Author Archives: Harry K. Jones

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Are You a Thermometer … or a Thermostat?

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As you know, we’ve been providing “classic” lessons, anecdotes, allegories, parables, and narratives from past generations in the hope of providing inspiration and encouragement to those “future leaders” in today’s business world. The more I review these “generational gems,” the more I believe we should be sharing them with our children and grandchildren as well. They’re easily understood and certainly provide the wisdom and guidance needed to cope with the many challenges we face today. Here’s another “gem” to pass along.

ARE YOU A THERMOMETER … OR A THERMOSTAT?

In most every office, home and business you can easily find that small, yet familiar, unit that hangs on the wall as it determines our level of comfort. Within this apparatus you’ll find two critical components—a thermometer and a thermostat.

When you stop and think about it, we can be very much like either of those components. Which one are you? Think about it—a thermometer measures the temperature. A thermostat changes the temperature. One tells about the conditions surrounding it while the other makes a difference in those conditions in the environment where it is located.

Isn’t that very much like the choices we face day in and day out? Upon further examination, you must admit that just about anyone can describe a situation or complain about a problem. In fact, a lot of people do just that on a regular basis. Let’s be honest, it’s not too difficult to be a thermometer.

However, in our role as leaders at any level, it’s our responsibility to make a difference in the atmosphere in which we exist. We’re expected to be condition changers—we’re thermostats … not thermometers!

Your family, friends and associates appreciate someone who is under control, who doesn’t succumb to stress, who’s steady and reliable. Those thermostat people are rare—and valuable.

It takes courage to make the move from a thermometer to a thermostat—one who has the inner power to set a new direction. Perhaps, the greatest challenge that you will ever face is developing the courage that brings you an unshakable self-confidence. Fortunately, developing courage can be learned and even enhanced—it just takes practice.

Strive constantly to develop and strengthen two habits which will serve you well in your quest for success:

Habit 1:
Perhaps, the most important kind of courage is the courage to begin, to launch, to take that initial step toward your goal. The future belongs to the risk takers, not the security seekers. The more you seek opportunity, the more likely you will achieve the security you desire. Plan and prepare thoroughly in advance. Be proactive. Set clear goals and objectives, and then gather information. Read and research your chosen field of endeavor. 

Habit 2:
Develop the courage to endure, to persist, to stay at it once you have begun, no matter what. Plan your work and work your plan. Hang in there even in the face of disappointment and unexpected short-term setbacks. Tenacity is a tremendous attribute.

So which will you be … a Thermostat or Thermometer? The choice is yours to make. Choose wisely.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

How to Be More Effective with People

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As I mentioned when we started this series of generational gems, these stories have been around forever. However, considering the level of service we find in today’s marketplace—regardless of the industry—this is an analogy that should be retold again and again within many organizations. As a result, EXPECTATIONS can be given, ACCOUNTABILITY established, and CONSEQUENCES shared. Let’s not let this gem fade into the past.

Remember the old parable about the Wind and the Sun? Wind, being the blowhard that he is, bragged that he was more powerful than the Sun. So the Sun challenged the Wind to a test of strength. “See that young man walking along the road down there? Let’s see if you’re strong enough to make him give up his fine wool coat,” said the Sun. “Nothing to it,” Wind smirked.  “Watch this!”

The Wind inhaled mightily and then expelled a cruel blast of cold air at the lonely figure below. The young man was almost swept off his feet, but the coat stayed on. In fact, the harder the Wind blew, the more diligently the man struggled to retain possession of his jacket and its protective warmth. Finally the Wind gave up trying to force the battered and buffeted man to give up his coat.

“Now, let me try,” said the Sun. And the Sun smiled warmly and expansively down on the young man. Almost immediately the man’s tightly-clenched fingers began to relax. The Sun continued to beam serenely, and soon, one by one, the buttons on the coat were loosened. Shortly thereafter, the young man slipped off the unwanted jacket and went whistling down the road.

The moral is quite clear. You can usually accomplish much more with a warm smile than with bluster and brute force. Before dismissing this familiar bit of common sense as being much too elementary and trivial, think about it. It may be “common sense,” but it’s certainly not all that commonly practiced.

To take the moral a step further, consider the warm smile as “good service” and the cruel blast of cold air as “poor or even non-existent service.” Which is more effective? Which will bring your customers back to your establishment time and time again?

