What I learned from Mom

My wife Lisa is a tremendous mother. My kids are winners, or at least so far they are. And the credit for that needs to go to their mother who is always there for them. My kids are lucky; I’m lucky; I know that. I was equally lucky to have the mother I have, so this month, let me share with you what I’ve learned from my mom, a retired schoolteacher, in hopes of helping you.

Say thank you. When we were young, my mom made us write thank you notes to those who did nice things for us or gave us a gift. So, to this day, I write thank you notes. Handwritten notes make an impact and show that you are thankful. My mom still sends me thank you notes, even when we tell her not to worry about it. I think my mom knows they make an impact, but more importantly, I think the teacher in her knows that the best way you teach is to do the very thing you want your students to do.

Business application? I’m sure you see it. Tell your team thank you; send them a note. Tell your clients thank you; send them a note. Tell your vendors you appreciate them; send them a note. Make saying thank you part of the culture of your company. Doing this will be reflected in your profits; trust me.

Be nice. In 1978, a blizzard hit Dayton, Ohio, and we were snowbound. The roads were closed and had not been plowed for days. My dad could be heard yelling at the road department on the phone and, surprise, no one came out to open up the road. After two more days, I heard my mom talking very nicely on the phone with the road department, telling them how tough this storm must have been and weaving in the fact she had 3 young children that needed food. One hour later, a whole army of trucks and equipment came down the road and dug us out.

Business application? Be nice, hire nice people, be nice to your people.

Laugh at yourself. My mom is the absolute best at laughing at herself. I have no less than five stories I share as a professional speaker that bring the house down. My favorite is the one Mom told me about the time she tried to learn how to play golf at a local, small course with her friend. Upon coming up to hole #7, my mom noticed rakes by the sand trap and proceeded to pick them all up, telling her friend, “My son Marty hates it when his crews leave tools on jobsites; he says they’re expensive.” Mom’s right; I do hate that. She proceeded to gather the rakes at hole #8 and hole #9 and took them to the golf pro and said, “Your crews left these out on the course.” To which the pro immediately replied, “Thanks, we wondered where those were.”

Business application? Leaders know they need to laugh at themselves. It makes them human and shows their teams that they as leaders aren’t perfect. Hire humble people who talk about their mistakes readily and easily as learning experiences and it makes people want to follow you.