The Heart Of Business

By Craig S. Galati

Brett Favre just retired from the NFL. I watched him at his news conference choking back tears as he told the world that he did not have the passion to continue. So, what does that have to do with business? Everything! His recent news conference is a great demonstration of being true to who you are and what you want to do. As I’ve written before, life is short–don’t waste it working on things that don’t stir your soul. Unfortunately, many people don’t take the time to think about what they want; they just go through the motions, bumping down life’s road.

I believe as business owners, leaders, or managers of our respective organizations, one of our responsibilities is to help the people who work in our organizations discover who they are and what passions reside inside of them. And if we are good at helping them uncover their hidden passions, we will find ways for them to unleash these passions in our organizations.

Business is all about people. It’s time we quit looking at people as human resources (we all know how we treat resources in our country). It’s time for us to look at people in terms of their passions and help them reach their potential whether with our organization or with another. To be able to do so effectively for others, we must have already done it for ourselves.

Back to Brett Favre. It must be hard to quit something you love and for which you get paid so handsomely. As Brett said, “I got paid to play a game and I’m thankful every day for the opportunity.” But he reached a point, both mentally and physically, where he couldn’t do it any longer. The game he loved so much didn’t stir his soul anymore–at least not to where he could continue the work it took to play in the NFL. For Brett Favre, retiring was being true to himself. Sure, he had the financial resources to retire, but he could have hung on for several more years “at least for the money.”

There are many people who would like to see Brett Favre play for a few more years, just as there are those in your organization who think they know what you should be doing with your life. But the key to enjoying life, as the Life s Good brand proclaims, “do what you like, like what you do.” All of us have the ability to be good at whatever we choose, as long as we also have the drive. The important thing is to enjoy what you are doing so that it is easy to drive forward.

I talk to many business owners, leaders, and managers. They tell me of the next generation of workers and how they are the “entitled generation;” the generation that chooses the things they deem are worthy of their attention. If true, then the old ways of leading people and our old management practices are doomed to failure.

Consider the following:

Focus on human potential not human resources. People are not expendable resources. Focus on the potential of those with whom you work and help them find their passion or calling. A person who is excited about what they do, will be great for your organization.

Act like a career counsellor, not a boss. If you are in a position to influence and help others in their career, then do so. Take an interest in those with whom you work and help them find positions in which they will succeed.

Don’t put a square peg in a round hole. I see it all the time. People are put into positions where they cannot succeed. Just because someone has tenure or because someone is technically proficient does not mean he is management material. Promoting people to positions where they cannot succeed does a disservice to them and to your company.

I’d like to hear from you:

• Do you have any tips on how to unleash people’s potential?
• Can you think of a time when you weren’t true to yourself?
• Are you in a position that allows your passions to be realized?

Until next time …

Craig