Last week, I talked a little about the idea that being great is a matter of choice, of making the decision to be so. But, what exactly is “great?” One of the best examples of a person taking their job to the great level is Fred from the book The Fred Factor. The book was written by Mark Sanborn in 2004, but the idea of being great is still as real and wonderful and rare as it was back then.
Fred was a postman who went beyond in many ways. He knew every family on his route and offered extraordinary service to them all. For example, when Fred realized Sanborn’s job required extensive travel, he came up with a plan to keep the mail safe until his return. What’s more is that this was not some isolated occurrence. Fred delivered (no pun intended) day in and day out…week after week, year after year.
Here are just a few of the great things I have seen from you:
- Working longer than contract hours to complete work.
- Making sure your work is mistake free
- Striving to lower work order numbers
- Responding in a positive way to a tough situation
- Learning from mistakes and taking steps to not make them again
That said, greatness is not a one and done act. It comes from consistently going beyond “good enough.” Truly, we all have room for improvement. “Extreme Ownership” and “Relentlessly pursuing our client’s goals” are just synonyms for great. They are 2 of the ways VLC employees can achieve great. So go after it…be a Fred!
What are two areas in which you work to be great consistently every day?
What are two areas you feel you are good, but not great? What would it take to make those areas great?
Remember, moving the needle just a little in the right direction is still movement.
Let’s have a great week!
Chuck Ross
John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer, Speaker, and DISC consultant
Author: Change? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?
530-277-6161
“They themselves are makers of themselves.” James Allen
