Greetings everyone, <br><br><span style="font-style: italic;">This BLOG note is from a website that I subscribe to done by Kevin Burns, and I have permission to share it. </span><br><br>I decided to share this <span style="color: rgb(64, 127, 0);">BLOG </span>with the attendees, board and membership as a reflection of some of the feelings expressed over the last the weekend and possible repercussions. You can see whom ever you want to as the boss, it has some great insights. <br><br><span style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);">"Organizations work fine. It's people who screw 'em up." (Kevin Burns)</span><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);">It is true though isn't it? Almost without exception, every single problem in every single business is created by
a person. If you could just take the people out of your organization, you would eliminate almost every single problem that you, as a boss, are forced to deal with. Think of how much more you could get done if there weren't "people" problems to deal with. You could probably reduce your hours to part-time status and still get the job done if there weren't people to deal with.</span><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);">Well good luck with that one. There ARE people to deal with. These are the same people you have either hired or at least had a hand in getting hired. These are your people. Without them, you wouldn't be needed. Thank your lucky stars for "people" problems. It's one of the things that keeps you, the boss, working.</span><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255,
255);"><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);">So since you've hired people to help you do the job, perhaps you could cut them a little slack and treat them like, well, treat them like they are valued by you. How would you want to be treated if given the same job and responsibilities? C'mon, it's not that hard to figure out. You'd like to hear an occasional, "Good job," or "Thanks," or "What would we do without you?" It's pretty simple. We all want to know how we're doing so it becomes your job, as a boss, to make sure that your people are not only given the coaching they require, but even an occasional bit of praise wouldn't hurt either.</span><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);">I can guarantee that
if you choose to praise your people on a regular basis, they will actually do more for you. How is that possible? When people take ownership of their work, they take pride in the workmanship. How can you get them to take ownership? Make a few heartfelt positive comments about their quality of work and watch the quality improve. People like to know that they are valued. The more you praise them, the more they are likely to perform for (not you) themselves. You get to take credit for a well-run and high-quality department.</span><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);">All it takes is a little positive reinforcement once in a while. Treat your people like the valued people that they are. Your company's work wouldn't get done without them. And if you don't value their work, then one of two things is taking
place: either they don't want to work for you or you hired the wrong people. Either way, they are not to blame - you are. You obviously don't know how to hire properly or can't coach worth a damn. Either way, the coach (boss) needs to be fired then.</span><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);">Connect with your people on a personal level and they will begin to take their work and work ethic personally. When it gets personal, pride gets involved. When pride is involved, the quality of work has a much better chance of being top-notch.</span><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><br style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic; background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);">Your people are both your most important asset as well as
your greatest liability. Your job, as a boss, is being able to differentiate the two. If you can't differentiate the two, then your people aren't the problem. That just leaves you.</span><div style="background-color: rgb(191, 255, 255);"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kevin Burns - Author & Attitude Adjuster</span> </font></div><br><br>I absolutely felt the weekend was a great success even though this may not be shared by some in attendance. My reason is simply this, there was much discussion, sometimes heated or rather verbal I admit, however, discussion none the less, that in my opinion is what is the biggest challenge with this organization and every other organization for that matter , communication. We had lots of communication over the week end and I hope to be sending out a report and notes on all of it, early in the new year, so watch for it and I challenge you to learn from it and
get involved with it. <br><br>As a member of the SAR Alberta Board I am proud of what we are trying to accomplish and what we have accomplished there is much happening. It may be moving slowly but that is how change occurs some of the time and we need to be supportive and patient. We all need to remember that each and every one of us are volunteers and we should be commended for a job well done. It is not easy to sit at the head of any organization or on it's board, some times it is down right scary and overwhelming. <br><br>I welcome any input, be it concerns, suggestions, criticisms or kudos, does not matter all of it is good in my opinion. There are still several vacant spots on this Board as well as much committee work to be accomplished. Let me know if you wish to become more involved in any way. SAR Alberta as a whole can function best if the load is shouldered by more of it's passionate SAR
volunteers. I want to thank all the folks that have stepped up to help already and for all the good work you do, I do appreciate it. So I will leave you with this Chinese Proverb I found: <br><br><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(64, 127, 0);">Do not Fear going forward, slowly leaving the past behind, fear only to stand still. </span> <br><br>Thanks to those or you who made the extra effort to attend the <br>2007 SAR Alberta Fall General Membership meeting it is truly appreciated <br>and needed, take care. Have a safe and happy holiday season. <br><br> Interim Secretary (again......) for SAR Alberta <br>Michelle Maschke<br><br><p> 
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