Recently I jumped into an Uber, heading to the Charleston, SC airport to fly home to Nashville. I don’t like to take afternoon or evening flights since they are inevitably delayed by weather, particularly during the Spring and Summer. Fortunately, this would be a direct flight so no danger of missing my connection, but I still fully expected my 6PM flight to be delayed.
Except that it wasn’t. I was pleased, maybe more surprised than pleased. Actually, shocked would be more accurate. Shocked that my plane would be leaving ON TIME.
That’s how painful and pathetic business travel has become, even on my beloved Southwest Airlines. Crowded flights, long TSA lines, and of course, delays.
The new standard becomes when what should be normal and expected happens, we consider it a miracle!
But enough about my travel woes. What about your employees? How high are you standards? How low is your bar?
- Do you praise an employee who manages to string 3 days in a row together without coming in late?
- Do you recognize an employee for going “above and beyond” when they eventually complete a task they’re being paid to do?
- Do you give positive feedback to an employee for not being obnoxious in a meeting when they’ve been counseled to improve their communication for the past year?
- Is just showing up to work period worthy of your praise?
If there’s one common mistake I see made in most every organization we work with, it’s the inability to hold employees to a high standard. Just as in airline travel, when on-time becomes praiseworthy, it’s time to push for higher performance.
This week, take an honest look at the performance of your team. Are these some folks who need a fire lit up underneath them? Then light it! Do some people need a figurative kick in the pants? Do it! After all, if an employee is being paid to do a job and refuses to do it or do it half-assed, that’s the same as stealing. I’m sure stealing is frowned upon in your organization so don’t let it happen here. Higher standards, enforced, leads to higher results! It’s your job as The Boss to get it done!
