Civility Up / Corporate Losses Down
Executives Lead By Example
“Campbell’s Soup CEO Example: Doug Conant took over the failing Campbell’s Soup company in 2001 and turned it around in five years. How? Conant emphasized high-performance standards and insisted on civil behavior up and down the ranks. He made sure that he – and other leaders – acknowledged people in the hallways and the cafeteria, thanked people for favors, shared credit and created a friendly ambiance. In five years, he wrote 30,000 thank you notes.”
Executive-led culture change at Campbell’s included “Thank you’s, learning people’s names and acknowledging good work for small tasks.” It also included not tolerating disrespect from anyone and imposing “consequences for rude and uncivil behavior.”
It took Campbell’s 5 years to change its culture. How much faster could you change your culture if your executives created invitation moments for loyalty every day? Real world examples show how quickly invitation moments could bring desired change.
3 Behavior Transforming Steps
(to improve collaboration)
3 Workplace Beliefs
(to stop workplace violence)
Want to Improve the Bottom Line and Create Better Leaders? Try Civility
Lynne Eisaguirre’s MONDAY MEMO
January 21, 2018
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Executives Recognize The Importance Of Employees
“Employees are directly responsible for driving revenue and keeping the operation afloat.”
“But it takes nurturing to develop a workforce that optimizes your operations.”
“How Employees Make or Break Business Success (and How You Can Lead the Way)”
Sean Peek
business.com
October 30, 2023
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Shy & Reserved CFO Leads His Law Firm To Recognition
A CFO for a large law firm lacked “charisma, confidence, and presence.” An employee satisfaction survey gave CFO a C-minus. He wanted to do better.
CFO spent a day with Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, former commander of the USS Benfold and author of several books about leadership. CFO chose one the Mike Abrashoff’s leadership techniques from his time on Benfold — one-on-one interviews with employees. It fit who he was as a shy and reserved person.
The interviews revealed employee ideas that helped the department be more successful. CFO’s satisfaction survey grade went up to A-plus.
Seeing the success of the CFO’s department, the law firm adopted one-on-one interviews for all departments. Fortune magazine placed the law firm at “roughly the 150th best place to work in the United States.”
It’s Our Ship: The No-Nonsense Guide to Leadership
Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
2008, page 133.
Civility Up / Small Business Losses Down
Paula M. Kramer’s Real World Example
A former boyfriend shared a store space with another small business owner. My boyfriend sold books. His partner sold CDs and musical instrument supplies. My boyfriend had children so he took the early shift and his partner took the late shift. The late shift meant more teenagers coming in.
Partner made a point of talking to the teenagers. He asked about their musical tastes, school, what was happening in their lives. Partner had conversations with the teenagers. Eventually, the teenagers told Partner that the book/CD store was the only store in town where the did not commit shoplifting. They made a point of NOT stealing from the business owner who took the time to listen to them.
Civility Up / Personal Losses Down
Executive Sets Herself Up For Success
Colle McVoy CEO Christine Fruechte wrote about her education at an all-female school.
At that school, she “gave my time and talents without any gender concerns.”
Her school taught her to “support other women.”
She also learned to be “generous.”
McVoy’s support and generosity helped “in my professional career, as well as in my nonprofit and board work.”
McVoy invited loyalty from everyone she graced with her generosity and support.
“Launching Leaders: The Power of All-Girls Schools”
Christine Fruechte, Contributor
CEO of Minneapolis ad agency Colle McVoy
Huffington Post
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© Paula M. Kramer, 2024
All rights reserved.
Updated September 10, 2024.