Teamwork and Leadership Bloggings with Mike Rogers

Leader - How Do You Want to be Remembered?

How do you want to be remembered when it is all said and done?

There is an old story told of a woman's husband who had died and she wanted to let others know about the funeral by taking out an ad in the paper.

The person in charge of funeral notices at the paper took the call. The widow asked, "How much do funeral notices cost?" The response was, "$5.50 per word, Ma'am."

"Good" the widow said and asked "do you have a pencil and paper handy?" "Sure do Ma'am," the response came.

The widow then said, "Okay, please write this: 'Fred Dead.'" The person on the other end was puzzled and said, "I'm sorry, Ma'am, I might have forgotten to mention there is a five-word minimum."

"Hmmmmm..." the widow said as she thought. Then she asked: "Still got your pencil and paper?" "Yes, Ma'am." came the reply. "Okay, print this: Fred dead, Cadillac for sale.'"

Obviously Fred didn't have much of an impact. Either that or he and his wife were very broke. What kind of impact are you having on others including your spouse, children, friends, co-workers and/or boss?

Each of us as leaders has an obligation and many opportunities to leave behind a positive legacy. We have the chance to be remembered for how we have impacted others' lives for good.

I would encourage each of us to take the time to write our own obituary. I know it sounds kind of dark and sad, but it is a powerful exercise. At the very least give it some thought.

Thinking about what we want to be remembered by spurs us to set goals that move us towards becoming what we want to be. It is beginning with the end in mind.

Do you want to be remembered as caring, thoughtful, strong, fun and/or fair? Do you want others to remember you as the best husband, best boss, best coach, and/or best dad? Were you giving, accomplished, honest and/or admired?

As you write or think about your own obituary imagine all of your successes and accomplishments. Think about the successes and accomplishments of those you have led and your impact on them. As you do, your life's goals will become clearer and the steps to get there can be easily identified.

How do you want to be remembered? What are you doing about it today?

If you enjoyed this post and would like to share it with your team, colleagues or anyone else, please "Share" it, "Tweet" it, "LinkedIn" it, "Email" it, "Google Plus" it, or "Like" it, by using one of the buttons below. Thanks friends!

Mike Rogers
Founder and owner of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike has led, trained and consulted in business with hundreds of individuals and teams on leadership and team concepts. He has served in a number of entry level to senior level positions in both business and volunteer work. His greatest satisfaction is seeing others succeed.

He is the proud father of eight children and one Grandchild and has been married 25 years to the best part of his day! If you would like to contact Mike you can do so at mike@secondg.net

Mike on Google+

How Long Has It Been? Importance of Appreciation

The Importance of Appreciation: Take Time to Show It!

Today's post is from one of our regular guest bloggers R. Mark Macy

eHow posted an article that talks about the importance of appreciation and how to show it titled, “How to Show Appreciation in Personal Relationships.“ It states that “No matter how much people appreciate those important to them, they often do not show their appreciation. Even if deep down people know they are appreciated, a sign of appreciation is always a thoughtful gesture. It often does not take much to show someone they are appreciated, it just takes deciding to do it and deciding how to do it.” 

I’m assuming that if you and I were to play “schedule compare” we would both be amazed at the duties, appointments, and obligations we have to complete each day, week and month. In short, we are all busy. Many of us are just too busy. So much so that we are likely burning the candle at both ends and even in the middle from time to time. 

So, what’s my point? We allow this time maze of urgent, as soon as possible, important, ASAP demands to keep us from sharing appreciation to those who truly deserve it. It is easy to think, “They know I appreciate them,” or “I pay them so why should I have to say it,” or even “I told her when I married her I loved her…and when it changes I will let her know!”

I took a step several years ago to keep me from falling into the “blame” trap for not expressing appreciation. It just might work for you. Especially if you have ever heard of a brand of Chili called, “Wolf Brand Chili.”

One evening I heard a commercial on TV advertising “Wolf Brand Chili.” The commercial went something like, “Neighbor, how long has it been since you had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili? Well, that's too long!" The primary point was to bring those fond memories to the forefront and to ignite your taste buds to that familiar smooth chili flavor. In short, you would immediately do something to satisfy that longing.

Now, I guess I'm a little different in my thinking. I took this phrase and have successfully used it to help me address, in a positive way, my issue of not expressing appreciation.

I choose to use the commercial as follows: “Neighbor, how long has it been since you told someone you appreciated them?” And you know what I always find? The response is the same as the TV commercial: “Well, that's too long!" 

I bought a can of “Wolf Brand Chili” and placed it on my office desk. Each week I see it and schedule a time to focus on expressing appreciation to others. Sometimes I send cards, other times I call them on the phone, once in a while I walk down to their office and just chat and let them know how important they are too me. It’s not so much how I do it, but that I set aside the time and just DO IT!

