Put on a Joy-Filled Face

It’s that time of year again, when Ebenezer Scrooge makes his appearance. Or…her appearance. Let me explain that.

When you think of Scrooge, what picture appears in your mind? A blissful happy soul? Or a negative, mean looking person with a nasty disposition? Easy question to answer. Just look at the character in books or films. As one might say, “He needs a mommy!”

As it turns out, he needed some visits from ghost-like characters to woo him into becoming a palatable human; one anyone might like to be around. And I’ll bet he even appeared more joyful.

While entering and navigating my way around a warehouse store this week, I encountered many Scrooge-like scowls on the faces of men and women. And why? No easy places to park. Long checkout lines. The push-and-shove of the warehouse store visitor for free samples. People blocking the aisles. And…more. Bah humbug!

Also this week, I read about a study on how a happy or angry resting face could affect your career. Three researchers were involved: two from Princeton University and one from Carnegie Mellon. They discovered what they termed as “face-ism.” Supposedly, this is a decision we make about someone’s trustworthiness, competency, or even being an extrovert based solely on their facial features. Their evidence is strong. http://t.today.com/health/do-you-have-happy-or-angry-resting-face-it-may-1D80234661?__source=xfinity%7Cmod&par=xfinity

The study focused on people’s resting faces —when not affected by some emotional influence. More mature looking people were inherently judged as competent; the baby-faced folks...not so much. They also determined that “being really, really, ridiculously good-looking helped create positive impressions.”

But here’s a really important distinction. The resting faces of naturally angry looking people were rated less trustworthy! The happy faces had a much more favorable perception.

The researchers believe that judging people in this way is unhealthy, but it is what it is. We use these perceptions in determining our choice of candidates, who handles our money, and even who we convict for crimes.

Again, I don’t have hard evidence to prove it, but I believe that if joy invades your heart, your face will reflect that. And vice versa. If your heart lacks joy, maybe it explains all those scowls at the warehouse store this Christmas season.

For Christ followers, maybe you should look in the mirror a bit more often to see what kind of resting face you have. Heavenly messengers gave these words at the birth announcement of Jesus: “…but the angel said to them, ‘Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.’” (Luke 2:10, GNV) That certainly includes us!

From this angelic announcement we get one of the most beloved of our Christmas carols: Joy to the World. In case you need a refresher…

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing. (repeated twice)

Think about it. A smile here. A happy face there. A warm Christmas greeting to everyone might just help some Scrooges come around. Even in the office!

As said by a famous Cratchit…God bless us…every one.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Mark Elfstrand can be heard weekdays, 4-6 pm on AM 1160 WYLL in Chicago. Check the web for WYLL and the app for AM 1160 to listen live. Or by podcast.

To Give or not to Give that Christmas Bonus

One of the challenges of being a corporate executive or the owner of a business  at Christmastime is whether to take on the role of Santa. This can be done without a red suit, a sleigh, elves, or jolly laughs. All it takes is gifts. Or not.

We know it’s the giving season. But it’s also the “expecting” season for many. It is the expectation of a company Christmas bonus, or gift.

In 2013, I had the privilege to attend one of Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership training programs. The Ramsey organization has developed a reputation over the years for some remarkably creative Christmas parties with wonderful gifts provided. Employees seem truly blessed.

I read an article recently on “The Best Christmas Bonus a Company can Give.” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141117155924-283620963-the-best-christmas-bonus-a-company-can-give The author brings up some very good points about the risks of company organized Christmas parties. Do you charge, can the company afford to pay, and concern over employees getting out of hand when alcohol is served.

The main arguments raised against Christmas bonuses seem to involve expectations that develop over the years and it’s hard to stop giving them. Also, employees have their own ideas about what should be given. Cited was a Random House bonus a few years ago of $5,000 to each employee! Rare. Really rare.

With these concerns in mind, it is not surprising that a recent survey reveals that 59 percent of companies have stopped the practice of Christmas bonuses. So, why does the author suggest a “best Christmas bonus?” Because he’s not Scrooge, that’s why!

The simple solution offered was to give employees a day off. A surprise day off to do whatever you need to do during a busy Christmas season. It was recommended that when the employee comes in, the surprise is offered. I don’t like that. Who wants to get dressed up and come to work only to be told to go home? But I DO like the idea of the day off.

Maybe it’s not at Christmas time. Maybe it’s some other time when it’s really needed by the person. I’m sure there are plenty of complications for some companies to make this happen, but it is a reward everyone can appreciate.

What did Jesus say about giving? According to a verse in the book of Acts, we’re told this: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, ESV) Jesus was the master of giving and expecting nothing in return.

That should be the true spirit of any Christmas bonus or gift. St. Nicholas clearly understood this. His generosity to children has built a tradition that even people with no serious spiritual interest still love to celebrate.

Someone has mistakenly given rise to the thought that Santa keeps a list of our rights and wrongs, making our gift receiving PERFORMANCE based. Bad idea. Terribly bad theology. God’s gift to us of his Son has no price tag involved. It’s a free gift…if we accept Jesus as a sacrifice for us.

