Learning from the Amish

Years ago, I worked with an Amish company and really enjoyed it. The leader of the company was a tremendous man, filled with integrity.

I initially approached their company with a little discomfort, because I assumed they would be different. I found they were more fun and more like the other companies I got to work with.

They certainly were conservative. But it wasn't like working with a bunch of monks. They interacted, they disagreed, they had issues and they dealt with them just like everyone else. They also had a sense of humor. I saw what amounted to an Amish stand-up comedy routine during a convention--it was side-splitting, very funny and at the same time appropriate.

Once, I was sitting with their President in his office during a snow storm. The phone rang and he said, "I see, that's OK." Then he laughed. I asked what was up. He told me one of his workers called in and said he wasn't going to make it into work because, due to the storm, they had no electricity at his house."

I stared back and said, "So why was that funny?" He said, "Barry, he's Amish, his house has never had electricity. He was pulling my leg. That's Amish humor."

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com
LaBov Sales Channel
PB&J Newsletter

Sometimes you don't how much you influence others

Betty was a lady born in the 1920's who grew up in a man's world. Her dad was an entrepreneur. He owned restaurants, a collections company and various marketing companies. Watching her dad engage in his businesses inspired her.

Of course, back in those days, her job as a woman was to graduate high school, get married and have kids. She did that and then jumped into the workplace as soon as she could to become a bookkeeper/office manager for a small business. She constantly told her kids what a great businessman her father was and how exciting business was. You can imagine how that went over with her two sons, who rolled their eyes and went out to play catch in the backyard--to them, business was boring and undesirable.

But Betty, my mom, had an influence. I don't know if was brainwashing or if she woke me up to some kind of genetic thing I share with her and my grandfather, but it worked. And I thank her for that.

We don't know how much influence we have on others. Sometimes, it takes a long time.


Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com
LaBov Sales Channel
PB&J Newsletter

Efficiency or Water Torture?

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Water torture was designed to drive a person crazy due to constant irritation. No time to relax or focus or gather yourself. Aren't we tempted to do the same in the workplace with interruptions and multiple focuses going on at the same time?

Let's face it, we can only really do one thing at a time, so maybe we need to adjust our thinking a little. If I have five projects to do and want to do them each well, I need to do one project at a time, then move onto the next until they're all done well.

Of course, that's not reality in the workplace, because there are also changes, interruptions, fire drills, etc. But it's all in the approach. If I can at least focus on one thing for as long as possible as a rule, then I'll handle the interruptions as just that, an interruption. That will positively affect the quality of my work and my morale.

Otherwise, my workplace life is multiple assignments plus interruptions plus fire drills which equals:.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Barry LaBov
LaBov and Beyond
www.labov.com
LaBov Sales Channel
PB&J Newsletter