Qualities of a Team Player - COMMITTED

We are continuing to learn and grow in 2014 by developing teamwork skills utilizing the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. This book carries the subtitle “Becoming the kind of person every team wants”. Developing a better team always begins with the individuals. To improve the team, improve the individuals on the team.

Quality #3: Committed - there are no halfhearted champions.

"Ordinary people with commitment can make an extraordinary impact on their world." - John C. Maxwell

It is not an emotion; it is a character quality that enables us to reach our goals.

"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it." - George Halas, former owner of NFL Chicago Bears.

There are some things every team player needs to know about being committed:

1. Commitment usually is discovered in the midst of adversity.
   1. As NFL Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi said, "The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."
   2. Committed people do not surrender.
2. Commitment does not depend on gifts or abilities.
   1. Commitment and talent are unconnected - unless you connect them.
3. Commitment comes as the result of choice, not conditions.
   1. When it comes right down to it, commitment is always a matter of choice.
   2. Far too many people think that conditions determine choices. More often, choices determine conditions. when you choose commitment, you give yourself a chance for success.
4. Commitment lasts when it is based on values.
   1. Anytime you make choices based on solid life values, then you are in a better position to sustain your level of commitment because you do not have to continually reevaluate its importance.
   2. It is like settling the issue before it is tested. A commitment to something you believe in is a commitment that is easier to keep.

To improve your level of commitment:

• Tie your commitments to your values.
• Take a risk.
• Evaluate your teammates' commitment.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

Ladder Inspections and Safety

There are a reported 136,118 ladder-related injuries in the United States annually! During 2008, work-related falls from ladders resulted in approximately 119 fatalities and an estimated 17,540 serious injuries.

Not all these incidents are due to defective ladders however that can certainly be one of the factors. It is important that ladders are inspected regularly. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires it in several instances:

OSHA 1910.25(d)(1)(x) - Ladders shall be inspected frequently and those which have developed defects shall be withdrawn from service for repair or destruction and tagged or marked as "Dangerous, Do Not Use".

OSHA 1910.26(c)(2)(vi) - Ladders are to be inspected:

(c)(2)(vi)(a) If ladders tip over or
(c)(2)(vi)(d) If ladders are exposed to oil and grease

OSHA 1910.27(f) - Fixed Ladders - All ladders shall be maintained in a safe condition. All ladders shall be inspected regularly, with the intervals between inspections being determined by use and exposure.

These required frequent inspections must be documented. Perhaps the easiest way is to have stickers or tags directly on the ladder itself and to have a ladder log to ensure they are all inspected as required.

Unfortunately frequently is a very subjective word. Truly each ladder must be evaluated on its use and exposure to damaging influences. You will want to inspect a ladder utilized daily that is in a high exposure area much more often than the office step stool used every now and then.

There are also rules for use of all ladders:

• Maintain ladders free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards.
• Do not load ladders beyond their maximum intended load nor beyond their manufacturer's rated capacity.
• Use ladders only for their designed purpose.
• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement. Do not use slip-resistant feet as a substitute for exercising care when placing, lashing, or holding a ladder upon slippery surfaces.
• Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways, or driveways, or where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic to prevent accidental movement. Or use a barricade to keep traffic or activity away from the ladder.
• Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladders.
• Do not move, shift, or extend ladders while in use.
• Use ladders equipped with non-conductive side rails if the worker or ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.
• Face the ladder when moving up or down.
• Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing.
• Do not carry objects or loads that could cause loss of balance and falling.

Although ladders are part of our everyday life at both work and home, it is important we do not take them for granted. Ensure you inspect and utilize ladders appropriately.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

Qualities of a Team Player - COLLABORATIVE

We are continuing to learn and grow in 2014 by developing teamwork skills utilizing the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. This book carries the subtitle “Becoming the kind of person every team wants”. Developing a better team always begins with the individuals. To improve the team, improve the individuals on the team.

Quality #2: Collaborative - working together precedes winning together.

