It was taped to the top of a Rubbermaid cart with wheels. I forgot I had this photo on my phone until recently. Everytime I see it, it makes me laugh. But I also wonder...
What kind of message does this send to its employees?
Manager: "Go stock the Gatorade aisle and the camera aisle!"
Employee: "Sure - can I use the cart?"
Manager: "Are you out of your mind? Where do you think you are? Cart usage is a privilege, not a right?"
Employee: "But without the cart, I may have to make 15 trips back and forth from the stockroom."
Manager: "So what? That's your problem. You see, a few months ago, someone used the cart and did not empty and clean it after they used it. Therefore, I must punish all the employees instead of dealing with the one person who was in error".
Employee: "So you subscribe to the notion that you should shoot all of the dogs just because one has rabies?"
Manager: "Absolutely. Brilliant thinking!"
Employee (under breath): "You are an idiot" (or something similar)
When it comes to your employees, I totally agree that some things are privileges and some are rights. For example...
A harassment-free workplace... RIGHT
Leave early on Wednesday... PRIVILEGE
Open and honest feedback... RIGHT
Casual Friday... PRIVILEGE
Use of a cart to carry supplies... RIGHT! (in my opinion)
True leaders give their employees the tools and resources they need to do their jobs. If an employee takes advantage of them, the leader needs to get with that employee and solve the issue.
Don't punish all for the mistakes of a few.
Good night Mrs. Hale, wherever you are, and thanks...





Very graphic title, I know...
But sometimes that's what it takes to make you read a blog.
Just like Hollywood thinks that's what it takes to make you watch a TV show.
Let me put this in perspective...
Yesterday, my wife and kids and I were having Sunday lunch with my in-laws. Over the course of conversation, my 12 year old daughter shared that she was really enjoying a TV show called "Pretty Little Liars" which airs on the ABC Family Network (more on that later).
Here is the official text from the website about the show...
"Rosewood is a perfect little town. So quiet and pristine, you'd never guess it holds so many secrets. Some of the ugliest ones belong to the prettiest girls in town -- Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily, four estranged friends whose darkest secrets are about to unravel.
One year ago, Alison, the Queen Bee of their group, disappeared and the girls swore they'd never tell what really happened that night. They thought their secrets would bond them together, but just the opposite is true. Then again, who's to say what the truth is in Rosewood. It seems everyone in town is lying about something.
Now, as the mystery surrounding Alison's disappearance resurfaces, the girls begin getting messages from "A," saying – and threatening – things only Alison would know. But it couldn't be Alison. Could it?"
Now, that is how my daughter described it to her grandparents. And from that point of view, it sounds like a interesting, family oriented, teeny-bopper show, doesn't it.
But wait! I had to add my two cents - which went something like this...
"While that is true, sweetie, don't forget that it is the character development that makes this show so enjoyable...
-Teen girl #1 has decided she may be a lesbian and so she is trying out new things...
-Teen girl #2 has decided to sleep with her 25 year old teacher...
-Teen girl #3 has anger issues and is frequently arrested, so in order to keep her out of jail, her mom has decided to sleep with the arresting officer to allow the charges to be dropped...
-Finally, Teen girl #4 is very smart (finally, a good role model!)...except she finds it useful to steal her sisters fiancee' and also to steal her schoolwork and submit it as her own (so much for that...)"
(I guess that is why they market ABC family as "A new kind of family...")
Same TV show - two different interpretations.
Now, my parental decision to let my 12 year watch this debacle aside, there is a key lesson to be learned here...
There are ALWAYS two sides to every story.
As a leader, it is your responsibility not to take everything at face value. Get into your organization and find out what is going on.
Are you employees telling you the down and dirty details...or are you just getting the standard marketing paragraph that is heavy on big picture and short on details?
Leaders need to know how to get the right information from the right people at the right time. Learn this skill and learn it quickly...
or you may end up leading your own set of liars...pretty or otherwise.
Not good writers, or great writers...just writers.
Just a few years ago, it was virtually impossible to get your thoughts out there. Now there are multiple ways for each of you to share your leadership messages...
And that is what I have finally done.
After 13 long months of back and forth editing, I now am the proud owner of 300 copies of a book titled Yes You Can! Reaching your Potential while Achieving Greatness. It is a compilation book that contains leadership lessons from writers such as Warren Bennis and the late Jim Rohn...
...and me!
Writing allows you to do many things. You can share your message. You can motivate others. You can attempt to influence change.
Do I want to get rid of these 300 copies that are taking up space at my house?
Yes.
Do I want YOU to buy a copy of my book at the discounted rate of $16.95 exclusively at www.peteblank.com ?
Yes.
But even more important, I want you to write.
Great leaders write. So get your thoughts out there for all the world to see.
Your followers need you...

Incoming freshman to the University of Georgia this September now have one more elective to choose from...
PLL 100 (Poor Leadership Lessons 100).
The prerequisites are: