During my 22 years in the Navy, I have heard the saying "The Captain is the Ship" and, from experience, I must agree. Even though the intended meaning is varied, I always have interpreted it as that the places I have worked have always taken on the "personality" of the person in charge. During my two tours as a Commanding Officer, my commands took on my personality too - good and bad traits. Take a moment to reflect on where you currently work. What is the office mood or character? Who is the ring leader of your office's atmosphere? Most likely, the leadership--whoever is at the helm has set the office climate. Why!? It's because we take our "cues" from those who are steering the vessel (organizationally or departmentally).
To set the right tone for your "ship" as it heads into new waters, try my "COPY" leadership system for modeling organizational success. COPY stands for:

Be…
Concise
Optimistic
Playful
Yourself

Concise
In being Concise, I am referring to concise communications in relaying the vision, mission, and overall strategy to team members. There are three basic questions that come with any strategy. They are:
1. Where are we now?
2. Where are we going?
3. How are we going to get there?
In being concise, knowing where you currently are is the first step. The second question of "Where are we going?" is critical to organizational success. The vision should be clear, tangible, and easily understood. More importantly, everyone should know what it is and where he or she fit into the value chain in producing the end result. A teammate who knows, with precision, where the organization is going will help you figure out the third question of "How are we going to get there." All of this starts with stepping out and reaching each teammate with concise communication.

Optimistic
As the "Captain," your optimistic attitude will permeate throughout the rest of the "ship" and will dictate the performance of the team. When you are excited about where you are going and have used concise communication to let everyone know, your team will be excited as well. Although there may be grumbling (because resistance to change can happen), you have the power to quickly turn it around. As you believe and are positive about it, the rest will follow. Mountains, valleys, highs, lows, and even large ravines shouldn't keep you from losing focus - the battle is won (or lost) in your head prior to it's start and it all begins with PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)!

Playful
Do you remember how much fun it was to hang out, laugh, and play with your friends when you were a kid? So do I! That’s what work should be...FUN! Cell phones, deadlines, finances, and email pound down on employees every day - stifling creativity, productivity, and morale. You, as the leader can mitigate the effects of stress by infusing “fun” into each day. It could be as simple as hosting a weekly “potluck” – something to break the workweek/day up. Work should be like a game of kick ball. The focus stays strategic (win the game) but the method is fun. You set the pace and the entire “crew” will take their cues from you…go ahead, kick the ball!

Yourself
During Officer Candidate School, one does A LOT of push ups (I did more than most). As we went down to the floor in the push up position, we had to scream “INTEGRITY” and as we pushed up, we had to scream “DISCIPLINE!” Honestly, although it was done as a punishment, it was one of the most motivational moments of my life – hearing 80 people scream these words in unison can help you tap into strength reserves that you didn’t know you had. When times have gotten bad and I may have been tempted to cut a corner and not be true to who I was as a person, I think of those two words and my teammates yelling them in my ear “INTEGRITY!….DISCIPLINE!” and I am able to tap back into those reserves and stay the course. We all have those times of trial but if we stay true and stay the course the entire team appreciates it. Always be “you” and always stay true to your core beliefs - never waiver, never falter, never compromise them.

Modeling the way for your team through the "COPY" system will help your team achieve greater productivity, creativity, cohesion, and will, simply, make work a much better place to be. It's very much like when your mom used to say "monkey see monkey do" - you get to be the head monkey, model the way and, let's face it, monkeys are cool! Remember to COPY and never give up the ship!

Schedule a workshop, lunch and learn, motivational meeting kick off or seminar with me TODAY! Email me at czar@funsquadinc.com or phone 262-960-2034. I don't think there's been a better time then right now to talk to your team about positive leadership, do you!? Live large - be in charge! Call me today!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead!"

- Admiral David Glasgow Farragut

Keep laughing, leading, rockin', and connecting!

1. Host a lunch time "whine" and cheese party with your teammates where you get all of your complaints out at one time. Write them down on sheets of paper and have a ceremony (with music) where you shred them!

2. Write "Out to Lunch" on a post-it and put it on your forehead during high stress times this week.

3. Send yourself a candygram (sharing is optional...but encouraged)!

December 3rd - Telescope Day

December 4th - Day of the Artisans

December 5th - Blue Jeans Day

December 6th - Microwave Oven Day

December 7th - Pearl Harbor Day

December 8th - Imagine Day
(Also the Day I Retire From the Navy...HOW APPROPRIATE!)

Decmeber 9th - Christmas Card Day

Having passed the enlistment physical, Jon was asked by the doctor, "Why do you want to join the Navy, son?"

"My father said it'd be a good idea, sir."

"Oh? And what does your father do?"

"He's in the Army, sir."

GO NAVY!! Yes, a little inter-service humor - only because of the Army/Navy Game and this being my last week on Active Duty.

Read about what I am doing in the world of humor and leadership and post what you are doing to increased teamwork, build connections and retain your quality people!

"The laughter club was great...something I will use in my personal and professional life!"

- Dawn, La Salle, IL

"I am a mental health professional and you and your presentation gave me great new methods to address the emotionally closed. Thank you!"

- Michelle Murphy, La Salle, IL

"You ROCK!"

- Trudi, Ottawa, IL

I work with people who want to increase teamwork, productivity, and communication and with organizations that want to create a more positive, change resilient culture.

There's never been a better time to connect, inspire and provide positive leadership than right now. Develop your leaders with a workshop or inspirational talk today!

Chip is a retired Navy Officer with 22 years leadership experience. He served as Commanding Officer of two separate Navy Facilities and was the Director of Security for Naval District Washington, DC during September 11th, 2001. Additionally, he is adjunct faculty for two colleges where he teaches classes in leadership, teamwork, and organizational behavior.