If I were doing Santa training, I would have a signed agreement with a sentence that Santa must clearly understand that gifts from him come with no strings attached.

I think I would call it my … wait for it … Santa clause. Ho. Ho. Ho.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Mark Elfstrand can be heard weekdays, 4-6 pm on AM 1160 WYLL in Chicago. Check the web for WYLL and the app for AM 1160 to listen live. Or by podcast.

Has an "Attitude of Gratitude" Become a Platitude?

Yesterday I had the privilege of being the guest speaker for our Sunday worship service at the church we attend. I was asked to keep the focus on the importance of being thankful in the aftermath of our national holiday. No problem.

The title of my message was the same as the title of this blog. As noted previously in a writing, my family spent three years in Dallas, Texas. During that time, I sat in Zig Ziglar’s Sunday School class for a couple of years. I heard his best stories several times, along with those well rehearsed quips like having an “attitude of gratitude.” Zig learned that lesson early in life.

Vicki Hidges, who worked in public relations for Zig for several years, gives this insightful picture of this man: “Zig started out poor. Dirt poor. His father died when he was six, leaving his mother to raise eleven children alone. The family was virtually penniless. Yet despite their poverty, Mrs. Ziglar instilled a strong work ethic in her children and raised them to believe that both she and God loved them.”

She added, “Zig once told me, ‘When we neglect to require our children to say thank you when someone gives them a gift or does something for them, we raise ungrateful children who are highly unlikely to be content. Without gratitude, happiness is rare. With gratitude, the odds for happiness go up dramatically.’”

The man himself said, “Of all the ‘attitudes’ we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing.”

At his corporate headquarters in Dallas, Zig had framed pictures of about 25-30 people. It was called his Wall of Gratitude. There’s a YouTube video of this should you want to see it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0Tjc6p6ZQ

My message pointed out that years before the motivational teacher from Yazoo City, Mississippi, preached on gratitude, King David knew of its importance. Several Psalms reflect that. I chose Psalm 118. Here are a few of the verses:

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 118:24-29, ESV)

It is my observation that in western cultures—particularly ours in the U.S.—we have turned a bit of a cold shoulder to being grateful. Our blessings have been great. But as Abraham Lincoln stated in one of his Thanksgiving proclamations, “We have forgotten God.” What are some root causes of this ungratefulness?

I suggested several Gratitude Killers:

A sense of entitlement at any level or for any reason.
A sense of being “self made” and, thus, “self provided.”
Seeing oneself as better than others.
A belief that you or I are more deserving than others.
Having a life with too many blessings given to us.
Allowing dark circumstances to blind a person to the silver lining. (When discouragement takes hold in our lives.)
Failure to spend time counting our blessings.
Being steadily in the company of the selfish.
Ignoring God: the Great Provider and Sustainer of all of life.

The workplace is one important area where we fall short. Many do not appreciate their jobs. They feel underpaid and overworked. And perhaps they are! But we also have blessings galore. One of them being a job!

Employers need to learn the spirit of gratefulness as well. It is demonstrated by showing appreciation to employees in words and in pay. Simple stuff.

So do a gut check on this. Is your life displaying gratitude for the great blessings you enjoy? Or do you need a YouTube visit with Zig Ziglar?

Remember, “Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude.”

I like to end on a high note.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Mark Elfstrand can be heard weekdays, 4-6 pm on AM 1160 WYLL in Chicago. Check the web for WYLL and the app for AM 1160 to listen live. Or by podcast.

Lifer Needs a New Life

Two stories. The first is extracted from a New York Times article about the impact of military cuts. This goes beyond limiting recruitment efforts. These are “reduction in force” cuts where our career military people (lifers) are losing their jobs! http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/us/cuts-in-military-mean-job-losses-for-career-staff.html?emc=edit_th_20141113&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=68618012&_r=0

Military people have a tougher time comprehending such force reductions as they see occurring with their civilian counterparts. Once you reenlist, and you perform admirably, it’s usually an automatic that you can stay in until retirement. But now, select groups of these career folk are being “terminated.”

As the Times reports it, “…for reasons the Army has not explained, the largest group of officers being pushed out — nearly one in five — began as enlisted soldiers.” This is not supposed to happen. And for some, it’s crushing to their post-service time morale!

Here’s the way the Times story opens: “For all the insecurities of war, Captain Elder Saintjuste always figured the one thing he could count on from the Army was job security.” Saintjuste is struggling. He says, “It wasn’t just losing a job. It was like having your wife leave you suddenly and not tell you why. It’s your whole life.”

But it was a later quote from Captain Nathan Allen that particularly caught my attention. Allen was awarded a Bronze Star and served more than 14 years as a linguist and intelligence officer. Now he’s been cast out, too. His reaction? “I’m a mess right now. They took away who I am. I’m a soldier.” Wow.

