David J. Pollay's Blog

Follow The Law – Look for Success In Your Consistency (example: Keith Ferrazzi)

Do you want to know what you’re good at?  Do you want to know when you really stand out in life?  What you should build your expertise around?  Here’s one powerful answer.  It’s a guide.

 

Look for success in your consistency.

 

When you follow The Law of the Garbage Truck, you stay focused on what is important and what you can control.  Identifying where and when you have been consistently successful is a huge part of helping you focus on making the best of your life.

 

Is there something you have done well over the years; it has served you well, and it’s still making a difference in your life? 

It might be the way you build relationships,

the way you speak,

the way you think,

the way you write,

the way you sell,

the way you lead teams,

the way you express your appreciation....

 

Whatever it is, it’s there for us to discover and amplify: We all do something special, even if at first blush it’s not obvious to us. 

 

And when you recognize your strength, develop it and focus on it, you can turn it into something special in your life. 

 

I believe—and research by the Gallup Organization, and by Christopher Peterson and Nansook Park at the University of Michigan, demonstrates it—successful people learn to capitalize on their “special something.” 

 

They amplify their strength.  They invest in it through education, training, coaching, and practice.  They hire people and contract with people to magnify their strength.  They surround themselves with people who can help them work around their lesser strengths.

 

What’s the result?

These people are happy, and they are successful.

Here’s a great example.

 

I knew someone in college. 

He was brilliant about bringing people together around a common cause. 

He could do it with one person, a group, or an organization. 

And it served him well.

 

Now he is the best selling author of two great books, Who’s Got Your Back? and Never Eat Alone.  His name is Keith Ferrazzi.  You might have heard of him?  He’s considered one of the best connected people in the country

 

 
 

Keith took what was a consistent strength of his in his life and career—building world class relationships in everything he does—and turned it into an asset that he could share with the world in business.  People who want to understand what it takes to forge important relationships with anyone at any level turn to Keith for advice and guidance.  Keith’s consistent strength is now his biggest asset.

 

So what’s your strength? 

Where have you been consistent in your life?

Follow The Law and focus on what’s important.

 

If you’re here for the first time, welcome!

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You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck here

My 2nd Secret to Writing

I told you my first secret to writing.  Here's the second. 

Before you start writing your book, article, blog post, newsletter, or company memo, get a blank sheet of paper and a pen.  Pause for a moment … and close your eyes (optional). Choose the first subject that comes to mind.  Lock it in.  Then, start writing about it as fast as you can without stopping.  Don't edit what you write.  Don't re-read it.  Just let whatever comes out, come out.

  Here's what happens for me.  It awakens my senses.  It's like stretching before you exercise.  This process has helped me kick-start the writing of my columns and portions of my book.

  And here's the bonus.  Sometimes you actually write something you can use in a column, a blog, or a newsletter.

  Most importantly, your warm-up writing clears the way for you to start your "real" writing confidently.

  Try it out, and let me know how it works for you. 

I'm David J. Pollay.  I wrote The Law of the Garbage Truck to help people become happier and make the world a better place. 

Discover Your True Path – Step Three

Last week I asked us to take our second step on our journey to discover our true path in life. 

 

Here was Step One – Learn by Observing Others.  Here was Step Two – Learn by Asking Others.

 

This week I want us to focus on how we can learn by the example of others.

 

Learn by the Example of Others

 

In 1917 my grandfather lived in Brunswick, Maine.  He worked as a bookkeeper for the Bath Iron Works, the largest shipbuilder in the United States.  He worked long hours.  He lived at home.  He had no extra money.  He had an elementary school education.  And he dreamed of becoming an accountant.

 

Despite his circumstances, my grandfather found a way to pursue his dream.  He adhered to a motto:  “I can. I will.”  My grandfather read the accounting books his older brother had purchased years earlier.  He set aside two hours every night after work to read the books and take the practice tests (without looking at his brother’s answers).  My grandfather would then clear his mind with a walk, and then go to bed.  For two years he followed this plan.  In 1919 my grandfather passed the State of Maine accounting exam.  He became a certified public accountant.

 

The original certificate conferring my grandfather’s right to practice accounting hangs in my parent’s family room.  It reminds all of us what can be achieved by pursuing one’s true path with dedication and hard work.

 

Whose example will you emulate this year?  Learn from their journey.

 

As always, when you have time, let me know how you’re doing.  And remember to share your stories with me.

 

Best to you,

 

David

 

p.s. Remember to keep sending me your stories about how you are applying The Law of the Garbage Truck™ to your lives, families, and businesses.  Email me at david@themomentumproject.com.

