Listen to Those Who Know

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

USA Today runs a series called “Executive Suite: Advice from the Top” where it shares advice from noted leaders in the business world. Recently, it shared some wisdom from the CEO of 3M, George Buckley, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

Chief Executive magazine and the Hay Group (a global management consulting firm that works with leaders to transform strategy into reality) recently released the 2009 rankings of the companies that are best at developing future leaders. 3M stepped into the coveted #1 position after placing 15th in 2008.

The half page article consisted of an interview conducted by Del Jones, the USA Today corporate management reporter. Throughout the discussion, Buckley placed extensive emphasis on the critical issue of developing leaders. In fact, he pointed out that especially during a recession, training and development of future leaders is imperative!

The reporter asked: “In this economy, can companies afford the cost of leadership development?” Buckley responded with an answer which should be discussed in great depth by every leadership team in the nation. He said: “Years ago, when I worked at Brunswick, I was asked, ‘George, it’s a tough time right now. Should we be spending money on training? What if these people leave the company?’ My answer was, ‘WHAT IF WE DON’T, AND THEY STAY?'”

Think about the consequences as you remember that 3M is currently #1 in the nation at developing future leaders!

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 Clear Vision Makes a Difference

Posted on March 19, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

I once read about a very wise teacher who knew a great deal about the subject of teaching children in ways which kept them entertained as they grew wiser. Their valuable lessons were seldom forgotten as they so enjoyed their journey to wisdom. This simple exercise in learning could easily be adapted to today’s workplace and, in fact, should be.

The wise educator first divided the class into three groups, providing each group with an identical jigsaw puzzle and the same instructions: “This is a timing test. I want all of you to work together to finish the puzzle. You can talk, laugh, and have a great time. You just can’t look at the other teams. The first group finishing their puzzle correctly wins.”

Since the teacher is also teaching a valuable lesson, she does something she doesn’t share with the children.

The first group gets a puzzle in addition to the box cover which obviously has a beautiful color photo of the completed puzzle picture.

The second group gets only an identical puzzle … no box top, no picture. This group of students has no idea what the finished picture should look like.

The third group gets an identical puzzle as well. However, you’ve got to feel for this group as they do get a box cover with a beautiful color photo as well … but it’s a photo from a completely different puzzle, meaning the picture doesn’t match the puzzle at all!

Now, given what I’ve shared thus far, I’ll bet you can finish the story. The critical importance of having a clear vision is evident. Let’s see how the kids did.

All three groups are giddy and excited to jump into the project.

The first group completes the puzzle correctly in a mere three minutes … all done, perfectly correct.

At this point, the second group seems to be struggling but is making some progress. They’re about 60% complete.

The third group seems to be on another planet altogether. Total confusion, no progress, and growing frustration. In fact, you can see the stress on the face of each child. What began as fun was quickly growing into agitation.

When she congratulates the first group and asks how they completed the task so quickly, they simply respond by saying something like: “We just looked at the picture on the box, and it was easy from there. It just sorta came together.”

By this time, the second group is nearing completion. She asks them how they did and heard hesitation in their explanation: “Well, we started with the corners because that seemed to be the easiest way, but it was still pretty slow.” It obviously took them a lot longer than the first group.

The third group has made very little, if any, progress and the teacher could actually sense the frustration in the air. Several members of the team have actually given up and have started separate conversations with one another. At this point the teacher admits that their cover photo looks nothing like the finished puzzle of the other two groups.

She then provides the third group with the proper picture and they are pleased at how quickly they assemble the puzzle correctly. She then explains the lesson they had just learned.

Now consider how easy it is to apply this valuable lesson to the workplace.

Does your staff have a clear vision of what is expected of them?

Are they more like the second group of students who had no vision and had to cautiously feel their way along?

Maybe they’re like the third group who had the wrong vision … wondering why they were getting nowhere as they became more and more frustrated.

Wouldn’t it be rewarding if your entire staff had a crystal clear vision like the first group of students? This group with the clear vision is usually twice as fast as the group with no vision. Consider the third group which had the wrong vision … hopeless, frustrated, agitated and angry.

Again, visualize your current staff. Are they facing a pile of puzzle pieces scattered everywhere, while holding the wrong cover? Or do they have the correct puzzle photo, or worse, no puzzle photo at all?

