role models Archives - Dennis E. Gilbert

08
Jun 20
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Typical Workplace Behaviors Tell Us About Culture

Tags : behaviors culture customer service role models

McDonald’s has a typical hamburger. Not a great deal different from Burger King, Wendy’s, or Carl’s Jr. Similar things tell us about what is typical. Are there typical workplace behaviors?

You bet.

In some communities the typical workplace behavior is far different from others. Pay scales may be different, opportunities are different, and the talent pool, well, it’s different.

In all cases we identify what is typical. We look at the norms, the behaviors and the values and beliefs. Once spotted, we label them, typical.

Typical for Culture?

Many organizational cultures talk about competition, efficiency, and quality. Some embrace sports teams, political currents, or even religious pathways. It may not be typical, but it is typical for those organizations.

Setting aside any legal aspects, the people are at free-will to determine what culture looks like. Management always has expectations, are they good role models?

Certainly, there are always outliers. There are the extremes. Extreme complacency, revolt, or even fast-trackers. Yet, the masses seem to make up the true definition.

Hard chargers often don’t like average. Those on the victim side of the scale don’t really high-performers. Every culture has a definition though.

How would you define yours?

Typical Workplace Behaviors

When you know who your organization really is, then it is much easier to define the customer. It is better for focus, commitment, and overcoming adversity.

Being on the same page, and, all in it together, takes on a more intense meaning in practice.

You should ask yourself, “What am I role modeling?”

Your brand depends on it.

So do your customers.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

16
Apr 20
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Workforce Trendsetters Can Be Role Models

Tags : data models prototype role models trendsetters

Workforce trendsetters guide the way. Are you one of them?

The plastic miniature toy car that you glued together, the Barbie doll, or the not to scale balsa wood project, they’re all models. They are replicas with the intent to illustrate the real thing.

In the workplace there are many opportunities for models.

Data models may help us understand productivity, examine forecasts, or analyze accounting practices.

Scaled models may help the architect, serve as a prototype, or become a selling tool.

Organizational leaders are models too.

Workplace Role Models

Workforce trendsetters serve as a model. They model the behaviors, the actions, or the appropriate values and beliefs.

Attitudes help shape organizational culture and are illustrations of role modeling.

Dress code, language, and personal protective equipment might be role modeled.

Habits connected to neatness, cleanliness, or the management of waste can also serve as examples for modeled behavior.

It can go further, such as communication habits, preservation of confidentiality or the management of gossip.

Models are only a model though. They are an image or representation of the real thing.

Some are followed and replicated. Some should be, some shouldn’t be, and for some, the jury is still out.

Should you start a positive trend?

Workforce Trendsetters

Data matters, but is it valid and reliable?

What is supported, culturally? What are the values and beliefs as illustrated by the formal leaders?

Have you considered the flow, or the perception that appears to be celebrated by the masses, the sub-groups, or cliques?

It’s true for the dress code, for safety, and for organizational culture.

What gets modeled is visible and often replicated.

For what you do next, consider the model.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

21
Feb 20
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Inspiring Role Models Make a Difference

Tags : culture engagement inspiring role models

There are role models and then there are inspiring role models. The latter is a step above or goes beyond. Are you a role model and if so, which type?

Our workplaces are filled with role models. When we break things down, we could suggest that there are good role models and bad.

Good role models are an icon. They represent something that stands out, sets a standard, and is an example to be followed.

A bad role model may be someone who is creating an image, establishes some following, or models aspects of a culture inappropriate or not aligned with the organizational mission.

What about inspiring role models?

Inspiring Role Models

Inspiring role models are a good role model who brings everything to life.

In many organizations we have those people who have been around for a while. They have lots of experience, expertise, and formally or informally stand out as an icon of the organization’s principles and values.

They’re a good role model.

Employees can look around and see them, point them out, and others see them too. They’re real life and factual.

