At one time or another, we have all been offended. Someone has said or did something that hurt our feelings. Regardless of how tough we are; it has happened to all of us. As our 24/7 lives become chaotic with daily demands, especially during extremely busy stressful times; I am noticing that the level of sensitivity goes up proportionally. Things that we would normally not think anything of and likely blow off; suddenly become a major offense. Just like a Rooster, the tail feathers are up in the air and we are on the defensive ready for a battle. Quite often, the intent of the comment (verbal or written) was not what we received or they were just having a bad day. Long after it has left their mind, we are still stewing over it; waiting for the next opportunity to get even. It should not be about us getting even, because it is really about us being too sensitive. Leave your sensitivity at the door and use anything said as an opportunity for improvement. Awareness is our greatest asset to improvement. So, put on your grownup panties and deal with it!
Posts Tagged ‘SQS’
Too Sensitive
Saturday, May 29th, 2010
Team player
Friday, April 30th, 2010Quite frankly, one of the most overused words in the English vocabulary. Everyone thinks they are a team player and if there is a problem within the team, it is someone else on the team. True team players understand that either you are part of the solution, or you are part of the problem. Characterized by seeing the bigger picture and doing whatever is necessary for the benefit of the team are just two of their strong attributes. They also respect all members of the team. Often they use words like “We” and “Us”, not “they” or “them”. Motivated to exceed goals and expectations, each member of the team clearly understands their role and the expectations of the team. Peer pressure is far more effective in holding all team members accountable and members work harder to make each other be right than proving them wrong.
Attitude Adjustment – an internal choice
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010With unemployment levels at a 26-year high and hovering around 10%; employees have been called on to push boundaries deep into unchartered waters. Employer expectations for performance, demand for customer service and the survival needs of the organization have all increased requirements on the employee. Employees are being required to wear multiple hats, think outside the box, help others be right instead of proving them wrong, work longer hours; all the while constantly reaffirming their value to the organization with great personal sacrifice. These stressors and the increased tension inside organizations have led to some unpleasant working environments due to poor attitudes. In an environment with a huge talent pool competing for a limited number of positions; a poor attitude can put the final nail in your coffin. Periodically step back and take a hard look at your attitude; if it sucks then you need to internally make some decisions for a better attitude. Remember our responses trigger responses in others, so if you want good responses you need to give good responses. Attitude, good or bad, is an internal choice that only you can make.
Happy 71 Years BCI!
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010At 71 years of age, BCI still resides in Bremen, IN. Over the years BCI has gone through many changes as we all do. From no shirts and pitch-forking coke to the cupola to CNC grinders and painted assembled parts to our customers. All of these changes have come and gone with great team members through-out the years. BCI has always taken care of itself to prepare for the future to ensure a long life and just not a place of employment but a family style organization to help cast everyone and everything we touch into a valuable and responsible individual. It is crucial for everyone to be a team member and a active citizen within our communities. We do this under our core values followed up with the statement that we push down to everyone that “Status Quo Sucks”! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BCI!!!!!
Where the rubber meets the road
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
Where the rubber meets the road, is the moment of truth. It really doesn’t matter what you say or how you do it; results are what really count. Team BCI has embraced this “Status Quo Sucks” (SQS) culture over the last couple of years to bring Bremen Castings to new heights of performance and achievement. We have weathered this economic recession like we were playing for the Gold medal at the Olympics; building endurance, strength and teamwork.
Today, we are accomplishing tasks that would have been difficult, if not impossible just a few short years ago. Team members are working hardly and smarter than any other time in their tenure. New records are being set and then broken daily. The bar keeps raising; Team BCI reaches and then exceeds the bar. We can take pride in our accomplishments; however we will not take it for granted, nor lose sight of our mission. Our core values define us and SQS has become a way of life.
Breaking Point
Monday, March 1st, 2010Listening to the continued controversy regarding water boarding, it suddenly clicked that everyone has their breaking point. It may take longer for some to reach that point, but internally we all possess a breaking point. Reaching that point for some has meant violence from otherwise normal citizens. Still others end up in psychiatric hospitals, a prisoner of their own body. Interrogation techniques have evolved over the years as it has taken more extreme measures to abstract vital information from terrorists; terrorists that train long and hard on how to withstand our interrogation techniques.
Pushing employees to their breaking point is never an objective of any management style. Teamwork, accountability and peer pressure are far more effective management techniques; than brow beating an employee to their breaking point. If an employee is not on the right bus, help them find an alternate bus route. If they are in the wrong seat on the bus, help them change seats if one is available. With employees honesty is always the best approach, not always the easiest conversation but definitely the best. If you feel you are being pushed to your breaking point; your options include (1) giving up, (2) recommending changes that are good for the organization and yourself or (3) you can remove yourself from the bus and find your own alternate route.