The choice is yours. Many claim they simply don’t have the time to dedicate to creating and communicating a vision. Pause and rethink the results of our three student groups. Apply those results to your staff and you’ll quickly realize that you’d best make time to create and communicate that all-important vision.

About Harry K. Jones

What We Can Learn from Change

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

Everyone’s talking change today and, when doing so, most conversations focus on the future and the many transformations we can anticipate. Seldom, if ever, do we take the time to look back at the many changes which have already taken place. There are very valuable lessons to be learned in this practice.

Should you ever be concerned with your ability to cope with future challenges, simply pause to reflect on the many changes you’ve managed to deal with in your past. Having dealt successfully with so many previous issues, we often take them for granted and totally forget how they once loomed before us as insurmountable obstacles.

Think for just a moment about how many radical changes have occurred in just the past 100 years. In the larger scheme of things, that’s actually a very short period of time. And yet, consider the massive transformations we’ve experience as a nation.

For instance, a hundred years ago …

The average life expectancy in the United States was 47. Today it’s 77.
Only 14% of the U.S. homes had a bathtub.
Only 8% of the homes had a telephone and a three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost $11.
There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California. With a mere 1.4 million residents, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union. A total of 38 million live in “The Golden State.”
The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents an hour. The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95% of all births in the U.S. took place at home.
90% of all U.S. physicians had no college education. Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as “substandard.”
Sugar cost four cents a pound. Eggs were 14 cents a dozen. Coffee cost 15 cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza, 2. Tuberculosis, 3. Diarrhea, 4. Heart disease, 5. Stroke.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was 30! The remote desert community was inhabited by only a handful of ranchers and their families. Today, the population is 603,000 and growing, and that doesn’t count gambling tourists!
Plutonium, insulin, and antibiotics hadn’t been discovered yet.
Scotch tape, crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn’t been invented.
There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at corner drugstores. According to one pharmacist, “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and the bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.”
Coca-Cola actually contained cocaine instead of caffeine.
There were about 230 reported murders in the U.S. annually. (Last year Chicago alone reported 509.)

As you can plainly see, many of the changes noted here should have been greeted with praises of thanks and appreciation. Others were tragic but had to be dealt with. Much the same can be said about the changes we face in today’s environment. We’ll welcome and appreciate a great number of them, we’ll fear and loath many others, and we’ll learn to cope and adapt with the majority of them. In the long run, as always, we’ll be fine.

About Harry K. Jones

Is Procrastination a Bad Thing?

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

In honor of February being National Time Management Month, I ask this question … Is “procrastination” a good thing or a bad thing? And the answer, of course, is YES. Sound confusing? Maybe on the surface. However, let’s dig a little deeper.

Maybe it will clarify things if we begin with a definition of procrastination: “putting off, delaying or deferring an action or task to a later time.”

Throughout history, time management books, seminars, and gurus have warned us of the many negative consequences of procrastination: physical, mental, and emotional stress; a sense of guilt; loss of personal productivity; the creation of crisis; and disapproval of fellow team members for not fulfilling one’s commitments. As a result, numerous tips, tools, and strategies have been offered to avoid or overcome procrastination. Hopefully, we’ve increased productivity and enjoyed better health by responding to that compelling information.

Now let’s take a look at the flip side of this coin. Today’s chaotic and challenging environment has made it almost impossible not to procrastinate. We simply have too many things on our plate and far too little time to deal with them. This throws an entirely different light on procrastination.

There are three versions of procrastination based on what you actually do instead of working on something:

Nothing
Something less important
Something more important

This third option is arguably good procrastination. Everyone procrastinates to some degree in today’s challenging environment. The difference between high performers and low performers is largely determined by what they choose to procrastinate on.

So the question is not how to avoid procrastination, but how to procrastinate correctly. Since you must procrastinate anyway, make the decision to procrastinate on low-value activities. Decide to procrastinate on, delegate, empower and eliminate those activities that don’t make much of a contribution to your life in any case.

In our “I Hate Time Management” seminar, we share a number of tools which can assist attendees to better cope with this challenge. One approach, of course, is to consider who should be doing what. In fact, we addressed this issue in another blog article you might want to read. Simply click on “Delegate, Empower or Do It Yourself” for some great tips.

Another very effective approach is to simply identify a number of things we must STOP doing for a variety reasons. In fact, we should generate a list of those activities. Browse the following articles to learn more about this very productive approach: “Start a ‘Stop-Doing’ List” and “Stop-Doing List Examples.”

