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

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Zeal

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 ZEAL

ZEAL

Zeal - fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor

"Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul." - Charles Buxton.

How bad do you want it? No matter what it is, for you to get it, you have to want it. Enthusiasm is a Marine Corps leadership trait. The Corps defines it as the display of sincere interest in and exuberance in the performance of duty. No false motivation; just pure fervor for the cause.

(c) Boians Cho Joo Young

If you don't care, neither will your employees.

Leadership is not a popularity contest. Leaders face challenges on even the best of days. More often they are running an uphill race to implement change in the face of employee resistance and economic uncertainty. Who motivates the motivator? The better question is what motivates the motivator? Passion is the answer.

Smith says that passion for anything starts the moment you get a glimpse of the potential for the project, yourself, the mission, and so on. When you get that glimpse, the passion is born. Of course, this means you actually have to have an open mind and be on the lookout so you actually can catch a glimpse. (Zig) Ziglar breaks passion into three steps: (1) analyze what you want in life and develop a plan, (2) take steps toward those goals, and (3) use your head to work with your heart to gain maximum benefit.

"Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion." - Hegel

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.

Remember when you wanted that bicycle with the banana seat and sting-ray handlebars (or, Lady Gaga CD or MP3 player) so bad that you were willing to mow as many lawns (or, pick cotton or deliver pizza) as it took to earn enough money to buy it? Some lawns were easy, some were uphill (both ways), some had the added stress of the neighbor's dog barking and snapping at your heels, but they all helped earn the coveted goal. You were filled with enthusiasm and desire, and nothing was going to stop you! Let's choose to live our life with that same zeal today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Yield

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 YIELD

YIELD

Yield - to give way to influence, entreaty, argument; cease resisting

"You got to know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em, know when to walk away, know when to run." - Kenny Rogers, The Gambler>

As a leader, you face challenges every day. Some are easily overcome; others, not so easily. The art is in knowing the difference.

Clearly there are some causes worth fighting for. But there are many worth not fighting for. In Shakespeare's Henry IV, Falstaff tells us, "The better part of valour is discretion; in which the better part I have saved my life."

The concept of losing the battle to win the war is not new. Sun Tzu wrote of this in the sixth century B.C. In fact, it is one of the keys to success for leaders. Time simply doesn't allow you to do everything you think you need to do. Your inbox is full, and there are people who don't see things your way. In an ideal world, you would address all of these things. Reality is different. Sometimes you need to know when to walk away.

(c) Stuart Miles

"We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep." - Elizabeth II

Yield Jumpstart:

• Recognize you don't have to win every battle. Some simply do not have the need to be fought.
• Ask yourself if the fight is worth giving a piece of your life to.
• Delegate.
• You can be happy or right.

The heavy snowfall a week ago certainly gives this lesson a dose of reality. Anxious to get the walk and driveway cleared, I considered grabbing my snow shovel. (Yes, I have a snow shovel...and I know how to use it!) But, is that really a battle I need to win? Is that fight worth giving (possibly) my life to? Nope. That's when I decided to take the time and make the effort to get my snow blower ready to go. (Yes, I have a snow blower too!)

In short, let's choose to yield the battles that are not worth fighting, today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - X Generation

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 X GENERATION

X GENERATION

X Generation (and Others) - a group of individuals, most of whom are the same approximate age, have similar ideas, problems, attitudes, etc.

"It's hard for me to get used to these changing times. I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty." - George Burns

(c) africa

Your challenge as a leader is to understand and navigate those differences.

Within each generation are people who want to excel. They want to be led, and it is up to you to lead them.

In Generations at Work, Zemke, Raines, and Filipczak present the ACORN principle for leading across generations. This principle is:

1. Accommodate differences.
2. Create workplace choices.
3. Operate from a sophisticated management style.
4. Respect competence and initiative.
5. Nourish retention.

"Different" is not a question of good or bad. It is simply...different. If you accept that leadership is about building positive relationships with people, then it will not be difficult for you to accept your responsibility to get to know each of your people. It may be harder to get to know some more than others, but the final outcome will make it worth the effort.