"All your strength is in union, all your danger is in discord." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

(c) jscreationzs

Cooperation is working together. Collaboration is working together aggressively. Collaborative teammates do more than just work with one another. Each person brings something to the table that adds value to the relationship and synergy to the team. The sum of truly collaborative teamwork is always greater than its parts.

Becoming a collaborative team player requires a change in focus in four areas:

1. Perception: see teammates as collaborators, not competitors
   1. Usually when you collaborate with others, you win, they win, and the team wins.
2. Attitude: be supportive, not suspicious, of teammates
   1. To collaborative team members, completing one another is more important that competing with one another.
   2. It's a matter of attitude...If you trust people, you will treat them better. And if you treat them better, you and they will be more likely to create collaborative relationships.
3. Focus: concentrate on the team, not yourself
   1. As a person on a team, you will usually ask one of two questions when anything happens: "What's in it for me?" or "What does this do for the team?" Where you focus your attention says a lot about whether you compete with others or complete them.
   2. "True progress in any field is a relay race and not a single event." - Cavett Roberts
4. Results: create victories through multiplication
   1. Collaboration has a multiplying effect on everything you do because it releases and harnesses not only your skills but also those of everyone on the team.

To become a collaborative team player:

• Think WIN-WIN-WIN.
• Complement others.
• Take yourself out of the picture.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

Qualities of a Team Player - ADAPTABLE

In 2013, we reviewed enhanced our leadership skills with lessons from Wally Adamchik's book, titled Construction Leadership from A to Z which explores "26 Words to Lead By."

For 2014, we will continue to learn and grow by developing teamwork skills utilizing the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. This book carries the subtitle “Becoming the kind of person every team wants”. Developing a better team always begins with the individuals. To improve the team, improve the individuals on the team.

Quality #1: Adaptable - if you will not change for the team, the team may change you.

Teamwork and personal rigidity just do not mix.

"The individual who will succeed and flourish will also be masters of change; adept at reorienting their own and others' activities in untried directions to bring about higher levels of achievement." - Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Team players who exhibit adaptability have certain characteristics.

Adaptable People Are:

1. Teachable
   1. Adaptable people always place a high priority on breaking new ground.
   2. Unteachable people have a difficult time with change, and as a result they never adapt well.
2. Emotionally Secure
   1. Secure people are not made nervous by change itself. They evaluate a new situation or a change in their responsibilities based on its merit.
3. Creative
   1. Creativity is another quality you find in adaptable people. When difficult times come, they find a way.
   2. Creativity fosters adaptability.
4. Service Minded
   1. "Doing nothing for others is the undoing of one's self." - Horace Mann.
   2. If your goal is to serve the team, adapting to accomplish that goal is not difficult.

The first key to being a team player is being will to adapt yourself to the team - not an expectation that the team will adapt to you!

To become more adaptable:

• Get into the habit of learning.
• Reevaluate your role.
• Think outside the lines. Not why it cannot be done by how it can be done.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

Insights on Improvement for the New Year

The following is from an article by John C. Maxwell. I encourage you to read it with the intent to learn and improve as a result of the various insights.

(c) Stuart Miles

Are you excited about your plans for the new year? Most of us have an idea about areas where we would like to improve. And at the beginning of the year, those ideas sometimes turn into resolutions or goals. I am a big believer in making goals, but I believe it is important to go into them with a realistic perspective on improvement.

