Wanda is feeling unsettled lately. Drew has really brought about some changes since he came on as driver and Wanda is seeing the effects of that change. For one thing, she no longer automatically receives a raise based on her many years on the bus—most rewards now go to Rufus. Joan is also steadily picking up her pace; she seems to be coming into her own in this new environment. Wanda is still dragging her feet, yet she realizes with surprise that she really does want Drew’s approval and would like to be rewarded for a job well done. But where to start? And then it just happened—BOOM! Drew made a simple request of her and, without thinking, Wanda jumped to her feet and rushed off to complete the task, lickety-split. So THIS is what motivation feels like . . .
A quote my grandmother frequently used, and one of her favorite sayings was “People who walk slow ain’t got nowhere to go.”
If you are moving around your job in a stroll, it’s going to appear to people that you are in no hurry to get anything done. If you’re injured or if you have a physical limitation, that’s one thing, but if you are able-bodied and still moving slowly, then the limitation will appear to be laziness. When you call on a Runner to help you out, he will walk with intensity and get there in a flash. A Jogger will move at a normal speed, and a Walker will hesitate, almost as if he is insulted that he is being summoned, and then he will move at a pace that is near death. Even though the actual amount of difference in time that the Runner gets there as opposed to the Walker may only be a couple of seconds, those seconds speak volumes and show respect, a strong work ethic, and a desire to contribute to the team.
Imagine that you’re at a restaurant. You’re seriously hungry. The waiter comes over, takes your order, and walks away, and then you notice that prior to submitting your food order, he goes to other tables to ask if they need anything and to remove their dishes. What in the world? Honestly, you are going to get your food at about the same time regardless, but that slight shift in the waiter’s priorities can be annoying to no end.
Quite recently, I attended an event during which a nonprofit organization in Atlanta was unveiling its new head. I was in the auditorium when this person was introduced, and as she walked to the podium, she moved so slowly that I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like her. It seemed obvious that she was enjoying the applause of the crowd, and she gradually took her time and almost strolled to the podium. I was thinking, Uh-oh, this is not going to be good. Because if you move that slowly in response to a vibrant introduction and a round of applause, then you will most certainly move slowly in everything you do. I have a feeling she won’t last long in this position—and my intuition is based completely on the way she walked.
Keep that in mind when you are asked to complete a task, because your supervisor will know if you went directly to knock it out or if you made pit stops along the way. An employee at RCA, Kennedy Reddick, is a beast. He is in charge of the after-school programs, but he is also my assistant. When given a task, he does things so quickly it can be shocking. I was meeting with him and going over a list of tasks, and the second item on the list was renting a U-Haul truck. At the end of the meeting, I asked him to go ahead and order the U-Haul first, and he said, “I already did.” He had pulled up the website and reserved it on his phone during the meeting right then and there, and I hadn’t even realized it!
The third item on that list was to make an appointment for me to get an X-ray on my elbow, which I’d injured in a basketball game with the students. When the receptionist told him over the phone that they were booked solid for the next two weeks, he got in his car, drove straight there, and went to see her in person. He always wears the most incredible suits, and he walks up to people, smiles the biggest smile, and says, “I’m not sure if you can help me or not, but . . .” and just by saying it that way, people almost want to prove that they can help him if they want to, and they do! No surprise, the receptionist made the appointment for the next day. This man knocks things out, but the best part about it is that when he’s given a task, nothing stands in his way. He doesn’t stop in the hall to talk with colleagues, he doesn’t complain or make excuses that a task is impossible; he just finds a way and makes it happen, and he moves to do it quickly.
I meet with my staff members individually every Thursday, and when we meet, we develop a list of tasks that we need to complete. On the following Thursday, we go over the previous list before compiling a new one. When everyone I meet with has completed all of the tasks on the list, our bus is zooming! When half of the lists are completed, we are jogging. And when the list is spotty, we’re walking or riding, and it leaves me with great concerns. But I can always rest assured that when I meet with Kennedy, his list is done without error, and most times he somehow manages to get it done early so that he can take on additional tasks. It’s wonderful! There is no procrastination, there are no excuses, and nothing takes priority over his list. If you tackle your tasks in that manner, you’re running! Don’t delay the assignment, and the quicker you complete it, the more praise you will earn in the eyes of others.
A Rider thinks the list is not reasonable and will make excuses why the tasks couldn’t be done.
A Walker will finish a part of the list so that they don’t get in trouble.
A Jogger feels very content when the list is complete.
A Runner wants to get the list finished quickly so that more can be done.