"There was no respect for youth when I was young, and now that I am old, there is no respect for age - I missed it coming and going!" - J.B. Priestly

X Generation Jumpstart:

• Get to know someone from a generation you have a hard time with.
• Remember what is was like when you were young - then get over it.

This most recent Thanksgiving Day family gathering was an "in your face" reminder of the many generations each of us encounter every day. Helping Grandpa to the head of the table to carve the turkey, hushing the crowd to lay the baby down for a nap, holding the door open so the cousins could carry in their contribution to the dinner, and washing the dishes (without drowning the rest of the family) requires working together across all ages. Let's choose to enjoy the differences and to lead across the generations today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Willing

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 WILLING

WILLING

Willing - disposed to; consenting; inclined; ready

"The extent and complexity of the problem does not matter as much as does the willingness to solve it." - Ralph Marston

(c) Stuart Miles

But you must be willing before you can participate. This is where initiative comes in. One Marine Corps leadership trait is defined as “taking action in the absence of orders” – a willingness to act in the face of uncertainty.

Willingness is a key to creativity and to achieving what is possible. Rhodes Scholar Edward de Bono wrote, “One very important aspect of motivation is the willingness to stop and look at things that no one else has bothered to look at. This simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful source of creativity.” And it won’t happen unless you are willing.

Business guru, the late Peter Drucker, once said that consistently successful businesses are led by people who are “willing to make courageous decisions.” Where does courage come into play? It comes in the willingness to let go of what we are used to and the assumptions that we have made about what we do and how we do it.

If you are not willing, you are not open. A lack of flexibility and an unwillingness to be open to the possibilities is not a success strategy. In fact, it’s just the opposite.

"Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great." - Niccolo Machiavelli

Willingness Jumpstart:

• Say YES.
• Be open to unexpected outcomes.

We must be willing to let go of the old to experience the new. We must be willing to break some eggs to enjoy an omelet. We must be willing to remove our hand from the side of the pool to learn to swim. Let’s choose to live our life with willingness today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Visionary

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 VISIONARY

VISIONARY

Visionary - a person of unusually keen foresight

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others." - Jonathan Swift.

(c) Stuart Miles

...the two basic questions we want to address with vision are:

 "Where are we going?"
 "Why are we going there?"

Yet they are the ones least frequently answered.

When we talk about vision, we simply mean an orientation toward the future.

Leaders establish the vision for the future and set the strategy for getting there; they cause change. They motivate and inspire others to go in the right direction and they, along with everyone else, sacrifice to get there. And how does a leader accomplish this? By creating a picture in his or her mind of what they want to happen, and then getting other people to see and buy into that picture, too. The more clarity and detail, the better. People who succeed in the world see themselves succeeding.

There is never a right time to do a difficult thing. A leader's job is to help people have the vision of their potential.

Success does come to those who think about the future. Research confirms that successful people spend at least fifteen minutes every day thinking about what they are going to do in the future and what they can do in the present to improve their lives. How is that possible when we are all so busy? This confirms the power of vision. It is worth the effort to create and sustain because it energizes people and steers them toward their goals.

"A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position." - John Maxwell

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.

No matter if we lead a company, a region, a crew, or simply our self, it is critical to know where we are going. If we don't know where we are going, how will we know when we get there? We can establish a vision of reducing idle time in our trucking fleet by 25%; increasing tons per hour while paving by 10%; reduce the time to process payables by 15%; or increase uptime at our plants by 33%. Set the target and then aim for it. Let's choose to live our life with a vision today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Communicate

Repost from February 10, 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 COMMUNICATE

COMMUNICATE

Communicate - to impart knowledge of; make known; to give or interchange thoughts, feelings, information or the like by writing, speaking, etc.

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." - George Bernard Shaw

(c) Renjith Krishnan

Leaders get people to do things. These actions may be of the leader's choosing or they may be a shared objective, but the leader is the one who gets it all started. The leader is the one who helps people understand their role and their contribution. The leader tells they story and explains the "why".

Communication is not about your monologue; it is about the message interpreted by the receiver matching the message intended by the sender. Effective communication means that what is heard is actually what was meant to be heard.