 

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck: Take control of your life with one decision and change the world, will be published by Sterling Publishing in September, 2010.  You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck™ at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

 

David holds a Master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.  You can catch David’s newsletter here.  You can reach him at david@themomentumproject.com, and you can read David’s blog at www.pollayblog.com.

 

Discover Your True Path – Step Two

Last week I called on all of us to take another step on our journey to discover our true path in life. 

Here was Step One – Learn By Observing Others. 

This week I want us to focus on how we can learn by asking others.

Learn by Asking Others

 

 

You can learn by asking others.  Meet with people who love what they do in your company.  Ask them what excites them about their work.  Ask them how they discovered their passion.  Ask them what they did to reach this rewarding point in their career.  You will learn a lot about yourself as you listen to their stories.  As a result, you will also expand and deepen your relationships at work.  The colleagues you interview will feel appreciated by your interest. 

 

 

When I worked at Yahoo!, one of the many people I respected and admired was Kirk Froggatt, former Vice President of Human Resources.  Kirk loved any activity that helped inspire and develop Yahoo! employees.  One day I asked Kirk to join me for lunch.  At the time I was running Yahoo!’s Customer Care Division. 

 

We talked for two hours.  I asked Kirk lots of questions.  He then gave me a book.  I read it over one weekend.  And then over the ensuing months I read Kirk’s white papers, plans, and recommended books.  I loved everything he sent to me.  And along the way I discovered that my true path was in the field of learning and development.  One year later I moved into a full-time role heading the training organization at Yahoo!. 

It started with a lunch.

Who will you meet with this year?  Be humble.  Reach out. 

As always, when you have time, let me know how you’re doing.  And remember to share your stories with me.

Best to you,

David

p.s. Remember to keep sending me your stories about how you are applying The Law of the Garbage Truck™ to your lives, families, and businesses.  Email me at david@themomentumproject.com.

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And remember you can sign up for my newsletter right here.

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck: Take control of your life with one decision and change the world, will be published by Sterling Publishing in September, 2010.  You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck™ at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a Master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.  You can catch David’s newsletter here.  You can reach him at david@themomentumproject.com, and you can read David’s blog at www.pollayblog.com.

How badly do you want it?

Monday Morning Momentum

Think professionally. How badly do you want to do what you love in life?  If you’re serious about living a life focused on doing what you love, let’s experiment this week.  Let’s see how much you can advance your goal of doing more of what you love to do. 

Step 1: Write down what you love to do (or would love to do) professionally. 

Step 2: Think of the ways you can develop your natural strengths, gain experience, increase your knowledge, and build skill to help you get better at what you love to do.

Step 3: Now, write down something you can do this week in each of the following time blocks.

A)   First thing in the morning

B)   Time driving and/or commuting

C)   Lunch each day

D)   Time after work and before dinner

E)   Time after dinner and before bed

F)    Saturday

G)   Sunday

Step 4: Remember our experiment is only for one week. Choose your activities with purpose.  Let’s see how much progress you can make at getting better at what you do.

Step 5: Let me know how it goes this week. Post a comment or send me an email. I’m rooting for you.

Together, we’re pursuing a strategy that has helped me achieve every significant goal in my life.  I want to help you do more of what you love.  And I want you to get really good at what you love doing.

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

Best to you,

David

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University.

Don’t Settle. Do What You Love.

Don’t settle.  Be grateful.  But don’t settle in life. 

Last week I asked you two questions:

Are you doing what you love?

Are you getting good at what you love?

Let’s pick up where we left off.  Our goal is to answer, “yes…yes.”

If you answered, “no…no,” focus this week on exploring what you love to do.  Think about the “activities” you’ve loved in the past.  What were the things you were doing?  What actions were you taking?  Be specific.  Describe them.  Then find at least one opportunity to engage in one of those activities at work or at home.  Be curious and creative.  You’ll find an opportunity.  I guarantee it if you look hard enough.  Once we find out what you love to do, we’ll then focus on building your expertise next.

If you answered, “no (not at work)…yes,” what one thing can you do to help craft your job in a way that will allow you to do more of what you love?  Be creative.  Don’t give up.  There is always something you can do.

If you answered, “yes…no,” what is the one thing you can do this week to build your expertise or experience?  Don’t put it off.  Choose one thing now.  You’ll feel good when you do.

If you answered, “yes…yes,” pause and say thanks.  You’re on an important path to happiness and success.  Connect to the powerful positive emotion of gratitude.  My practice is to stop, look up, and say everything I’m grateful for (I also start every day that way). 

Remember to be grateful for what you have, but don’t settle in life. 

