Your Leadership Link by Cullen S. Gibson, Vice President
Labor Day
Labor Day is a nationwide holiday, and I suppose most of you have taken a much-needed day off to relax, cook-out, and visit family. This is a good day.
The first Labor Day Holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. In 1884, the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingman’s holiday.”
As business leaders, we are in a very labor-intensive environment. Employing and retaining loyal and committed co-workers is a daily challenge. With the rise in inflation and the many pressures placed upon a service-related business, it is critical that we seek every opportunity to remain self-aware of the needs and concerns of those who work in our organizations. And it is not always about compensation. Cultivating healthy relationships and a thriving culture are pillars to success in today’s workplace. Here are some ideas to assist you in building these pillars:
- Involve colleagues in decision making.
- Allow co-workers to fail.
- Know the names of your co-workers.
- Acknowledge the importance of their lives outside of employment.
- Create an environment of trust.
- Implement the philosophy that the organization exists to benefit everyone!
Enjoy this holiday!