What P.F. Drucker taught me today....

"Successful Leaders don't start out asking, "What do I want to do?" They ask, "What needs to be done."
-Richard Karlgaard


"For the Authority of Knowledge is surely as legitimate as the authority of position."
-P.F. Drucker

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My copyrited quote for your day! The value of the working person within your organization...

I had a supervisor once that would seem to relish in the opportunity of reminding us subordinates (what seemed every other day) "You are replaceable. There is a line of people waiting for your position."

Personally, I do not think this supervisor was actually attempting to be rude or mean but just make a point that there ARE people who could easily fill one of our spots if we were to ever move on, complained or were faced with termination. Non the less I don't believe any of us who ever heard this quote took it as a compliment. Rather I believe it really removed from us a bit of personal dignity every time it was said.

I have thought about it over the years and through experience realized there is a better way for structuring this quote that has strength, encouragement, praise as well as an awakening reminder. It is loosely based on the idea of the valued importance of taking care of your internal customers (employees) equally as well as your external customers (the consumer).

"You cannot replace good employees. These gems are invaluable to a company, coveted among the workforce. But you have to replace difficult employees. They are the catalysis for organizational entropy. "

Copyrited quote- Welcome to Synergy Cafe, Director of Residence Life Blogger (yup, your friend J.)

This is a personal reflection from an excerpt of A Carrot A Day: A Daily Dose of Recognition for your employees. by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton.

Recognition must be focused on the right behaviors

What is most important to me as a supervisor?

What specific actions do I value?

What values will I recognize from my staff and theirs?

That can be determined by answering some important questions and recognizing some important aspects of our position as a synergetical organization (Synergetical... is that even a word??).

1. Why are we here? Why do we even have a job?- Students living on campus in our residence halls. They are, in essence, our customer and our client. Their level of happiness and satisfaction is essentially our job security. Effective and reliable customer and clientele service. Our motto/mantra- A Customer Service Approach towards our Clientele.


2. The timely completion of our responsibilities affect the ability of others within the organization's to meet their own responsibilities. Initiative and timely completion of responsibilities, deadlines and projects.


3. Who are we working for and do we recognize and trust their level of accomplishments and experience over our own? This question is essential because it asks the overall question of are we motivated to help our supervisors succeed as much as we wish to success for ourselves? Proper attitude and behavior. Integrity. The ability to be led.


4. Our internal customers are just as valuable as our external customers in regards to our success. They can only be as effective as the leadership they are given. Effective and influential leadership. Respect for the dignity and integrity of resident staff and the community.


5. The ability to be a team player and take initiative, make sacrifices and take responsibility of one's own work and responsibility so another colleague doesn't have to is vital for cohesiveness within the organization as well as proper synergy. Support the department by taking initiate, sacrificing and meeting and exceeding the same standard that the rest of the team is responsible for.


6. The condition of one's residence hall tells a lot about the level of respect he/she has for their position as well as the level of pride they have for what they have been given responsibility for (i.e. the condition of the residence halls). Integrity, Pride and commitment to what one has been given responsibility for.

So if I was to list for my employees (and I soon will) describing what values staff member can expect to be recognized the list would be as follows-

• Proper over-all attitude/opinion and and personal behavior towards the department and University as a whole.


• Willingness to take initiative


• Personal Integrity


• Ability to keep and exceed department deadlines


• Ability to be led and taught. To willfully, thoroughly and timely follow supervisor's instructions/directions.


• Relationship building skills in regards to the residential community.


• Relationship building skills in regards to supervisor and teamwork and adoption and application of the synergy concept.


• Ability to follow all departmental guidelines and hold accountable those in residential community who do not follow guidelines and Student Code of Conduct.


• Ability to effectively manage and supervise a resident staff.


• Level of personal pride manifested in the care and condition of one's residence hall.

And as always friends- There are no problems, just challenges and opportunities for greatness.
-J