Whether you want to improve your health or grow your business, or you have any other long-term improvement goal, keep these insights in mind:

IMPROVEMENT INSIGHTS

1. Do not be afraid to admit you were wrong.
   • We cannot change if we are unwilling to recognize that there might be something wrong with how we have been doing things. Admitting you were wrong proves you are wiser today than you were yesterday. One of the things I always do when I review the past year is identify where I was not productive.
2. You will never change your life until you change something that you do daily.
   • Improvement is based on two things: the decisions we make; and the disciplines we practice. Acting on our decisions daily is what makes a goal a reality. So identify daily disciplines you intend to practice in 2014.
3. You cannot manage what you cannot measure.
   • Be specific in creating your goals. For example, do not say, "I am going to read more this year." Instead, break it down into measurable increments: "I am going to read two chapters per day in whatever book I am reading" or "I am going to read two books a month".
4. Set realistic expectations for your improvement.
   • Want to lose weight? Be realistic in how many pounds you can reasonably lose in a month. There is no greater recipe for failure than setting a "goal" that is little more than a "pipe dream".
5. Continual Change is essential for continual improvement.
   • One of the great paradoxes of success is that the things which got you there are seldom the things which keep you there. Be prepared to make course corrections and continue to stretch and grow throughout the year. To do that, plan a review of your plan every few months.
6. Motivation gets you started. Habit keeps you going.
   • We tend to overestimate what we can do in a month. We underestimate what we can do in a year. That is why so many New Year's resolutions are broken in the first few months. Focus on establishing habits and you will be able to continue when the motivation fades.
7. Focus.
   • William Jones said, "If you would be rich, you will be rich; if you would be good, you will be good; if you would be learned, you will be learned. But wish for one thing exclusively, and do not at the same time wish for a hundred other incompatible things just as strongly." What is the one area in which you most desire to grow and succeed in the coming year?
8. Spend 80% of your time working on your strengths.
   • This refers to your skill set, not your character. There are two weak areas in character that must be addressed because they will hurt you: self-discipline and attitude. But in your skills, focus on developing and growing in your areas of strength. Growing in a weak are might bring you up to average in that area, but growth in a strength area has the potential to make you exceptional! What is your greatest strength? And how can you improve it?

Review your past year and set goals as you enter this new year. But remember, SUCCESS DEVELOPS DAILY, NOT IN A DAY.

One way to stay on track is to regularly ask yourself this question: "Is what I am doing today getting me closer to my goal tomorrow?" Develop good habits and the discipline to keep them, and evaluate every day, and you will stay on course toward achieving your long-term goals.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

A Summary of "26 Words to Lead By"

Throughout 2013, we shared lessons from Wally Adamchik's book, titled Construction Leadership from A to Z which explores "26 Words to Lead By."

The following is a brief summary of those 26 words:

1. ATTITUDE - disposition; feeling; orientation; especially of the mind
   
   Attitude Jumpstart:
   
   • Stay hydrated. Dehydration can make you confused, angry, tense, and blue.
   • Make a list of things you are grateful for.
   • Know that nothing will bother you. If it does, give it ten seconds, then move on.
   • Smile.


2. BALANCE - a state of equilibrium; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.
   
   Balance Jumpstart:
   
   • Say no appropriately.
   • Keep a food log for one week; adjust your eating habits to improve your balance.
   • Get the right amount of sleep.
   • Maintain and refer to your time log and analyze what you should be doing versus what you are doing.


3. COMMUNICATE - to impart knowledge of; make known; to give or interchange thoughts, feelings, information, or the like by writing, speaking, etc.
   
   Communicate Jumpstart:
   
   • Learn to listen better.
   • Turn the cell phone off, leave it in the car, go face to face.
   • Respond, don't react. There is a difference.
   • Sit, don't stand. It sends the message, "I have time for you".


4. DECISIVE - having the power to solve or conclude; absolute; characterized by determination and firmness; resolute
   
   Decisive Jumpstart:
   
   • Embrace imperfection.
   • Get plenty of sleep.
   • Create scenarios and "what if" them so when faced with them you will be ready.
   • Don't be angry. Angry people make poor decisions.


5. ENDURANCE - the act, quality, or power of withstanding hardship or stress; the state or fact of persevering
   
   Endurance Jumpstart:
   
   • Develop a support network.
   • Develop and maintain your sense of humor.
   • Don't quit.


