Hi, welcome to
"Working the Dream"
00:00:30.79\00:00:35.40
I'm your host Eric
Kelly and today we're going to
00:00:35.43\00:00:37.70
share tips on
how your performance
00:00:37.73\00:00:40.97
can pave the way to
further career success.
00:00:41.00\00:00:44.24
Years ago, I was
blessed to learn from a mentor,
00:00:44.27\00:00:47.31
from Atlanta,
Georgia, the unwritten rules
00:00:47.34\00:00:50.58
of career success.
00:00:50.88\00:00:52.85
Now the acronym for the
unwritten rules of success
00:00:52.88\00:00:55.95
that I'm going
to share is: "PIES"
00:00:55.98\00:01:01.16
Please don't get these
confused with the kind that we
00:01:01.19\00:01:05.09
demolish at Thanksgiving.
00:01:05.13\00:01:07.10
But these are going to
be the kind that ensure
00:01:07.13\00:01:10.23
that at work we are successful.
00:01:10.27\00:01:13.03
Let me share what
PIES stands for...
00:01:13.07\00:01:15.04
The first letter is
for "P" - performance.
00:01:15.07\00:01:18.74
We must be known
as good performers.
00:01:18.77\00:01:21.88
The second letter
is for... "I" - image,
00:01:21.91\00:01:24.35
and that image - does it match
the image of the organization
00:01:24.38\00:01:27.98
that you're working for?
00:01:28.02\00:01:29.35
The third letter
is... "E" - exposure.
00:01:29.38\00:01:32.25
How many people know
you and how many people know
00:01:32.29\00:01:35.29
you positively?
00:01:35.32\00:01:37.13
And the last letter
is... "S" - spirituality.
00:01:37.16\00:01:40.90
The other letters don't matter
if you don't have that one.
00:01:40.93\00:01:44.93
Okay, let's look at it...
00:01:44.97\00:01:47.34
Excellent performance
is the price of entry
00:01:47.37\00:01:51.04
in today's workplace.
00:01:51.07\00:01:53.27
Now, here's the funny thing...
00:01:53.31\00:01:54.81
People say,
"Price of entry - yes,"
00:01:54.84\00:01:57.61
unless you are a good
performer, you'll get fired
00:01:57.65\00:02:03.79
because companies
only want to pay for people
00:02:03.82\00:02:06.82
that get their job done.
00:02:06.86\00:02:08.19
They only want good performers,
so, how do I get there?
00:02:08.22\00:02:12.79
Well, great performance
starts with picking a field
00:02:12.83\00:02:16.46
that you want to work
in and picking something
00:02:16.50\00:02:20.30
that you will enjoy
doing for a long time.
00:02:20.34\00:02:24.37
You see, if you are just
doing something for the money,
00:02:24.41\00:02:28.34
you probably will not be
nearly as engaged as if you were
00:02:28.38\00:02:32.65
in a profession that
you have a passion for.
00:02:32.68\00:02:35.75
Let me share a story
that illustrates what I mean.
00:02:35.78\00:02:39.62
Several years ago,
there were some students that
00:02:39.65\00:02:41.76
complained to the leaders of
their university that something
00:02:41.79\00:02:45.36
was wrong with their education.
00:02:45.39\00:02:47.60
You see, these students
had chosen fields of study
00:02:47.63\00:02:52.20
based on what they
thought those positions in those
00:02:52.23\00:02:55.90
fields would pay
when they graduated.
00:02:55.94\00:02:58.84
I mean, they went to
the internet and they put in
00:02:58.87\00:03:01.44
the position they were
studying to have and they looked
00:03:01.48\00:03:04.91
at the pay grades and
they said, "Ha, ha, these jobs
00:03:04.95\00:03:08.48
are going to be at the
very top of the pay grade."
00:03:08.52\00:03:11.55
Now, here's reality, 4 or 5
years later, the work landscape
00:03:11.59\00:03:17.76
was nothing similar
to what they had started.
00:03:17.79\00:03:21.66
In fact, some of the
jobs had been sent overseas;
00:03:21.70\00:03:25.30
some of the jobs had
been completely changed
00:03:25.33\00:03:29.90
or eliminated due to technology.
00:03:29.94\00:03:33.44
Imagine a typewriter
repair specialist now versus
00:03:33.48\00:03:39.08
50 years ago - I mean,
technology changes so fast,
00:03:39.11\00:03:42.42
what you think is going
to happen, it may be gone,
00:03:42.45\00:03:45.05
so at the end of
these students' studies,
00:03:45.09\00:03:48.86
the job markets had
changed so drastically,
00:03:48.89\00:03:51.36
that they were no
longer going to be in the
00:03:51.39\00:03:54.13
top paid professions.