So, I end this narrative with “THE” question to you, Neighbor, how long has it been since you told someone you appreciated them? And I bet your response is just like mine. “Well, that's too long!" So, don’t just sit there… now is as good a time as any! “DO IT!”

Do you believe in the importance of appreciation with those you lead? What ways do you show it?

If you enjoyed this post and would like to share it with your team, colleagues or anyone else, please "Share" it, "Tweet" it, "LinkedIn" it, "Email" it, "Google Plus" it, or "Like" it, by using one of the buttons below. Thanks friends!

Other posts on Gratitude and Leadership

Be a Grateful Leader - Thank You and You're Welcome Goes a Long Ways!

How Leaders Can Develop an Attitude of Gratitude and Sleep Better Too!

Is saying thank that important for leaders?

What Leader or Leaders Are You Thankful For?

The Benefits of Gratitude - 3 Reasons Leaders Can't Afford Not to Be

3 Steps to Becoming a More Grateful Leader - Cultivate the Attitude of Gratitude


After a successful 33 year career in Information Technology with two Fortune 50 companies, Mark Macy chose to retire to pursue his passion of investing (i.e. teaching and leading) in people to their fullest potential in today's workplace.  He recently authored the leadership series called, "Manager's Tool Belt"; where new managers are exposed to the essentials necessary to get off on the right foot. He was just honored with the "Distinguished Business Adjunct Faculty of the Year (2011-2012)" by Northern Oklahoma College, in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. You can contact Mark at macyok@sbcglobal.net He can also be found on Facebook and LinkedIn.

5 Important Tips - How to Care More as a Leader

How to care more as a leader

What leader would you rather have? One who really cares, or one who doesn't? I would assume the answer to that question is pretty obvious to most. If you ever had a leader who didn't care you know how difficult it can be to follow.

Great leaders know how to care more. They get it! Here are five important tips to help you become that type of leader...

1. Serve. Think about the last time someone did something nice for you. How did you feel? If you are like most, you never forgot the nice deed and the "likability" of that person who served you increased. You felt different about them.

Leaders are servants. Try asking someone you lead next time "What can I do to better serve you?" It is a very different question than, "What do you need from me?" Our job as leaders is to support and help those we lead shine.

2. Listen. Have you ever talked to someone and got the sense that they weren't listening or didn't even care about what you were saying? Great leaders listen!

There are at least two benefits to listening as a leader. The first is the potential to hear something important. The second, is in the message it sends that you want to listen - or in other words, that you care. 

Note: Make sure your body language, facial expressions and eyes say that you are listening as well.

3. Smile. When someone genuinely smiles at you, what do you feel? When leaders smile, others feel they care. A smile says you are more approachable as well.

In addition research shows smiling improves your mood, which those you lead do take notice of.

4. Be Positive. How does it make you feel when someone finds the positive in you? Everybody has some good in them. Leaders have an important obligation to find it in those they lead and point it out.

5. Be Grateful. How does gratitude make you feel? It doesn't take a lot of effort to say thank you, but unfortunately some don't make an effort at all.

Gratitude is at the heart of a humble leader. What are you doing to express it those you lead?

What other tips on how to care more about those you lead do you have? Have the above tips worked for you or leaders you have known?

If you enjoyed this post and would like to share it with your team, colleagues or anyone else, please "Share" it, "Tweet" it, "LinkedIn" it, "Email" it, "Google Plus" it, or "Like" it, by using one of the buttons below. Thanks friends!

Mike Rogers
Founder and owner of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike has led, trained and consulted in business with hundreds of individuals and teams on leadership and team concepts. He has served in a number of entry level to senior level positions in both business and volunteer work. His greatest satisfaction is seeing others succeed.

He is the proud father of eight children and one Grandchild and has been married 25 years to the best part of his day! If you would like to contact Mike you can do so at mike@secondg.net

Mike on Google+

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You forgot my name! Is it that important as a leader? 5 Tips

You forgot my name! Is it that important as a leader? 5 Tips

I have to admit that it might be a silly pet peeve of mine, but I don't like to be addressed by "hey." Or "How are you?" instead of "How are you Mike?"

This can happen for a number of reasons. Maybe they forgot my name. Or possibly they are not sure how to address me given several formal titles I have had in the past. But I have a feeling it is just simply easier for some not to take the time to remember.

Is it important for a leader to address someone by their name? I say of course it is! Think of how you feel when someone you look up to remembers your name. What if your CEO or other senior leader remembered your name when passing you in the hall? It feels good when people remember who we are.

I would suggest if you aren't comfortable, for whatever reason, in addressing others by their name, then get comfortable. Start by addressing your friends by their names and work from there.

If you have a difficult time remembering names, then here are a few tips that are helpful, and have worked for me.

1. Really Listen. Often times we don't remember names because we don't care enough to listen.

2. Verify and Repeat. "Do you like to be called Pam or Pamela?" Or "Do you prefer Dr. Morris or Ted?" Ask how people like to be addressed and then repeat it in your head several times.

