Bud Bilanich | The Common Sense Guy

Chipotle Mexican Grills and Relationship Building

If you read this blog regularly, you know that I am a big fan of Chipotle Mexican Grills.  I love their food.  But I also love how they run their company.

In my book, 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I point out that all successful businesses have four things in common.

1. Successful businesses develop and communicate a clarity of purpose and direction.
2. Successful businesses enlist the sincere commitment and engagement of all of their employees.
3. Successful businesses skillfully execute the things that matter.
4. Successful businesses build mutually beneficial relationships with important outside constituencies.

In the past, I’ve blogged about some of the ways Chipotle publicly recognizes its employees and suppliers (commitment and relationships). 

Today, I received an email from Chipotle.  It read:

It’s EVEN better to give AND receive.

On Tuesday, June 5th bring a non perishable food item to any Denver are Chipotle Mexican Grill and we’ll repay your generosity with a FREE BURRITO, TACOS, SALAD OR BOL.

The greater community – including those in need – is an important outside constituency for any business.  Chipotle is doing something to address the needs of the greater Denver community.  They are working with a local TV station (Channel 7) and the Colorado Food Bank to collect food for those who need it in the Denver area. 

Collecting food for those in need is pretty cool.  However, Chipotle goes one step further -- they are not only collecting food, they are offering an incentive to people to participate in the food drive.

I’m sure that Chipotle will give away a lot of burritos and tacos on June 5.  They are demonstrating some great community spirit by not only collecting food, but by giving away much of their profits on that day.

I’m going to drop by Chipotle on June 5 with a lot of non perishable food – and I’m going to insist on paying for my burrito – just to show them how much I appreciate what they’re doing for the greater Denver community.

If you live in Denver, please participate in the Chipotle food drive on June 5.  If you live near a Chipotle store in any other city, stop in and buy something to eat, as a way of supporting what they are doing for the less fortunate in Denver.

I’ll send a copy of one of my books to anyone outside of Denver (or anyone in Denver for that matter) who eats at Chipotle on June 5, and lets me know by sending me an e mail with their snail mail address.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Leadership and Life Lessons Learned on the Rugby Pitch: Lesson # 3

This is another in my posts on leadership and life lessons learned on the rugby pitch.

Today’s lesson is “kill the ball”.  No, not literally.  You kill the ball by falling on it as it is bouncing around on the ground.  A rugby ball is shaped like a fat American football.  It bounces in some pretty peculiar ways.  It is not easy to pick up while you are running.

Some players want to kick at a bouncing ball.  This is known as “flyhacking”.  Flyhacking is not a smart move because it is difficult to direct the ball where you want it to go.   

Therefore, coaches always tell their players to “kill the ball” when it is bouncing around the open field.  You kill the ball by falling on it, gathering it to yourself, and then standing up with it.  In rugby, it is a delay of game penalty to fall on the ball and just lay there.  You have to make an effort to get up.

When you kill the ball you benefit your side because you secure it and allow your teammates to align themselves to begin an offensive possession.  Possession and field position are very important in rugby.

There is one small problem with falling on the ball as it is bouncing.  Other players (your teammates and the other team) are likely to be flyhacking.  When a few people converge on the ball and one falls on it and the others flyhack, the person falling on the ball is likely to get kicked – in the head, ribs, legs, or those places we call  “our privates”.  Getting kicked hurts.  I know from first hand knowledge. 

It takes physical courage to do the right thing and fall on the ball.

Let’s take this example out of rugby and into everyday life.   A bouncing rugby ball is like a work or life situation that is out of control.  It is unpredictable, and can escalate into a crisis quickly. When faced with a situation that is getting out of control, most people want to take action – to do something. 

The only problem with this is that the actions we take in crises are often not well thought out.  We are doing something, but we might be doing something that makes the situation worse.  We are trying to pick up a bouncing rugby ball while we are running at full speed.

Attempting to pick up a bouncing rugby ball while you are running is not a good idea.  You are likely to drop it.  In rugby, the ball can be passed only backwards or laterally.  That means that a ball that you drop in front of you is a minor infraction of the rules.  When this happens, the referee signals for a defensive scrum.  Your chances of winning a defensive scrum (one that happens after you have dropped a ball) are less than 25%.  So, while you did something – attempting to pick up a bouncing ball – your actions are likely to result in your team losing possession.  So, while you think you are doing something positive and proactive, so you actually doing something negative

The smart thing to do in a crisis, is to slow down.  Take a minute, decide what to do, then act on your plan.  This is very similar to falling on the ball in rugby.  When you fall on the ball and secure possession, you give everyone on your side the opportunity to ready themselves to move forward.  When you stop for a minute in a crisis, you give yourself and your colleagues an opportunity to rationally consider your alternatives, choose the best one and then put it into play.

