Thomas Jefferson – and the Yes Face
Thomas Jefferson – and the Yes Face
http://ht.ly/xZbuA
By Kevin Connelly, Vice President, — Landscape Supply, Inc
Recently a colleague related a story attributed to Thomas Jefferson that I’ve come to realize has bearing on how we all should interact with our customers. It made me realize how important it is to demonstrate a willing attitude and to clearly portray a “yes” face. As the story unfolds ……
It seems that Jefferson and his party encountered a stream swollen by several days of heavy rain. Jefferson’s group crossed but before the President forded the stream a horseless stranger approached and asked for help in crossing. Jefferson replied in the affirmative, hoisted the stranger up on his horse and together they safely crossed the stream.
Once on the other side one of Jefferson’s companions asked the man why he chose to ask the President for help instead of one of the other riders. The man was shocked not realizing that he’d asked the President of the United States for help.
As the story goes once on the other side of the flooded stream the man explained why he’d come to ask Jefferson for a ride. The stranger simply said that, ‘some faces say “no” while on others the word “yes” is written.’ Mr. Jefferson had a “yes” face.
Zappos Says Farewell To Job Postings
Zappos Says Farewell To Job Postings
http://ht.ly/xNzzb
Zappos has a new program called Zappos Insider, which can be found on their careers page. The Zappos Insider was created as a place for candidates to reference so they can learn more about the company and its culture. To do so, the candidates will need to become members of Zappos Insider.
By becoming a member, candidates have the opportunity to chat with Zappos Ambassadors. This interaction places them in a position of higher consideration when openings become available. The candidates who invest the time to enroll and learn more about the company are given preference. This process eliminates candidates who apply anywhere and everywhere. The Zappos Insider program encourages a more engaged relationship between the employer and prospective employees.
N.H. city alderman sees need for Wellness Coordinator
N.H. city alderman sees need for wellness coordinator
http://ht.ly/vH3Ux
As city health costs soar, ‘wellness’ post pushed in Manchester
A member of the Board of Mayor and Alderman says he thinks the city can spend less on health coverage for employees by hiring a $48,000-per-year wellness coordinator to make sure municipal workers eat right, exercise and receive preventive medical care.
Alderman Garth Corriveau will renew his bid Tuesday to convince colleagues to create the position of city health and wellness officer in the Health Department.
The city is self-insured for most health claims and contracts; reinsurance companies cover excess coverage claims.
Corriveau said the goal for the new city job is to move city worker health plans from a system that pays fees for health care services to one that rewards good health. The wellness officer will try to teach city workers about the importance of good health practices and assist employees in working with the health insurance system.
”I believe with $40 million in annual spending, we can find massive amounts of savings; we can be more cost-effective,” Corriveau said. “I now believe this is an initiative we can’t afford not to do.”
The original 2010 proposal from Corriveau came soon after city Public Health Director Tim Soucy issued a “concept paper” on creation of an Employee Health and Wellness Program.
Soucy said at the time that a city wellness program could be constructed to look into “evidence-based practices that demonstrate reductions in municipal health care costs and improved health outcomes of city employees.”
5 ways to be better at processing feedback
5 ways to be better at processing feedback
http://ht.ly/vodyz
Every leader needs honest feedback, but it’s all too easy to intimidate or stifle the people capable of giving it to you, writes Mary Jo Asmus. To get better feedback, stop being defensive and embrace criticism. “Someone giving their honest observations is like getting a gift carefully picked out especially for you,” Asmus writes
How Emotionally Intelligent Are You? Here’s 14 ways to tell
How Emotionally Intelligent Are You? Here’s 14 ways to tell
What makes some people more successful in work and life than others? IQ and work ethic are important, but they don’t tell the whole story. Our emotional intelligence — the way we manage emotions, both our own and those of others — can play a critical role in determining our happiness and success.
Plato said that all learning has some emotional basis, and he may be right. The way we interact with and regulate our emotions has repercussions in nearly every aspect of our lives. To put it in colloquial terms, emotional intelligence (EQ) is like “street smarts,” as opposed to “book smarts,” and it’s what accounts for a great deal of one’s ability to navigate life effectively.