Communication is most effective when it flows evenly between people. Thus, listening is equally as important as speaking. The only way a leader can know what is going on in the ranks is to talk with people and be genuinely interested in what they tell him or her.

Generally there are two ways in which a leader can influence others to do something. The first is by setting an example or modeling the desired behavior. The second is by communicating personally and organizationally to others to help them understand the vision, the objectives and the plan. This helps people understand their role in accomplishing the objectives - why they are important and the impact they can have.

Clear, open, effective communication is the bedrock of successful leadership. And, at its core, leadership is about relationships. Effective leaders have more effective and positive relationships. And like all relationships, good, ongoing communication is essential

"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." - Epictetus

Communication 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".

Communication!

 "Nobody tells me nothing."
 "The communication around here is bad."

Who hasn't heard that? Maybe even said it? But how can that be? Who among us doesn't think they are a good communicator?

 "I told you how to do it."
 "I told you not to do it."

Is that communicating? Probably NOT.

We communicate by setting the example, by listening, by building relationships. Effective communication is not easy. It takes work. It takes commitment. It takes a desire for things to improve. Let's choose to truly communicate today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Balance

Repost from January 26, 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 BALANCE

BALANCE

Balance - a state of equilibrium; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.

"To acquire balance means to achieve that happy medium between the minimum and the maximum that represents your optimum. The minimum is the least you can get by with. The maximum is the most you're capable of. The optimum is the amount or degree of anything that is most favorable toward the ends you desire." - Nido Qubein

In the short run, balance is nearly impossible. But in the long run, it is essential.

"There's so much said today about leadership. But I don't think in business you can forget the fact that you don't just have to lead, you have to manage." - Lee Scott, former CEO of Walmart

(c) Renjith Krishnan

Balance of focus says we know what to do and when to do it.

Balance with others is about operating fairly. The people you lead do not expect equal treatment. They generally understand and accept the nuances and accommodations made for people if this approach is applied to everyone you lead.

Balance applies to praise and critique also. Notice we are not talking about giving equal measures of both but about giving each as necessary.

The families contribute to the success of what you are doing.

A vivid vision in your mind of a balanced future is the best way to create a balance now.

"Life is best enjoyed when time periods are evenly divided between labor, sleep and recreation...all people should spend one-third of their time in recreation which is rebuilding, voluntary activity, never idleness." - Brigham Young

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.

These are very demanding times. The economy is challenging. We all are being asked to do more with less. We know the upcoming work season will bring long days and many hours away from home. This is the business we have chosen because of the many rewards it offers, including personal satisfaction and professional pride. And, to fully enjoy these rewards, we must constantly strive to keep a balance in our life. A balance of self (family, work, recreation); focus (managing vs. leading); and others (treating people fairly). Let's choose to keep our life in balance today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Attitude

Repost from January 13, 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 ATTITUDE

ATTITUDE

Attitude - Disposition; feeling; orientation, especially of the mind

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." - W. Clement Stone

(c) Pakorn

The winners in the world are able to silence the negative voice and listen only to the positive voice. Leaders impact people. This is external, but everything you do is based on how you think and feel internally. Ultimately it is your attitude that determines much of your success: your attitudes about yourself, your employees, a given situation,the market, and so on. And, of course, you are responsible for, and can choose, your attitude.

"...a man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts..." - James Allen

Good ideas and attitudes give birth to good results.

To begin thinking more positively, simply look for and embrace the good. Then get rid of the negative. For most people, the first step toward improving job performance is improving how they feel about themselves.

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems but it will annoy enough people to make it work the effort." - Herm Albright

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.

Things happen to us every day - some good, some bad. We don't always have a choice over our daily events; however we ALWAYS have a choice regarding our attitude - good or bad - toward these things. A good attitude allows us to learn and grow from the experience and develop an effective action plan. A bad attitude prevents us from learning, growing and improving the situation. A good attitude is just as contagious as a bad one. Let's choose a good attitude today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Timely

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 TIMELY

TIMELY

Timely - occurring at a suitable time; seasonable; opportune; well-timed

"How does a project get to be a year behind schedule? One day at a time." - Fred Brooks

(c) Renjith Krishnan

The 1916 short story "Obvious Adams" shares five tests of obviousness, the fifth one being: Is the time ripe? Sometimes the time has passed and you should let the idea go. Sometimes the time just isn't right yet and you would do better to hold on to your idea.

