I battle between thoughts of the dreamer (or what I deem as over-optimist) and realist. I'm still not sure what the 'right' path or outlook is, but just reading this article made me f-e-e-l better. It not only applies to retail business, but business or plain life, in general.
The Attitudes of Success
By Doug Fleener, Dynamic Experiences Group, 4/7/2009
"Leaders need to be optimists. Their vision is beyond the present." - Rudy Giuliani
One of the biggest differences I see between high-performing managers and everybody else comes down to one very important attribute. The same attribute is also shared by store owners and executives as well. And just what is that one attribute, you may ask. It's attitude. That's right, attitude. While experience and skills are unquestionably important, the biggest differentiator is a person's attitude.
These are the four key attitudes successful retailers have in common:
We Can Do - The manager/owner/executive hits the store everyday with the attitude that it will be a successful day. She believes every day that the store will achieve the daily sales goal regardless of that day's news.
But a "We Can Do" attitude is much more than confidence. It's a leader showing the way with enthusiasm, passion, positive energy, and confidence. These managers have the entire team believing it will be a successful day. This manager/owner/executive doesn't make excuses or place blame when she falls short, she just goes into the next day even more determined to make it a successful day.
Sales Determine Our Success - Successful managers/owners/executives are focused on hitting a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sales number. They know that to do this they have to be a smart retailer. They know that it takes a well-merchandised store staffed by a motivated and trained team. And they know those elements are the means to an end, not the end itself.
One mistake many retailers make is deeming themselves successful because they receive many compliments on their store or on their staff. Compliments are nice and it means you're doing the right things, but success comes from achieving sales goals.
You Grow, We Grow - High-performing managers/owners/executives achieve their goals through people, not with people. They are always challenging and developing all of their people. When I worked at The Sharper Image I had a manager who always took the time to sit down with every single employee and discuss how he/she was doing. I once asked him if it was really that imperative to spend time with a part-time cashier who had told me she basically wanted to come in, ring the sales, and leave. He responded that it was important that everyone improve and develop in their position. He told me that when the individuals on the team are growing, the store as a whole will grow. He was absolutely right.
An Attitude of Gratitude - Top performing managers/owners/executives always see what they have, not what they don't have. They're grateful for both the opportunities and the challenges that lie before them. They appreciate and never forget who helped them get to where they are. They're always helping others as a way to give back for what has been given to them. They live with an attitude of gratitude.
So let me ask, how's your attitude?
Reading this made me think...How can I apply this lesson to MY LIFE?