That’s why in rugby, business and life, it’s always a good idea to kill the ball.  Don’t just react to crises.  Take a minute to understand the situation, decide what you’re going to do, and then do it.

It takes courage to do this – especially if you’re a leader.  Others expect you to DO SOMETHING!  However, by fighting your impulse to immediately jump into action and taking a few minutes to determine the best course of actionyou will have a much better chance of making a good decision on how to proceed.

Think about it.  It’s only common sense.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Kimpton Hotels Recycle

Yesterday’s Denver Post had an article in the business section about the Hotel Monaco in Downtown Denver.  Recently Hotel Monaco placed small recycling bins in all of their guest rooms.  I love it!  Hotel Monaco is a part of the Kimpton Hotels chain. 

Allen Patey, the General Manager of the Hotel Monaco says “Being environmentally friendly is one of Kimpton’s core values.  And with public consciousness (on recycling) on the rise, I think the bins give us a leg up with the high end traveler.”

The guest room recycle bins look like a small trash can, but with the recycling logo.  They cost Hotel Monaco about $900 to install in their 189 guest rooms.  In my opinion, this was $900 well spent.

Plastic bottles, newspapers and other types of paper are the most common materials that end up in Hotel Monaco guest recycling bins.  Hotel Monaco currently recycles about 70% of its waste.  Currently, it is the process of placing solar panels on the hotel roof to save on electricity in its kitchen.

In my book, 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I make the point that high performing organizations build and nurture mutually beneficial relationships with important outside constituencies.  The greater community is a constituency that businesses often overlook when it comes to building relationships. 

By putting recycle bins in their guest rooms, Kimpton Hotels is demonstrating their concern for the communities in which their hotels are located, and the planet in general.  (They are also living their value of being environmentally friendly.)  Every little bit of trash that gets recycled, and doesn’t end up in a landfill or incinerator benefits all of us.

I most often do business with Hilton Hotels.  I think their frequent guest program is the best.  As soon as I finish writing this post, I am going to send it to my friends at Hilton, urging them to place recycle bins in their guest rooms.  I’ll keep you posted on their response.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Make New Employees Feel Welcome

In my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I lay out four keys to success for running any business or organization:

• Develop and communicate a clarity of purpose and direction.
• Enlist the sincere engagement and commitment of everyone in the organization.
• Skillfully execute the things that matter.
• Build long lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with important outside constituencies.

When it comes to building commitment and engagement, I always advise my clients to “make it difficult to join your organization, but once you invite someone to join, make them feel special”. 

I was reading Communication Solutions the other day, and saw an article entitled This May Be the Best $25 You’ll Ever Spend.  In part, here is what the article said.

• “We called a stationary store in our hometown of Chicago and asked how much it would cost to print a batch of 200 basic business cards.  The answer? $25…With that kind of price you’d have to be crazy not to have a shiny new batch of business cards waiting for the individual you just promoted into a new job title.  Why?  You want employees to attack their new responsibilities with a passion, and handing them a set of business cards before the promotion has even settled in will get them off to a rousing start.”

I think this is just as important, or even more so for new employees than for those who have been promoted.  Make their first day on the job exciting and welcoming.  Besides business cards, make sure that their workspace is well set up.  This means a clean workspace with a name tag on by the door, a working phone, an internet connection and a company e mail address, as well as a selection of pens and notepads.

This should be the least you do to make new employees feel welcome and special.  I always suggest assigning a mentor or best friend for a new employee’s first few weeks in the office – just to help them get off to a great start.

One more thing – have some meaningful work for new employees.  Don’t make them search for things to do.  Make sure they have real work with real deadlines the day they start.  This will help them hit the ground running. 

The common sense point here – make new employees feel welcomed and valued the day they start work at your company or in your department.

I’ll be taking Monday off to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday in the USA.  I’ll post again on Tuesday, May 29.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

How Much Work Is Too Much Work?

I saw an article in Wednesday’s USA Today called Hi, I’m Joan, and I’m a Workaholic: Technology enables rise of extreme workers, on job more 60 hours or more.

