The other day I was ... a group ... at one ofmy off-line ... I was ... about 15 ... an office position and going over the three ... traits that I requi
The other day I was conducting a group interview at one of
my off-line businesses. I was addressing about 15 applicants
for an office position and going over the three basic
character traits that I require. I've talked about these same
principles with every applicant since I started hiring help for
my businesses in 1976 and have since hired hundreds of people.
I have hired and worked people of virtually all types: men; women;
gay; straight; various races and religions; tall; short; skinny; fat.
See, to me, it's not any of that. It's the character and heart of an
individual that matters.
As I explained to them, these 3 traits are not only what I
require of employees, but what I look for in anyone I associate
with, whether they are vendors, advisors or friends. As are
most values, these were taught to me at an early age by my
parents. They are:
Honesty-Dependability-Attitude
Honesty-I only want to deal with honest people and I’m not just
talking about stealing. I mean people who, if you ask them a
question, they will tell you the truth-good-bad-or ugly! And
sometimes it isn’t only what you say that is dishonest, it is
what you don’t say. My dad always said that lying was the same
as stealing and aside from the fibs we tell for politeness (that
was a good dinner Mrs. Jones), I believe he was right.
Honesty in your business is a major key to long term success!!
Dependability-I was raised in a successful family business and
started working on the payroll when I was twelve. In my family,
you didn’t miss school or work unless you were too sick to get
out of bed. Otherwise, you dragged yourself in and hoped some-
body would have mercy and send you home.
I was also taught to always arrive at least 10 minutes early for
any scheduled event. There was no "fashionably late" to my dad.
Of course the result has been countless hours of waiting on
other people throughout my life and being the first to arrive
at parties.
Very few people today are that dependable and even fewer young
people and kids are being taught these lessons. I call being
habitually late and/or no showing, "The Silent Killers", because
very few customers or friends will tell you that being undepend-
able is why they no longer associate or do business with you!
I’ve found by starting and running eight successful businesses,
in varied fields and arenas, that just being dependable and
trying your best to keep regular hours, live up to your com-
mitments in a timely fashion and being consistent; can give you
a big head start on the competition.
Dependability alone can separate your business from the field!!
Attitude-Last but certainly not least is attitude. The longer we
live, the more we understand that our attitude is the one and only
thing that we have 100% control over! I’m sure I’ll have plenty to
say about attitude in future issues, so just a couple of thoughts.
Your attitude determines not only your honesty and dependability
but also all of your other actions. It ultimately will determine
not only the success of your business but of your entire life!
Put simply, your attitude is determined by your thoughts, and your
thoughts are determined largely by what you allow yourself to focus
or dwell on. Each and every day we have to be vigilant about what
we choose to watch, read and listen to. Our attitude can also be
influenced by those we choose to associate with. So choose wisely!
I certainly have times when my attitude gets sour. We all have bad
days! I like the analogy of the garden, where our good thoughts,
influences and associations are like the fruits, vegetables and
flowers. They need constant tending and attention to grow. Whereas,
the negative or self-defeating thoughts and influences are like the
weeds, they have to be pulled constantly. Unlike the flowers, doing
nothing favors the weeds and they will take over the garden.
So invest in the tools that will help you understand how to build and
maintain a positive, winning attitude. Your investment will pay
dividends not only in your business but in your personal and spiritual
life as well.
Your attitude will ultimately determine the success of your business!!
Do the thing and you’ll have the power!!