Transparency
Sunday, February 28th, 2010
Transparency in an organization is a state the many organizations strive to achieve, but few will every reach. The light projecting through the organization to show every aspect, the good, the bad and the ugly; brings forth plentiful opportunities for improvement. Status Quo Sucks at Bremen Castings means no rock unturned and no aspect hidden. While human nature is that of survival of the fittest and playing politics; only transparency and hard work are our rewards. At the end of the day, the most important thing that we can hear is that we have done a “good job”.
Teamwork, why not?
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010The synergy that comes out of teamwork means the output from the team is greater than the individual parts. If we all agree with this concept, then why not always put the good of the team before our individual needs? Team players often put the team first; occasionally they can temporarily lose focus of the mission; however they come back for greater good of the team.
Non-team players can only focus on their little piece of the pie and, because they do not value being part of the team; often head in a direction either different or detrimental to the team. Remember, the team is guiding and directing the bus to their final destination. Their seats on the bus are strategic and give greater output to the goals and objectives of the organization.
Non-team players, you don’t have a seat on the bus; you are under the bus, hanging onto the carriage, and likely will fall off at the next speed bump. If you don’t like being under the bus, get with the program! Focus on the team mission and take your rightful seat on the bus to help the team achieve even greater output.
Carol Senour
Shelf Life
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Everything has a shelf life including people; an expiration beyond which their usefulness to the organization is null and void. A hiring decision was once made, because of their qualifications and cultural fit with the organization’s core values. Here is where we often miss the boat, the organization is evolving and we too must evolve or face extinction. Those stuck in status quo are often the first to expire, because they cannot accept change. We need to be refreshing, renewing and redefining ourselves; in step with the changes within the organization.
The easiest and most practical way to make sure your shelf life expires on your terms; read a variety of material daily, embrace change, challenge the way you do everything, learn something new from others in the organization every day, and keep up on technological changes in your field of expertise.
Empty Cubicles
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010We have all seen them, empty cubicles, the result of this severe recession. What does it say to those that remain and are forced to walk past them every day? Are they grateful to still be employed? Could they be fearful that they will be next on the chopping block? Is it a constant reminder of what was once? What I think it should tell employees, is that there company has made difficult decisions for the long-term health of the organization. Times change and great organizations are adaptive to change for survival and long-term growth. Change is good; embrace it before it leaves you behind.
Association Junkies
Thursday, February 4th, 2010The struggling economy has made most companies and families tighten the screws of spending and involvement in profit and non for profit organizations, with that being said this should be a best practice that is always followed in any kind of economy as a fiduciary responsible party of that particular family or company. I can say that I have not really given this any thought before the last qtr of 2009. Most companies join their industry associations and probably another half dozen or so. Why does one do this? Does it make the company feel better? Is money no issue? Because they asked? You love acronyms? What ever the reason for joining these associations, I bet you can find waste. I have lately made a list of all the associations we belong too and five bullet points under each association. If I cannot list five significant benefits that we are receiving from that association, then our membership must be evaluated and dealt with.
Workplace Drama
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010Does your organization experience workplace drama? If simple tasks become a big ordeal, you have drama. If you have employees that feel like the world only centers around them, you have drama. If you have employees that feel the need to correct others in a very public way, you have drama.
Drama is a stressor and it reduces valuable resources that could be focused on other projects/issues to improve the organization.
Backroom Deals at an all time high
Friday, January 15th, 2010Just when I think this healthcare reform cannot get any crazier; there is yet another backroom deal that proves me wrong. Last night, Union and Federal Employees receive a deal to delay them having to pay any “Cadillac Tax” on their healthcare benefits until 2018; five years after the rest of us non-union employees start paying. Today this last major hurdle in Healthcare Reform just left a $60 million dollar hole in how we are going to pay for this plan and our elected officials are determining how to make up the difference. As this inches closer to becoming a reality, one can only hope this madness will stop.
Carol Senour
New Year’s Resolution vs. New Year’s Goal
Thursday, December 31st, 2009Today is New Year’s Eve and all the media seem to be talking about is New Year’s Resolutions. More specifically, they want to know how many of us are making them and what types of resolutions are being selected. One commentator thinks we should call them New Year’s Goals; so we will not feel like such a failure when we do not succeed. New Year’s Goal must not sound as important and final as New Year’s Resolution. Really, who cares what you call them; a commitment is a commitment. Those of us that decide to make them tonight chose attainable stretch goals that make us better in 2010. Don’t buy into this failure theory; your success is tied to you and your commitment to what you have selected.
Happy Anniversary, Mr. President
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009Bremen Castings is very fortunate to have a forward thinking President focused on technological advances that will cement a strong future for our organization. Today, JB Brown celebrates 16-years with Bremen Castings. From the days of running the Cupola to becoming President in January 2005, has been a journey of change that many of us have been able to witness all or part of that journey. Congratulations JB Brown, President of Bremen Castings!
Carol Senour