your example

UPS Says:

"The Postal Service wouldn't last one day in the free and open market of competition."

Prove them wrong every day.

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When I saw this sign hanging in the working area in the back of my local post office yesterday, I laughed out loud. The last few people in the line of about 20 deep seemed concerned. When I pulled out the camera, I felt the need to explain.

"I like to write about things sometimes. That sign -- it's good idea -- but I rarely feel like anyone here takes it to heart."

That's one of the core management challenges, isn't it? Helping people take their work to heart -- to become addicted to contribution rather than complaints, entitlement, or simply "putting in the time".

The sign is a good idea. But who reinforces the sign? Who helps the employee "every day" (we're way outside the post office now) understand that their work matters to someone else and they have a responsibility to serve (as do I). And when leadership fails to relentlessly reinforce contribution and service, when (and how) does the employee become responsible?

We all lead... ourselves and others (regardless of title). And the best way to lead is by example.

What's your example?

(The quote is from a former UPS CEO, Jim Kelly in April of 1998. The photo was the best I could do from a distance -- I asked to get closer but they weren't up for it.)