6. FAIR - free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice
   
   Fair Jumpstart:
   
   • Don't play favorites.
   • Go above the law. Harassment and discrimination, no matter how subtle, must be addressed.
   • Think how your decisions impact all of your employees.
   • Be aware if you spend more time with some employees than with others, and manage the situation.


7. GENUINE - free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere; not counterfeit; authentic; real
   
   Genuine Jumpstart:
   
   • Learn how to be assertive, not aggressive.
   • Accept yourself - life is not a game of perfection.
   • Communicate in person with people. It is tough to be genuine in a text message.
   • Do your best and be pleased with the outcome.


8. HUMBLE - not arrogant; modest; courteously respectful
   
   Humble Jumpstart:
   
   • Remember, the next person you meet is important, and you might learn something from him or her.
   • Do volunteer work; support causes you believe in.
   • Learn to apologize. Saying, "I was wrong" will not kill you. Say it. "My bad" doesn't cut it.


9. INTEGRITY - steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; the state of being unimpaired
   
   Integrity Jumpstart:
   
   • Deliver on your commitments.
   • Play by the rules.
   • Understand why and when you lie.


10. JUDGMENT - the ability to make a decision or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely; good sense; discretion
    
    Judgment Jumpstart:
    
    • Conduct after-action reviews to determine what went right and wrong and learn for next time.
    • Have mentors to learn from.
    • Evaluate every decision and action as it would be reported on the front page of a newspaper.


11. KNOWLEDGEABLE - possessing or exhibiting knowledge; insight; intelligent; well-informed; discerning; perceptive
    
    Knowledgeable Jumpstart:
    
    • Always have something to read for when you are standing in line or waiting for an appointment.
    • Subscribe to (and read) the professional journal for your industry of your major customers.
    • Learn to listen.


12. LOYAL - characterized by or showing faithfulness to commitments, vows, allegiance, obligations
    
    Loyalty Jumpstart:
    
    • Praise in public, criticize in private.
    • Give credit and take the blame.
    • Don't talk poorly about anyone on your team to anyone.
    • Use "we" and "us" instead of "me" and "them" when talking about your team.


13. MODEL - a standard or example for imitation or comparison
    
    Model Jumpstart:
    
    • Look in a mirror; are you pleased with what you see?.
    • Control your language.
    • Describe expected behavior, then live it.
    • Smile.


14. NOBLE - of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence; admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution
    
    Noble Jumpstart:
    
    • Dress the part and speak the part.
    • Learn to shake hands and make meaningful eye contact.
    • What is your higher purpose?


15. OPEN MINDED - having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments; unprejudiced; unbigoted; impartial
    
    Open Minded Jumpstart:
    
    • Read something different.
    • Do something different.
    • Drive home using a different route.
    • Look for points of agreement - not disagreement. Listen more.


16. POWER - ability to do or act; having the capability of doing or accomplishing something
    
    Power Jumpstart:
    
    • Explain, don't demand.
    • Be diligent about using rewards and punishment.
    • Cultivate allies/win enemies over.


17. QUALITY - high grade; superiority; excellence
    
    Quality Jumpstart:
    
    • Measure/track/record/display critical success factors.
    • Raise your standards. What was good enough yesterday isn't good enough today.
    • Communicate the new standards.
    • Facilitate a discussion at work to define quality for your team.


18. RESULTS ORIENTED - a desirable or beneficial consequence, outcome, or effect
    
    Results Oriented Jumpstart:
    
    • Develop a goals plan for the next twelve months.
    • Celebrate success.
    • Keep score.
    • Do things you are good at.


19. SELF-___ - having knowledge; conscious; cognizant; informed; alert
    
    Self-___Jumpstart:
    
    • Spend time with people who like you and care about you.
    • Ignore (and stay away from) people who put you down or treat you badly.
    • Do things that you enjoy or that make you feel good.
    • Do things you are good at; reward yourself for your successes.
    • Always do what you believe is right; be true to yourself and your values.


