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Loading ...The election in Iran, the improving economy, the GM bankruptcy, even iconic 70′s model Farrah Fawcett all took a back seat to the passing of Michael Jackson today. And for good reason. To paraphrase that old movie line, “We felt better about ourselves watching him.”
Forget the easy, over-hyped digs about his personal life. At the heart of why he was such an icon was the work. It was dazzling, fun, top-of-his game. During my speeches, I often play the Jackson 5′s “I Want You Back,” after a break. One time a woman said to me as it started, “I can’t believe you are playing something by Michael Jackson.” Another woman jumped in before I could respond, “Why wouldn’t he? I love his music!” Exactly. It was about the work, not the personality.
For your business and employees, it isn’t about what a nice guy you or your crew are. It’s about the work.
I’m constantly amazed after a speech when people come up and tell me they’ve had someone on payroll for five, six, eight years and they aren’t cutting it. “But they’re so nice.” It’s about the work.
Forget the personal traits. Heck, I had a guy who I had nothing in common with, the only reason we continued to work together is he got the sales. At full price. To 70% of the people he spoke to. With a smile and a repeat base we were all jealous of. Because of that, we could talk about business, how to do the sale better, what the next trend would be, how to close a hard sale. That’s what consumed his mind when he was on the clock.
He had moved out from Arkansas to southern California. He couldn’t find construction work and was sleeping in a gal’s back office at night; one step up from when he was sleeping on the street. He had used that address on my application. He’d shower at the YMCA and walk to the mall. He’d do his laundry at the local laundromat – he never looked out of place. He did this for about a month until he could afford an apartment. I never knew until much later, he was strictly business. It could have been easy to take his hard-luck story and make excuses if he hadn’t been able to sell. Could that be your crew?
My message today, in the wake of such an icon as Michael Jackson passing is to remember the work. His work; leave the personality out of it. Is your employees’ performance memorable? Is yours?