Although you may be given the product and/or service, the quality, the price, and the proper training, the only ingredient missing is SERVICE. The most important ingredient can only be supplied by YOU! You hold the key to success! Use it!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

A Beacon of Leadership

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As I look back over the decades we’ve been consulting, training and keynoting, it becomes more and more difficult to remember all of the clients we’ve had the pleasure to work with. It’s somewhat of a challenge to identify an industry we haven’t served, which means our client list is indeed diverse. Of course, those clients that most often come to mind are those who were the most difficult or the most pleasant to work with.

We really never know what to expect until we arrive at the event. I recently worked with a client on the west coast. As schedules many times dictate, this event followed closely an appearance on the east coast. That meant that I had a very long flight from coast to coast crossing three time zones, which is always tiring. To add to that challenge, I left unseasonably warm summer weather in the 90s to arrive in Seattle on a cloudy Sunday afternoon to experience a typical rainy day and a temperature of 56. I was fortunate to get a non-stop flight but quickly discovered it was a full flight and I was seated in a center seat, which is always a treat. One of the bathrooms was out of order so I quickly learned the true meaning of a “holding pattern.” I arrived at my hotel feeling as though I made the trip folded up in my luggage.

I managed to get a nice dinner at the hotel, study my keynote content for the following day and get a good night’s sleep. The way things were going, it appeared I was going to need it. I was scheduled to give the opening keynote address in the morning followed by two break-out sessions in the afternoon. The client happened to be one of the largest and most progressive credit unions in the country … Washington State Employees Credit Union. Their financial family includes more than 150,000 members and assets of more than $1 billion. The event was a celebration of 50 years of world-class member service. They called it an ALLSTAR event (All Staff Training And Recognition), and they certainly provided plenty of both.

I went down to the grand ballroom early for a microphone check and met the WSECU leadership team. I was somewhat surprised to see so many of the employees arriving well before the scheduled start of the program. You could almost feel the electricity in the air as they greeted one another and shared small talk. They kicked off their action-packed day with a fantastic catered breakfast buffet for 500! I must admit I expected to meet, greet, and interact with 500 employees and the leadership team. What I found was a family—a real family of dedicated employees who arrived ready to celebrate, have fun, support and praise one another, and continue their journey from Good to Great by maintaining and accelerating their unselfishly high standards. It was indeed a joy to behold! This sincere atmosphere certainly made my job a lot easier.

I was scheduled to speak following their recognition ceremony, which lasted several hours. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more enthusiastic reaction from employees as they celebrated each others’ years of service and accomplishment. It was obvious that every person in that ballroom felt a pride and sense of belonging as recognition and awards were presented.

This proud team serves 150,000 members from 20 branches in 12 cities. They share a brand promise slogan which is extraordinarily simplistic: “Making Our Members Lives Easier.” I’ve seen hundreds of similar slogans over the years. Such slogans are to be expected. The difference with this group is the obvious fact that they believe it, they strive to achieve it, they’re open to new ways of making it real, and most importantly, they’re doing it! That simple fact is what puts them head and shoulders above their competition and will certainly insure their future growth and success.

WSECU was established 50 years ago by 40 founding Washington State employees committed to the concept of people helping people. One of their first loans was to a member who needed new car tires. Remember their slogan? “Making Our Members Lives Easier.” Now fast forward to today and you realize that they’ve done exactly that for an additional 149,999 members. And that number is growing.

They asked me to speak on “Creative Strategies to Raise the Bar,” which focused on innovation for the next 50 years, as they fully realize the difficult challenge of achieving that next 1% improvement after producing such a consistently stellar performance. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that their next 50 years will far surpass the success they’ve enjoyed during the past half century. The evidence is everywhere.

  • They have a dedicated staff focused on the training and development of not only their loyal employees but their faithful members as well. To help improve financial literacy among young people, they have created a free, user-friendly curriculum which they call The Vault. This program was designed to teach the principles of smart money management to young people. Available on CD or by download, The Vault provides teachers comprehensive lesson plans about budgeting, saving and investing, and other financial topics.
  • WSECU employees also are available for guest speaking engagements in youth settings.
  • Each year, WSECU awards more than $40,000 in scholarship funds to members and their dependents pursuing degrees at two- and four-year higher education institutions. They invest in their community.
  • WSECU was named one of the Best Places to Work by the Washington State CEO Magazine.

