Who Do You Think You Are?

That is a question I recently asked a client when they asked me weather the training I brought them would permanently lift their organization up from where they were to where they said they were committed to going. They looked at me puzzled as I reiterated the question. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

The message I wanted to convey was that in order for their organization to be lifted up to a new, higher level they must know who they are now, and exactly who they want to be when they are lifted up.

We become who and what we believe ourselves to be. Belief affects not only an individual"s life but an entire organization"s culture.

In over 15 years of doing this work I have come upon too many organizations that continue to argue in favor of their limitations. You can hear it in the things their people say. For example, "We are not the biggest." "We don"t have the newest." "We are not in the best location," etc., etc., etc. If the staff of an organization believes they are not capable of greatness due to various situations and circumstances then they usually fulfill that prophecy and never achieve the greatness that awaits them.

Henry Ford once said, "Weather you believe you can or you believe you can"t, you are right." When you argue for your limitations you will almost always win. And the grand prize is that you get to keep your limitations!

In order to be great you must first believe that you are capable of greatness. Perhaps you have heard the old adage, "Fake it to make it." I live by a similar statement which says, "Act as if, and you shall become." In other words, regardless of current circumstances or situations, give yourself permission to be great now! Do great things now!

Bring everyone in your organization together and lift them up. Help them truly believe that a new course is being set, that the bar is being raised. They need to understand that it is no longer a "right" to work in your organization, or that all who apply get hired. It is now, and forever will be, a privilege to be part of your organization because your organization is something special and only a few, only the elite, only the best get to play on such a high level.

In order to achieve organizational greatness your entire staff must be included in this lofty goal. And you can not lift your people up by putting them down. The old ways of telling people what to do and expecting them to comply died over twenty years ago. John F. Kennedy once said, "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." People long to be part of something great. They want to feel that they matter. And when given an opportunity to make a difference they will, but you must be willing to ask, listen and act upon their opinions. Creating a culture of inclusion will enable you to build something great.

This will take time, and it requires commitment in the highest levels of your organization. It cannot just be a nice platitude. Your people have heard enough of those and believe much of what you roll out is nothing more than the flavor of the day. A commitment to excellence must become the norm. From senior management to environmental services, the goal is for all to be, and do, the best that they are capable of being and doing!

As everyone in your organization experiences what it"s like to be treated as if they are part of something special, they will begin to believe that they are special and they will begin to act in special ways. Your organization will truly become special.

Your guests will begin to recognize your commitment to excellence. They will notice that your organization is special and they will tell their friends. Their friends will come, and keep coming.

If you would like to contribute an idea for an up coming article or would like more information please visit my web site at www.PsCompetitiveEdge.com.

Until next time, continue to strive for excellence!