00:03:54.16\00:03:55.96
Now, let's not
feel sorry for them...
00:03:56.00\00:03:58.20
they got their
degrees, they were educated,
00:03:58.23\00:04:00.70
and they were going
to have some pretty good,
00:04:00.74\00:04:02.74
well-paying jobs.
00:04:02.77\00:04:04.77
But the moral of the story
is... to enjoy what you do,
00:04:04.81\00:04:09.18
pick a field that you are
truly going to enjoy working in,
00:04:09.21\00:04:13.38
and your passion is going to
come out of your performance.
00:04:13.42\00:04:16.69
There's nothing worse to
running into somebody at work,
00:04:16.72\00:04:20.02
and they say, "They don't pay
me enough money to do this job."
00:04:20.06\00:04:24.16
So, let's look in on our friend,
Ron, and determine how his
00:04:24.19\00:04:28.50
performance might be viewed
by his upper management team.
00:04:28.53\00:04:33.17
Ah, hey Ms. Green...
00:04:39.07\00:04:40.88
Hey Ron... I need the revenue
projections for next quarter
00:04:40.91\00:04:44.35
for all business segments,
how quickly can I get them?
00:04:44.38\00:04:47.08
I can have them for you in
5 minutes if you need me to.
00:04:47.12\00:04:49.78
Now did you want those with
the Hillsdale account on there
00:04:49.85\00:04:52.99
or without - since that
contract is still pending,
00:04:53.02\00:04:56.26
it could greatly affect
our revenue and run rates.
00:04:56.29\00:04:59.06
So, I took the liberty
of creating both scenarios.
00:04:59.09\00:05:02.66
Ahh... good work!
00:05:02.70\00:05:04.47
Yeah, I'd like to take a
good look at both of them
00:05:04.50\00:05:07.64
and I think Mr. Martin would
appreciate analyzing the impact
00:05:07.67\00:05:11.51
the accounts on the
company, so YEAH - good work!
00:05:11.54\00:05:15.48
Thanks, no problem.
00:05:15.51\00:05:17.81
Oh, Ms. Green, do you want
those in the spiral bindings?
00:05:17.85\00:05:21.75
I can run down to office support
and have them do it for you.
00:05:21.78\00:05:24.25
Ron, you think of
everything, don't you?
00:05:24.29\00:05:26.76
That's a good
idea, excellent job!
00:05:26.79\00:05:29.76
Good!
00:05:29.79\00:05:33.16
Did you notice how Ron was
proactive as he talked about
00:05:40.70\00:05:44.64
what was expected?
00:05:44.67\00:05:46.24
He asked questions to
ensure that he did what would
00:05:46.27\00:05:51.15
satisfy Ms. Green.
00:05:51.18\00:05:53.21
Do you notice that he
made sure that whatever it is
00:05:53.25\00:05:56.08
she wanted, he had a
clear expectation in his mind
00:05:56.12\00:06:01.32
before he took off.
00:06:01.36\00:06:02.69
You see, he understands
if Ms. Green is happy,
00:06:02.72\00:06:05.56
and if he delivers, he
gets that BIG gold star...
00:06:05.59\00:06:10.00
And by the way, Big Gold
Star performances... ha, ha,
00:06:10.03\00:06:14.24
they create manager
comfort when assigning bigger
00:06:14.27\00:06:18.47
and better and more
important projects to employees.
00:06:18.51\00:06:22.81
The more important the project,
the more value that you have
00:06:22.84\00:06:26.82
as an employee.
00:06:26.85\00:06:28.58
Now in contrast, let's
look in on Kim and see how
00:06:28.62\00:06:32.92
she's handling
her work assignments.
00:06:32.95\00:06:36.32
Girl, I didn't finish the
episode though, I feel asleep.
00:06:36.93\00:06:40.20
Anyway, finish telling me
about this date you were on.
00:06:40.23\00:06:42.53
No way, who takes a girl
out on a romantic dinner to a
00:06:42.56\00:06:47.54
fast food restaurant?
That's just craziness!
00:06:47.57\00:06:50.51
Oh hey, I gotta go, the evil
ice-queen is on her way, bye.
00:06:50.54\00:06:53.88
Good afternoon, Kim.
00:06:53.91\00:06:56.71
Hi Ms. Green - I love those
shoes, they really compliment
00:06:56.75\00:07:00.72
your outfit well. Thanks
00:07:00.75\00:07:02.35
You were supposed to get the
00:07:02.38\00:07:03.79
Winkler
Supplemental Report to me.
00:07:03.82\00:07:05.99
Yes, I am still working on it.
00:07:06.02\00:07:07.46
What's the hold up?
