Make This Your Best Day Ever!
Jean Steel, nationally renowned motivational
speaker, started her session Be the Difference
With Your Workplace with a question: “Why
are you here?” and promptly answered it: “You
are here to make a difference.”
This theme was evident throughout the annual
conference. But as she closed the three-day
event, Jean provided motivation, concrete
tools for managers and employees alike and a
great deal of humor. With stories of personal
successes and failures from throughout her life
and career, Ms. Steel interwove her charm and
positive outlook into great advice.
Some of her points focused on staff:
• Boomers don’t need praise, Millennials do.
• It’s not about position, it’s about impact.
• Offer opportunities to learn and grow in
your organization.
• Update job descriptions and get rid of “all
other duties as assigned.”
• Ask your frontline staff for ideas on how
to save money and time. Then streamline
workflow – don’t make them go through
too many hoops to get something done.
• Don’t ask “Can I help you?” instead ask
“How can I help?”
• Remind people why you do what you do.
Only 42 percent of employees know the
mission of the organization and studies
show that if staff are engaged in the
mission, the results are higher productivity
and better morale.
• Remember, 30 percent of your
bottom line is linked to your personal
management style.
She asked attendees, “Are you deeply
committed to both your organization and its
goals? Are your coworkers?” Staff want to know
what is expected of them not just when they are
hired but throughout their tenure. Having clear
expectations prevents problems. She cautioned,
“Don’t be at a disadvantage by assuming
you know everythin