While working in Europe with my wife we decided to stop at a bread shop. Immediately, there was a distinctive difference from any store we had visited since arriving in country. Three women were in the store. The colors were bright. A young lady came swiftly around the corner to greet us. The other employees stood. Each behaved with such enthusiasm that it was as though we owed them money.

They were upbeat unlike their counterparts in other stores that caused us to be apologetic for disturbing them.

But employees typically respond to the environment established by leaders and managers.

One can find negative bitter angry and cynical people within the same company with the same pay under the tutelage of the same employee engagement plan.

In far too many organizations the most important aspects of the equation are lost.

In our work, we’ve been able to get people to evaluate themselves on six questions.

Each of the questions asks, “Today, did I do my best.”

That alone is an important step towards self-leadership because it is one of the things, we can demonstrate control over in life.

Let’s compare these questions.

1. I do my best to set clear goals. This is different than expecting the company to set defined goals for an employee.

2. I do my best to make progress toward goal achievement. As opposed to waiting for the company to help employees achieve their goals. The employee admits to taking responsibility to achieve their goals.

3. Did I do my absolute best to have a great attitude or did I wait for someone to make me happy?

4. Did I do my best today to find purpose? Instead of waiting for someone to give purpose to my day.

5. Did I make a sincere effort to build positive relationships? Meaning are you building positive relationships with the people around you?

6. Did I fully engage myself?

The results have been phenomenal. Over a third of the people state they feel better in all facets of their job and life.

Three-fourths of those respondents admitted they were better at doing something and 10% remained the same. With a number unbelievably getting worse.

That’s something to think about.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Woods is an internationally acknowledged expert in leadership and performance improvement. He is the president and founder of Woods Kovalova Group – a leading global provider of individual and corporate based leadership and mindfulness solutions in 30 countries. He and his teams are training senior executives, leaders, and employees in organizations like Whirlpool, U.S. Army, Google, Nike, Accenture, GE and many other organizations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Jim has written two children’s books. He also authored three books on leadership and career development. He is a former U.S. Navy Seabee, Boy Scout leader, formerly homeless, a fifth-grade math and science teacher along with being an adjunct professor at several universities. He designs and implements performance improvement training programs to enhance organizational and leadership excellence while making the world a better place.

He and his wife Lucy (vice-president of Woods Kovalova Group) share their time between homes in Denver, CO, and Ukraine. Schedule an appointment to learn more about how they can help your organization.