00:07:07.49\00:07:09.19
Is it systems?
Have people been too
00:07:09.22\00:07:11.49
slow in getting
you the information?
00:07:11.53\00:07:13.29
I... uh.. uh..
00:07:13.33\00:07:15.83
Look, it was due last Friday,
this is the fourth Wednesday
00:07:15.86\00:07:21.87
of the month - you know
that every fourth Thursday
00:07:21.90\00:07:24.47
we have an executive team
meeting about this project.
00:07:24.51\00:07:28.18
I need that report.
00:07:28.21\00:07:29.54
I know Ms. Green, I'm so sorry.
00:07:29.58\00:07:31.58
And you know what,
I'm working on it and
00:07:31.61\00:07:33.25
it's just that with the special
projects and the quarterly
00:07:33.28\00:07:36.32
reports all due at
the same time, it's...
00:07:36.35\00:07:38.52
This is an opportunity for
you to shine and get recognized
00:07:38.55\00:07:41.69
by the executives, Kim.
00:07:41.72\00:07:43.73
I know, Ms.
Green... You know what,
00:07:43.76\00:07:45.16
I'll have it for
you by tomorrow morning!
00:07:45.19\00:07:47.40
No. I need it tonight.
00:07:47.43\00:07:49.46
Before you go
home, I need that report.
00:07:49.50\00:07:52.73
So, you may stay
late. Okay, Ms. Green.
00:07:52.77\00:07:55.90
I understand.
00:07:55.94\00:07:57.27
Thanks dear.
00:07:57.31\00:07:58.67
"Thanks dear."
00:08:00.88\00:08:04.11
WOW!
00:08:09.32\00:08:10.65
I'm sure you're
going to agree with me...
00:08:10.69\00:08:12.79
Kim's future - is
about as secure as a germ
00:08:12.82\00:08:15.92
at a Lysol convention.
00:08:15.96\00:08:17.59
Her boss has no
confidence in her whatsoever,
00:08:17.63\00:08:20.96
and she's so disingenuous
when she's talking to her boss.
00:08:21.00\00:08:24.97
I'm pretty sure, Ms.
Green, she's not feeling
00:08:25.00\00:08:28.57
good about her work performance.
00:08:28.60\00:08:30.14
You see, in performance,
there's only one answer that's
00:08:30.17\00:08:34.18
ever acceptable and it
is, "Yes, I got it done."
00:08:34.21\00:08:37.65
Performance is expected.
00:08:37.68\00:08:39.75
Now, we are fans of performers.
00:08:39.78\00:08:42.78
Just a few weeks ago, I
got sucked into an argument
00:08:42.82\00:08:46.39
of who was the
greatest basketball player
00:08:46.42\00:08:49.29
to ever play the game.
00:08:49.32\00:08:51.03
Michael Jordan
versus LeBron James...
00:08:51.06\00:08:54.06
And we argued and we
argued performance stats,
00:08:54.10\00:08:57.27
and we talked
about who did what when
00:08:57.30\00:08:59.70
and what years they did it.
00:08:59.73\00:09:01.07
Well they were all
younger than me and I sprung the
00:09:01.10\00:09:04.61
Dr. Jay answer on them and they
00:09:04.64\00:09:06.17
had no idea who I
was talking about.
00:09:06.24\00:09:07.88
But here's the reality,
whether it's sports, football,
00:09:07.91\00:09:10.81
basketball, golf, hockey,
soccer, it doesn't matter,
00:09:10.85\00:09:14.45
we only talk about
performers, the best performers.
00:09:14.48\00:09:18.99
Sports performers who
cannot perform are dismissed
00:09:19.02\00:09:22.99
from the team... it's
the same in the workplace.
00:09:23.02\00:09:26.66
Your performance is going
to be proportionate to your
00:09:26.70\00:09:30.30
ability to get other people
to cooperate and work with you.
00:09:30.33\00:09:34.84
Now, I was in
an office one time,
00:09:34.87\00:09:37.24
doing my little consulting
work and I walked past
00:09:37.27\00:09:40.11
an area where people were
walking and talking and working.
00:09:40.14\00:09:43.95
So, I watched a supervisor
take some work over to a
00:09:43.98\00:09:48.78
worker, but it
seemed like the supervisor
00:09:48.82\00:09:51.25
was a little afraid to go there.
00:09:51.32\00:09:52.79
In fact, I actually
heard the employee say,
00:09:52.82\00:09:56.19
"I know you're not trying
to give me more work, are you?"
00:09:56.22\00:10:00.13
"Hmm," I thought to myself.