Let me know how it goes this week.  Post a comment or send me an email. 

Together, we’re pursuing a strategy that has helped me achieve every significant goal in my life.  I want to help you do more of what you love.  And I want you to get really good at what you love doing.

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

Best to you,

David

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University.

The Power of "Pulling Back Your Curtain"

Monday Morning Momentum™

Twenty-five years ago, one late night, my girlfriend said, “You don’t understand.”

“I do,” I said.

“You can’t,” she said.  “Everything’s been perfect in your life.”

“That’s not true.”

But, she wasn’t listening.  We had been discussing how upset she was about something that happened to her that day, and how it had reminded her of the many challenges she had faced early in her life. 

I looked at her, and said quietly, “I’m sorry.  I really am.” 

She brushed me aside.

“You just don’t understand.  You can’t.” 

She was shutting me out.

And in a burst of emotion, everything came pouring out of me:  my disappointments, my heartbreaks, my losses.  I shared everything.  I let her know that she was wrong.  She listened until I was done.

“I didn’t know that,” she said.  “I’m sorry I upset you.”

She smiled faintly.   “But, I’m glad to know you’re human.”

I learned something that night.  We often assume that life is a fairy tale for many of the people we think are successful; they must not suffer our problems.  They must have it all, and their life is without worry.  But, when we step back for a moment, we know that’s not true.

When the curtains are pulled back on our lives, our challenges and vulnerabilities are revealed.  Some of our lives have been harder than others – even tragic – but we’ve all had our struggles.  The question for leaders is – and I count parents in this category – are we more or less effective when we pull back our own curtains?  Do people commit, support, and believe in us because we’re perfect, or because we’re human?  My old girlfriend’s answer, and the response of everyone I have met since, is that people ultimately want someone they can relate to – someone they can understand, and someone who understands them. 

Bill George, the former chairman and CEO of Medtronic, a company whose market capitalization grew 35% annually under his leadership, advocates for openness.  In his book, True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership, George frames the question this way:  “One fear all of us have to confront is whether others will accept us if we show our vulnerability.  We fear being rejected if we admit our mistakes.  Will others take advantage of our weaknesses?  Will they think less of us?”

When I think back to the time I was growing up in Milwaukee, one of the things I most appreciated about my father was that if he felt he was wrong, he would let me know.  He admitted his mistakes, and I respected him even more for that.

The point is clearly not to dwell on our challenges, but to pretend they do not exist is a mistake.  “The great balance of leadership is to have fervor over what you believe,” said Carley Roney, The Knot co-founder, in Secrets of Greatness, a book by the editors of Fortune Magazine, “but not be afraid to admit when you are totally wrong.” 

Later in his book, Bill George comes back to answering his own questions, “When leaders reveal their vulnerabilities, they develop trusting human connections with others that motivate and empower those they engage. “

I have tried to follow this advice in my own work.  While my life as a writer, speaker, and seminar leader is dedicated to helping people “Enjoy every day.  Do what they love.  Make a difference.” I’ve had my own challenges.   And although I am best known for “The Law of the Garbage Truck," on a given day, someone can still set me back on my heels. 

I’ve realized that people want to know that my advice is reliable, research-based, and field-tested.  But they also want to know that I’ve had my struggles.  I’ve made mistakes in my career and at home.  My thoughts are not always positive, and certain things make me worry.  Sometimes I procrastinate when I should be focused.  And sometimes I eat too much and exercise too little.  I’m a work in progress.  We all are.

Our relationships at home and in business thrive when we don’t hide behind our curtains.  There are times when we must let people know we’ve made mistakes, been disappointed, and need help.  In Faust: Part I, Goethe wrote, “What is uttered from the heart alone / will win the hearts of others to your own.” 

There is power in pulling back your curtain 

Copyright 2009 David J. Pollay

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

Best to you,

David

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, Beware of Garbage Trucks!™, is due out this summer. 

David is the founder and president of the consulting and seminar organization, The Momentum Project.  He is also a founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA).  If you want to reprint one of David’s columns, email david@themomentumproject.com.  Here’s David’s full bio.

My Mom, the Opera Singer

Monday Morning Momentum™

(Happy Mother’s Day to all our moms!  Thank you for making us and our children possible!  I’m posting this column in honor of my mom.  Love, David)

Mom was an opera singer who could sing high C’s beautifully.  And she had the chance to sing them often.  Mom was a leading soprano with The National Opera Company, and with The Community Concert Series of Columbia Artists after her undergraduate and graduate studies at the New England Conservatory of Music.  Her repertoire included Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, Gounod, Massenet, Hayden, and Handel.  Mom also toured Europe for the State Department to entertain our troops.  And in 1956 she was presented with a certificate of esteem signed by the United States Secretary of Defense, C.E. Wilson, “…for patriotic service in providing entertainment to members of the armed forces in Europe."

