Morning Minute 9/10/24
“When Do You…Ask For Help?”
This was different! A much more difficult challenge.
After 3 years of turning around failing restaurants in Charlotte, NC, developing the corporate manager training unit, and facilitating the best grand opening of any new restaurant for the company, I was sent to Alabama for yet another rescue operation.
This would be a monumental struggle. These 6 restaurants were mostly in less than desirable locations. Instead of having 18 managers we had only 14. None of them were trained properly. Only two of them were in the right positions. On previous turn around opportunities my work ethic, nurturing personality, and support of great processes allowed me to succeed in my mission. Not so with this assignment.
In the first 2 months, with my family still in Charlotte, I was in these restaurants every day from opening until closing, usually 15-17 hours/day. My struggle to train both managers and staff, required me investing 2 consecutive days in each restaurant. After those 2 months, 5 days were necessary to move my family to Mobile. Upon returning to work, it was apparent that my efforts in the previous 2 months had not made any significant improvement. Our success would require some additional assistance.
In my discussion with our Operations Director, I requested 2 members of the training team for 2 weeks. Each restaurant management team would be required to participate in off-site training for 2 complete days, away from their restaurants. Those trainers would work with them on proper processes, leadership functions, and “best practices” for their store. I would manage their restaurant for them while they were away in training. With the managers away for 2 days, I took the opportunity to retrain their team members. The process of asking for help, using that help effectively, while having the managers trained offsite away from the distractions of daily operations, created the desired results. We turned the corner and never looked back.
Prior to this assignment, I often would offer to help others, but refrained from asking for help for myself. My “stinking thinking” was that asking for help showed weakness. This situation, being overwhelmed, and asking for assistance, taught me a valuable lesson. Requesting assistance when needed, shows both maturity and discernment. Plus, that request, allowing others with different skills to use them for improvements, while allowing me to use my strengths effectively, created lasting success.
When do you ask for help? Do you believe that requesting help shows that you are weak or ineffective? Most people, when asked properly, and for all the right reasons, will provide you the assistance you need. When others request help from you, don’t you comply with that request, if they ask properly and for all the right reasons?
My purpose in sharing this true story is to share that requesting help from others does not make you look weak and ineffective. Your request displays that you have the discernment to know when you need help. Plus, the maturity to understand that your request for help greatly increases your effectiveness.
Asking for help, when needed, actually shows your strength!
“When Do You…Ask For Help?”
That is today’s Morning Minute!
Morning Minute 9/13/24
“Expectations are External; Standards are Internal!”
What exactly does that mean?
A college football coach addressed his team concerning the upcoming season. He stated: “Expectations are External; Standards are Internal! Focus…on our Standards!”
First, let’s look at EXPECTATIONS:
Whether or not you notice it, almost everyone expects something from you, Those expectations, coming from someone else, are external. Your family expects you to share quality time with them. Your spouse wants a life partner, someone to share family responsibilities. Plus, the thrills & successes, problems & heartaches of a lifelong relationship.
Whether or not they realize it, each child expects guidance and direction, plus love and support from you, regardless of their age. Your parents expect you to contact them regularly, and to allow them quality time with your children. Other family members have expectations for you as well such as support, guidance, and occasional contact.
Your bosses have laid out what they want from you today, and every day. Your teacher expects that you participate in class, and to do the work required, to learn the subject matter. Your friends expect support and respect, and that you listen to their issues. Your teammates expect support and that you do your best to help the team win. And, your fans expect you to entertain them, and help them feel better about themselves.
Then, there are your personal STANDARDS:
Personal standards are the guideposts to a successful and productive life. These include DISCIPLINE, doing the right thing even when it is unnecessary, so that when it is necessary, you do the right thing, without hesitation. Being personally and professionally HONEST, even when doing so creates uncomfortable or negative consequences for yourself. Being TRUSTWORTHY, so that your family, friends, teammates, co-workers, students, and employees know they can count on you.
If you are in a leadership position, your standards include taking RESPONSIBILITY for yourself and others. Plus, being ACCOUNTABLE both for your performance, and that of your team. As the leader, you must require the TEAMWORK necessary to complete your mission. Being a leader, requires that you SUPPORT and EMPOWER your team members, so that they develop their full potential. Finally, it requires your commitment to EXCELLENCE, so that your team’s performance, is better than your competition’s.
Quick story: Most automakers measure customer satisfaction based on customer expectations. At Saturn, we measured our standards based on the high bar that we set for ourselves. That created customer ENTHUSIASM, not just customer SATISFACTION.
Now, examine your performance. Are you more driven by the expectations of others, or your own high standards? If you are or intend to lead others, whom will you lead, and how will you lead them? Plus, what standards must you demand from your team?
“Expectations are External; Standards are Internal; Focus on Your Standards!”
That is today’s Morning Minute!
