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Control and Choice

One of my favorite books is Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.  In the book, Frankl explains that between ‘stimulus’ and ‘response’ we have the freedom to choose.  I often share in the workshops I facilitate that we have the freedom to choose our response in any given circumstance.   Unfortunately, we let people push our buttons and control our response.   Marc Vaillancourt introduced me to the book Essentialism and the author explains that we we have forgotten that we actually have a choice in how we respond.

I don’t have control of an employee leaving.

You have the opportunity to create a remarkable environment where your employees can flourish.  You can give them that gift.  If they choose not to accept the gift, you can move on to someone that will appreciate it.  I firmly believe that employees don’t leave companies, they leave leaders.  In the end, you are accountable to create the environment where they feel valued, or you can help them realize they may not be at the right place.  The choice is yours.

This is the same for attracting new employees.

I met with a business owner in a rural Minnesota that was frustrated that he could not attract top talent.  A better questions would be, “How can I share what a remarkable place this is so top talent will want to relocate to rural Minnesota.”  The choice is yours.  Create the environment!  (Here is a little information on the culture at Vivid Image.)

Don’t make yourself the victim

As business owners and marketers, we often make ourselves the victim.  We place blame and essentially give up the power to make better choices.  It is easier to foget that we have a choice and blame others.  Poor me.  How can this happen?  Why can’t I get a break?

Stop it!  Ask better questions.  Take control.  Don’t make yourself the victim.

Take back control by realizing every decision you make, or don’t make, is your responsibility.  Be the leader you were born to be or the victim – the choice is yours.

By Steve Gasser 29 Jan, 2020
If the root of most company issues is poor communication, then the key to lifting up a company’s culture, productivity, and growth must be rooted in good communication. When everyone contributes and all are truly heard, change happens. People feel valued. Tasks get done efficiently and effectively. Company vision is a shared goal. The premise of Giant Worldwide 5 Voices is that everyone has a leadership voice and an opportunity to lead in his/her personal and professional life through self, family, work, and community. So what is your voice? Take the 5 Voices test through this free assessment and find out now.
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