JS Tip 607: The Value of Everyone's Voice

Three factors influenced this tip: 

Factor One: We’ve just had an election. Nearly a hundred and fifty million people cast their votes to determine who leads this country. There’s something beautiful about that. The people decide. 

Factor Two: Our leadership workshops often talk about Captain D. Michael Abrashoff and his book, It’s Your Ship. The book is about respectful leadership. It’s about leaders who listen to and serve those they lead. 

Abrashoff assumed command of the worst-performing ship in the fleet and turned it into the best. He listened to his sailors. 

Some counsel from Captain Abrashoff: 

As a manager, the one signal you need to steadily send to your people is how important they are to you. In fact, nothing is more important to you.

Realize your influence, and use it wisely. Be there for your people. Find out who they are. Recognize the effects you have on them and how you can make them grow taller.

Factor Three: This company is named for the Jimmy Stewart character in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Jefferson Smith. Honest. Idealistic. Hard-working.

Some counsel from Jefferson Smith:

Liberty’s too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say, “I’m free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn’t. I can, and my children will.”

Free to speak and be heard.

We need to treasure what we have. We need to listen to one another. 

We love this stuff.