I asked Mom recently how she was able to consistently sing a high C.  She said, “You already have to believe it’s there.  And once you believe it is, you have to find a way to let all negative thoughts go so that you can sing your high C.”

Daniel J. Wakin wrote about the high C last year in his article, “The Note that Makes Us Weep.”  Wakin quotes Craig Rutenberg, The Metropolitan Opera’s director of musical administration, “It is the absolute summit of technique.  More than anywhere else in your voice, you have to know what you’re doing.  To me it signals a self-confidence in the singer that lets him communicate to us that he knows what he’s doing and he has something very important to express with that note.” 

When I was growing up in Milwaukee, my parents formed their own singing act, The Pollays.  They performed across the United States and Canada with stars like Joey Bishop, Shecky Green, Myron Cohen, Mark Russell, Morey Amsterdam, Rich Little, and David Brenner.  My brother and I often had the opportunity to travel with them. 

I remember one particular performance.  Mom had the flu.  And just minutes before being introduced on stage, Mom was throwing up in the bathroom. 

I asked Mom how she was able to sing that day.  She said, “I always had a belief that I could sing under almost any circumstances.  No matter how sick I was, if I could stand up, then I could sing.”  Mom continued, “You believe you can do it.  You practice every day.  You know you have the technique.  You just have to concentrate and believe it is in you.”  And not only did she make it through the show, Mom and Dad received a standing ovation.

In a chapter on self-efficacy beliefs for the Handbook of Positive Psychology, James Maddux, professor of Psychology at George Mason University wrote, “The truth is that believing that you can accomplish what you want to accomplish is one of the most important ingredients – perhaps the most important ingredient – in the recipe for success.” 

How did a girl from Augusta, Maine become an opera singer? 

Mom said, “My belief was that I could sing and that everyone wanted to hear me sing from the time I was three years old.  My mother used to say that I woke up singing with the birds before anyone else in the family was up…and I sang all day.” 

“There was always singing in my home,” said Mom.  “On Sunday nights we listened to the Firestone Hour.  We heard opera, operetta, and other beautiful music.  I dreamed and I believed that I could sing as well as the stars could and that some day I would sing opera and be well-known.  I bought sheet music and imitated all those famous singers, and the singers in the movies.” 

Mom turned her talent and her interest into a successful singing career that spanned five decades and took her around the world.  Mom’s beliefs gave her the drive and courage to accomplish something very few people do.  She became a professional singer.  She sang opera.  And she could sing the high C’s.

Copyright 2009 David J. Pollay

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

Best to you,

David

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

---------------------------------------------------------

David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, Beware of Garbage Trucks!™, is due out this summer. 

David is the founder and president of the consulting and seminar organization, The Momentum Project.  He is also a founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA).  If you want to reprint one of David’s columns, email david@themomentumproject.com.  Here’s David’s full bio.

 

Speak the Language of Growth

Monday Morning Momentum™ with David J. Pollay – March 23, 2009

When I was a sophomore in college, my three roommates and I bought four plants from the local grocery store to liven up our dorm suite.   We wanted some variety, so each plant was a little different. 

When we brought the plants home, we put them around our suite, grabbed a mug, and watered them.  We then designated that mug the official watering can; it would help make sure we gave the same amount of water to each plant.

The next day, three of the plants looked droopy.  We grabbed the mug and watered them all again.  Another day passed and the three plants looked even worse.  We did the only thing we knew how to do; we gave them all more water.  And that didn’t work either. 

The next day a friend showed up at our place. 

“What’s up with your plants?!” she laughed as she entered the room. 

“They’re not doing so well,” I said.

She laughed again. “No kidding!”

“But we’re giving them plenty of water,” said one of my roommates.

She smiled, walked over and touched the soil of each of the unhealthy plants. 

“You’re giving them too much water,” she said.

“That can’t be,” I said.  “All plants need water.” 

“Yes,” she said, “but in different amounts.  You just have to touch the soil.  If the soil is dry, the plant needs water.  If the soil is wet, the plant has plenty of water.”

We followed her advice, and as you would guess, the plants thrived. 

People and plants

I’ve always believed that the lesson I learned that day translates directly to business.  Employees need nourishment too, but just like plants, they need it in different doses.  When we treat employees the same, we miss an opportunity to give them what they really need to grow.  