We believe leaders must be outstanding and ruthless in their use of time.

Team time is about changing the question from "What should I be doing now?" to "What is the best use of our time?" This recognizes that top performance is a team effort requiring close synchronization of values and effort. When you are late to the meeting you called, you are in total ignorance of the concept of team time. When you don't get back to someone when you say you will, you are violating team time. This is a surefire way to tick people off and confirm a lack of leadership on your part.

...One of the marks of a professional is to be on time.

Just be on time.

"He [the manager] meant that I should not try to do everything at once but meet my deadlines as they came. If I was going to miss a deadline, I needed to see that it got handled by somebody else or to let my boss know that we might miss it. Keeping my manager's advice in mind, I only committed to what I knew I could accomplish, and I prioritized my work in a way that allowed me to succeed as an individual and also as a member of the team."

"Punctuality is the stern virtue of men of business, and the graceful courtesy of princes." - Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

Timeliness Jumpstart:

• Cut 20% from your things-to-do list.
• Use a calendar system.
• Complete a time log and analyze your day / week.
• Be on time.

What time is it?
  What time may I expect you?
    Will it be done on time?
      What time am I supposed to be there?
        .
        .
        .
      I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME!

Well, we all have all the time there is - 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, or as we commonly hear now, "24/7". That's all there is. What separates winners from losers and leaders from followers is how they use that time. Let's choose to be on time today and everyday!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Self-___

We are continuing our lessons from Wall Adamchik's book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z.

His book explores "26 Words to Lead By."

This session's word is SELF-___

SELF-___

Self-knowledge - having knowledge; conscious; cognizant; informed; alert

"Self-knowledge and self-improvement are very difficult for most people. It usually needs great courage and long struggle." - Abraham Maslow

It all starts with self-awareness

(c) ddpavumba

Sun Tzu wrote, "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you will win a hundred battles."

But why face your demons, fears and flaws when you can just as easily deny them? Because in facing them, you can conquer them - and know that conquering a fear is sometimes not ridding yourself of it. Philosopher Lao Tzu said, "Knowing others is intelligence. Knowing oneself is true wisdom."

When we have self-awareness, we can begin to develop self-esteem

With that said, I prefer the two-pronged definition of self-esteem being comprised of self-respect (i.e. "I have value as a person") and self-efficacy (i.e. "I am capable and competent in my ability to think, decide and act").

Self-esteem leads to self-confidence, that quality that organizes all our efforts and unifies them toward achievement of some great goal. Self-confidence instills in us the belief that we really can get what we want.

Unfortunately, self-esteem and all that stems from it is perishable. You must nourish and feed it. Words, deeds, articles, experience, positive self-talk - all must be put to work to keep your self-esteem oriented toward the positive. And do not forget that the biggest impact on your self-esteem is your own self-talk. Be sure to make it positive.

John Wooden said, "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are." Concern yourself with protecting your self-esteem and your character will take care of itself.

"The better you know and understand yourself, the better decisions you will make and the better results you will get." - Brian Tracy

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.

Self-doubt, self-conscious, self-loathing, self-pity and self-(add any negative word you wish to use) are part of us and therefore cannot be denied or ignored. However, we cannot dwell on these self-destructive thoughts. We need to recognize and acknowledge our shortcomings, and then move on.

Move on to pursue and embrace our self-confidence, self-awareness, self-loving, self-worth and self-(add every positive word you can think of).

As John C. Maxwell says, "You will never change your life until you change something you do daily." Let's choose to know our "self" today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Results Oriented

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 RESULTS ORIENTED

RESULTS ORIENTED

Results Oriented - a desirable or beneficial consequence, outcome or effect.

"Git'er done!" - Larry the Cable Guy

As hockey great Bobby Orr put it, "Forget about style; worry about results." Leaders would do well to heed his advice.

