Labor Day signifies the last vestiges of summer. Vacations have been taken, kids are almost back in school and temperatures start cooling down. To prepare for the change in season, we go through the mental checklist including shopping for school, closing the pool, cleaning the air filters, seeding the grass — all those little things that need to be done to make sure you are healthy and happy.
Labor Day is also the perfect time to reflect on getting back into the swing of things at work. Do you have your mental checklist of “things to do” to make sure you are part of a strong vibrant workplace?
Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman spent over 15 years identifying the little things that make a superior workplace. In their best-selling book, “First, Break all the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently,” they identified 12 questions that signify whether people are engaged (or not) at work:
- Do I know what is expected of me at work?
- Do I have the materials and equipment that I need in order to do my work right?
- At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
- In the past seven days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work?
- Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?
- Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
- At work, do my opinions seem to count?
- Does the mission or purpose of my company make me feel that my job is important?
- Are my coworkers committed to doing quality work?
- Do I have a best friend at work?
- In the past six months, has someone at work talked to me about my progress?
- This past year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and grow?
Mentally go through these 12 questions. If the answer is “yes,” that’s a good thing! Congratulate yourself that you know what is expected of you, etc. Make it a point ot thank the people who have contributed to your ability to say yes!
If the answer is “no,” or “I don’t know,” then make a decision. Do you want to turn your “no” into a “yes?” If so, then search for help. Ask your supervisor, team leader or your fellow teammates how to create a vibrant workplace.
Make Labor Day into a Great Day!
Question: Are you ready to take the steps to eliminate your “no’s?”