People are not the same

A number of years ago I was in a meeting with senior leaders discussing the importance of recognizing employees when they do good work.  One of the leaders pushed his chair back from the table, put his hands behind his head, and said, “I rarely give out recognition; I believe my employees work harder when I keep it in short supply.”  

Was his strategy effective?  Yes, but with only one person.  The rest of his team had individual preferences for when and how they liked to be recognized.  He wasn’t reaching everyone.  And as a result, they weren’t happy, nor as productive and successful as they could have been.  But he had a deep-set belief that everyone should get the same ration of feedback.  

Reach out

We must take the time to know what brings out the strengths of our employees.  But, how do we know what they need?  The answer is straightforward:  we have to ask.  Employees will tell us what they need when we touch them with our questions, our interest, and our support.  They’ll tell us what size mug of water to bring and how often.

Let’s give our employees what they need to succeed.  Speak their language and watch them grow.

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

Best to you,

David

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Monthly Momentum Minutes™, right here.

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, Beware of Garbage Trucks!™, is due out this summer. 

David is the founder and president of the consulting and seminar organization, The Momentum Project.  He is also a founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA).  If you want to reprint one of David’s columns, email dawn@themomentumproject.com.  Here’s David’s full bio.

 

 

Agree on Success. You’ll Be Happy You Did.

Monday Morning Momentum™ with David J. Pollay – March 16, 2009

                               

Rule number one on the job:  be clear what’s expected of you.  Agree on what success looks like.  Ask how you’re going to be judged.  I learned how important this is when I interned for Procter and Gamble in the summer of 1986. 

 

Room for rent

 

I wanted my own apartment near the office, but my budget was too tight.  I could only afford to rent a room in a suburban home.  We’ll call the owner of the home Mrs. Johnson.

 

In order to reduce the rent that was advertised, I suggested to Mrs. Johnson that I could cut her lawn during the summer.  She agreed, and I moved in the next day – my first day on the job with Procter and Gamble.  I worked hard that first week, logging in more than seventy hours.  When Friday night came around, I was tired.  After dinner I went straight to bed.

 

Saturday morning visit

 

Now, do you ever get the sense that someone is staring at you?  You can tell without even opening your eyes, or looking in their direction.  Well, the next morning I had that feeling…and then I heard a voice. 

 

“David, it’s time to get up.”  It was Mrs. Johnson.

I looked at the clock.  It was 7:00a.m. on Saturday.

She said it again, “David, it’s time to get up.”

Confused, I said, “Why are you waking me up?

Mrs. Johnson answered in a cheery, but demanding voice, “It’s time to get up and mow the lawn and clean the pool.” 

 

I couldn’t believe it!  First, why did Mrs. Johnson feel the need to wake me up at 7:00a.m. on a Saturday?  Second, when did I get assigned to clean the pool?!  And third, what was Mrs. Johnson doing in my room?!

 

The answer to these questions was simple:  this is what I got when I didn’t clarify and agree on specific expectations in our business relationship. 

 

Setting expectations

 

You can bet I quickly sorted out my agreement with Mrs. Johnson.  And we put it in writing.  We discussed my job (mowing the lawn), how it should be done (cut medium length with the lawnmower tracks running east to west), and when it should be completed (by 5:00p.m. every Sunday).  Then we agreed that Mrs. Johnson should continue to use her pool cleaning service; they had all the necessary equipment and chemicals to do the job right.    

 

My summer with Mrs. Johnson taught me the importance of setting and agreeing upon business outcomes with your boss, your employees, your suppliers, and your customers.  There should be no surprises, unless they’re good ones.

 

The research

 

“Define the right outcomes and then let each person find his own route toward these outcomes.”  This was one of the key findings of two Gallup Organization studies involving over 80,000 managers and more than 1 million employees.  Managers who followed this principle were the most successful in the Gallup study.  Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman (Gallup consultants at the time) related the results of this research in First, Break All the Rules.   Buckingham and Coffman wrote, “Keep the focus on outcomes:  The role of a company is to identify the desired end.  The role of the individual is to find the best means possible to achieve that end.  Therefore, strong companies become experts in the destination and give the individual the thrill of the journey.”

 

Take the guesswork out of success; agree on how it will be measured.  If you don’t, you’ll have someone like Mrs. Johnson waking you up someday.

 

 

Copyright 2008 David J. Pollay

 

Invite your family and friends to join you

 

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

 

Have a great week! 

 

Best to you,

David

 

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, Beware of Garbage Trucks!™, is due out this summer. 

 

David is the founder and president of the consulting and seminar organization, The Momentum Project.  He is also a founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA).  If you want to reprint one of David’s columns, email dawn@themomentumproject.com.  Here’s David’s full bio.