Part of the Stop-Doing approach is to Learn How to Say No! Believe it or not, you can actually do that with grace and, in doing so, end the negative aspect of this critical habit of trying to be all things to all people. My favorite author, UNKNOWN, once said: “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone!”

There’s an actual process to becoming adept at saying no. And, with a little practice and determination, it’s very effective.

Clarify what is being asked of you and identify the other person’s actual need or situation.
Say it politely, but firmly, and state your reasons.
- “Thanks, but I’ll have to pass on that this time because …”
- “I’d like to help, but I’m so over-committed right now with …”
- “I wish you had asked me a couple of days ago. I’ve already committed that time to helping ______ accomplish ________ …”
Offer other options or ideas that might assist them in getting their needs met.

Remember, you simply can’t ADD an activity to your day without GIVING UP another!

Develop the habit of asking yourself: “What’s the best thing I could be working on, and why am I not doing it?” You’ll see things getting much busier before you see them slowing down. Prepare today to cope with that growing challenge or pay the price in the near future.

About Harry K. Jones

New Hire Turnover Increases

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

Headquartered in Washington, DC with regional offices in Atlanta, GA and Westport, CT. Leadership IQ, a global leadership training and research company, provides best practices research and executive education to the world’s leading companies and their leaders.

Their work has appeared in Fortune, Forbes, Business Week, the Harvard Management Update, CBS News, and many more. They’ve trained tens of thousands of leaders from across the Fortune 500, non-for-profit, small-and-midsize companies, and government organizations.

They direct one of the largest leadership studies ever conducted, and currently focus their work on management and executive performance, workforce issues, negotiations, strategic planning and customer service.

In a three-year study, they examined 5,247 hiring managers from 312 public, private, business and healthcare organizations. Collectively these managers hired more than 20,000 employees during the study period.

The study focused on why new hires fail at such alarming rates which is certainly a growing trend. For instance:

46% of newly-hired employees will fail within 18 months.
Only 19% will achieve unequivocal success.
Contrary to popular belief, technical skills are not the primary reason why new hires fail.
Instead, poor interpersonal skills dominate the list.

The study also discovered that:

26% of new hires fail because they can’t accept feedback.
23% of new hires fail because they’re unable to understand and manage emotions.
17% of new hires fail because they lack the necessary motivation to excel.
15% of new hires fail because they have the wrong temperament for the job.
and only 11% of new hires fail because they lack the necessary technical skills.

The above data is certainly not rocket science. However, while the failure rate for new hires is distressing, it should not be surprising:

Eighty-two percent of managers reported that in reflection, the interview process could have been handled more effectively. Warning sign may have been noticed had the managers:

been more focused on the interview itself;
listened more and talked less;
spent more time on the actual interview; and
had stronger interviewing abilities and experience.

Mark Murphy, CEO of Leadership IQ, explained that “The typical interview process fixates on ensuring that new hires are technically competent. But coachability, emotional intelligence, motivation and temperament are much more predictive of a new hires’ success or failure. Do technical skills really matter if the employee isn’t open to improving, alienates their coworkers, lacks drive and has the wrong personality for the job?”

The study tracked the success and failure of new hires and interviewed managers about their hiring tactics and new hires’ performance, personality and potential. Upon completing the 5,247 interviews, Leadership IQ compiled, categorized and distilled the top five reasons why new hires failed (i.e., were terminated, left under pressure, received disciplinary action or significantly negative performance reviews). The following are the top areas of failure, matched with the percentage of respondents.

Coachability (26%): The ability to accept and implement feedback from bosses, colleagues, customers and others.
Emotional Intelligence (23%): The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, and accurately assess others’ emotions.
Motivation (17%): Sufficient drive to achieve one’s full potential and excel in the job.
Temperament (15%): Attitude and personality suited to the particular job and work environment.
Technical Competence (11%): Functional or technical skills required to do the job.

Eight hundred and twelve managers experienced significantly more hiring success than their peers. What differentiated their interviewing approach was their emphasis on interpersonal and motivational issues.

Hiring failures can be very costly, impacting not only your organization but other employees as well. However, these failures can be prevented if managers focus more of their interviewing energy on candidates’ coachability, emotional intelligence, motivation and temperament. Doing so will provide vast improvements in the hiring success. Technical competence is actually a very poor predictor of whether a newly hired employee will succeed or fail.