The article begins by pointing out that support groups for workaholics exist in nearly 20 states.  Their purpose is “to bring members together to battle their compulsion to work” and “is a sign of how employees are finding it harder to maintain boundaries between work and life.”  The article goes on to say that “workaholics have long been part of the workforce.  But new research shows a growing number of these extreme workers, driven to long hours on the job because of new technology, globalization and today’s intensified business pressures”.

I’m not stranger to this.  A couple of weeks ago, I was in LA to conduct an all day seminar that began at 9:00 am.  However, before the seminar I facilitated a conference call with people in New York, Brussels and Singapore.  To accommodate everybody, the call began at 7:30 am New York time – that’s 4:30 am in LA.  I set my alarm for 4:15 and conducted the call in a pair of gym shorts and t shirt.  Then, I took a shower, got dressed and spent the day working with the senior executives of airplane charter business.  While I tend to be a workaholic, this was pretty extreme even for me.

I’ve learned to multitask.  I used to read novels on airplanes.  Now, I write blog posts.  I’m on a flight from Newark to Denver as I write this.  And you know what?  This is all OK for me. 

However, not everyone agrees.  I got a comment from Jerome Alexander on a post on this blog last week (called 7 Things Every Leader Must Know that reported on the leadership advice of Retired US Army General William Cohen) that echoed the points in the USA Today article.

• “It is true that today’s workplace has become like a battlefield. Just ask the foot soldiers - the salaried exempt employees and the middle managers. Horrendous working hours and extreme stress has them suffering like they like were in the Battle of the Bulge or worse yet, the Bataan Death March. The platitudes and pity sayings of these so-called leaders are only meant to persuade the troops to fall on more grenades and spur the army on to glory. Whose glory? For what greater good? Freeing the world from a dictator or fighting a maniacal enemy? No! As cleverly detailed in point 5, for the ‘leader’s’ goal.  (Cohen’s point 5 is “The essence of leadership is motivating people to do their best to meet your goals.)  I am certain that the armchair generals of the corporate world will have no problem at all glomming on to Cohen's words. More clever gimmicks for fighting to the last drop of YOUR blood.”

While the USA Today workaholic article was slanted to point out the ill effects of extreme work behavior, Karissa Thacker, a management psychologist begged to differ.  “I really get irritated by all the workaholism comments.  You derive so many emotional needs from work.  There is a feeling of being more satisfied in your life, more confident, (higher) social status, a sense of accomplishment.  What feels balanced for me may not be balanced for you.”

I agree with Ms. Thacker.  I like to work.  I get great satisfaction and enjoyment from what I do.  I don’t feel out of balance – let alone as if I am on the Bataan Death March.  I’m lucky, but I really like my work.  I enjoy the thinking, writing, facilitating, speaking and training that I do.  So to me, lots of hours spent working are actually kind of relaxing.  I’m doing something I enjoy.  I once read a quote – “find something you love, and you’ll never work another day in your life.”  That describes me pretty well.  But, as I’ve said, I’m lucky.

However, I’m me and you’re you.  We all have to decide for ourselves how much work is too much work. 

I’d like to get a lot of comments on this post.  Is the pace of work too great today?  Do employers ask too much of employees?  Is it easier to work long hours if you’re self employed?  How much does enjoying what you do have to do with it? etc. etc. etc. 

Please comment.  I’d love to know.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Invention Create Opportunities for Savvy Entrepreneurs

USA Today will be 25 years old on September 15 of this year.  To celebrate, they are publishing “Top 25” lists.  On Monday, May 21, the list was 25 Life Changing Inventions developed since 1982.

A lot of the inventions on this list are things, modern day business owners and leaders cannot do without -- and savvy entrpreneurs have used to build businesses.  Here is the list.

25 Life Changing Inventions since 1982

1. Cellphones
2. Laptop Computers
3. BlackBerrys
4. Debit Cards
5. Caller ID
6. DVDs
7. Lithium Rechargeable Batteries
8. iPods
9. Pay at the Pump
10. Lettuce in a Bag
11. Digital Cameras
12. Doppler Radar
13. Flat Panel TVs
14. Electronic Tolls
15. PowerPoint
16. Microwave Popcorn
17. High-tech Footwear
18. Online Stock Trading
19. Big Bertha Golf Clubs
20. Disposable Contact Lens
21. StairMaster
22. TiVo
23. Purrell
24. Home Satellite TV
25. Karoke

Some of these have truly changed the way I live and work (Cellphones, Laptops, BlackBerrys, iPods, PowerPoint, DVDs, Lithium Batteries).  Some of them have had little impact on me (TiVo, Big Bertha Golf Clubs, Karoke, Disposable Contacts).  One of them really caught the eye of Cathy, my wife – Doppler Radar.