00:10:00.16\00:10:02.96
Uh, the supervisor can
only give you work, hm, at work
00:10:03.00\00:10:09.00
which we go to
work, so that we can work,
00:10:09.04\00:10:14.01
and we get paid for working.
00:10:14.04\00:10:16.95
So, yeah, of course the
supervisor is bringing you
00:10:16.98\00:10:20.38
more work - where else would
she bring you work? At home?
00:10:20.42\00:10:24.79
Now I thought about
this person and wondered...
00:10:24.82\00:10:26.89
"I wonder how they're
viewed," and I'm pretty sure
00:10:26.92\00:10:31.13
I don't have to wonder how
they're viewed in the workplace.
00:10:31.16\00:10:34.16
They're not
really ready to perform.
00:10:34.20\00:10:37.83
So here's what I
want you to do...
00:10:37.87\00:10:39.20
I want you to grab a pen
and paper and I want you to
00:10:39.23\00:10:42.30
take a performance quiz and
if you have somebody that knows
00:10:42.34\00:10:47.51
you really well,
have them around also
00:10:47.54\00:10:50.51
because I would like
for them to help you give
00:10:50.55\00:10:54.02
the right answers.
00:10:54.05\00:10:56.08
Now, if you're
ready, here we go...
00:10:56.12\00:10:59.02
Okay, true or
false... are you ready? Good!
00:10:59.05\00:11:03.89
#1. My assignments are
completed on a timely basis.
00:11:03.93\00:11:11.23
#2. I am always
seeking to expand my skills.
00:11:11.27\00:11:16.27
#3. I belong to a professional
organization or group
00:11:16.30\00:11:21.34
that supports my career goals.
00:11:21.38\00:11:23.45
#4. I present solutions to
my boss, teacher or professor
00:11:23.48\00:11:29.18
instead of problems.
00:11:29.22\00:11:31.09
#5. I take on new projects,
new responsibility without
00:11:31.12\00:11:37.03
hesitation.
00:11:37.06\00:11:38.79
#6. I work hard to
make my boss look good.
00:11:38.83\00:11:42.53
#7. My work is neat,
clear and thorough, usually more
00:11:42.56\00:11:48.00
than what is required.
00:11:48.04\00:11:49.40
#8. I'm willing to sign my
name to any work I complete.
00:11:49.44\00:11:54.81
#9. I am continually
seeking new challenges.
00:11:54.84\00:11:59.48
And the final question...
00:11:59.51\00:12:01.25
#10. I readily assist my
peers even when not asked.
00:12:01.28\00:12:05.65
Now some of you might say,
"Does this make a difference?"
00:12:05.69\00:12:09.99
Let's look at
the first question...
00:12:10.03\00:12:11.86
"My assignments are
completed on a timely basis."
00:12:11.89\00:12:16.26
Now let's look at what
happens when the answer is "no."
00:12:16.30\00:12:21.70
I was in an office working
with a client and the director
00:12:21.74\00:12:25.31
came out of the office and
he said, "Tomorrow I have a
00:12:25.34\00:12:29.01
meeting with the vice president,
a very important meeting."
00:12:29.04\00:12:32.88
But he had asked all of
his direct reports for their
00:12:32.91\00:12:37.39
smaller reports - so that
he could get ready to have his
00:12:37.42\00:12:40.66
meeting with the vice president.
00:12:40.69\00:12:42.56
Well only two out
of six people had their
00:12:42.59\00:12:45.99
reports in on time.
00:12:46.03\00:12:47.56
So he stormed down the
hall, brow was furrowed,
00:12:47.60\00:12:52.10
he walked into their office
and said, "Where's that report?"
00:12:52.13\00:12:54.30
And people came up and said,
"Oh, I forgot to get it to you."
00:12:54.34\00:12:57.87
And they quickly
scurried to do something.
00:12:57.91\00:13:00.08
And he went to the next one...
"Oh, I forgot to get it to you."
00:13:00.11\00:13:03.58
He went to the next office...
"I forgot to get it to you."
00:13:03.61\00:13:07.05
Four times... On the way
back, he passes me, he said,
00:13:07.08\00:13:10.79
"I need to fire them."
00:13:10.82\00:13:13.15
Now, if you're assignments
are completed on a timely basis,
00:13:13.19\00:13:17.76
your boss has confidence that
when they give you something,
00:13:18.03\00:13:21.26
it will be done
when it needs to be done.
00:13:21.53\00:13:24.13
So imagine, when it's
time to get a new assignment
00:13:24.17\00:13:27.57
or an assignment that
has a lot of visibility,
00:13:27.60\00:13:30.94
would you give it to
the ones who are late?
00:13:30.97\00:13:33.88
Or, would you give it
to the person that gets
00:13:33.91\00:13:36.14
their stuff in on time?
