Good Morning Friends! Here are my 5 Things to Consider this week!
Culture – Two steps forward, one step back. I recently had one of those moments when, what they call in the business, a “hard truth” reared its ugly head. I was talking with Heidi about how it seems like sometimes we routinely, almost predictably, have these seemingly large regressions in one or two aspects of the business. The regression, or “one step back” this time around is the seemingly large number of team members that are leaving us. Turnover. This isn’t always the case. In fact, turnover like this is generally a rarity, but when we do go through these times of heavier-than-normal turnover, I don’t have to tell you, it’s really hard on all of us. I think one of my biggest lessons I’ve learned over the last couple years is that progress in this business has a certain pace. A rhythm that no matter how much progress you’re making, eventually you’ll have to take a step back, refocus and spend some time making systems stronger. To put it in perspective, there is no “set-it-and-forget-it” in our line of work. It’s a constant march forward, but sometimes you have to slow down or stop to get your people back on your wagon. My biggest goal for the Culture and Experience Team in the next year is reducing our turnover significantly by making our culture, benefits and work/life balance the best they can be.
Leadership – The Gap. How fast can we shorten the distance between doing something we know needs to be done and actually doing it. I would bet practically every one of us reading this right now has something they “need to take care of.” Something you’re at least putting off and at most avoiding. Some awkward or painful conversation that needs to happen to make something right. There is a “space” between knowing something that needs to be done and actually doing it. I call this The Gap. Sometimes, for whatever reason, we tend to live in the gap for way too long. I get it. It’s comfortable, it’s warm, it’s safe. But The Gap shouldn’t be a place we stay for very long. In fact, your goal should be to stay there for a short of a time as possible. Things that tend to drag on for too long become ugly and overblown. Shortening the gap between the conflict and the resolution will improve the way you’re respected as a leader. Be proactive. Don’t put it off. Be direct. Don’t worry about your “likability” and expect a positive outcome. Mind the gap, please!
History – Our Mission Statement. I fondly remember sitting around our large conference table the day the teams read off their versions of the Mission Statement. Some of you reading this were there. I believe it was Levi and Mike Sheets who had the word “fuck” in their version about 20 times. It was hilarious. The thing with our mission statement is that all the components that make it up have always been with us. We just had to pick them out and define them. It exists as a lens that we look at any decision we make through to see if it fits or not. Minus a recent revision to include other brands, like Oddfellows or the Sacred Palm, it’s stood practically untouched since we debuted it. That to me, is a testament to its strength.
Motivation – “Never marry a person who is not a friend of your excitement.” – Anonymous
What I’m Reading or Watching – This month I officially finished my “12 books in 12 months” Challenge. I have to admit, making a conscious decision to make reading a part of my daily routine has been the single most rewarding thing in my life…up until William was born anyway. I purposefully don’t read any fiction. I just think there’s too much to learn in this world and not enough time, so I’m rather biased toward a certain genre as you may have picked up. The thing I’ve found out about reading is, no matter what you read or for how long or how often, you’ll never regret doing it, but you have to make time for it. It has to be a priority. To be able to be “mentored” by some of the greatest minds in the world, simply by buying and reading their knowledge is one of the most profound gifts you can give to yourself.
Baby Update – “Are we getting any sleep?” Great question! To be honest, most nights are very manageable, some nights the little butthole is up all night. What I continue to hear, no matter what you read or how many people you listen to, every baby is different and every family is different. Like most things you learn, parenting is no different. Learn the basics and fill in the blanks where you need to.
Thanks for reading! Like or hate any part of this? Let me know! I really value your feedback.
Have a great week!
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