The Price of Admission

The price of admission (or employment) by a successful enterprise is participation. Vocal participation is a clear expectation. More and more we work in teams. Without every team member’s active participation, the task at hand cannot become a quality product.

There are a lot of excuses people use to remain silent. They claim they are shy, or upset, or they habitually avoid conflict. Some just do not care.

Each of us has important knowledge and training. The company fully expects these abilities to be used. This is why you were hired.

In a collaborative workplace, each team member is fully responsible for the success of the team. If something goes wrong, every member of the team bears responsibility. We are our brother’s keeper, whether we like it or not. It does not help to blame a team member or others — every member is at fault —including the silent ones.

The successful company permits and rewards risk taking, innovation, and creative solutions to problems. When a mistake is made, the team surrounds the person or people primarily responsible, supports them, and looks for ways to avoid similar mistakes in the future. Mistakes are okay if we were trying to do something right and we learned from it. In the right circumstances, errors are the most effective learning device. Mistakes are not okay if we learn nothing, or if we just don’t care.

It is our desire to fully empower each and every employee. To reach this goal, you must be willing to be fully responsible for decisions, commitments and actions. Responsibility requires integrity. It means we are honest and forthright with our fellow employees. It means we are willing to coach, counsel and act in the best interests of our customers, employees and shareholders. A fully empowered employee acts like an owner and can be counted on to take charge when things do not go right.

Nothing is ever cast in concrete except our principles and values. Plans can be changed, processes are continuously improved, and even our basic business changes over time. To make successful change, it takes a firm foundation of never-changing values. Finally, successful change requires consensus arrived at by team collaboration. The result is an organization on the leading edge, providing customers with outstanding service.

When things go right and the company prospers, riches and rewards flow to all.

Working in a successful environment is worth the price of admission.