Respect
Everyone wants to be respected. We do care what people think about us as workers, neighbors, friends, etc. Respect is one of those things that can be both earned and given. You earn respect by doing what you say you are going to do. You are a stand-up person. Your word is your bond as we used to say.
If you want to be respected you have to give respect. Respect is not a one-way street. You need to show that you respect other people’s time, their property, and their beliefs, even if you don’t agree.
We need more of this in life in general and specifically in the workplace. If you respect the boss that hired you, the employee that is willing to work for you, and your coworkers, your work experience will be enhanced greatly.
Responsibility
This is one of the defining attributes of all people. Being known as responsible is a very high compliment in my book. You show up on time, you do what you are supposed to do, and you fix things that need to be fixed without being asked. You know the employees or coworkers that you have or that you work with directly that are responsible. You are thankful for them and wish you had more like them. The more you surround yourself with responsible people the more responsible you are and the better your life and business becomes.
Generosity
This is evidence that you are comfortable where you are in life. This is one of those mysteries of life that the more you give away the more you receive. When you can, and you almost always can, be generous with your money, your time and your possessions.
Some of your employees and/or coworkers could use some of your time to invest in them as people and not just someone they work for or see at work every day. So, give of your time and invest more in somebody else’s life.
Stewardship
Try to leave the world a better place than you found it. There is a song that says there are no trailer hitches on a hearse. You are going out of this world the same way you came in. Stewardship goes hand in hand with generosity. It is a realization that we just get to borrow what we have for 80 years or so and then it gets passed on to someone else.
But stewardship implies that while it is in my possession I take care of it and hopefully enhance it. It could be my business, my neighborhood, where I work and/or where I hunt, fish or play. This creates in me a respect and a responsibility for everything in my life.
I guarantee you that if you apply these principles to your life you will have a better work experience as well as a better personal experience.
Robert Counts Chad Counts Johnny Logel
Robert Counts, robert@countsbusinessconsulting.com; 512-693-6915
Chad Counts, crcounts@countsbusinessconsulting.com; 512-963-4626