Be the Example

Source: Unknown

One of the most phenomenal women I have ever known was a coworker of mine named Mona. I worked closely with Mona for nine years. In nine years, I never heard her gossip once. Not one single time. Whenever you left the room, you knew that the only reason Mona would speak your name would be if it was to say something kind or complimentary. Mona’s beautiful spirit and exemplary character had a profound effect upon the climate and culture of our entire school because everyone loved and admired this woman so very much. Her goodness made us all want to be better; everyone wanted to be like Mona. She radiated joy and kindness, and the ripple effect was immeasurable.

You must exude that which you hope to create. If you want to work in a place where coworkers positively seek solutions for challenges instead of complain about them, you must model that. If you want to be in an environment where others uplift, support, and care for others, you must demonstrate those behaviors.

If you want to be in an environment where others uplift, support, and care for others, you must demonstrate those behaviors.

If you are a leader, it is pretty much guaranteed that at some point, your employees will talk about you or a decision that you did or did not make. In some cases, you just have to let it go and know that it comes with the territory; however, if one toxic employee is continually gossiping and spreading negativity, your best course of action is to confront that person. Here’s what that might sound like:

I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. I wanted to talk with you because I get the impression that you are not happy with the way I have handled some things, and I want to give you the opportunity to share your thoughts.

Can we talk? My intuition is telling me that perhaps you have negative feelings toward me, and I would love to have the opportunity to clear things up.

In some cases, this will lead to a wonderful dialogue if you follow the six principles. In other cases, the employee will deny everything and act like you are his or her favorite person on the planet, but at least you have let the employee know that you are aware of what they are doing. This usually dissuades the person from gossiping so much in the future.

Let your words be used to solve problems, offer suggestions, and help others. Use your speech to edify, uplift, and support. Be a driving force that inspires kindness.

(From Talk to Me: Find the Right Words to Inspire, Encourage, and Get Things Done

by Kim Bearden, published July 16th 2018 by Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated. Used by permission)

WORDS OF WISDOM

Whether a man winds up with a nest egg, or a goose egg, depends a lot on the kind of chick he marries.

Trouble in marriage often starts when a man gets so busy earnin' his salt, that he forgets his sugar.

Too many couples marry for better, or for worse, but not for good.

When a man marries a woman, they become one; but the trouble starts when they try to decide which one.

If a man has enough horse sense to treat his wife like a thoroughbred, she will never turn into an old nag.

On anniversaries, the wise husband always forgets the past - but never the present.

A foolish husband says to his wife, "Honey, you stick to the washin', ironin', cookin', and scrubbin'. No wife of mine is gonna work."

The bonds of matrimony are a good investment, only when the interest is kept up.

Many girls like to marry a military man - he can cook, sew, and make beds, and is in good health, and he's already used to taking orders.

Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age, and start bragging about it.

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth.... Remember about Algebra.

You know you are getting old, when everything either dries up, or leaks.

I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.

Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Old age is when former classmates are so gray and wrinkled and bald, they don't recognize you.

If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.