Just because you want something to happen doesn't mean it will happen. Yes, thought precedes action that, in turn, precedes results. But directed action is still required. Or, as General Gordon R. Sullivan, US Army (Ret) liked to say, "Hope is not a method."

At face value, execution is about getting things done; it is about results.

"...the leader must be in charge of getting things done by running three core processes - picking other leaders, setting the strategic direction and conducting operations."

Clearly, a results orientation is just the start. Delivering results is where leaders truly gain credibility.

I often remind myself and others not to confuse effort with results.

Results create a wave of success for you to ride to higher, greater successes. Results also instill trust and confidence in you from others. If leaders are to influence, they must be trusted. Delivering on what you say you will do is the fast lane to trust.

"Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results, not attributes." - Peter Drucker

Results Orientation Jumpstart:

• Develop a goal plan for the next twelve months.
• Celebrate success.
• Keep score.
• Do things you are good at.

We are expected to lay that ton of asphalt, crush that ton of stone, blend that ton of liquid and produce that cubic yard of concrete. That is what we do. However, production is not the only thing we are expected to do - we are expected to be safe; environmentally friendly; quality-conscious and customer-focused while being efficient and productive. That is what we do! That is our culture! Let's choose to produce results we are proud of today and every day!

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Quality

We are continuing our lessons from Wally Adamchik's book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z.

His book explores "26 Words to Lead By."

This session's word is QUALITY

QUALITY

Quality - high grade; superiority; excellence

"It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't." - Martin Van Buren

W. Edwards Deming may have said, "Quality is everyone's responsibility," but it is the leader who establishes and communicates the standard of quality desired.

Margins are tight and will remain that way. When you look at the profit and loss statement for any business, there isn't a line for rework. Quality is the key. It is the ante in the game of business. High quality has multiple payoffs. It means less waste, less rework, fewer rejections, fewer complaints and fewer returns. All this leads to lower costs and higher productivity.

William A. Foster put it this way: "Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives.

Quality breeds quality. Aristotle told us that excellence is a habit.

"...inspect what you expect." He required us to be where quality was happening - to go out and see the job from a quality perspective and an end user viewpoint. "Leading quality" was another cryptic term he used.

"One of the rarest things that a man ever does is do the best he can." - Josh Billings

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.

How many times have we heard, read and even said, "There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over"? The quality of our work is not controlled by our Quality Control Department, it is controlled by each of us and the decisions we make daily. Can we honestly say that we did our best today? Let's choose to improve quality today and every day!

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

Good Housekeeping Promotes Safety

Good Safety Housekeeping Practice

Housekeeping is everyone's responsibility and it requires all of us to keep the workplace clean, tidy and organized to make it safe to work in.

A clean work area free of debris and clutter is critical to maintaining a safe work environment. Housekeeping is a continual effort, but one where the rewards are far greater than the effort.

Good housekeeping promotes safety and also indicates a level of professionalism in the work area. Effective housekeeping requires you to:

• Organize your work area and equipment
• Keep your work area clean and clear of rubbish.
• Roll up hoses after use
• Clean up spills
• Store things in their proper place
• Keep walkways clear, floors and access-ways unobstructed
• Regularly dispose of rubbish in bins provided

Poor Housekeeping Promotes Problems

Poor housekeeping leads to a variety of accidents, injuries, damages and problems:

• Slip and trip accidents occur when tools, equipment and scrap materials (i.e. damaged pallets and cages) are left lying on the ground, in corridors and walkways. Cluttered work spaces and spills that not cleaned up immediately leave room for only injuries.
• Splinters, cuts and eye injuries occur when metal filings and dust from chemicals are not cleaned up on top of work benches or trailers. Serious injuries can occur when sharp or damaged objects are left in walkways and not reported for repair.
• Crush injuries occur when unstable stacks (i.e. pallets stacked unevenly or too high) or overburdened storage shelves collapse.
• Time is wasted because tools, equipment and freight are always being moved and re-arranged.
• Serious injury or death can be caused by damaged or broken objects and when people are trying to evacuate a building or access way and emergency exits are blocked off or obstructed.

A cluttered, untidy and disorganized workplace is difficult for everyone to work in and does not encourage quality work.

