As one quarter ends and the next begins, I always reflect on what went well, what didn’t and what needs to change.
It reminds me of something that Chris Percy said to me in 2001. We were working in Seattle together and it was the end of a quarter, where we faced some challenges. I saw a shoe shine box under his desk and I asked him about it. He told me that there was a lot in the business that we could not fix as quickly as we wanted to, but that there was no excuse for not having your shoes shined. Since that day, I can’t help but look at someone’s shoes any time they are trying to explain why something went wrong.
I work in a business where results delivered reflect decisions made and plans executed over the course of years. The reports of our success and our challenges in any month or quarter can drive complacency or frustration that are not productive. Regardless of the outcome, I do my best to focus on what I have control over.
- Say “Please” and “Thank You”: Whether working with partners, customers, or employees, treating people with respect and showing appreciation drives productivity and makes the workplace better for everyone.
- Plan the Work and Work the Plan: Always make sure that you are using your time and resources deliberately to accomplish your goals. Don’t let your days just happen. Take control.
- The Most Important Thing is to keep the Most Important Thing the Most Important Thing: Prioritize relentlessly.
- Shine your shoes: Take care of the basic items that demonstrate that you have your act together. This includes being on time, proofreading your work before you send it out, and testing the AV equipment before a big meeting. And never forget to shine your shoes.
We're at the start of July, the beginning of 3rd quarter. Sunday was hot and humid here in Atlanta, so I stayed inside and shined all of my shoes.
Good luck to all of you as you start the second half of the year.
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John Dwyer became President of AT&T Cricket Wireless in 2015, President of the complete Prepaid Division of AT&T in 2017. He continues to oversee marketing strategies, network deployment and customer experience. Mr. Dwyer actively supports Atlanta youth leadership programs, especially Junior Achievement and the Boy Scouts.