Raising Your Game

Can you believe we are in the homestretch of summer? Time is moving so fast! This week I will share a few of Thomas Watson’s quips that will hopefully make you laugh, think a bit, and put your ideas to work. It’s really about raising your game. Hopefully Tom’s tips will help.

He was known to state the obvious that everyone seemed to overlook. He had one comment that make the bullying managers want to run. “A manager is an assistant to his men.” It makes too much sense. If you are in charge of something, then you better spend your time helping and supporting the people that are trying to help and support you.

“If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work.” This one requires no color commentary 🙂 Since I like brevity, I’d change it to “If you’d like to do excellent work, than stop doing less-than-excellent work.” Maybe Watson had great penmanship and wanted to show it off…

“Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate, and generous – not just to some people in some circumstances – but to everyone all the time.” Being respectful takes effort. It requires overcoming a sense of pride. It may be tough work, but it is required to achieve more. People are only big, or lauded, if other people make them big. Other people lift you up. Are you worth lifting?

Have fun and good luck!