Benefits of good housekeeping are:

• Less risk of accidents and injuries;
• Less risk of fires
• A more organized workplace and less time wasted trying to find tools, equipment and materials.

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Power

We are continuing to share lessons this year from Wally Adamchik's book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z.

His book explores "26 Words to Lead By."

This session's word is POWER

POWER

Power - ability to do or act; having the capability of doing or accomplishing something

"Lions don't need to roar." - Debra Benton

Power moves us from potential to action.

Al Gini, co-founder and editor of Business Ethics Quarterly, writes, “To have power is to possess the capacity to control or direct change. All forms of leadership must make use of power. The central issue of power in leadership is not ‘will it be used?’ But rather ‘will it be used wisely and well?’”

A person has the potential for influencing five bases of power over another. Researchers John French and Bertram Raven identify these:

1. Coercive Power - Effectiveness based on fear.
2. Reward Power - Compliance is achieved based on the ability to distribute rewards that others view as valuable.
3. Legitimate Power - Authority a person holds due to his or her position in the formal hierarchy of an organization.
4. Expert Power - Influence based on special skills or knowledge.
5. Referent Power - Influence based on possession of desirable resources or personal traits.

So power essentially comes from one of two places: the position (reward, legitimate, expert) or the person (coercive, referent, expert). Both are important. But what we must recognize is that power really comes from action. It is what I do that really matters and adds to or decreases my power. In reality, a leader obtains the best results by skillfully combining positional power and influential power in his life.

"Power consists of one's capacity to link his will with the purpose of others, to lead by reason and a gift of cooperation." - Woodrow Wilson

Power Jumpstart

• Explain, don't demand.
• Be diligent about using rewards and punishment.
• Cultivate allies / win enemies over.

We all have power of one form or another, and we all exert power at one time or another. So, the phrase "I'm powerless to change things" is simply not true. However, to fully realize this power requires action. What action can you take now to make things better tomorrow for yourself, your family and your co-workers? Let's choose to exercise our personal power wisely today and every day!

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Open Minded

We continue to share lessons from Wally Adamchik's book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z.

His book explores "26 Words to Lead By."

This session's word is OPEN MINDED

OPEN MINDED

Open Minded - having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments; unprejudiced; unbigoted; impartial

"There exist limitless opportunities in every industry. Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier." - Charles F. Kettering

Leaders need information to make decisions. If you don't have an open mind, you can't get all the information you need to make decisions. Sometimes leaders think they already have all the answers. Years of experience and expertise will do that to you.

Noted expert on human behavior, Abraham Maslow, observed, "The novice can often see things the expert overlooks."

Other reasons to be open minded are to foster creativity in your people and to demonstrate respect. If you don't give respect, you certainly won't get it. Employees want to be heard; they want to know that their opinions matter. Being open minded is about being receptive to new ideas and new information.

If leadership is about change for better results, then being receptive can only help. The pace of change is rapid, and it is impossible for any one person to have a grip on all that is going on.

You can cultivate an open mind.

"Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind." - Gail Rubin Bereny

Open Minded Jumpstart

• Read something different.
• Do something different.
• Drive home using a different route.
• Look for points of agreement - not disagreement. Listen more

...Sure, I have an open mind...as long as you do it my way!

Have you heard that before? Surely not today, and, most certainly, not at work...Ha!

Many old industries, such as construction, have a very difficult time trying something new. We have always done it this way, and it works. Well, I am here to tell you that today is not like yesterday and never will be again. We must be willing to try new ways - utilize today's techniques and technology. Ask others doing a different job. Ask others on a different crew. Ask others in a different industry.

Just ask!

Let's choose to have an open mind today and every day!

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

"Do the Right Thing"

The following is an excerpt from a book by my favorite author, John C. Maxwell. It is a very short yet powerful lesson in ethics and integrity.

Do the Right Thing

Doing the right thing doesn't come naturally to any of us. As America's first president, George Washington, said, "Few men have virtue enough to withstand the highest bidder." Yet that is what we must do to develop the kind of character that will sustain us.

It's not easy to do the right thing when the wrong thing is expedient. Molière commented, "Men are alike in their promises. It is only in their deeds that they differ. The difference in their deeds is simple: People of character do what is right regardless of the situation."