“The financial cost of hiring failures, coupled with the opportunity cost of not hiring high performers, can be millions of dollars, even for small companies,” adds Murphy. “And the human cost can be even worse. If a hospital hires a nurse that won’t accept feedback and alienates pharmacists and physicians, the result could be a medical error. This one bad hiring decision could cost a patient their life.”

About Harry K. Jones

How Much Is Enough?

Posted on January 9, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

According to ASTD (American Society for Training and Development), the average American worker spends 26.3 hours in the classroom annually.

Read that sentence again slowly and let it sink in. How do you feel about that number? Does that seem high to you? After all, that’s a full day plus a couple of hours. Long time to sit in a classroom, don’t you think?

Of course, all of that training doesn’t take place at one time. If you want to take it to the other extreme, we’re each investing a full SIX MINUTES a day working to improve ourselves for future success! Now how do you feel about that number?

Now let’s re-frame once again and view that training time as a little over 3 eight-hour days a year investing in our future as well as that of our organization. How do you feel about that investment? Is that enough? Not if you expect to compete in today’s global environment!

There’s a good chance that anyone reading this article is a professional based on the following definition: “A person who earns his living from a specified activity; Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with the standards of a profession; That is carried out for money, especially as a livelihood.”

Let’s take a quick look at some other professionals … airline pilot, brain surgeon, engineer, clergy, architect, social worker, professor, electrician, plumber, clinical lab tech, pharmacist, veterinarian, certified public accountants, financial analyst, professional athlete, entertainer, astronaut, etc.

Do you think they train more than 26.3 hours per year? Of course they do! Why is it that all of those professionals listed above feel the necessity to continue to learn new tools, techniques, technologies, and strategies? Why do they benchmark regularly? Why do they study those they serve and those with whom they compete? Why do they feel the need to learn more, continually grow, and enhance their skills? Why do these professionals continually train … and only “businesspeople” don’t seem to think it’s necessary? It’s also a very safe bet that these other professionals invest more than 26.3 hours per year in their pursuit of excellence! How about you?

About Harry K. Jones

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Harry K. Jones

I recently enjoyed a very productive kick-off session to another leadership seminar series. Part of our focus dealt with the development of front-line employees. The subject of reading arose, and we discussed various authors and books which should appear on any must-read list.

A few days later I received an e-mail from one of the vice presidents who had attended the session. I must admit his personal note warmed the cockles of my heart. He explained that he had visited our web site to check out our collection of 180 book reviews. He did so for two reasons:

To look for a few books he was personally interested in
In hopes of getting some ideas as to what titles he and his wife might want to consider to include in a personal library they are building for their son.

Their son is in his junior year of college, majoring in business while working on a minor or even another major in marketing. Thus far, he seems to enjoy leadership classes so his parents are considering books in that category as well. What they plan to do is purchase books from time to time that relate to his current and future studies, potential career, personal preferences and spiritual favorites … in hopes of assisting him in his chosen line of study.

At the same time, unbeknownst to him, they want to compile other appropriate titles to build “His Personal Library” which will be presented to him as a gift upon graduation. What a fantastic idea! This is truly a “Gift That Will Keep On Giving” … for decades! Years from now this young man will still be thanking his folks for this exceedingly precious and obviously priceless gift.

This caring and thoughtful father concluded his note with a request for any suggestions I might have to add to this valuable library. Needless to say, I felt honored by the request and replied with a list of authors and titles I felt might be suitable for such a magnificent gift.

Wouldn’t it be nice if more parents thought along these lines? It certainly is an investment not only in their son but in his future as well.

“A book is a gift you can open time and time again.”
~ Garrison Keillor

“The person who does not read good books has no advantage over the person who can’t read them.”
~ Mark Twain

“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for two things, the people you meet and the books you read.”
~ Charles “Tremendous” Jones

About Harry K. Jones

“Slow Down, You Move Too Fast …”

Posted on August 22, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

I think I’ve finally discovered something that everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, or political affiliation, can agree on. Our world today is moving at a maddening pace that compromises our efforts and ability to enjoy it for what it is … and it doesn’t look as though there are any major changes in sight.

I was recently in southern Florida for a dual keynote presentation and popped into a major chain store to pick up a few office supplies to prep for my program. I was shocked to see a vast display of Christmas cards displayed at the front of the store! I couldn’t believe my eyes! In was the middle of JULY in Florida! I chalked it off as an eager retailer trying to make a buck.