00:13:36.18\00:13:37.88
Second question...
"I am always seeking
00:13:37.91\00:13:42.05
to expand my skills."
00:13:42.08\00:13:44.25
Whether we like it or
not, the world is changing
00:13:44.29\00:13:46.76
and new things are
coming out all the time.
00:13:46.79\00:13:49.72
If you were a
software expert 20 years ago,
00:13:49.76\00:13:53.23
I don't even know if we
use any of the same stuff
00:13:53.26\00:13:55.83
we used 20 years ago.
00:13:55.86\00:13:57.47
So, how am I going to
stay on top of my profession
00:13:57.50\00:14:00.54
if I'm not seeking to expand
my skills and learn new things?
00:14:00.57\00:14:05.87
By the way, I've talked
to people who have said,
00:14:05.91\00:14:08.01
"I just want to do my job and
go home and nobody bother me."
00:14:08.04\00:14:13.21
Please wake up!
Not going to happen.
00:14:13.25\00:14:16.45
See, the reason your
skills need to expand is because
00:14:16.48\00:14:19.52
the people that are
coming up the organization
00:14:19.55\00:14:21.99
have bigger and
greater skills and sometimes,
00:14:22.02\00:14:25.19
just to stay
comfortably where you are,
00:14:25.23\00:14:27.70
you need to be in the
habit of expanding your skills
00:14:27.73\00:14:31.60
and your abilities.
00:14:31.63\00:14:33.34
Question #3... "I
belong to a professional
00:14:33.37\00:14:38.04
organization or group
that supports my career goals."
00:14:38.07\00:14:41.84
Now here's why
that's important...
00:14:41.88\00:14:44.71
Let's say you are an
up and coming accountant,
00:14:44.75\00:14:48.98
and you join a professional
accounting organization,
00:14:49.02\00:14:53.09
think about the
benefits of the networking.
00:14:53.12\00:14:55.86
There are going to
be accountants that have
00:14:55.89\00:14:57.79
far more experience than you,
so you're going to be able to
00:14:57.83\00:15:01.06
ask questions and get
answers that you may not
00:15:01.10\00:15:03.80
be able to
figure out on your own.
00:15:03.83\00:15:05.50
You're going to be at meetings
where maybe there's a new
00:15:05.53\00:15:07.80
software package that comes
out and all of the accountants
00:15:07.84\00:15:11.04
in your area are
talking about it.
00:15:11.07\00:15:12.71
In this group, in this
organization, you're going to
00:15:12.74\00:15:15.34
have access to information
and that is going to make
00:15:15.38\00:15:19.45
an incredible
difference to your career.
00:15:19.48\00:15:22.85
#4... "I present solutions
instead of problems to my boss,
00:15:22.88\00:15:28.89
teacher or professor."
00:15:28.92\00:15:30.83
Now, there are going to
be problems in the workplace,
00:15:30.86\00:15:34.06
but I had a pet peeve as a
manager - when someone would
00:15:34.10\00:15:36.83
come into the office and say,
"Hey boss, you have a problem,"
00:15:36.87\00:15:41.34
and kind of plop it on my desk.
00:15:41.37\00:15:44.54
Do I have a problem
or do WE have a problem?
00:15:44.57\00:15:47.34
Are you a member of this team?
00:15:47.38\00:15:49.24
You see, if you walk into
the boss's office, the teacher's
00:15:49.28\00:15:51.65
office, whoever the
authority figure is,
00:15:51.68\00:15:54.48
and all you do
is present problems,
00:15:54.52\00:15:56.12
YOU are a problem.
00:15:56.15\00:15:59.15
However, if you walk in with
this technique, here it goes...
00:15:59.19\00:16:02.39
"Boss, we have a problem...
the problem is A, B, C,
00:16:02.42\00:16:06.19
but I believe I have a
solution, it's D, E, F,
00:16:06.23\00:16:11.20
what do you think?"
00:16:11.23\00:16:12.73
At that point, you are no longer
just a bringer of a problem,
00:16:12.77\00:16:16.97
you are also the problem-solver.
00:16:17.01\00:16:20.08
And, if you ever want to
be perceived as an incredible
00:16:20.11\00:16:23.14
performer, be known
as a problem-solver.
00:16:23.18\00:16:26.41
That's the greatest reputation
you could have at work.
00:16:26.45\00:16:30.49
#5... "I take on new projects,
new responsibilities without
00:16:30.52\00:16:36.42
hesitation."
00:16:36.46\00:16:37.79
Now this one might kill
people if they're lazy...