One way that I've tried to control my natural bent to do wrong is to ask myself some questions (adapted from questions written by business ethicist Dr. Laura Nash):

1. Am I hiding something?
2. Am I hurting anyone?
3. How does it look from the other person's point of view?
4. Have I discussed this face-to-face?
5. What would I tell my child to do?

If you do the right thing - and keep doing it - even if it doesn't help you move ahead with your talent in the short term, it will protect you and serve you well in the long term. Character builds - and it builds you.

Or as Dr. Dale Bronner, a board member of my nonprofit organization EQUIP, puts it, "Honesty is not something you do; honesty is who you are."

- Talent is Never Enough

DETERMINE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS.

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Noble

We are sharing lessons this year from Wally Adamchik’s book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z.

His book explores “26 Words to Lead By.”

This session’s word is NOBLE.

NOBLE

Noble – of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence; admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution

“A noble person attracts noble people, and knows how to hold on to them.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

You would not typically think of nobility as a characteristic of leadership. I say this because I firmly believe that leadership is not a title or birthright; it is action and relationship. But the definition of noble embodies exalted character and admirable expression and execution. Sounds like what we need in a good leader.

Perhaps it is as simple as the distinction between class and crass. I don’t think anybody would dispute that legendary UCLA basketball coach was a class act. He lived by the motto, “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” He made everyone around him a better person and instilled in them a desire to excel.

The noble leader does not disparage others and does not take the cheap shot.

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.” - Elijah Wood

Noble Jumpstart:

• Dress the part and speak the part.
• Learn to shake hands and make meaningful eye contact.
• What is your higher purpose?

Noble is not about sporting a crown, or riding a horse with an entourage of knights, or even wearing fancy clothes. It is about helping someone else simply because it is the right thing to do. It may be as simple as holding the door open for someone with their hands full of boxes, or leaving the parking space near the door open for someone who needs it more than you, or giving clear directions when asked by someone from out of state (even a Yankee). Let’s choose to act in a noble manner today and every day!

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

WORDS TO LEAD BY - Integrity

This year we are sharing lessons from a book titled Construction Leadership from A to Z. by Wally Adamchik.

His book explores “26 Words to Lead By.”

This session’s word is INTEGRITY.

INTEGRITY

Integrity – steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; the state of being unimpaired

“Trust is the great simplifier. If people in business told the truth, 80 or 90 percent of their problems would disappear.” - Will Schutz

If people can’t trust you, they will not want to follow you.

Let’s look at the facets of integrity that relate to leading. Think about the values you stress to your employees. They may include efficiency, teamwork, or service. Do you say a certain procedure is the right way to do things at your place (because it supports those values)? Then do you not hold someone accountable if they deviate from that procedure? Although it may not strictly fit the definition, at root this is an integrity issue: You say one thing but do another. Have you ever told someone you would call them back, and then didn’t?

What about the manager who decides to fire someone and blames it on cutbacks? And then there is the performance review where the manager says everything is “fine” but fails to address a critical performance issue with the employee. In each case, the manager is evading the truth and acting without integrity. His people will have little faith in him and little respect for him as a supervisor. This, in turn, will make him a weak and ineffective leader.

Your effectiveness in relationships depends on how much people see you as living by your word. Where they see it strongly, people trust you more, listen more closely to you, and allow you to influence them. This form of credibility is necessary to lead, to sell, and to address conflicts.

The most important person with whom you must be honest is yourself.

“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.” - Mark Twain

Integrity Jumpstart:

• Deliver on your commitments.
• Play by the rules.
• Understand why and when you lie.

Integrity is all about “walking the talk!”

...Do we boast one thing in a meeting and then do another in the field?

Whether it involves environmental stewardship (adhering to the requirements of our permits), quality materials and services (does the material meet or exceed the specifications), customer service (loading their trucks as scheduled), productivity in the field (are we planning properly to be as efficient as possible), or safety (seat belts, turn signals, NO using cell phones while driving) - integrity is doing the right things even when no one will know. Let’s choose to have integrity today and every day!

Donald G. Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc