May, 2010 | Lorne Rubis

Smiling Your Way to a More Successful and Longer Life

Hi “Characters.” This may come across a little soft, but trust me when I tell you it’s not. Look around and observe the people who work and interact with you… Are they smiling? Now check out the scowls… How’s the attitude in the office? Try recording your voicemail message with a frown and then re-record it with a smile. Notice any difference? Look into a mirror and smile while talking to others on the phone. Does your demeanor change? Do people respond differently?

When I walk around the building, people notice my disposition. It makes a big difference when I greet them with a genuine smile. In fact, I have to remind myself to be aware of it.

Perhaps even more interesting, check out this article in New Scientist. The data correlates longevity with “smiling like you mean it.” And, check out this article on the world’s first smile-operated ice cream vending machine at springwise.com.

So Characters, try it, smile… it makes a difference.

with Character,

Lorne

Some Character & a Starbuck’s Grande Americano

Personal leadership Respect

I am a Starbucks fan. Wherever I go in the world, having that Americano and newspaper moment is a time to just chill. For me it really is a coffee break. I love local places like Jika Jika in Bath, UK, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in California, or The Coffee Store in Maui. Of course there are other chains like Cafe Nero in the UK and Second Cup in Canada. I’ve patronized them all.

One interesting thing is watching people and how they manage their messes in all these coffee shops. Some people make the effort. These folks see it as a normal consideration to throw away their trash and leave their space fit for the next customer. Others are oblivious or perhaps think they’ve paid for the right to leave a mess. This seems to be cross-cultural phenomena in North America and Europe.

However, based on my experiences in Japan and Korea, I guess everyone just knows how to clean up there… Of course in Japan, even the taxis have white doilies on the headrests and are immaculate in and out, so we might be a little too far gone to start competing with that…

However, you might want to try this – as you walk around the office today, observe the way people handle their trash and discarded belongings around their desk and in the lunch room. My observation is that people who embrace Respect do not need to be told to pick up their trash.

with Character,

Lorne

Kindness is Free

Accountability Books Kindness

Tom Peters, one of the most important observers and writers on “excellence” in business, has a chapter with this title in his book The Little Big Things, 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence. Why? Kindness makes a huge difference to excellence in leadership. And I believe it is one of the key tenants of Respect.

In the chapter he goes on to refer to a quote from Plato, “Be kind, for everyone is fighting a great battle.” The point is that you and I need to look at things from the perspective of the other person. This means we have to care. That’s hard work.

Kindness opportunities present themselves daily with teammates and others, including customers and suppliers. Being kind and thoughtful applies to almost every internal and external activity we’re involved in. What a powerful currency kindness is and it’s totally free!

Try to be extra conscious about kindness this week. Please post me back and let me know the outcome.

with Character,

Lorne

The Character of a CEO

Accountability Management Personal leadership

I think the most challenging thing about being a CEO is that you become the They. “‘They should do it this way.” “They don’t see our point of view.” Of course when I was on my journey to the corner office, I can recall being very much the same. I was often critical of They and felt I could do better. I realize that on the path of discovering what true accountability was, I was a neophyte. Thank goodness I’ve learned, but I must constantly remind myself not to fall back on old habits.

When one becomes self-accountable the They word tends to disappear or takes on a different form. When self-accountable people see things in an insufficient state, the FIRST thing these people do is determine what and how something can be done about it. Self-accountable people become the THEY. When constructively criticizing others, suggesting solutions brings value.

If you want to make a difference at work, try bringing self-accountable value to your conversations. I think you will be surprised how different this is.

with Character,

Lorne

Seth Godin Gets It

Abundance Books

Hey Characters, are you a Linchpin? Linchpins, Supporters and Leeches, Seth Godin, Seth Godin, author and marketing guru, describes these categories of people. I strongly urge you to read his recently published book, Linchpin.

The people in the “leech” category are those who Godin describes as pessimists and obstructionists. Godin states they are “driven by fear, they set out to slow you down, whittle you down, and average you down.” This is the antithesis of being “abundant.”

The third element of the Character Triangle is being Abundant. This means being generous of spirit and an optimist. It also embodies a deep belief in a successful outcome. Put an emphasis on the importance of being generous of spirit.

Think about the people that make an incredible impact – they give! As Godin states, “The economy has been better and worse. Through it all the market seeks out, recognizes and embraces artists, people we can’t live without.”

Godin’s type of “artist” has nothing to do with fine arts, but instead, being able to make a difference and valuably contribute at one’s craft, regardless of whether or not it’s in the board room or fixing kitchen sinks.

Be abundant. Be generous. Be an “artist.” Give everything you have to have an impact.

with Character,
Lorne

The Inherited Character of a Grandson

Abundance Gratitude

Have you ever watched a 3-year-old individual play? For that period of time they define abundance. They use what they have around them to create. There is no lack of anything. It is pure joy.

I wish that sense of using what we have to create was more prevalent at work. As entrenched as the “abundance” value is, I still find myself at times wishing for more of something; capital, people, and/or technology. The reality is that most often I have what I need to progress. I just need to think differently. Being abundant is opening up the possibility of all in front of you. Often we have what you need to succeed.

Focus on what we have not what we lack.

with Character,

Lorne