“This was posted earlier this year. It is a great topic and is one that we will put on the back burner because there are so many other things that are on our plate. A recent experience caused me to remember this so I thought I would re-share it with you also. Happy Thursday!”
I like to go to the gym early the morning before the sun rises. It is a great time to do soul-searching and detailed thinking because my mind is fresh before the workday begins. I found that this is my most productive thought time. Yesterday I was on the treadmill with my earphones plugged in and was half listening to CNN when a commercial for Toyota came on showing one of their factories with workers producing their automobiles. I was half paying attention until the last phrase was spoke “You cannot manufacture pride.”
I have seen this commercial before but for some reason it really caught my attention today. I could not stop pondering the thought while I finished my workout that “you cannot manufacture pride.”
If you cannot manufacture pride where does it come from? First let’s look at the definition of pride; (1) A sense of one’s proper dignity or value; self-respect. (2) Pleasure or satisfaction taken in one’s achievement, or association.
I thought about all of the employees that I have hired and people who I have worked with in various organizations and how some people had pride in what they did and others just did not. What made the difference? This is a pretty hard question to come up with an exact answer.
I do think that most of the time having pride in what you do, is a trait that is instilled in you from a very young age. Now let me add that is not always the case because we always can learn as we grow, no matter what age, to have pride in what we do and accomplish.
The point I want to make is that having pride in what you do for your employment or other commitments you have promised to do, has to come from within, no one can make you have it and it cannot be manufactured, it is almost instinctive. For example in my profession of working with patients daily, either I really enjoy and want to do my best so I can give those I serve the best care and attention because that is the only way to do it. Or I could just do the least that is necessary to get the job done.
It all has to do with my choice and how I feel about what I do. I am sure you have seen the difference when going to a restaurant and your wait-person is just delighted to serve you and does it in a genuine way engaging you. They make sure you have a wonderful experience while under their watch. You can tell that they really enjoy what they are doing, versus someone who just takes your order and then brings you your food and you never see them again until the bring the bill.
There are many reasons people do not have a sense of pride in what they do, far too many to go into. It would be nice if each person could see that they do have something to offer to those that the serve each day. They can make the choice to do their best to make what they do a better experience for all involved. And by doing so, they have a reason to be proud of what they have to offer.
“You cannot manufacture pride” ~ Toyota (this is an interesting thought to ponder)
08/27/14
Comments