I looked in the mirror and saw...Harvey

I looked in the mirror when I awoke this morning and all I saw were the people affected by Hurricane Harvey (truth - what I actually saw was a middle-aged guy who could lose a few pounds) but all I could think about was the people impacted by Mother Nature.  If you are like me, we all received a huge wake-up call this week as we watched Harvey unfold through Corpus Christi into Houston and now along the Gulf Coast. 

First lesson – we can never outsmart Mother Nature.  She always wins.

The loss of lives, the financial impact, the loss of homes, and the loss of faith and hope all unfolded before our eyes on national television and in every story we read.  Watching all of this, I knew I couldn’t write about work in my blog this week when a tragic event of this magnitude continues to cripple our country.  Estimates of over $160 billion (Katrina was $35 billion) in losses.  Estimates of 52 plus inches of rain…52 inches (that is above your stove, your couch, your bed)!  At least 2 million homes damaged or destroyed and still climbing (80% of residents do not have homeowner’s or flood insurance).  Our largest US oil refinery shut down (gas prices will spike $.25/gallon in a few short days).  Tragic.  

Second lesson – we will never FULLY understand the impact of this storm.

What have we seen?  In light of my blog last week on “Issues vs Sides”, it has been encouraging to see how a tragic event like this forces us to all step back and evaluate what is really important.  Seeing the stories everyday of people helping people in need regardless of political views, race, economic status, geography, etc. is what we should be about every day.  Caring.  

Third lesson – tragedy often does bring out the BEST in people.

From inspiring stories of personal rescues, the Cajun Navy, armies of out of state folks driving their boats to Houston, airlines (yes airlines!) waving change fees, mattress stores opening their doors to allow people to sleep inside, celebrities behind the scenes (in real time – thanks Tyler Perry) immediately helping folks who have lost everything, firefighters forming human chains to rescue citizens of Houston, people opening their doors and wallets, victims of Katrina paying it back to help Houston.  The list goes on and on.  As one Houston radio station tweeted, “Harvey has taken a lot, but it will NEVER take our humanity”.  Perseverance.  

Fourth lesson – we are a better nation today than we have shown the world in the last few months.  I will ask you this though, why should it have to take a tragedy of this magnitude to make us realize what is important and bring us together past our cultural and societal differences?

I am a big proponent of “paying it forward” and “kindness is currency”.  Now is the time to help out our brothers and sisters across America.  Give love, give time, give resources, give dollars, give prayers.  Just give.

Final lesson –   Together.  We.  Win.

Dave Harmon

People Division

“Kindness is Currency”

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidharmonhr

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Issues Not Sides

If you are like me, and many others in the United States today – you are probably saddened by the state of the culture we live in.  We have made decisions (and made decisions to NOT make decisions) which has led us to a place of too much tension.  I am not taking any sides in my blog today – my issue is with our lack of progress against very real issues facing our country.   I am watching …daily … friendships dissolving over political side taking and “all or nothing” views on issues.  It is sad to watch, regardless of your side or views or affiliation. We have lost our focus – it is not a right or wrong discussion; it should be about issues and facts and resources and decisions. 

Let us not forget some words written so eloquently a few centuries ago: “We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

We are losing our way.  We are becoming too focused on which “side” we are on versus the very real issues facing our nation.  We are too focused on the “people” who were elected vs the decisions they may or may not make.  We are too focused on “things” with not enough focus on the issues.  We seem to be more focused on the “fight” and not on the “solution.” Healthcare is a good example – I do not pretend to know how to solve this, but guess what? We all have family or friends with healthcare issues and financial issues associated with healthcare.  We need to work together with people who understand the system, the laws, the resources and look for something that works for all citizens of the United States.

We have not rebuilt inner cities, we need to curb the crime in our big cities, we need to feed the children in our country who struggle to eat every day, we need to curb the domestic abuse occurring across all demographics, provide solutions for gender and abortion issues, we need to understand our first amendment issues, we need to be more aware of our growing water crisis, we need to find resolutions for our pipeline issues, we need the facts and open discussion on climate change, we need to truly understand how to break the cycle of poverty, we need to help end large scale conflicts (and wars)… and the list goes on.  These are not issues meant for posturing or rhetoric – WE NEED REAL FACT-BASED DISCUSSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND …(someday) SOLUTIONS.

I do not sit behind my desk pretending to have the answers, or even pointing my finger to blame someone, but what I do know is that “we the people” need to start to use our collective voices to focus on solutions to these major problems affecting all of us in some capacity.

I think what we need is for both sides to show up and work toward the best outcome.  Both sides put forth the best effort for the people.  Both sides work toward solving issues. Like going to a sporting event where both sides play their heart out in a civilized manner.  