The accolades go on and on and well they should. This unique organization has created and executed a game plan for success that is almost too simplistic to comprehend. I’m not certain if they would agree with my description of that game plan, but from what I’ve observed through research and interaction with their leadership team and staff members I would say this:

  • They have recruited good people.
  • They constantly educate, equip, and support their employees.
  • They provide expectations of excellence in every aspect of the organization.
  • They recognize and reward employees for their performance.
  • They take care of their employees.
  • Their employees, in turn, make their members lives easier.
  • They have created a very powerful culture and take strides to grow it even more successfully.

I wrote this article not only to salute a fantastic organization that overwhelmingly impressed me. I obviously have selfish motives as well. I hope to provide examples to others of what it takes to cope in a very challenging, competitive and changing environment today. Washington State Employees Credit Union is doing just that. They are demonstrating leadership in ways we seldom see in this country today. They are revitalizing the building blocks that made this the greatest country on earth, and we’ve simply got to see more of that kind of performance if we hope to maintain that title. It all boils down to leadership.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

The Never-ending Story of Change

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In today’s very competitive business environment, we hear so much about the need to adapt to change that it often falls on deaf ears. We’ve heard it all before and too many times to take seriously. However, this has been the case for centuries, and yet we never seem to learn. For example, let me share this communication from the Governor of New York, Martin Van Buren, (later to become our 8th President) as he warns current President Andrew Jackson of the pending danger of drastic change.

TO: President Andrew Jackson
FROM: Martin Van Buren, Governor, State of New York
DATE: January 31, 1829

The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation know as “railroads.” The federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons:

  1. If the canal boats are supplanted by “railroads,” serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hostlers, repairmen and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in growing hay for the horses who pull the boats.
  2. Boat builders would suffer and towline, whip and harness makers would be left destitute.
  3. Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.

As you may well know, Mr. President, “railroad” carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by “engines” which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock, and frightening women and children. The Almighty never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed!

Martin Van Buren

This same attitude is shared by many today as they deny continuous growth, technological advances and the need for unrelenting creativity and innovative application. Someday, future generations may very well look back on us and feel much as you just did in reading the above correspondence.

Keep an open mind and don’t let change happen to you. Play your role in accelerating that needed change.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Globalization Simplified

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Last year I reviewed Thomas Friedman’s best seller The World Is Flat to add to our ever-growing list of book reviews on our web site.

Friedman does a great job of explaining globalization and how it will impact all of us in one way or another in the very near future—if it hasn’t already.

In my travels I’ve come across a large number of people who fail to see themselves impacted in any way because they simply don’t understand globalization and have yet to recognize an example of it.

I see more and more instances everyday on TV, the Internet and via print media. Consider recent news reports on the many recalls we’ve witnessed in the past few months, the growing trade imbalance, healthcare comparisons around the world,
immigration concerns, jobs being exported to every corner of the globe, etc. It’s all around us.

In re-reading Lee Iacocca’s best seller Where Have All The Leaders Gone (also reviewed on our website), I discovered a very revealing explanation of globalization. Lee explains it this way:

“My friend, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who knows something about globalization because he’s one of the few people who has seen the whole globe from the moon, sent me this piece that he said was making the rounds of the Internet. It makes the point—vividly:

Question: What is the truest definition of Globalization?
Answer: Princess Diana’s death.

Question: How come?
Answer: An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car with a Dutch engine driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scotch whiskey, followed closely by Italian Paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles, treated by an American doctor, using Brazilian medicines. This is posted by an American, using Bill Gates’ technology, and you’re probably reading this on a computer that uses Taiwanese chips and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangladeshi workers in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian lorry-drivers, hijacked by Indonesians, unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked to you by Mexican illegals. That, my friend, is globalization!”

Iacocca goes on to point out that he certainly isn’t making light of Princess Diana’s death. However, he emphasizes the fact that it makes your head spin to consider how interconnected the world has become. Some people are nervous about globalization while others are simply in denial. But it’s impossible to escape it—the way the world seeps in. You can no longer fence the world out, and you can’t fence yourself in. Technology knows no borders.

To fear globalization is to fear change, but like it or not, change is a constant in our lives. Acknowledge it, accept it, and strive to deal with it. The alternative can be disastrous!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Making Your Waves Amid the Tides

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This “classic” goes back a few years but certainly hasn’t lost its punch. In fact, it’s very pertinent in today’s environment. It’s not only appropriate for “future leaders” but should most definitely be revisited by anyone focusing on making a difference today.