“What having emotional intelligence looks like is that you’re confident, good at working towards your goals, adaptable and flexible. You recover quickly from stress and you’re resilient,” Daniel Goleman, psychologist and author of Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence, tells The Huffington Post. “Life goes much more smoothly if you have good emotional intelligence.”
The five components of emotional intelligence, as defined by Goleman, are self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, social skills and empathy. We can be strong in some of these areas and deficient in others, but we all have the power to improve any of them.
Are you ignoring your top performers? 4 Steps to Coach Your Really Good Employees
Are you ignoring your top performers? 4 Steps to Coach Your Really Good Employees
http://ht.ly/sE1a9
Top employees typically receive less coaching than do underperformers, which can be a source of frustration for talented workers who want to grow professionally, Avery Augustine writes. Meet with top performers to discuss their goals and suggest new challenges, and don’t let them become “complacent about their jobs,” Augustine writes. “Your star employees may not seem like they need much guidance, but giving them a little more attention can help them become even better employees—which will benefit everyone (including you!).”
Johnson County KS installs treadmill desks for 911 dispatchers
Johnson County KS installs treadmill desks for 911 dispatchers
http://ht.ly/sqde9
The Johnson County, Kan., Emergency Communications Center has added four treadmill desks for 911 dispatchers so they spend time walking while working. Dispatcher Heather Beabout says she and her colleagues get few opportunities to leave their desks, so the treadmill “makes the shift go a little better and gives me a little energy.”
Hire for attitude, work ethic – 5 ways to weed out wrong candidates
Hire for attitude, work ethic to find best employees – 5 Ways to Weed Out the Wrong Candidates http://ht.ly/rFS6g
Focusing on candidates with the right attitude, asking difficult questions during the interview and doing a thorough background check are key steps in finding the best employees, writes Joe Apfelbaum, CEO of Ajax Union. “The reasons for which a candidate has left other jobs, or is willing to leave a current position, reveal a good deal about their personality, work ethic and priorities,” Apfelbaum writes. Young Entrepreneur Council (12/9)
Employees want high-achieving bosses, survey finds
Employees want high-achieving bosses, survey finds
http://ht.ly/qwJN4
Three-quarters of workers would prefer a manager who is demanding but high achieving over one who is nice but ineffective, according to a survey released ahead of National Boss Day. The survey also found employees prefer recognition be done privately and that they appreciate managers who focus on promoting career development instead of a fun work environment.
What are you thinking when offering feedback
What are you thinking when offering feedback? Regardless of what you say, your motives come across loud and clear. http://ht.ly/oQyul
When it comes to giving feedback, it’s what in your heart that counts, writes Julie Winkle Giulioni. Employees can tell if your motives are something other than a genuine effort to improve and develop, Giulioni writes. “The spirit of the message overrides its syntax. What comes from the heart overshadows what comes out of one’s mouth,” she argues.
As #Wellness Concierge, #TourDeFIT is 1-stop site for Corporate & Workplace Wellness
As #Wellness Concierge, #TourDeFIT is the only 1-stop site to improve #Corporate & #Workplace Wellness scorecards daily http://ht.ly/kLmn4
#EmployeeFit is crucial – 3 Must Use Interview Questions
#EmployeeFit is crucial – 3 Interview Questions that reveal if a job candidate is right for your business http://ht.ly/i9nx9
Which of these out-of-date #Leadership practices are you still using?
Which of these out-of-date #Leadership practices are you still using? No time like now to try something new http://ht.ly/hRJ6E
#Edmonds: #Integrity of your workplace via #Leadership Behaviors
#Edmonds: #Integrity of your workplace is built upon constant demonstration of valued behaviors by those in #leadership
#BuildNetwork: The One #Interview Question You Should Ask
#BuildNetwork: The One #Interview Question You Should Ask…And advice about how to ask it. http://ht.ly/fmXjE
GoProGreen.com 