The common sense point here is simple – the world, and inventions that make it more interesting and all of us more productive, continues to evolve.  Smart entrepreneurs use these inventions not only to boost their productivity and pleasure, but to look for new business opportunities.  Just the other day, I was speaking to a guy who is recording voice tours of European cities that can be downloaded to an iPod – pretty creative huh?  If the concept goes over as well as he thinks, iPod video tours will be next.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Generations at Work -- Important Differences, or Much Ado About Nothing?

I was having a conversation with Tarek Chacra the other day.  Tarek is the owner of a company called Media Dynamics.  He is an audio visual whiz.  He was recording a talk I was giving to the National Purchasing Management Association. 

As we were waiting for the meeting to begin, we were talking about some of the projects he’s been working on lately.  One them is a video series on generations at work – how to deal effectively with people from different generations.  This is an old topic that has a lot of renewed interest. 

I have vivid memories of a video called What You Are Is Where You Were When, by Morris Massey.  I first saw it in 1977.  It was a bit of a cult classic in business videos.  Mr. Massey was amusing, he spoke very rapidly – and he made great points about different generations.  30 years ago, I was in the youngest generation – the baby boomers – he discussed.  Today, I’m in the oldest generation people discuss when they focus on generations at work.

The other day, I saw an piece on Generation Y – people born after 1977.  It included the results of a survey that asked “what do you want in your job?”  Here are the top eight:

1. A fun work environment.
2. Growth opportunities.
3. Competitive salary.
4. A wide range of projects.
5. Good benefits, including healthcare, profit sharing and a 401(k).
6. Opportunities to learn and develop new skills, paid for by the company.
7. Travel opportunities.
8. Flexible work schedule.

This brought me back to the conversation I was having with Tarek.  In our discussion of generations, I told him that that whole thing might be much ado about nothing.  When I look at the list above, I probably would have answered in much the same way when I was
looking for a job back in 1972. 

The point I’m trying to make here is simple.  People are people.  They want very similar things.  Some members of Generation Y might look a little different than me – tattoos, piercings, hair combed to look as if it wasn’t combed, shirts not tucked in – but they still want the same things in a job I did when I was young, and still do today for that matter. 

I chose to get what I want in a job by starting my own business.  Members of Generation Y might be quicker to do so then the baby boomers.  We were raised with the mantra “find a good company with good benefits and stay there”.  As Gen Y people have seen their parents (baby boomers) caught in layoffs and mergers and corporate restructuring, they’ve come to realize that “find a good company and stay there” is probably not as good as option as it was 30 years ago.

The common sense point for leaders – worry less about whether someone is Gen X, or Gen Y, or a baby boomer.  Treat people well.  Respect them.  And you’ll succeed as a leader.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

The Understand, Accept, Do Model of Change Management

Bob Prosen is a friend of mine and author of a great book Kiss Theory Goodbye. I’m visiting Washington DC right now – a little business, and a mini vacation – so an article in Bob’s most recent newsletter caught my eye.  I’ve posted it below.

Washington Needs A CEO Injection: Kick Politics Aside and Run The Country Like A Business!

"Enough is enough! Stop the madness! Washington is officially out of control and Americans are sick and tired of the transparent political games, anger, mistrust, quest for power and overall ineffectiveness. It's time for a real change not another reshuffling of chairs or acceptance of hollow promises from our elected officials that they'll work cooperatively across the aisle to accomplish what's best for our country.

"There is a better way. But it requires courage to integrate some of battle proven business practices that are the core of America's strength.

"The federal government should turn to top industry CEOs who have successfully led their companies to achieve extraordinary results. These leaders have made their fortunes and have the time and capability to help lead this nation.

"Here are a few of the areas where sound business leadership can make a profound and positive difference:

• Create a culture of accountability.
• Balance the budget and live within our means as CEOs do with their companies quarter after quarter.
• Drive out inefficiencies. Start with the post office then move to on to every other bureaucracy that's not working.
• Hire people smarter than their pay grade.
• Aggressively manage poor performers to achieve their objectives or exit.
• Ensure program investments yield committed returns and hold leaders accountable for measurable results.
• Reward creativity.
• Implement pay for performance and remove the entitlement mentality.
• Freeze headcount increases until productivity measures are achieved."