Inspiring role models are a cut above the rest. Not only are they represented because they are the image of what the organization wants to be, they bring it to life.

This advanced level of role model reminds everyone of what is possible. They see opportunities in adversity, they change the working environment with their energy and presence. They often turn struggle spots into triumphs.

In some ways, perhaps, everyone is a role model. If so, you will decide if you are bad, good, or inspiring.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

13
May 19
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What Is In Your Workplace History?

Tags : history original ideas role models workplace

The past may serve as a guide, leading us forward to the next milestone, breakthrough, or dead end. How is your workplace history serving as a guide?

I have a good friend who loves research. He picks a topic and researches its origins, the good, the bad, and even the ugly.

One point he commonly shares with me is that there seems to be very little original thought, most new breakthroughs originate from a start long ago.

Role Models

In workforce circles the discussion is often about role models. Be a great leader, inspire, and build success.

Role models are really an extension of the past. Taking an original idea, mindset, or cultural value and building on it. Sure, things ebb and flow, shape and change, yet there exists an original idea.

What does your organization do? Does it build wheels, make tires, or sell them? Build a box, put something in a box, or deliver a box? Grow, process, or serve food? Does it in one way or another serve people? Nothing new here.

Workplace History

We role model what we do because our form of commerce has likely developed from something traded long ago. A service, a product, and help somebody do something, earn some food or shelter or become part of the group.

Today people role model through their workplaces, social media feed, and community influencers. The culture of each workplace develops its personality by watching, learning, adapting, and becoming.

The future of your workplace is developed largely through its history. Most thoughts are not original and are built upon across time. We shape what will happen next.

That is our responsibility. Stay accountable.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

15
Jan 18
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Ethical Challenges for Leaders and Role Models

Tags : ethical challenges leadership role models

The backbone of honorable leadership may be ethics. Do you stop to think about how your leadership practices affect employees, morale, or sales? Have you considered the ethical challenges or decisions that you may make every day?

I believe the root of your behavior often depends on the questions you ask yourself. For many employees and for the values, beliefs, and traditions of the organization are ethical standards something you think about? Do you have a written code of ethics?

Ethical Challenges

Here is a partial list of ethical questions that may challenge or enhance your ethical standards:

If no one notices does it still matter?
Should all errors be fixed or can some be ignored?
If errors cost, who will be paying?
Is telling someone what they want to hear sometimes required?
Can we replace it with something cheaper?
Are there opportunities to hire someone who will do the same work for less pay?
Does the fine print really matter?
Should we ship it if it isn’t quite ready?
If everyone else is doing it, it must be OK, right?
Can you please just tell them I’m in a meeting?
What shortcuts can we take?
I wonder if anyone will notice if I borrow our competitors PowerPoint slides?
Should we notify the vendor that they charged us for less than what we received?
Does that policy apply to everyone?
Does gossip matter if it isn’t about our employees?
Should we tell the customer we overcharged them?
Can we remove some of the safety equipment if it slows productivity?
Is that the legal definition?
Do we have to listen or can we ignore them?
Should we hire this person to meet a racial diversity or gender quota?

Leaders and Role Models

Leaders, not just people with a formal title will often work hard to establish a healthy organizational culture. Sometimes though, they just don’t ask the right questions.

What will you do, especially when no one is watching?

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, #CustServ The Customer Service Culture, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

04
Oct 17
-

Is It Your Customer Service Responsibility?

Tags : cutomer service opportunities responsibility role models

Some businesses and organizations believe that their only responsibility is to offer the product or service. The thinking may be that when you build it they will come. Is there something more? What is your customer service responsibility?

You can make a plan. You can give it timelines and milestones. Perhaps you will chart it, graph it, and measure its effectiveness. You can tell everyone on the team the proper behaviors, update them on policy and procedure, and question them on their understanding. Will that make it happen?

The easy (and safe) answer is that it might. Many organizational leaders still struggle to understand though why the ball gets dropped.