Upon returning to Michigan after the weekend, I had to pick up a few things to create a new prop for an upcoming seminar. I usually find everything I need at our local Hobby Lobby store so I headed there. The first thing I saw as I entered the giant store was aisle after aisle of Christmas products … trees, bulbs, lights, wall decor, and just about anything else you can think of. They had everything in full display. Further into the store I saw the full display of Halloween and Thanksgiving products. Over the next week, I found the same thing in our local mall and most of the major chain stores. Is it just me, or are we rushing things a bit promoting Christmas six months early?

While in high school, one of my favorite songs was a short but whimsical folk song first recorded by Simon and Garfunkel and later covered by Harper’s Bizarre. The formal title was the “59th Street Bridge Song” but most knew it as “Feelin’ Groovy.” You may not recognize the title, but if you heard the melody you’d recognize it immediately and, more than likely, start singing along. I still hear it on the Oldies stations every week. Years later I lived in Greenwich Village in a world of hippies and often visited the fabled bridge, known locally as the Queensboro Bridge connecting Manhattan to Queens.

I mention this song because of the opening line … advice so elementary and yet so compelling. I’ve never forgotten the soft, melodic, relaxing but uplifting words of the opening line: “Slow down, you move too fast ….” Regardless of the simplicity, you’ve got to admit these lyrics are certainly good advice for all of us. Change will continue at a rapid rate, things aren’t about to slow down, and the world will continue to be hectic and stressful. Most of our days are packed full of tasks and challenges. We’ve all got places to go and people to meet. The more the pressure builds in our lives the more we find ourselves rushing. However, that doesn’t relieve our pressure.

You’ll actually be more productive and less stressed by learning to slow down when everything around you is speeding up. John Wooden, the exceptional UCLA basketball coach who won an unprecedented 10 national championships, often told his teams: “Be quick, but don’t hurry. If you hurry you make mistakes.”

The only way to relieve stress today living in this hyperspeed world is to step off the fast-track, take a deep breath, give yourself permission to enjoy a little “down time” and try feeling groovy once again.

I’m not talking about taking a day off or going on vacation for two weeks. I’m talking about devoting a mere 10 minutes a day to “me time.” Take a short walk, sit in a park, meditate, take a quick nap, soak up some sun, read a little—anything that takes you out of your daily routine.

Now, before you dismiss this advice as ridiculous because you simply don’t have the time and can’t afford the loss of productivity—I speak from experience here because I felt this way for many years—consider the fact that focused research has proven the following:

After the 10 minute “me time,” you will actually feel rejuvenated.
You’ll also find it easier to focus when you return to work.
You’ll be more energetic and less likely to make mistakes or miscalculations.
You’ll be less stressed resulting in better health.
As a result of all of the above, you’ll actually be MORE PRODUCTIVE.

Many organizations today are encouraging their staff to take more breaks, avoid taking work home, and striving for more balance. While that sounds very generous of the leadership, the true motive may very well prove otherwise. In those cases where employees have established “me time” successfully, productively levels have actually increased. Nuff said. Everyone wins.

While others may choose to welcome the Christmas hype machine in July, I struggle with the challenge to do so at a time when I’m sporting a decent tan and I can watch people water-skiing from my comfortable deck chair in 94 degree weather. That kind of dilutes the Christmas joy I’m supposed to feel when the holiday actually arrives. I’d rather relax a little and enjoy today for what it is.

When was the last time you were “feeling groovy.” Give it a shot. Enjoy the benefits that you and those around you will enjoy.

About Harry K. Jones

Three Steps to Success

Posted on August 14, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

I think most would agree that, at this particular time, our country, our organizations, and our people are in dire need of true leadership. I’m afraid we’re in for bitter disappointment if we place our hopes and dreams in the hands of anyone currently in residence in Washington D.C. or our own state capitols. And that, of course, would include those running for office as well as those currently holding office.

In fact, it’s time we placed those coveted hopes and dreams in the hands of those you know can and will make a difference … the individuals who made this great country the best in the world. That would be the average citizen … you, your friends and neighbors, and those you work with. It’s time for each and every one of us to take action.

Consider the fantastic outcomes that would emerge if we’d all make the decision to take action in the spirit of making a difference. We can certainly do exactly that by taking the following Three Steps to Success.

