
This course, People (REALLY) First, is the second in a series of six courses. Tom explains here why he created the course series in its entirety.
Welcome to People (REALLY) First! Be sure to download the Course Guidebook here so that you can follow along and take notes on your next action items.
Anxious to get started and don't want to peruse the full guidebook? This doc is a quick overview of how this course is structured.
Tom shows you how important your employees' happiness is. You'll learn to put your employees first, which will in turn put your customers first.
Tom discusses importance of hiring the right people. You'll learn to look for soft skills when hiring.
Tom talks about the extroverts and introverts. You'll learn not to embrace the extrovert ideal and not to overlook introverts' power.
Tom discusses evaluations. You'll learn to foster the differences in employees rather than trying to standardize them.
Tom talks about the seriousness of promotions. You will learn that your promotion decisions define your legacy.
Tom discusses the under-training of most employees. You will learn the to see training as a crucial investment.
Tom talks about the best companies to work for. You'll learn that the only attribute top performers had in common was extensive benefits for part-timers.
Tom talks about the oncoming tech tsunami. You will learn why you should become a student of the technology scene.
Tom discusses the tech tsunami's affect on job availability. You'll learn the Moral Obligation of leaders is to develop the skillset of their employees.
Tom speaks about Brand You. You will learn the importance of continuing your education to increase your skill of distinction.
Tom discusses the ROI of helping your team. You'll learn to work your ass off to help your team members succeed and grow.
Tom reminds you that leadership is a helping profession if done right, well, with care, concern, passion, and compassion. You will be a value to the world. Good luck and have fun!
A final thank you and invitation to visit Tom's website.
My 18th book. The Excellence Dividend. “PR” for a new book in today’s world centers around podcasts—about two dozen in this instance. And two dozen great interviewers! In, I’d guess, 20 of the 24 exchanges, the first question—almost to the word—was the same, “Tom, you write a lot about people. What’s that all about?” Part of me wanted to tear off the mic and walk out. But in the end I always gave more or less the same answer: “What the hell else is there?”
This course looks at the “people (what-the-heck-else-is-there?) issue” through eleven different lenses—that is, eleven steps. My goal is to inflame (!) your desire (!) to work harder (!) and more creatively (!) on the “people stuff”—and to provide you with practical (ready-to-use-today) approaches to doing so.
FYI 1: “All this” takes on the utmost urgency in the face of the “tech tsunami.” I argue that humanization of services (“extreme humanization” is my title for it) is the best product development and marketing approach to staying ahead of the tech curve. Beyond that, though, organizations of any flavor have a new-found moral responsibility to help every employee prepare for the crippling-if-we-don’t-do-this-right change coming at us.
FYI 2: Good “people stuff” is good “profit stuff”—now and, yes, in the foresee-able future. Altruism is not required.
FYI 3: Polls from all around the world report that 70 percent to 80 percent of workers are unhappy and not connected to their jobs. THAT IS A STUNNING—AND SICKENING—INDICTMENT OF LEADERSHIP.
So . . . People (Really) First, 11 Steps to Excellence and Things To Do Now.