3. Imagine it. Picture the name of the person you are talking to on their forehead. It really works!

4. Word Associate it. This is one of my favorites. Simply associate the person's name with someone you know with the same name, an object, an animal, a place, a thing or whatever else will help you remember their name. I have found that the sillier the word association the better.

5. Frequently Use The Name. Another one of my favorites is to use the person's name in the conversation as much as is reasonably possible.

From time to time you might get someone's name wrong. That's okay, it happens. It's happened to me a number of times. The benefits are bigger than the risks. I would rather come across as a leader who cares, is interested and connected than someone who is distant, not connected, aloof, non-caring and maybe even rude.

It might seem like a minor thing on the surface, but remembering someone's name can make a big difference.

Do you feel it is important to address someone by their name? Why or why not? Do you have any additional tips that are helpful in remembering others names?

If you enjoyed this post and would like to share it with your team, colleagues or anyone else, please "Share" it, "Tweet" it, "LinkedIn" it, "Email" it, "Google Plus" it, or "Like" it, by using one of the buttons below. Thanks friends!

Mike Rogers
Founder and owner of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike has led, trained and consulted in business with hundreds of individuals and teams on leadership and team concepts. He has served in a number of entry level to senior level positions in both business and volunteer work. His greatest satisfaction is seeing others succeed.

He is the proud father of eight children and one Grandchild and has been married 25 years to the best part of his day! If you would like to contact Mike you can do so at mike@secondg.net

Mike on Google+

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Do You Know How To Be More Liked? 3 Tips That Work!

I Hate Bad Meetings! Avoid These 5 Meeting Mistakes

5 Practical Suggestions for Being More Kind as a Leader

Be Careful of Being Judgmental - Great Story

For more leadership type stories see our Leadership Stories Series

There is an old Welsh fable told of a dog that had belonged to Llywelyn the Great, a Prince of Gwynedd in the 13th century. He had been given the dog as a gift from King John of England.

Prince Llywelyn's wife had passed away and the dog was charged with watching the cradle of the Prince's baby when he went hunting.

After one particular hunting trip the prince had returned home to find the cradle of the baby overturned and the bedding and the floor covered in blood.

With the baby missing and seeing his dog with blood covering his mouth the Prince plunged his sword into the dog thinking that he had killed the baby.

The dog's dying yelp was answered by a child's cry. The prince searched and found the baby unharmed lying near the dead body of a mighty wolf. The dog had actually been protecting the baby as his owner had desired. 

It is said that the Prince was filled with such remorse that he never smiled again.

The story makes a good point, though fairly dramatic. Making quick judgments can lead to regrets, sometimes very large regrets. Often times we tell ourselves stories about others without all of the facts.

It is wise to patiently wait before making a judgment of someones character or choices. In the story the Prince is quick to judge and then act. If he had waited just a minute or two more he would have made a different decision once he understood all of the facts.

For some reason as humans we make snap judgments on others based largely on surface information. Many times our impressions are wrong. When judging others we use stereotypes based on our experience.

If someone has a few positive traits, the "halo effect" kicks in and we see them more positively as a whole. If someone has a few negative traits, our overall impressions tend to be more negative.

Have you ever created a negative impression of someone and told yourself "I don't like that person?" And then later on, once you get to know that person he or she becomes one of your best friends?

Once we make up our mind about someone, it becomes difficult to change it. And many times when we begin to judge others unfairly we often do things that make that person react to us in the very way we are judging them.

For example, you might think someone is a snob. Instead of talking to the person and really trying to get to know them, you don't say a word. Since you don't acknowledge this person, they don't acknowledge you, which only validates your judgment that they are a snob!

As leaders we have a responsibility to gather the facts and spend time to understand others before making judgments about the character and choices they make. Becoming a good judge of others is an important part of leadership, but it must be done wisely and patiently.

What are your thoughts? Are you careful before judging others? What methods or guidelines do you use to help you be careful?

The following is a great story of the value of not judging others and how our judgments are often misleading. You can use this video in your next meeting, training or presentation by going to OpenTheMeeting.com It is titled "Your Window."

If you enjoyed this post and would like to share it with your team, colleagues or anyone else, please "Share" it, "Tweet" it, "LinkedIn" it, "Email" it, "Google Plus" it, or "Like" it, by using one of the buttons below. Thanks friends!

Mike Rogers
Founder and owner of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike has led, trained and consulted in business with hundreds of individuals and teams on leadership and team concepts. He has served in a number of entry level to senior level positions in both business and volunteer work. His greatest satisfaction is seeing others succeed.

He is the proud father of eight children and one Grandchild and has been married 25 years to the best part of his day! If you would like to contact Mike you can do so at mike@secondg.net

Mike on Google+

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