One minute can change your life (Story)
He almost killed somebody, but one minute changed his life. The beautiful story comes from Sherman Rogers' old book, "FOREMEN: LEADERS OR DRIVERS?" In his true-life story, Rogers illustrates the importance of effective relationships.
During his college years, Rogers spent a summer in an Idaho logging camp. When the superintendent had to leave for a few days, he put Rogers in charge.
"What if the men refuse to follow my orders?" Rogers asked. He thought of Tony, an immigrant worker who grumbled and growled all day, giving the other men a hard time.
"Fire them," the superintendent said. Then, as if reading Rogers' mind, he added, "I suppose you think you are going to fire Tony if you get the chance. I'd feel badly about that. I have been logging for 40 years. Tony is the most reliable worker I've ever had. I know he is a grouch and that he hates everybody and everything. But he comes in first and leaves last. There has not been an accident for eight years on the hill where he works."
Rogers took over the next day. He went to Tony and spoke to him. "Tony, do you know I'm in charge here today?" Tony grunted. "I was going to fire you the first time we tangled, but I want you to know I'm not," he told Tony, adding what the superintendent had said.
When he finished, Tony dropped the shovelful of sand he had held, and tears streamed down his face. "Why he no tell me dat eight years ago?"
That day Tony worked harder than ever before -- and he smiled! He later said to Rogers, "I told my wife that you were the first foreman in this country who ever said, 'Good work, Tony,' and it made her feel like Christmas."
Rogers went back to school after that summer. Twelve years later he met Tony again. Tony was working as a superintendent for railroad construction for one of the largest logging companies in the West. Rogers asked him how he came to California and happened to have such success.
Tony replied, "If it had not been for the one minute you talked to me back in Idaho, I might have killed somebody someday. That one minute changed my whole life."
Effective managers know the importance of taking a moment to point out what a worker is doing well. What a difference a minute of affirmation can make in any relationship!
One minute. Have you got one minute to thank someone?
A minute to tell someone what you sincerely like or appreciate about him/her?
A minute to elaborate on something he did well?
One minute. It can make a difference for a lifetime.
From India, Madras
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18He almost killed somebody, but one minute changed his life. The beautiful story comes from Sherman Rogers' old book, "FOREMEN: LEADERS OR DRIVERS?" In his true-life story, Rogers illustrates the importance of effective relationships.
During his college years, Rogers spent a summer in an Idaho logging camp. When the superintendent had to leave for a few days, he put Rogers in charge.
"What if the men refuse to follow my orders?" Rogers asked. He thought of Tony, an immigrant worker who grumbled and growled all day, giving the other men a hard time.
"Fire them," the superintendent said. Then, as if reading Rogers' mind, he added, "I suppose you think you are going to fire Tony if you get the chance. I'd feel badly about that. I have been logging for 40 years. Tony is the most reliable worker I've ever had. I know he is a grouch and that he hates everybody and everything. But he comes in first and leaves last. There has not been an accident for eight years on the hill where he works."
Rogers took over the next day. He went to Tony and spoke to him. "Tony, do you know I'm in charge here today?" Tony grunted. "I was going to fire you the first time we tangled, but I want you to know I'm not," he told Tony, adding what the superintendent had said.
When he finished, Tony dropped the shovelful of sand he had held, and tears streamed down his face. "Why he no tell me dat eight years ago?"
That day Tony worked harder than ever before -- and he smiled! He later said to Rogers, "I told my wife that you were the first foreman in this country who ever said, 'Good work, Tony,' and it made her feel like Christmas."
Rogers went back to school after that summer. Twelve years later he met Tony again. Tony was working as a superintendent for railroad construction for one of the largest logging companies in the West. Rogers asked him how he came to California and happened to have such success.
Tony replied, "If it had not been for the one minute you talked to me back in Idaho, I might have killed somebody someday. That one minute changed my whole life."
Effective managers know the importance of taking a moment to point out what a worker is doing well. What a difference a minute of affirmation can make in any relationship!
One minute. Have you got one minute to thank someone?
A minute to tell someone what you sincerely like or appreciate about him/her?
A minute to elaborate on something he did well?
One minute. It can make a difference for a lifetime.
From India, Madras
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Hi That was a truly great story. Amazing what a single moment can do to make a difference to many a lives — — thanks for brightening my life Regards, Radhika
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Dear Tirukumaran you have really posted a good and managerially sound piece of information keep posting Regards Ravindra R
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Good one yaar. Hope everyone has atleast one minute for others in this fast paced life. Sree
From United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
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From United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
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When I studied 'Auditing' in my +2, the book said that 'Auditors should be watchdogs and not bloodhounds'. I think that these wordings are suitable for HR executives as well. What I have experienced is that these people are not 'positive' ones and they try to dominate/terrorize employees, which I suppose is not good for any organization. These kinds of stories should be reminded to HR people frequently to effectively manage people. I remember one of my interactions with a person in an organization who said that the department's name 'HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT' should be changed to 'HARASSING RESOURCES DEPARTMENT', which I felt was right because of the agony that person underwent. The HR Dept should be the linking bridge between management and employees and not the dividing border!
From India, Madras
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From India, Madras
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Your Life Changes When You Change.pdf