That’s what Bob has to say.  I pretty much agree with him.  On the other hand, I’m also not so sure how easy it would be to implement these common sense suggestions in today’s entrenched Federal bureaucracy.

To make these types of large scale changes in Washington – or any organization – leaders need to be able to do three things:

1. Make sure that everyone involved with the change understands the change – why it is necessary, how it will affect them, what they need to do to make the change work.
2. Make sure that everyone involved with the change accepts the change.  People must become committed to making the change work.  (This is probably the biggest problem with making large scale change in Washington).
3. Make sure that everyone involved with the change can do what they need to do to make the change work.  Change means that people will have to learn and use new skills.  Sometimes this means that massive training is necessary for a change to succeed.

Whether you’re in Washington, or just trying to make some changes in the department or small business you run, you’ll need to follow the common sense understand, accept, do model of change management.  Like a lot of common sense, it’s conceptually simple.  But it takes a lot of determination, focus and stick-to-it-iveness to make it work.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

7 Things Every Leader Should Know

The May 2007 edition of Executive Leadership had an interesting piece entitled 7 Things Every Leader Must Know Before You Start Leading by Retired Army General William Cohen.  General Cohen says these are:

Seven Facts You Need to Know Before You Start Leading

1. One individual can make the difference between success and failure.  You can be that person.
2. Most people succeed only through the help of others.  While independence is good, interdependence is essential to leadership.
3. You don’t need any particular authority to lead.  You don’t need to wait for a promotion.  Just lead.
4. The basic elements of combat leadership will allow you to lead in nearly any situation, because combat poses the most severe crises, hardships and penalties for failure.
5. The essence of leadership is motivating people to do their best toward meeting your goals.
6. Leaders are made, not born.  You can learn.
7. Leadership doesn’t depend on a square deal or pleasant working conditions.  Given a worthy goal, you can motivate people without those rewards.

I agree with six or the seven.  Having never been in combat (thankfully), I am not in a position to comment on number 4.  I don’t know what “the basic elements of combat leadership” are, but I do agree that combat does impose very sever crises, hardships and penalties for failure.

I particularly like point 3.  Anyone can lead.  Leadership is less about position and more about your ability to articulate a goal and get people to go along with you as you move towards it.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Common Sense Leadership and Life Lessons Learned on the Rugby Pitch #2, Support Your Teammates

If you stand on the sidelines at a rugby match, “with you” are two of the words you’ll hear the players saying to one another most often.  The off sides law is a reason for this.

In rugby, the off sides law state that all of the players on the team with the ball must be behind the person who is carrying the ball.  This means, that unlike American football, there is no blocking.  In fact, if an offensive player comes between a defender and the person with the ball, he or she is assessed a penalty for obstruction.

You might be asking “if you can’t block, or even shield the ball carrier, how do you support him or her?”  The answer is simple – you support the ball carrier by being “with” him or her.  The ideal supporting position is approximately four or five yards to the right or left of, and a step or step and a half behind the ball carrier. 

This creates two very good options for the ball carrier.  As a defender is approaching and about to tackle the ball carrier, he or she can pass to the person in support.  Or, the ball carrier can “dummy” the defender – fake a pass to the person in support and continue running up the pitch.  If you are familiar with American football, the option play is based on a similar concept.

Rugby is a fluid game with possession changing frequently.  Therefore, supporting the ball carrier is absolutely necessary for success.  That’s why you will see rugby players running very hard to get into the ideal supporting position and calling out “with you” once they are there.  In this way, they are letting the ball carrier know that they are in position and that he or she has the option of passing to them, or dummying the opposition and continue to run with the ball.

In my career, I’ve learned the value of supporting my colleagues and coworkers.  I find the right supporting position, and then I let them know I am there if needed.  On the rugby pitch, when the ball carrier hears “with you”, he or she knows that his or her teammate is in the appropriate supporting position and that he or she can pass the ball to him or her.  On good rugby teams, the level of trust is high, because the players know they can count on one another to “be there” when they say they are.  Everybody focuses on doing his or her job, because they have the faith that all of their teammates are doing theirs.

The same is true in business.  The best way to support a colleague or coworker is to just do your job.  In this way, your colleagues have the confidence that comes from knowing that you will be in position to accept the handoff when the time comes.

Practice “being there” -- in the right supporting position – for your colleagues and coworkers.  If you do, you’ll earn there trust, and a trust is the basis of all successful work and life relationships.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.