A tip for Michiana businesses: Be encouraged.

Over the years as a manager and later as a consultant, I’ve been asked time and time again, “how do we create a better culture in our company?  How do we get 100% from 100% of our employees?”  We’ve coached and mentored employees.  We’ve facilitated workshops and training sessions.  Most of the “programs” were thorough, extensive and very well thought out.  But, just like most things, rather than extensive “programs,” it’s most often the simple things that really work. 

Of the many organizations I’ve worked with, I’ve seen one effort that consistently works very well.  It’s from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  They call it their Dignity and Respect Campaign.  Notice, they did not call it a program, but a “campaign”.  The mission is: “To unify under a shared belief that everyone deserves dignity and respect by encouraging behavioral change in individuals, communities, schools, and organizations”.

Of their more than 30,000 employees they ask what it would take for each of them to feel included and valued as employees.  The employees themselves came up with 30 simple behaviors, that if everyone practiced them, it would lead to a culture they would want to share.  Here’s what they came up with.

1.  Sweat the small stuff.  “It’s often the small stuff like being kind and courteous that make the difference”. 
2.  Smile.  A smile can be contagious
3.  Listen.  People feel respected when they know you’re listening to their point of view.
4.  Say hello.  You could make someone’s.
5.  Say Thank you.  Gratitude is a gift that is never too small to give.
6.  Reinvent the wheel.  Do something that has not already been done.
7.  Be open.  Try to experience new thoughts and ideas as learning opportunities.
8.  Be flexible.  Things don’t always go as planned.  Adapt to changing conditions when necessary.
9.  Join the team.  Do your part to support teamwork.
10.  Be a relationship builder.  Seek ways to expand your network.
11.  Treat others the way they want to be treated.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me.
12.  Be culturally competent.  Differences are barriers only if we allow them to be.
13.  Break the Ice.  Start a conversation with someone new.
14.  Demonstrate mutual respect.  Inclusion means being respectful, regardless of position or title.  High Five someone.
15.  Ask.  It’s ok to ask when you’re not sure.
16.  Find common ground.  Discover what you have in common.
17.  Communicate respectfully.  It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.
18.  Practice patience.  Take the time to get the full story.
19.  Seek understanding.  It’s better to not fully understand than to fully misunderstand.
20.  Share your point of view.  Everyone has a perspective.  Let others benefit from yours.
21.  Get someone else’s point of view.  After sharing your perspective, give others a chance to share theirs.
22.  Lead the way.  Let your inclusive behavior light a path for others.
23.  Do the right thing.  Be fair.
24.  Be considerate.  Your words and actions affect others.
25.  Remember, we all make mistakes.  Resist the urge to point out the ones that others make.
26.  Get involved.  Make a difference.  Get caught being good.
27.  Become a mentor.  You, yes you, can help others realize their potential.
28.  Take a healthy step.  Do something healthy for yourself and encourage a friend to join you.
29.  Lend a hand.  A little help can go a long way.
30.  Be a champion of dignity and respect.  Encourage others to do the same.

What if each day we encouraged this way of dealing with one another throughout all of Michiana?  What if each day we all practiced the same tip and held each other accountable for practicing it?  Today is November 30th.  And Tip number 30 is to be a champion of dignity and respect and to encourage others to do the same.  Consider yourself encouraged.