Let me close on a lighter note.  Do I like the Green Bay Packers?  Yes.  Do I like the New York Giants?  Not really.  Would we have a football game if the Giants did not show up?  Nope.  Do I like the 31-30 victory better than the 31-0 victory?  Sure do.  Knowing that both sides gave it their all and played their hearts out.  Left it all on the field collectively.  That is all I wish for.

Together. We.  Win.

Dave Harmon

People Division

“Kindness is Currency”

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidharmonhr

Follow Dave and other USA TODAY NETWORK highlights at: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,  Facebook, The Muse and Gannett Careers

Unity is Strength

"Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." --Mattie Stepanek

It really does not matter how smart, talented, driven, or enthusiastic you are, your success as a leader in our world today depends on your ability to rally and inspire your team. To be a successful leader, it is up to you to understand how to bring your team members together to work toward a common vision and goal.  In our ever-changing world today, the difference between success and failure is not just great individuals but more importantly a great team.  If I look back at my career, I became a much stronger leader when I realized it was not about “me” but about “we”.  It took me awhile to understand that if I spend all my energies on my team – listening, teaching, coaching, motivating, recognizing, etc. and see my victories through their eyes and their wins, we would be in a much better place.  How do we take those great individuals and create a great team?  Or I would offer, how do you take good individuals and create a great team?  Unity. 

When I was at Pepsi or AOL or The Federal Reserve or even here at Gannett – unity does not happen overnight.  It is a culture change of “me” to “we”.  It is recognizing team wins vs individual wins.  It takes constant awareness of rewarding the team and understanding the value each person brings to the team.  Treating people fairly but not equally. 

  

Unity takes on many forms.  Like commitment, there are varying levels.  If you are going to be effective as a leader, it is important for you to be able to discern the difference.

There are actually three levels of unity, says Michael Hyatt:

• Acceptance. This is the first and lowest level of unity. People acquiesce to your leadership without protest. They may or may not agree, but they decide to go along because the cost of objecting—whether real or perceived—is too great.
• Agreement. This is the second level of unity. People agree with your direction and generally support it. But they are not personally invested or committed to making it happen. You have their minds but not their hearts. This is why you may not experience resistance, but you can’t seem to make things happen.
• Alignment. This is the third and ultimate level of unity. People are with you. They are fully committed to making your common vision a reality. They also have your back and the backs of their teammates. They voice their support in public and their concerns in private.

As Sean Glaze stated, “New managers or team leaders are always curious to know the secret ingredients that create team unity. But the secret is that there is no secret.  After working with teams for over 20 years, I have found that team unity is the result of two very important ingredients coming together - unity is created when people care about their team’s goal AND unity is created when people care about their teammates.  That’s it—just two ingredients.”

Sounds easy.  Setting our goals is about understanding the needs of the business combined with the abilities of our team. Getting everyone to CARE about their teammates…well, that answer has no silver bullet.

While companies often focus on the importance of individual performance, they fail to see how it can destroy morale. Having employees working as a team is something that is crucial to building success in any work place. When employees are supportive and trusting of one another, morale is higher, which leads to increased job satisfaction and job retention – along with increased productivity.  Clear goals and a team that cares about each other is the result of an atmosphere of collaboration, collective problem solving, focus on issues vs people, focus on team thinking vs individual thinking, and TRUST.  I would also offer that building a unified team helps reduce attrition as well.  Finally, in my experience, when you have created this environment for your team, creativity goes up – people feel safe offering new and differing ideas.

So, what lessons have I learned along my journey (what did I wish I knew when I was 5 years into my career)?  Spend more time than you think on hiring the right people.  Also, be cognizant of and “weed” out the employees that are only in the workplace for themselves. Look for the people that support each other, and want their co-workers to succeed along with them. Having an environment of teamwork will improve your function/department by boosting morale, reducing absenteeism, and improving employee retention.  Lead your way to a great team.  This is what makes me want to come to work every day to work with my “team” here at Gannett.

When individuals work together and trust one another, it allows them to feel safe and comfortable in the workplace. Together.  We.  Win.

Dave Harmon

People Division

“Kindness is Currency”

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidharmonhr


Follow Dave and other USA TODAY NETWORK highlights at: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,  Facebook, The Muse and Gannett Careers

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Gannett is at the heart of American life, driving conversation and action every day, across local and national news, sports and entertainment. And with our broad reach and connections, we are able to put our partners’ brand at the center of the conversation. We connect with over 100 million consumers every month to make sure their brand is remembered. We are driven to create innovative products that reach audiences in unique and powerful ways. We have deep consumer connections in more than 120 local communities, along with the national reach of USA TODAY.  We have a culture that is transforming by the day.  Together.  We.  Win.

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Dave Harmon

People Division

“Kindness is Currency”

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidharmonhr

Follow Dave and other USA TODAY NETWORK highlights at: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,  Facebook, The Muse and Gannett Careers