Did anyone ever take a class in high school or college that was all about just WORKING WITH PEOPLE?  Maybe something entitled:  Introduction To The Challenge of Understanding Working People? Or People Interaction Principles 101…201…301 and on and on!  Now don’t think I am talking about a one or two day workshop or an online/virtual series of discussions on and about people problem issues.  No, I am talking totally about the absence of specific coursework with an instructional focus dedicated to the multiple aspects of successfully just dealing/working with people?!

Now that I have your attention…think about the potential diversity of topic areas!  Different age group issues, poor/middle-income/well-to-do individual impacts, the influence of education, family dynamics and so many more.  But remember this isn’t about social work or mental health counseling, it is about surviving and hopefully even thriving as a business/organization co-worker, supervisor and leader…WORKING WITH PEOPLE.

This weeks TRIPLE III TIME message:  The Missing Piece is more of an awareness lesson instead of a list of “leader-like” recommendations.  Becoming skillful in WORKING WITH PEOPLE is NOT an easy task.  However my work experiences have taught me a few things.

• Try to learn all of the work/non-work talents and skills of workers. It displays “caring” in a working together way and may help the organization.
• Adopt the belief that we live in a “show-me world. And with this in mind show people that you are prepared to help with any job… any time.
• Communicate and share business/organization information to the maximum. Secrets build “grape-vines”…and you know the rest.
• Blend different teams of people to work on projects whenever possible. Success and progress is everyone’s job would be the lesson learned.

Customize your efforts to find The Missing Piece in your workplace.  The impacts could be GREAT!

When was the last time someone asked you if you were “Success-ing”?  Never…right?  Because the answer to this “Success-ing” question is probably true for the majority, I decided we needed to take innovative advantage of the regular English language and make “Success-ing” the focal point for this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message.

First I want everyone to think about the basic word SUCCESS…and consider some of the thesaurus terms that relate to it.  Terms like:  Victorious, Prosperous, Triumphant, Flourishing, Thriving and Booming!  Next consider whether any of these terms describe your personal or professional life situation?  Have you ever used any of these “Success-ing” terms as potential measuring-sticks…OF YOU?

Sometimes when I work with individuals or groups I take them on a “Success-ing” mission.  And unfortunately most have a very difficult time describing, explaining and/or offering real examples of how they are:  Victorious, Prosperous, Triumphant, Flourishing, Thriving and Booming.  Instead words like:  continuous improvement, growing educationally, professional development, making a little extra money and/or being creative seem to be the more “safe” way to proclaim their positive growth.

Bottomline:  I want everyone to step out of the norm and exceed what’s traditionally customary and challenge yourself to measure if and how you are “Success-ing”!  Use the terms contained in this TRIPLE III TIME as you think through this process.  HAVE FUN WITH IT!

I think you will learn a lot about YOU.

Throughout history I know there has always been the challenge:  Rules Versus Risk–Taking…What’s The Balance?  What side do YOU come down on?  Are you someone who is strong with following the rules at work or at play?  Or do you look at the rules…identify the “gray” areas…and proceed to bend the rules to see what else can happen?  As you can guess there are no right or wrong answers to the Rules Versus Risk-Taking…What’s The Balance situation!  However, it is professional development appropriate to offer a recommendation about the “Balance” issue.

First let me say that I admire and respect those who help us all by identifying and enforcing rules.  Their role helps maintain order in our society and workplace operations.  However, as everyone reading this knows…I am a calculated risk taker in all aspects of my life.  Change is an every day natural action…so taking appropriate risks only seems like a logical progressive proactive step to better determine your work/life future!  It has never been my intent to totally “break” established rules.  Rather my purpose/goal was/still is to offer responsible risk-taking alternatives to products/services/policies/programs that just might be better.

So, are most of you thinking that I am ignoring the “Balance” part of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message?

When you are facing the Rules Versus Risk-Taking…What’s The Balance dilemma, I want you to remember the 3-R’s:  RESPECT-RESPONSBILITY-RETURN.  I believe following these words will always keep you in the “right” when balancing rules versus risk-taking.  Because applying the balance must be something taken very peronally, RESPECT for the rules and those who guard them is critical.  Next, along with RESPECT one must always appreciate those carrying RESPONSIBILITY for applying and enforcing the rules.  The order and discipline they must maintain is vital when considering risk-taking change and growth.  Finally think about RETURN.  RETURN for your support of quality rules will produce consistency, understandability, reliability…all positive business and organization operational factors…AND typically make way for cool risk-taking possibilities!

Balancing is hard but necessary…can you do it?

It is not comfortable or easy to address and take on the task of true Self-Improvement in the workplace.  Self-Improvement requires you to look closely, deeply at what YOU do and how YOU do it. Then you must identify not just that you need to be better…but also figure out how to be better!  Honesty and openness are a definite requirement, along with an open mind about options for Self-Improvement.  So…do you really consider Self-Improvement in its purest form?

This week’s TRIPLE III TIME message:  Self-Improvement: A “Common” Approach recommends everyone try a: “What Bugs You The Most?” fun journey to Self-Improvement.  First, I want everyone to think of a few of the main (common) issues that occur in the workplace and belong on a “What Bugs You The Most?” priority list.  What are they?  Let me offer a few (common) examples:

• Not getting a timely message returned (or at all) or call back.
• One person that always thinks they have a better or the best idea.
•  Endless debate.
• Being always told to wait a little longer.
• Being told NO but without a real reason why.

I am sure everyone could add to this list.  However, I am guessing most are asking:  What does this list have to do with MY Self-Improvement?

This Self-Improvement: A “Common” Approach message is designed to inform you that one of the greatest Self-Improvement activities is learning how to better handle these (common) types of “What Bugs You The Most?” issues!  Do you let them eat away at you for hours/days?  Or do you reconcile them in some timely way?  By taking A “Common” Approach to Self-Improvement in the workplace, honesty and openness can become easier, conflict becomes less likely and progress remains the standard.

Some of my favorite movies are the Indiana Jones series starring Harrison Ford.  You know which ones I am talking about:  Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade!  Each told a story about a dedicated college instructor and archeologist who was in search of a special historical treasure that somehow was lost with the times.  Was Indiana Jones always successful…yes and no?  Often through creative challenging endeavors he did locate his treasure, but someway, somehow it always faded from his possession.

But wait, what does my favorite movies have to do with this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message?

Well, I believe in some unique way when one goes In Search of a GREAT REPUTATION, just like Indiana Jones creative challenging endeavors will need to be employed.  Consider these everyday TOP 10 efforts:

1. Take mistake responsibility with grace.
2. Appreciate the contributions of the old and encourage the input of the new.
3. Ask relevant questions.
4. Maintain a solid dress code (you know what I mean).
5. Avoid and disregard all gossip.
6. Give help whenever you can…without being asked.
7. Share acknowledgment and appreciation.
8. Keep your workplace business appropriate.
9. Use social media with class.
10. Practice an everyday BEFORE & AFTER policy (Arrive early BEFORE work starts and stay AFTER if necessary).

Unlike the treasures sought by Indiana Jones which needed to be discovered, treasures obtained while In Search of a GREAT REPUTATION must always be EARNED!