Job Security Hack:
The quickest way to be respected and valued in a group or organization is by taking the attitude of an owner.
Most people participate but don’t commit. They accept a job but don’t truly take on the responsibility associated with it. You can hear it in their comments; “Sorry, that’s not my job.” “We are about to close, you’ll have to come back another time.” “That’s not our policy.” “There is nothing I can do about it.” “Sir, the sign says ‘No exceptions.'” “I’m on break.”
But a rare and wonderful few truly take on the role of making things happen and getting things done. Employers LOVE this! If you want job security, don’t think like a job holder. Think like an owner. Truly care about the customers, respect your company, learn all that you can about it. Be a solution source. Make things happen, do what is needed and what is right. Find a way. Customers will also love you. And your boss will not want to lose you from the team. In tough times, we keep the people who are valuable to the company. Others can come and go.
A dear friend of mine recently became the General Manager of a luxury resort. He asked for some recommendations and I shared the following suggestions.
1. Make a point of impressing everyone with how good of a listener you are. You will be tempted to tell them about yourself, but they really want to know if you are sincerely interested in them. Be more interested in them than you are in your own plans.
2. Act as if you were acquiring ownership of the resort. Inspect it as a skeptical buyer would. Look at everything. Inquire about everything. Walk every inch of the property, twice (so as not to be misled by first impressions only.) Explore the system and practices they use day to day. Open every door and cabinet. Have the employees give you an orientation to each of their jobs and duties.
Roam the neighborhood and ask people about the resort. What do they think about it? How do they feel about it? What is its local reputation? What stories are circulating about it, true or not? If it were your money would you buy it as is? Or would you require some changes, upgrades, renovations first? Think like an owner.
You don’t have to BE an owner in order to think as one. Just take the perspective that everything matters to you and you will have a long history with this entity. Invest yourself and you will see abundant returns on your investment.
If your existing organization could use more of this thinking, call me. Let’s get everyone on board. info@cathcart.com
