| During a summer of international sports scandals | | | | do make a mistake, we have to admit it and take |
| involving gambling and substance abuse, two | | | | the heat. That is the only why we are going to |
| athletes were applauded for their character as | | | | teach our teams how to do it right. That is the |
| much as their professional accomplishments. A | | | | only way we are going to raise the standards of |
| record crowd of 75,000 cheered Cal Ripken Jr. | | | | our organization to a very high level. That is the |
| and Tony Gwynn during their 2007 induction into | | | | only way - face it, deal with it and move forward. |
| the National Baseball Hall of Fame. "whether we | | | | Ten simple things to think about as you set the |
| like it or not," Ripken said, "as big leaguers we are | | | | walk for your team: |
| role models. The only question is will it be positive | | | | 1. If you want your team to come in before 8, |
| or negative." Quoted from ODB July 26. | | | | then you need to be in by 7. |
| The preacher was speaking tongue-in-cheek when | | | | 2. If you want your team to work till 6, then you |
| he complained, "My wife is absolutely | | | | need to work till everyone else is gone. |
| unreasonable. She actually expects me to live | | | | 3. If you want your staff to take time and coach |
| everything I preach!" It's so much easier to tell | | | | and help their players, then you need to set the |
| someone what is right than to practice it | | | | example by taking time for your staff and |
| personally. Quoted from ODB July 24. | | | | coaching them. |
| A good example is of much more value than | | | | 4. If you want your team to watch the money, |
| good advice. | | | | then don't you go around wasting it. |
| How are you doing as the leader of your | | | | 5. If you want great written reports from your |
| company, organization, or your family. Are you | | | | team, then you better not be sending them junk. |
| walking so loudly that no one can hear what you | | | | 6. If you want your team to treat customers |
| are saying? Are you telling everyone the right | | | | with compassion then you better not |
| things to do, expecting to hold them to a high | | | | demonstrate anything different when you deal |
| standard, yet you are not following your own | | | | with the customer. |
| rules? | | | | 7. If you don't want your team making personal |
| Speaking recently with a leader, he was talking | | | | calls during business hours, then set the example |
| about how the standards of this country have | | | | by not doing it yourself. It doesn't matter what |
| totally gone into the gutter. How everyone wants | | | | position you have in the organization. |
| to get away with things, do less, lay back. Then | | | | 8. If you don't want your team surfing the |
| at the end of our conversation I ask the leader | | | | internet and playing on the web during business |
| what he was doing the rest of the day. Oh, I am | | | | hours, then you need to stop doing it. |
| going to sneak out and play golf this afternoon no | | | | 9. If you want your players to have a clean desk |
| one will ever know. | | | | and be organized, then you better set the |
| As the leader, you are on display. Like it or not. It | | | | example. |
| doesn't matter whether you have 1 employee or | | | | 10. If you want your team to have a great |
| 1000 employees. It doesn't matter if it is at work, | | | | attitude! Guess what? |
| play or home. If people look to you as the leader, | | | | The way you walk is the way your team will |
| you are on display and you are always on stage. | | | | walk. Great leaders create great leaders. Poor |
| Everything you do sets the standard for how | | | | leaders, create poor leaders. You are always on |
| your people operate. If you do it, you can bet | | | | display, like it or not. So set the right pace. Make |
| they will. | | | | sure you are not walking so loud no one can hear |
| None of us is perfect, that is so true. Yet, we | | | | you talking. |
| have to work very hard at it. Further, when we | | | | |