“Making Your Waves Amid the Tides” by Anonymous

We are all a bit like the waves of the sea. Some of us are a little lax, never noticed and never going forward. Others of us excel just enough to ride the crest above the others; like white caps, though, we finally sink, enveloped by the following crests that are very much like ourselves. A few of us, however, form a more noticeable, lasting splash—the BREAKERS!

And don’t we all envy how the breaker wave is always carving new ground, pounding at the beach resolutely and leaving its own impression? We all certainly envy the people who are most like the breaker waves—those always at the forefront of any and all activity. They’re the successful ones who lead and build on their own so that others may follow.

In any business which relies on “service,” the “BREAKERS” are those who constantly make their clients or customers feel as though the business is there to serve them. The “BREAKERS” answer questions, calm nerves, overcome objections, offer alternatives, make suggestions, introduce new products, promote special merchandise, fulfill needs, and, above all, constantly demonstrate a “Positive Attitude.”

They continually care—building a relentless force behind them, like the pounding breaker wave. When they finally splash against the yielding shore, it’s a loud, beautiful and momentous event!

We all strive for the memorable and the ultimate in what we do. Join the rising “tide” of those who are enjoying this kind of success at a time when so many others have buckled under the pressure of the economy, rising costs, and consumer attitudes. The choice is yours and yours alone. No one can make it for you. Will you end up broken or will you emerge as a successful “BREAKER”?

Your choice of a shoreline actually is of little importance. Shorelines will differ from person to person—the important thing is how you arrive on that shoreline!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Lost Luggage Figures Continue to Soar

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Last month I wrote a column about the sad state of affairs when it comes to lost luggage (“Limp the Unfriendly Skies“). We received a nice note from one of our readers asking if the situation was really that bad. In that article I was sharing figures from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics—I wasn’t sharing my own opinion on the subject. I couldn’t do that as it would be unsuitable for print. My luggage was delayed, damaged, lost or actually destroyed in 11 of my last 15 flights. That’s not only extremely annoying and disruptive but also quite expensive as the airlines are currently at the point where they simply find an excuse not to reimburse you or they do it at a rate of 5% of the true value. They don’t care. They have nothing to lose. What are you going to do about it—hire yourself a lawyer to pursue the situation at a cost of one hundred times the value of your bag? The airlines are well aware of your choices and simply smile as you fill out your claim.

As I mentioned, that previous article was written two months ago. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics just released their latest figures which relate to the month of August. I could never figure out why they’re always two months behind but I guess it’s rather obvious that it takes that long to count the high number of bags in question.

In reviewing the most recent figures, I’ve got to surmise that Ripley wouldn’t believe these figures, and I’m certain he wouldn’t publish them in his famed “Believe It Or Not” annual publication.

The number of bags lost or delayed by airlines continues to climb, with a daily average of 14,089 in August, according to Washington’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. That’s a lot of bags! However, keep in mind that the number listed is a daily average! That means that for the 31 days of August, airlines combined experience and talent to lose or delay 436,759 bags! Come on! What are they doing … digging holes at the end of runways and simply bulldozing the luggage into the craters as it comes off the plane? That’s four hundred and thirty-six thousand, seven hundred and fifty nine bags! You have to send people, in great numbers, to training seminars on luggage destruction to attain those kind of stats!

It was the worst month for baggage-handling since the one-time meltdown in December 2004. US Airways was the worst offender on record.

With teamwork, focus and determination, I’m quite certain that record will more than likely be broken as we approach the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of course, we won’t know that until we see those figures in the spring of next year … at which time it will appear to be old news and therefore we won’t care!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Creativity Reigns Again

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From the Ozark Mountains to the streets of the Big Apple to Music City USA, the quest for creativity becomes more evident with each passing day. Jim Clifton, CEO of the Gallup Organization, which provides management consulting for 300+ companies says, “To stay competitive, we have to have to lead the world in per-person creativity.” Tom Peters, noted author and professional speaker, addresses the issue of creativity in one of his many best sellers, The Circle of Innovation. He reveals that “the only sustainable competitive advantage comes from out-innovating the competition!”