00:16:37.83\00:16:41.56
simply because at
work, you're going to get new
00:16:41.60\00:16:44.63
responsibilities, you're
going to get new projects,
00:16:44.67\00:16:46.90
and supervisors and bosses
that we work for - they want to
00:16:46.94\00:16:50.91
feel comfortable with
giving us those projects.
00:16:50.94\00:16:53.41
They want to make sure
that we're willing, we're able,
00:16:53.44\00:16:57.38
and we do it without hesitation.
00:16:57.41\00:16:59.68
Why should they have to
beg us to take on new projects
00:16:59.71\00:17:03.08
and new responsibilities?
00:17:03.12\00:17:04.92
In fact, let's say that
you're skilled at making your
00:17:04.95\00:17:08.42
supervisor take that
project or responsibility
00:17:08.46\00:17:11.93
to somebody else,
guess who gets the visibility
00:17:11.96\00:17:15.43
when the project
is done? That person!
00:17:15.46\00:17:18.87
Long-term - THAT
person is who is valued.
00:17:18.90\00:17:22.50
So, I want to make
sure that if my supervisor
00:17:22.54\00:17:25.11
needs me to do
absolutely ANYTHING,
00:17:25.14\00:17:27.41
if it's within my
skill set, I'm going to do it
00:17:27.44\00:17:30.71
without hesitation.
00:17:30.75\00:17:32.08
Now, question #6... this
was a little difficult for me to
00:17:32.11\00:17:37.55
handle for a while.
00:17:37.59\00:17:38.92
Question #6 simply says, "I work
hard to make my boss look good."
00:17:38.95\00:17:44.59
The first time I met my
mentor, we went into a session,
00:17:44.63\00:17:47.73
a training session and
he was an incredible leader,
00:17:47.76\00:17:51.13
an incredible communicator
and he had 12-15 of us
00:17:51.17\00:17:56.24
young, professionals and we
believed we were going to be
00:17:56.27\00:17:59.87
upwardly mobile...
00:17:59.91\00:18:01.24
He said, "Gentleman,
what is your purpose at work?"
00:18:01.28\00:18:05.81
Well we started coming up
with all sorts of answers...
00:18:05.85\00:18:09.55
"My purpose is
to bring new ideas."
00:18:09.58\00:18:11.75
And someone else said,
"My purpose is to bring
00:18:11.79\00:18:14.69
my creativity and
problem solving skills...
00:18:14.72\00:18:17.79
and each answer was more
outlandish than the next.
00:18:17.83\00:18:20.96
And each time someone
gave an answer, in is calm way,
00:18:21.00\00:18:23.67
he would simply say,
"No sir, that's not it."
00:18:23.70\00:18:27.14
Well at the end of
all these answers...
00:18:27.17\00:18:29.70
which went from the
ridiculous to the sublime,
00:18:29.74\00:18:32.27
he simply said, "Gentleman,
you have one purpose at work,
00:18:32.31\00:18:37.95
and that's to make
your boss look good."
00:18:37.98\00:18:40.88
What? Our sole purpose is
to make our boss look good.
00:18:40.92\00:18:46.09
Well, here is the rationale
and it makes so much sense,
00:18:46.12\00:18:49.12
and after all these
years, I will tell you,
00:18:49.16\00:18:50.86
it is true... the workplace
is built on hierarchies.
00:18:50.89\00:18:54.83
There's the CEO, above
him there's the chairman
00:18:54.86\00:18:57.70
of the board; below the
CEO there are vice presidents;
00:18:57.73\00:19:01.04
then there are
directors and senior managers,
00:19:01.07\00:19:04.44
and managers and so forth.
00:19:04.47\00:19:05.91
And everybody that's in that
pyramid is looking to do well
00:19:05.94\00:19:10.45
so they can move up.
00:19:10.48\00:19:12.08
So, anybody that works for
them, that makes them look good,
00:19:12.11\00:19:16.22
becomes an
asset that they value.
00:19:16.25\00:19:20.26
So, if I work hard to
make my boss look good,
00:19:20.29\00:19:23.69
who is valued?
00:19:23.73\00:19:25.06
In fact, if they have to
make a choice during a merger
00:19:25.09\00:19:27.63
or a downsizing, who do
you think we should keep
00:19:27.66\00:19:30.73
and the list of
people includes someone
00:19:30.77\00:19:33.00
that makes them look good?
00:19:33.03\00:19:34.37
Human nature, tell me
what do you think their
00:19:34.40\00:19:38.37
choices might be?
00:19:38.41\00:19:39.77
Question #7... "My work
is neat, clear and thorough,
00:19:39.81\00:19:45.38
usually more than
what is required."
00:19:45.41\00:19:48.08
Now it's the last
part that throws folks...