20. TIMELY - occurring at a suitable time; seasonal; opportune; well timed
    
    Timely Jumpstart:
    
    • Cut 20 percent from your things-to-do list.
    • Use a calendar system.
    • Complete a time log and analyze your day/week.
    • Be on time.


21. URGENT - the quality or condition of being urgent; pressing importance
    
    Urgent Jumpstart:
    
    • Develop a goals plan - then use it.
    • Return calls and e-mail within twelve hours.
    • Set start dates and end dates.


22. VISIONARY - a person of unusually keen foresight
    
    Visionary Jumpstart:
    
    • Write the speech they will make the day you retire.
    • Make your bucket list.
    • Conduct a "five whys" exercise for the vision you have for yourself.
    • Develop a vision for your company or work group.


23. WILLING - disposed to; consenting; inclined; ready
    
    Willing Jumpstart:
    
    • Say yes.
    • Be open to unexpected outcomes.


24. X GENERATION - a group of individuals, most of whom are the same approximate age, have similar ideas, problems, attitudes, etc.
    
    X Generation Jumpstart:
    
    • Get to know someone from a generation you have a hard time with.
    • Remember what it was like when you were young - then get over it.


25. YIELD - to give way to influence, entreaty, argument; cease resisting.
    
    Yield Jumpstart:
    
    • Recognize you don't have to win every battle. Some simply don't need to be fought.
    • Ask yourself if that fight was worth giving a piece of your life to.
    • Delegate.
    • You can be happy or right.


26. ZEAL - fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor
    
    Zeal Jumpstart:
    
    • Develop goals and work to achieve them.
    • Spend time doing what energizes you; it creates more energy.
    • Find ways to merge your passion and your work. (Do you even know what your passions are?)
    • Smile.

Read. Learn. Grow. Succeed.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Decisive

Repost from February 24, 2013.

Continuing with lessons from Wally Adamchik's book, titled Construction Leadership from A to Z which explores "26 Words to Lead By."

This session's word is DECISIVE

DECISIVE

Decisive - having the power to solve or conclude; absolute; characterized by determination and firmness; resolute

"It's better to be boldly decisive and risk being wrong than to agonize at length and be right too late." - Unknown

People want those who lead them to be able to make a decision – and stick with it. Ambivalence is confusing, demoralizing, counterproductive, and can even be life threatening. Decisiveness gets things moving; it can help you accomplish great things.

A decision may not be perfect, but it is far better to execute a good plan in a timely manner than to continue to plan, analyze, and agonize over the 100 percent right decision that gets implemented too late. The Marine Corps calls this the “75 Percent Solution.” They recognize that conditions will never be 100 percent perfect for you to make your decision and execute your plan…. They define it as the ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear, forthright manner.

One of the best things you can do to make better decisions is to expose yourself to situations and scenarios that add to your library of scripts. … The mind doesn’t need to actually experience the event to learn the script. Talking about or participating in a simulation is good enough if properly described, discussed, and debriefed.

Here is the deal: If you choose to be a leader, you are being paid for two roles – to make decisions and to get people to act on those decisions. But know this: You will make mistakes. That is not a reason to be indecisive. In fact, make the decision, right or wrong, and learn from it (create a new script). Those you lead will thank you with higher productivity.

"The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision." - Maimonides

Decisiveness Jumpstart:

• Embrace imperfection.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Create scenarios and "what if" them so when faced with them you will be ready.
• Don't be angry. Angry people make poor decisions.

Today, we live in a fast-paced world demanding fast-paced decisions. And yet, we do not want those decisions to be wrong, or even less than perfect, because of the potential human or financial impact. I certainly struggle with this lesson myself. I am always looking for a little more data and information to obtain the 100% right answer. You know what? There may or may not be a 100% correct solution; however, there are many 75%, 80%, 85%, and 90% correct solutions. As long as the safety and well-being of our employees and the public are not at risk, then perhaps a 75% solution executed effectively and implemented in a timely manner is an acceptable course of action. Let’s choose to be more decisive today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc