.
3. Choose your last day carefully
Of course, after reading #2 above, you are going to give at least the minimum required notice. But choose your last day wisely. Two examples from my company.
Example #1
Our insurance ends the last day of the month. If you quit on March 31, your coverage ceases that day. If your last day is April 1, you have coverage until April 30. Depending on when your eligibility starts at you new job, you might want to consider moving your last day out a few days.
Example #2
Last year I wrote about one of our former sales people who was demanding his leftover vacation time though he was not eligible as he hadn't been there a year. What I didn't mention then is that he also gave up his bonus (potentially several thousand dollars) because he resigned just before the end of the eligibility period. And yes, he whined about this too. However, had he been a nice guy and ASKED, I could have told him what to do. First, put in for vacation for the days between when he planned on leaving and the end of the period. Once that's approved, THEN give notice with his last day being his last vacation day requested. He would have been paid for his days, gotten his bonus, AND started his new job while on vacation. Yes, this can be done. One of my friends did it when she resigned. And yes, she might have had some friendly HR advice from me. You could also do this if you're trying to make your insurance last longer. Now the company might try to cancel your vacation after you give notice, but I know we wouldn't as once it's approved, it's approved.
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