“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regarding not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been liked if I’d just been myself.”
– Brittany Renee
“My supervisor recently told me about a change where I will be part of a new team and reporting to a new supervisor. I feel very uneasy about this,” Tom said. I asked Tom, “What are you fearful will happen?” He then relayed how he knew that his personality did not mesh well with this person. But as we spoke further, he realized that he was afraid of falling back into old patterns.
In the past when a conflict would occur with Tom’s values and principles, he would internalize it, think like a victim and become hopeless. His victim mindset would tell him he had no control, so Tom would withdraw. He would become very unhappy and his work productivity would crash.
Tom wanted to respond differently this time. First, he identified what was important to him. Tom was concerned that this new team’s focus did not match his passion and values that motivated him. He also relayed a past experience with this supervisor that made him concerned about his management style. Tom then decided on an action step. Instead of internalizing, he was going to open up communication and discuss his concerns with the appropriate people.
Tom said, “I know that voicing my concerns may not change the decision. I will probably be moved to this new team. But just identifying my values and principles and voicing them gives me strength. Even with change and being on a new team, I can move forward with hope and making a difference.”
What values and principles guide you? Do you stand firm on them and let them guide you through each days decisions so that you become powerful in who you are and reach success around you?
In response to my last article, Bumper Hostetler, President of Vincennes University Foundation, shared with me his 16 business commandments that come from approximately 30 years of experience. He stated that they definitely come from his small town, mid-western values. He gave me permission to share them with you.
Bumper’s Sixteen Business Commandments
I. Surround yourself with good people (Then challenge them to grow as human beings )
II. Be organized, plan ahead (If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail )
III. The customer (member) is king, make them feel important
IV. Have a Vision—and share it!
V. Your first profit is in the purchase
VI. Be fair, but firm with those who work for you
VII. Only one thing happens when you don’t promote—nothing
VIII. Have passion for your philosophy (mission), then build the structure of the organization on it
IX. Maximize your strengths, minimize your weaknesses (Realize your capabilities and liabilities )
X. People look for two things in life – Appreciation & Satisfaction
XI. Give people – employees and customers – a reason to feel good
XII. Be open to ideas; lead the creative process
XIII. Don’t sell the steak, sell the sizzle
XIV. If you continue to operate the same, expect the same results
XV. Analyze and adjust; meet the future effectively
XVI. Enjoy your work (or get out)
What are your principles or values that guide you? Please feel free to share them with us!