If this is true, and it’s becoming more apparent every day that it is, why don’t we see more examples of organizations that encourage creativity among their staff members? Why don’t we see more tools, training, and strategies designed to capture the creative juices of employees at every level? While these circumstances are rare indeed, many companies do, in fact, all of the above.

I found this to be true at the Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, and they reap the benefits daily. Walk the streets in and around Times Square in New York City, and you quickly lose count of the many examples of individual and organizational creativity—from enterprising street vendors to ingenious corporate giants. Again, benefits abound.

During a recent week-long stay in Nashville, our client was good enough to book me at the plush Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. While this exquisite location offers all of the costly perks one would expect from the finest luxury hotel in the Music City, I’ll spare you those obvious details.

However, let me share some very unique offerings which I’m quite sure you won’t find elsewhere. The common thread lies in the fact that a very creative staff was responsible for developing this very distinctive identity … one that is discussed often by those who have been fortunate enough to enjoy it.

As you arrive at the hotel, you’re greeted by a couple of very large, distinct statues. Two obviously proud and ferocious lions guard the entrance. It’s also obvious that they are big fans of Vanderbilt University, located directly across the street, as the statues are proudly draped in colorful football jerseys.

The roof structure above the valet parking area reflects the team colors of various Tennessee sports teams. As you enter the lobby, colorful “welcome” signs are flashed on the floor and walls from spotlights strategically placed among the ceiling art. In the lobby you’ll discover beautifully trimmed grass around the base of trees—all real, fresh, and well manicured.

Before locating the front desk, I found myself standing face-to-face with a very beautiful, colorful and obviously authentic 50s jukebox. A quick glance revealed that it was loaded with all the big hits from every genre (rock/blues/country/oldies). A neatly printed sign invites you to choose your favorite songs, and moments later the entire lobby is filled with music—at no charge whatsoever. That’s unique.

In the spirit of “Music City,” they post attractive plaques in the rarest places and soon have you seeking them out. They use the title or the first few lines of a popular song to represent the area surrounding the sign. The first I discovered in one of the elevators, and it read, “I feel the earth move under my feet — Carole King.” Another elevator plaque read “Love In An Elevator” — Arrowsmith.” They provide free lemonade every afternoon from a large decorative cart in the lobby. The plaque on the roof of the cart reads: “Lemon Tree Oh So Pretty and the Lemon Flower is Sweet — The Kingston Trio.” Nearby they have an old-fashioned shoe-shine stand and a plaque that reads: “Put Yourself In My Shoes — Clint Black.” The sign above the jukebox reads: “TUNES — A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile! — Don McLean.” Those checking out will find a plaque near the exit doors that reads: “When Will We See You Again? — The Three Degrees.” As you leave the parking lot heading into the street, you pass a large sign that reads: “Slow Down, You Move Too Fast — Simon & Garfunkel.”

They call their restaurant “EAT,” and the name of their lounge is “DRINK.” Pretty straight forward. This has to bring a smile to your face and is a welcome change from the dull names most hotels use.

They name their meeting rooms uniquely as well: “Lyric,” “Melody,” “Symphony I, II, & III,” “The Gold Room,” and “The Platinum Room.” It’s quite obvious you’re in Music City, USA!

In chatting with the night manager, I learned that the staff was encouraged to create and execute all innovations which enhance the stay of their guests. The majority of those examples I’ve shared are a result of the unique culture this leadership team has provided for their people.

I’m certain some of these things may be insignificant to most, but they impressed me a great deal as a guest. I’m very much used to being treated as “just another customer” in the hundreds of hotels I visit each year. The Loews Vanderbilt “team” made me feel very much at home, valued, and even brought a smile to me face. They accomplished this with very little cost, a great deal of enthusiasm and involvement, and a joy in the air you could cut with a knife! Can you say the same about your current staff and work environment?

Benchmark, read and train. YOU can do the same!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Is Leadership on your Christmas List?

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Life is often ironic. I’m sitting at my computer looking out my window at the scenic fall vista we’re currently blessed with. Gentle warm breezes caress the trees as the bright autumn sun reflects off the glassy surface of the lake like sapphires. Days like this were made for strolling through the silent woods as your mind wanders endlessly. It’s sometimes difficult to concentrate with a view like this, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s very calming after a week of airports and conference centers. I obviously digress.