00:19:48.12\00:19:50.75
A lot of folks can be
relatively neat and clear,
00:19:50.79\00:19:54.46
but when you are giving
more than what is required,
00:19:54.49\00:19:57.69
you are a standout
employee because most
00:19:57.73\00:20:00.66
employees - they probably
aren't going to do that.
00:20:01.13\00:20:04.40
Now remember, whatever
work you turn into your boss,
00:20:04.43\00:20:07.50
they may be moving
that upstairs to their boss,
00:20:07.54\00:20:10.77
so the better your
work product is, the better
00:20:10.81\00:20:13.68
their work is and that's
again something that they
00:20:13.71\00:20:17.88
praise and pride
in a valued employee.
00:20:17.91\00:20:21.15
Question #8... "I am
willing to sign my name
00:20:21.18\00:20:24.85
to any work I complete."
00:20:24.89\00:20:27.66
When things are thrown
together and just, you know,
00:20:27.69\00:20:30.59
hodgepodge and just a
mess, do you really want to
00:20:30.63\00:20:34.10
sign your name to it?
00:20:34.13\00:20:35.46
Because when you
sign your name to it,
00:20:35.50\00:20:37.40
that's how you are
going to be viewed.
00:20:37.43\00:20:39.97
#9... "I am continually
seeking new challenges."
00:20:40.00\00:20:44.91
There is no such thing as
treading water in a career.
00:20:44.94\00:20:49.18
Either you're getting
better and you're learning more
00:20:49.21\00:20:51.88
or you're getting
passed by everyone else.
00:20:51.91\00:20:54.62
Look for new challenges
daily, God wants us to grow.
00:20:54.65\00:20:59.75
And 10 is - "I readily assist
my peers even when not asked.
00:20:59.79\00:21:07.90
Now when I think about
that, wouldn't Christ want us
00:21:07.93\00:21:11.87
to help the people around us?
00:21:11.90\00:21:13.90
So it's not just a
business principle,
00:21:13.94\00:21:16.07
this one kind of
comes from a higher power.
00:21:16.10\00:21:19.34
Now, does it make a difference?
00:21:19.37\00:21:21.31
Well, let's uh, let's see...
00:21:21.34\00:21:24.68
Phone dialing and ringing...
00:21:26.55\00:21:30.99
This is Analytics,
Cynthia Green speaking.
00:21:32.02\00:21:34.26
Hi Ms. Green,
Jonas here, how are you?
00:21:34.29\00:21:36.99
Oh hi Mr. Martin,
what can I do for you?
00:21:37.03\00:21:39.79
Well, I'm calling you
because I've got a very special
00:21:39.83\00:21:41.80
project I'm going
to need your help on.
00:21:41.83\00:21:43.67
We've got something we're
doing here and your group has
00:21:43.70\00:21:47.04
always done a very
nice job for us here.
00:21:47.07\00:21:49.30
Graphics are good,
your analytics are great,
00:21:49.34\00:21:52.04
and that's what I need
on this particular project.
00:21:52.07\00:21:54.84
Uh, I think it's
going to be about two weeks,
00:21:54.88\00:21:58.28
highly visible, so I'm
going to need somebody that
00:21:58.31\00:22:03.28
I can really count on.
00:22:03.32\00:22:04.69
Do you have anybody like that?
00:22:04.72\00:22:06.49
Well yes, as-a-matter-of-fact
I do and I think you'll really
00:22:06.52\00:22:09.92
enjoy working with him.
00:22:09.96\00:22:11.29
Great, great - I'll call
you back with the details
00:22:11.33\00:22:13.70
and then we'll get together
and set up a meeting, all right?
00:22:13.73\00:22:15.86
Oh sounds good,
thanks. Excellent! Bye bye.
00:22:15.90\00:22:18.87
Now to win in the workplace,
you must have a reputation
00:22:20.97\00:22:24.51
of being a strong performer.
00:22:24.54\00:22:26.84
It's not only what our
employers are looking for,
00:22:26.88\00:22:29.38
it is what God expects of us.
00:22:29.41\00:22:31.85
We're His hands,
we're Him in the workplace.
00:22:31.88\00:22:34.65
1 Corinthians
10:31 says the following:
00:22:34.68\00:22:37.02
Years ago, there was
a good friend of mine
00:22:45.06\00:22:47.33
that I used to play
basketball with and it was
00:22:47.36\00:22:51.07
quite a long time ago,
and he translated that a
00:22:51.10\00:22:54.70
bit differently.
00:22:54.74\00:22:56.07
We'd be at a pickup game
at the park or at the gym
00:22:56.10\00:22:59.61
or wherever we were and
we'd come in to get dressed
00:22:59.64\00:23:02.94
and we're putting on our
shoes and our gear and whatever,
00:23:02.98\00:23:07.02
and the guys that we
were going to play against
00:23:07.05\00:23:09.55
they would start to
share with us why it was futile
00:23:09.58\00:23:14.79
that we even showed up that day.