Choices and Actions

Everything thing we do every day is about choice. Employees will come to work by choice. They’ll choose their mind-set, behaviors, and actions. There will also be ground breakers, rebels, and rule testers. We know that the trick is to have the right people, but is there something else missing?

What may be missing is the right culture. It is all about the culture. Tradition, the atmosphere, and the organizational climate guide every rule, decision, action, behavior, reaction, and opportunity.

The first question to ask isn’t how well the people are trained, it is probably better to be asking about their readiness. Is the entire organization ready to be responsible for the customer experience? Not just the front line, not just sales, or the department we fondly call customer service, everyone.

Customer Service Responsibility

What makes a difference for the customer experience is when the right people are on the job, the training has taken place, and the culture of the organization is ready.

Ready for what you may ask, ready to take responsibility. You can plan for a large possibility of customer interactions. Building the product is important, establishing the workflow matters, and every touch point represents a chance to set the standard.

Regardless of the business sector, it all matters. The decision to act, to be a part of the customer experience, to engage, connect, to share, and especially to lead is the opportunity.

It is all there, ready to be taken. Many people will follow the model. The model exists within the culture. Cultures don’t build models, models build culture.

Become the (role) model, it is an opportunity, but more than that it may be your customer service responsibility.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, #CustServ The Customer Service Culture, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

20
Feb 17
-

Role Models and Why We Need Them

Tags : career growth coaching mentor role models

Who are your role models? Do you really need them? Has anyone ever asked you about role models?

In one form or another I’ve been helping others in the workplace for three decades. I’ve had the great fortune of seeing many people grow and develop their careers.

Unfortunately I’ve watched even more slip through the cracks just short of their reach for something more.

Sure, some people believe they can breakthrough on their own. Those with strong willpower and desire (hunger) probably can. That same person with the help of a good coach or mentor can probably achieve it sooner and with more quality, fewer mistakes, and a greater reputation for their work.

Role Models

Many of the people who I coach get this question from me, “Who are your role models?” Honestly, I typically don’t get a quick answer, and I don’t expect one. However, having a great role model or several role models can significantly impact your career.

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits to having a great role model comes from trying to close the gap.

You know the gap. It’s the one between your current behaviors, your knowledge, your skills and abilities, and those of the role model. Without a solid goal or a vision of where you want to be, you’ll likely not go very far.

When people attend school they feel an obligation to learn. When people attend a workshop, participate in an on-line course, read a book (or blog), watch a video, listen to a podcast, or receive advice from a mentor or coach they might feel a similar obligation.

The obligation is the relationship that exists between the student and the teacher. It’s a good one, but it’s different when compared with the obligation of becoming more like your role model.

Why We Need Them

People with role models set a visionary standard for themselves. They hold the role model in the highest regard. They respect, admire, and honor those who have set an example that they would like to follow.

Perhaps most important, they take responsibility to achieve more and they own the appreciation and humility often required to propel them to the next level.

This is their obligation, not because someone told them they should or must, but because it is their desire. It might be a grandparent, parent, brother or sister. Sometimes it might be a teacher, religious leader, or their boss. In other cases, it might come from a book, a movie, or even a friend’s recommendation.

The difference is that they own it, they own it by choice.

Make a Selection

Choose a role model, or select a few of the very best qualities from several.

Everyone needs role models, not just because they set the example, but because we find it an honor to strive to be that good.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

Tag Archives: role models

Jun 20

-

Typical for Culture?

Typical Workplace Behaviors

Apr 20

-

Workplace Role Models

Workforce Trendsetters

Feb 20

-

Inspiring Role Models

May 19

-

Role Models

Workplace History

Jan 18

-

Ethical Challenges

Leaders and Role Models

Oct 17

-

Choices and Actions

Customer Service Responsibility

Feb 17

-

Role Models

Why We Need Them

Make a Selection

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