The irony arises in the fact that ten miles from this tranquil autumn scene you can walk into Walmart, Target, Hobby Lobby or the mall and find yourself suddenly surrounded by aisle after aisle of Christmas decorations! Should this be your first trip, allow me to direct you to this Winter Wonderland. You’ll find it situated just past the Thanksgiving aisle, which immediately follows the Halloween merchandise.

Yes, it seems as though we’re being programmed to shop earlier and earlier every year for fear that we may forfeit value, price or selection by hesitating too long to plan. We’ve recognized that same phenomenon over the past few years as our clients are shopping early for their holiday banquets and parties, award ceremonies, annual recognition programs and Christmas parties.

Professional Speaker for Your Holiday Banquet, Award Ceremony, Recognition Program, Holiday Party, or Christmas Party

If you desire to educate, enlighten and entertain your staff while enhancing your festivities, don’t hesitate to contact us early this year. AchieveMax® professional speakers will provide humor, insight, and information that will certainly enhance your personal and business life in a very positive fashion.

We recommend the following custom-designed keynote presentations for your holiday season event:

Holiday Creativity Keynote Presentations

If you want to generate great ideas and strategies for next year, you may want to consider:

Holiday Leadership Keynote Presentations

If you want to manage rapid change and develop your leaders and teams, options to think about are:

Holiday Customer Service Keynote Presentations

If you want to grow your customer base and retain the customers you already have, please consider:

Holiday Professional Development Keynote Presentations

If you want to get more things accomplished next year, think about these options:

To reserve your chosen holiday date, please call us at 800-886-2MAX or fill out our form. Remember, each holiday keynote presentation or seminar will be custom-designed to fit your organizational needs!

Happy Holidays!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

The Turn of the Tide

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Here’s a classic that has been around for what seems like forever. However, it’s also a thought-provoking prescription that can be as powerful today as it was when it was written. The next time you’re experiencing a stressful day, pause for a moment to contemplate this powerful strategy. By the way, don’t forget that the motive of sharing these old classics is to make certain we keep them alive by passing them on to a “future leader.”

“The Turn of the Tide” by Arthur Gordon

Arthur Gordon tells of a time in his life when he began to feel that everything was stale and flat. His enthusiasm had all but disappeared; his writing efforts were fruitless, and the situation was getting worse day by day.

Finally, he decided to get help from a medical doctor. Observing nothing physically wrong, the doctor asked him if he would be able to follow his instructions for one day. When Gordon replied that he could, the doctor told him to spend the following day in a place where he was the happiest as a child. He could take food, but he was not to talk to anyone or to read or write or listen to the radio. He then wrote out four prescriptions and told him to open one at nine, twelve, three, and six o’clock.

“Are you serious?” Gordon asked him.

“You won’t think I’m joking when you get my bill!” was the reply.

So the next morning, Gordon went to the beach. As he opened the first prescription, he read, “Listen carefully.” He thought the doctor was insane! How could he listen for three hours? Nevertheless, he had agreed to follow the doctor’s order, so he listened. He heard the usual sounds of the sea and the birds. After a while, he could hear the other sounds that weren’t so apparent at first. As he listened, he began to think of lessons the sea had taught him as a child—patience, respect, and an awareness of the interdependence of things. He began to listen to the sounds—and the silence—and to feel a growing peace deep within.

At noon, he opened the second slip of paper and read, “Try reaching back.” “Reaching back to what?” he wondered. Perhaps to childhood, perhaps to memories of joy. He tried to remember them with exactness, and in remembering, he found a growing warmth inside.

At three o’clock, he opened the third piece of paper. Until now, the prescriptions had been easy to take, but this one was different; it said, “Examine your motives.” At first he was defensive. He thought about what he wanted—success, security, recognition—and he justified them all. Yet then the thought occurred to him that those motives weren’t good enough. That perhaps therein was the answer to his stagnant situation. He considered his motives deeply and thought about past happiness, and at last, the answer came to him. In a flash of certainty, he wrote, “I saw that if one’s motives are wrong, nothing can be right. It makes no difference whether you are a mail carrier, a hairdresser, an insurance salesperson, a home-maker—whatever. As long as you feel you are serving others, you do the job well. When you are concerned only with helping yourself, you do it less well—a law as unrelenting as gravity.”

When six o’clock came, the fourth prescription didn’t take long to fill. “Write your worries on the sand,” it said. He knelt and wrote several words with a piece of broken shell; then he turned and walked away. He didn’t look back: he knew the tide would come in!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.