Employee Engagement and The Karate Kid
As I painted my apartment the other day, The Karate Kid came to mind. I realized something I didn’t understand when I saw the movie as a teenager.
As I painted my apartment the other day, I realized something I didn’t understand when I saw The Karate Kid as a teenager.
When Daniel asks Mr. Miyagi for karate lessons, his body is hurt, but his spirit is even weaker. He's an easy target for bullies; he's just moved across the country and doesn't have friends or a father around to help. Mr. Miyagi's first lesson gives Daniel strength he didn’t know he needed – he strengthens his spirit.
Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel a way to meditate while staying active. Waxing, sanding and painting help him to "meditate in action." This calms his mind and introduces him to basic karate at the same time. This strong spiritual foundation gives him an advantage in the tournament. When Daniel is hurt, he chooses to face his nemesis in the final match anyway. By preparing his spirit, mind and body, he triumphs.
This lesson from The Karate Kid is relevant to the workforce today. The spirits of many companies are still broken from the market crash. The balance sheets look good - consumer spending is up - but employee engagement is dismal.
Unflinching focus on productivity and the bottom line leads to burn out. Like Daniel, companies and employees need to develop their inner strength. Making socially responsible choices – like power-down time, community involvement and values-based strategies – are some ways companies can help employees strengthen their spirits and find purpose in their work. These actions will create the productive and engaged workforce they seek.
Gratitude Always Finds a Home
This weekend, I ran into the youngest member of that team. I remember LaTaya as a smart, hard-working woman barely out of high school with a bright smile and maturity beyond her years.
My earliest memories as a manager involve hard work, sleepless nights and lots of lessons learned. The first team I led launched an event that today raises over $1M annually to support cancer research, advocacy and family services. The experience left me humbled and grateful for the generosity and commitment of my team and the community of volunteers that joined our efforts.
This weekend, I ran into the youngest member of that team. I remember LaTaya as a smart, hard-working woman barely out of high school with a bright smile and maturity beyond her years. As I approached her, the look on her face expressed the same surprise and delight that I imagined on my own.
She held my hand firmly while we caught up. Since we’d last seen each other, she’d finished college, attended law school, started a personal business and was now a manager herself. I burst with pride listening to her accomplishments in the last 12 years.
Then, still holding my hand, she looked at me earnestly and let me know how much I taught her. It was completely unexpected, and I was overwhelmed. She listed everything from on-the-job skills to observations from her first experience in an expensive restaurant. In turn, I relayed feedback I learned from and now share with other first-time managers. We laughed at how much we each learned working together.
The team who followed me into unknown territory 14 years ago trusted me, taught me and led me to the work I do today; my love for volunteers and passion for leadership would not exist without them. Thank you, my ACS MSABC team – you live in my heart forever.
I want today’s posting to encourage gratitude. It’s easy for managers and direct reports to complain about one another’s shortcomings, but ultimately, gratitude is more powerful than grousing. And you never know when and how your gratitude will be returned.
A Parallel Parking Parable
We’ve heard the perils of making assumptions. And yet, it’s easy to look at problems on the surface and imagine a quick solution.
Walking to a meeting today, I heard a woman yelling at a double-parked delivery truck. I couldn’t help but notice the futility of her cries- the truck was empty. I let her know and smiled, hoping it would both convey my empathy and curtail her caterwauling.
She asked if I could help. The truck was blocking half the space in front and a car was on either side of her. Still, there was room for her to get into the space so I agreed. As I started giving instructions, she looked skeptical, but followed my directions. I was pleased with the speedy progress we were making, until she asked, “Is this going to get me out?”
There I was, flapping my arms and giving directions that would only get her back where she started! Fortunately, one question was enough to get us in sync. I apologized for misunderstanding, we had a good laugh, and she was on her way in no time.
We’ve heard the perils of making assumptions. And yet, it’s easy to look at problems on the surface and imagine a quick solution. Until the driver told me she was trying to get out, I assumed she was trying to park. Without her question, we wouldn’t have made progress. We would both would have become frustrated, and despite my good intentions, I couldn’t have been helpful.
This incident reminded me how easy it is to assume everyone is on the same page and how important it is to discuss goals, even when they seem obvious. Misunderstandings like this happen all the time, particularly when people from different work cultures or sectors work together. While it may take more time in the beginning, talking about where you’re headed will be the fastest way to get where you’re going!
A Lesson in Overcoming Resistance
Classes with other instructors train me physically, but Robert engages the people in his class spiritually, as well.