“To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to’t with delight.”

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“To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to’t with delight.”

– William Shakespeare, playwright

What are the qualities and the characteristics of people who love their work and take delight in it? Is it possible to intentionally design work in such a way as to foster greater employee engagement, satisfaction and productivity?

According to Daniel Pink, in his book Drive (published in 2009), three things are necessary:

  • Autonomy, which Pink describes as the ability to direct the course of your own life and the work that you perform.
  • Self-challenge and mastery, or the over-arching desire to improve yourself and get better at what you enjoy.
  • Purpose, the reason behind your role, beyond personal gain – yes, making a difference through your efforts.

Exercise:

How can you pursue greater autonomy, mastery, and purpose in your work … and influence your organization to foster these qualities for everyone?

“You can employ men and hire hands to work for you, but you must win their hearts to have them work with you.”

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“You can employ men and hire hands to work for you, but you must win their hearts to have them work with you.”

– William J. H. Boetcker, Presbyterian minister and public speaker

Are you an employee or a team member where you work?

Do you have a boss or a team leader that co-ordinates your efforts?

Do you have a vested interest in the work, beyond a paycheck?

Do your days fly by or drag on?

Over the past few years, much has been written and reported about Zappos and how they capture the hearts of both customers and associates. The book entitled Delivering Happiness tells the story of how they do it.

Exercise:

Check out this one-minute video to get a glimpse of what I mean:

http://www.deliveringhappiness.com/about-us

How can you capture employees’ hearts and help them be a part of something bigger?

“The employer generally gets the employees he deserves.”

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“The employer generally gets the employees he deserves.”

– Walter Gilbey, British politician and entrepreneur

A common coaching session I have with individuals in career transition involves the attraction and retention of talent. Once people get beyond specific technical abilities, skill-sets and experience, we find ourselves shifting from objective decision-making to an emotional decision-making process.

“Will this person have the potential to contribute great value to the organization?” the interviewer thinks.

“Will I be happy, challenged, and rewarded fairly?” the candidate thinks.

The bottom line with both of these forms of thinking is that we are attracted to the future possibility of choosing each other.

Exercise:

If you are an employer, build a company that creates a better future for each employee, and you will get an even better company.

If you are a potential employee, show organizations the future they will get by choosing you to join them.

“Good will is the one and only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.”

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“Good will is the one and only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.”

– Marshall Field

In many ways, I embrace new business strategies and tactics. I have a new website that is optimized and updated often. I blog, write, tweet, link, and so on.

On the other hand, I’m a bit of an old-fashioned guy. I meet most of my clients in person. I still network face-to-face. I’m a relationship guy.

It often takes considerable time to build trust, goodwill and loyalty. The value of such goodwill and loyalty has been measured through such sources as the book The Loyalty Effect – indicating its value in the billions.

Exercise:

How are your current personal and business practices building the asset of goodwill?

What new and additional ideas will you implement to capture and expand this important asset in the future?

“Entrepreneurship is the last refuge of the trouble making individual.”

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“Entrepreneurship is the last refuge of the trouble making individual.”

– Natalie Clifford Barney

There has been a considerable movement in the business world for a good number of years toward entrepreneurship and free agency.

Individuals who take this path have often found that traditional schools and the corporate world were not such a good fit for their authentic desires for professional self-expression. Sometimes these people felt like outcasts, misfits, or even became trouble-makers.

Exercise:

To what degree do you feel aligned with, and fit with, your current vocation?

Even if you choose to stay with this path, how might you venture into an even part-time entrepreneurial venture, to find some refuge?

From Harold S. Geneen

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“You read a book from beginning to end. You run a business the opposite way. You start with the end, and then you do everything you must to reach it.”

– Harold S. Geneen

I know a few people who actually read the last chapter of a book to determine if they wish to read the book from the beginning.

Yet few of us ever want to be told a joke’s punch line first, to be told how a sporting event turns out, or to know how a popular movie ends. We like to see how things evolve.

Achieving professional or personal goals is different. We like to ensure a happy, successful ending, and therefore this quote suggests that we begin with the end in mind.

Exercise:

What are your personal and professional goals? Take at least two to three minutes to actually write them down.

Take another two to three minutes to write out steps and milestones along the way that will help you reach them.

Consider doing this exercise with family members, colleagues … or a coach. 🙂

(You can find details of my coaching services here: http://www.dempcoaching.com/professional-services

Wise Quote from Henry David Thoreau

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“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.”

– Henry David Thoreau

One of the most satisfying things about being a coach is that I get to watch and participate in people’s conscious efforts to improve their lives. I get to ask them deep, probing questions about where they wish to move forward – and I get to watch them courageously turning these insights into action.

Unfortunately, some people don’t have adequate support to bring these unconscious commitments to the conscious surface and then provide an accountability structure to realize their goals.

Exercise:

Who can you talk and partner with, to elevate your life more intentionally?

“Behind every able man, there are always other able men.”

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“Behind every able man, there are always other able men.”

– Chinese Proverb

Whether you read the acknowledgements section of a book, observe an acceptance speech, or observe someone who looks back on a life well lived, one thing is clear: no one accomplishes anything great alone.

Who are the family members, mentors, colleagues, coaches, advisors, etc who have assisted you along the way?

Exercise:

How clear are these people about the difference they have made in your life?

Which of these people might you want to acknowledge today?

Of these people, who would put you on their list?

“The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.”

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“The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.”

– Edward Gibbon

Although we all know that it is impossible to control the wind and the waves of life, I do like the concept that as we travel life’s journey, we can still be capable navigators.

Exercise:

What adjustments can you make to your life’s rudders and sails to pursue your personal and professional goals, in spite of rough seas and strong headwinds?

From Douglas Everett

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“There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.”

– Douglas Everett

This quote sums up a primary reason why I am a coach. It may have been the reason I was inspired by the 1992 Olympic Games to pursue a coaching career.

The fundamental idea of turning one’s dreams into reality puts a smile on my face whenever I see the realization of this through the individual and collective efforts of my clients.

Two books related to this subject by Wayne Dyer are The Power of Intention and Manifest Your Destiny.  What will your dreams include as you envision a gold medal life?

Exercise:

Consider reading Dyer’s books and some other recommended books from my website to further realize your dreams:

http://www.dempcoaching.com/recommended-reading

To My Loyal Readers:  The Quotable Coach will be taking a few days off to enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday, and I encourage you to do the same.  You will be receiving my next broadcast on Monday, November 26.  Have a great week!