Excavate:
- Dig deep to tap your resources and hidden potential! (Everyone has untapped potential!)
Elevate:
- Step up! (Volunteer, take a risk, expand your comfort zone, get involved!)
- Speak out! (Offer original ideas, alternatives, ask for assistance, inspire!)
- Contribute! (Ideas, time, money, effort, resources, creativity, support!) And most importantly …
Demonstrate:
- Take action! (Don’t procrastinate, no committees, do it now!)
- Walk the talk! (Practice what you preach, do what you say you’re going to do!)
- C.A.N.I.! (Continuous And Never-ending Improvement … capitalize on your strength and strengthen your weaknesses regularly!)
- Close the Knowing-Doing Gap! (Apply your education, experience, creativity, enthusiasm and positive attitude! It’s not enough to simply possess these attributes!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Still need inspiration? Consider what may happen if we, as individuals, don’t take action!

About Harry K. Jones

Give a Little – Get a Lot!

Posted on July 28, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

In browsing a recent copy of Success Magazine, I found some alarming percentages. The data was presented in a very positive article describing how the Success Foundation’s goal was to provide personal-development content and programs to more than 10 million teenagers. This material will provide the fundamental life-skills and personal-development philosophies necessary for success in school and in life.

I highly commend the Success Foundation for its ambitious efforts as there’s obviously a tremendous need for such programs today. Our young people today are facing challenges we never dreamed of dealing with. They can certainly use the cooperation and support offered by such a campaign. If you’d like to learn more about this extraordinary endeavor, simply visit: http://successfoundation.org/.

Reading about ambitious initiatives such as this one renews my faith in at least a small portion of this country’s leadership. I can also understand how such an inspiring venture might intimidate some people. One might think: “How can I, as an individual, compete with such a massive effort?” Well, there are two answers to that question. First of all, you can’t compete. Second, you don’t need to compete. Let the large programs deal with a group of 10 million teens. They’re much better equipped to do so. However, why not attempt to make a difference in the life of just one or two teens? There are so many creative ways to do so, and the need is so great today.

As we’ve mentioned so many times in previous blog articles, mentoring is indeed a noble cause and can generate extraordinary results. If your efforts caused a young person to rethink his or her future, graduate from high school and go on to college, start a business, or just strive to perform to their full potential, there’s the potential to change lives, reverse negative trends and improve communities.

Consider the research by the Success Foundation which discovered:

More than 40% of young people doubt they can achieve their goals.
70% wish they had more opportunities to help them fulfill their dreams.
Fewer than 60% feel a sense of purpose.
Fewer than 65% are motivated to achieve.
Fewer than 30% feel they have skills like planning and decision-making.
25% of all public high school students fail to graduate on time, if at all.
50% of African-Americans and Hispanics fail to graduate on time, if at all.
85% of adolescents who get training in success skills graduate on time, resulting in a 50% drop in welfare dependency.

Think of the impact YOU, as a mentor, can have on a young person, a family, and even a community! Over the years, I’ve had the privilege and opportunity to speak to parent groups, civic organizations, and teacher in-services on a variety of mentoring possibilities. Our young people need to be exposed to leadership skills, basic life skills, communication skills, job skills and personal-development philosophies which will assist them in their quest for success. Prior to attending our sessions, many were unaware of how they might contribute support and assistance.

For additional suggestions on how YOU can make a difference today as a mentor, review our previous articles: Pass the Torch and Mentoring Magic: Take a Moment – Make a Difference.

Discuss this life-changing potential with your organization, church, neighborhood, or civic group and offer much-needed leadership at this crucial time in our history. Take a minute, change a life!

AchieveMax® Blog

Business articles on change, creativity, customer service, leadership, motivation, teamwork, and time management, written by AchieveMax® professional speakers.

Category Archives: The Fountain of Wisdom

Listen to Those Who Know

About Harry K. Jones

A Clear Vision Makes a Difference

About Harry K. Jones

What We Can Learn from Change

About Harry K. Jones

Is Procrastination a Bad Thing?

About Harry K. Jones

New Hire Turnover Increases

About Harry K. Jones

How Much Is Enough?

About Harry K. Jones

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

About Harry K. Jones

“Slow Down, You Move Too Fast …”

About Harry K. Jones

Three Steps to Success

About Harry K. Jones

Give a Little – Get a Lot!

About Harry K. Jones