00:23:14.82\00:23:17.09
They would tell us about
all their superior skills,
00:23:17.13\00:23:21.10
"alleged superior skills,"
and they basically said,
00:23:21.13\00:23:26.10
"You guys are no
competition, there's no reason
00:23:26.13\00:23:29.84
for you to even be here."
00:23:29.87\00:23:32.27
Uh, but when you
think about performance,
00:23:32.31\00:23:36.21
it's not just
talking about performance,
00:23:36.24\00:23:39.95
you actually have to perform.
00:23:39.98\00:23:42.65
My buddy would simply say,
"Gentleman, you gotta bring
00:23:42.68\00:23:47.96
some to get some."
00:23:47.99\00:23:49.59
In fact, the sportscasters
put it a different way...
00:23:49.62\00:23:53.60
We talk about what's going
to happen in the Super Bowl
00:23:53.63\00:23:56.77
or what's going to
happen in the championship game,
00:23:56.80\00:23:59.20
and we're always guessing
and the pundits are saying,
00:23:59.23\00:24:02.94
"We think this
is going to happen,
00:24:02.97\00:24:04.87
we think that is
going to happen,"
00:24:04.91\00:24:06.57
but actually, we have no
idea until it actually happens.
00:24:06.61\00:24:11.51
I heard a sportscaster
say, "Folks, the reason why
00:24:11.55\00:24:16.79
this game didn't turn out
the way we thought it was,
00:24:16.82\00:24:19.75
is because you
actually have to play it."
00:24:19.79\00:24:23.73
As far as
performance is concerned,
00:24:23.76\00:24:26.29
you can have all
of the education,
00:24:26.33\00:24:28.80
you can have all the skill,
you can have all the talent,
00:24:28.83\00:24:32.77
but you've actually
got to play the game.
00:24:32.80\00:24:36.84
We LOVE performers!
00:24:36.87\00:24:40.58
Now I don't know if you're
like me, but the Olympics,
00:24:40.61\00:24:44.81
they turn me on to
something that I only watch
00:24:44.85\00:24:48.05
once every four years,
swimming and gymnastics.
00:24:48.08\00:24:52.45
But the Olympics has given
me new household names that
00:24:52.49\00:24:57.03
I didn't have before the events.
00:24:57.06\00:24:59.46
I'm watching swimming and
these guys jump into the water
00:24:59.49\00:25:03.16
and they are stroking and
they're pulling and they're
00:25:03.20\00:25:06.70
giving everything that
they have and when they finally
00:25:06.74\00:25:10.21
touch the other end
and the buzzer goes off,
00:25:10.24\00:25:12.57
and the flag goes up
and they were winners,
00:25:12.61\00:25:14.88
I'm cheering, but I'm
cheering their performance.
00:25:14.91\00:25:19.35
I was watching gymnastics
and I'm watching these young
00:25:19.38\00:25:22.88
ladies go through the air
and do things with their bodies
00:25:22.92\00:25:25.39
that are
absolutely unbelievable,
00:25:25.42\00:25:28.09
but at the end, as
they stand on the podium
00:25:28.12\00:25:30.93
when they get their
medals, I'm cheering for their
00:25:30.96\00:25:34.20
performance.
00:25:34.23\00:25:35.56
Now, when we're at the
work place, it's the same thing.
00:25:35.60\00:25:41.07
When I wrote a
resume, I wrote on my resume
00:25:41.10\00:25:44.57
"I am a performer."
00:25:44.61\00:25:46.94
Hey, they even called me
for an interview and during the
00:25:46.98\00:25:49.78
interview, I went into
the office and I told them
00:25:49.81\00:25:53.21
"I am a performer."
00:25:53.25\00:25:55.15
And then on my first
day, I was dressed up,
00:25:55.18\00:25:58.12
I walked in and I
said, "Yes, absolutely, I can
00:25:58.15\00:26:01.82
prove that I am a performer."
00:26:01.86\00:26:05.53
So if I am a performer, I
must bring some to get some.
00:26:05.56\00:26:11.37
Remember, you are
powerless over what they can
00:26:11.40\00:26:15.10
do to you, but they are
powerless over what God will
00:26:15.14\00:26:19.17
do for you.
00:26:19.21\00:26:20.88
Until next time, I'm Eric Kelly,
00:26:20.91\00:26:22.94
you keep "Working the
Dream" and the dream will keep
00:26:22.98\00:26:27.18
working for you.
00:26:27.22\00:26:30.55