Surround Yourself with Hard Workers

[April 27, 2017]  Most of us work in an organization of some kind.  It may be large or small, simple or complex, or prestigious or not so; but what really matters to its success is the people who work there and it’s the hard workers that make this achievement happen.

That’s right.  It’s not just anybody that makes an organization successful; it is those that work hard that carry the weight of others.  It has been estimated that less than 20% of those in the workplace actually achieve results beyond what is required of them.  Surprising as this may seem, it is important that leaders do their best to ensure these folks are treated well and cared for in a most excellent manner possible.

“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.” – Colin Power, U.S. Army General and American Statesman

Leaders, when they are given a choice, should create teams from those who are the hardest workers.  But also important is that those same people have their priorities straight; they are not prima donnas, they don’t take themselves too seriously, they place their effort in their families, friends, and faith, and they know how to have a good time (both at work and away).

We can learn a lot from those we work for as we all have done.  I had one of the smartest and most respected senior commanders that military has ever produced.  He was hard working, hard playing, had his priorities straight, and his bosses liked him.  But he was a prima donna; a vain man who would turn his back on any soldier in his unit if it suited his purpose.  We junior officers liked his drive and effectiveness but hated that he looked upon us a mere tools for furthering his career.

Good workers are those that are smart yet capable of achieving a balance in their lives between work and home.  These are indeed rare people.  I personally slanted too much to the work side and the cost to my family was more than I should have paid.  Most people err on the opposite and consider their work to be a hindrance to their fun and family.  The true leader is one who can achieve symmetry between both.

Great leaders find those who are the hard workers, those with balance in their lives, and surround themselves with these folk.  Those workers are the ones who can be relied upon in tough times and will be future leaders in their own right.

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