This coming week marks a full year since my last broadcast on the radio station I had worked at for 14-plus years. My departure was, well, “unscheduled.” At least by me.

While certainly disappointed at my circumstances, I viewed things quite differently than Captain Allen. Many years ago, I yielded my resistance to God in the area of my work assignments. That resistance was towards being in “ministry.” Almost immediately, a door opened to become a talk show host at a Christian radio station. It became…my assignment.

Seven years later, my assignment at that station ended. And I received a call about a new assignment. This one in Chicago. It lasted those 14-plus years. And then it ended.

And immediately…and I mean immediately…I chose to ask God for my next assignment. I would leave without regrets, believing that radio was not my identity. I was trusting that my God-given gifts could be used in many places. In many ways. A blog I wrote on this a year ago received a LOT of feedback.

In what my wife and I consider to be perfect timing, my five months of daily praying brought good news. A Christian radio station in Chicago needed a talk show host. They called. I responded. And that is my new assignment.

Deep within my soul, I believe God designs us with purpose. Captain Allen has much to offer this world, but he needs to see his purpose may be much greater than military service. He must not let that define him. Nor should you. Instead, ask God to fulfill His purpose for you.

The book of Psalms is a wonderful resource during transition. I latched on to this verse: “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8, ESV)

One of the exciting challenges in taking on new “assignments” is to look for how God uses these to benefit others and advance our growth as well. For those in transition, don’t give up. Ask for God’s help in finding the new assignment. Don’t be afraid of where it takes you. And for sure, don’t let your work life define you as a person. You were made for more.

Do I sound like Zig Ziglar?

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.


Mark Elfstrand can be heard weekdays, 4-6 pm on AM 1160 WYLL in Chicago. Check the web for WYLL and the app for AM 1160 to listen live. Or by podcast.

Dress Code

As much as we may try to avoid judging by appearances, we do. Many days on my drive to work, there are men dressed shabbily at intersections asking for money. Maybe that's part of the gig. I mean, if you were dressed in a sharp looking suit or any kind of business apparel, who would give you money?

Because of appearance (and perhaps the appeal for funds) most people simply look away. I often do. It makes me wonder if the mayor of Chicago got scruffy, dressed down and looked like life had taken the best of him, would I even recognize him as he asked for money on a street corner? I doubt it.

This week, a friend reminded me of a classic story about the gifted violinist, Joshua Bell. The Washington Post set him up in a Metro station in DC with his violin, playing Bach. His violin case was open to collect people’s spare change. No one recognized the virtuoso. He earned $32 for his playing. People paid $100 per seat to hear him play just days before! But he wasn’t in his tuxedo.

My most influential radio mentor, Chuck Gratner, helped me understand this perception of dress code. Early in my radio career, Chuck bought several copies of John T. Malloy’s bestseller, Dress for Success. Malloy had spent years collecting research on the perceptions of people based on how they dressed. Those who knew and understand enough about what clothing ro wear received more attention and respect. I heard Malloy speak at a seminar and it was powerful. It impacted me a lot.

Styles change. Attitudes change. We’re certainly a more casual society today. But even among the business casual crowd, a “dress code” shows up. Only, instead of wanting business respect, it becomes the need to dress “cool.”

Here’s an illustration of how a clothing choice gets attention. Very recently, an article surfaced answering the all-important question, why does Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder) wear the same  gray tee shirt every day? His answer is quite surprising. http://www.complex.com/style/2014/11/mark-zuckerberg-speaks-on-wearing-the-same-t-shirt-everyday

Steve Jobs had his dress code as well. A black mock turtleneck shirt was his preference, along with jeans and New Balance sneakers. Not that we noticed. Or were influenced by it. (There’s even a book that develops the significance of this choice of uniform as part of personal branding! Ditch. Dare. Do.)

All in the workforce should learn this important lesson. To establish, build, or maintain credibility in your role, your clothing needs to fit the part you are playing. A blog I read earlier this year makes the case well, titled “One Simple Dress Code Rule to Boost Your Career.” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140818221645-64875646-one-simple-dress-code-rule-to-boost-your-career

I recommend the entire article but, for the time crunched, here’s the vital tip: slightly overdress for your position. This requires you to be alert to your workplace culture. See how the boss dresses. Pay attention.

That’s how we dress for business. But it’s NOT how we should determine a person’s value. And in the big picture, worrying about our clothing gets this instruction from Jesus of Nazareth, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33, ESV)

And now, time to go put on my green mock turtleneck. And some Walmart stretchy pants. I’m creating my own personal brand.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Mark Elfstrand can be heard weekdays, 4-6 pm on AM 1160 WYLL in Chicago. Check the web for WYLL and the app for AM 1160 to listen live. Or by podcast.

Serve Well, My Friend

Getting a business on the success track and keeping it there takes a lot of effort and insight. There are very challenging variables such as maturing markets, hiring the right people, learning to cut unnecessary costs, and improving productivity. But one very simple step to increase sales and keep people coming back can be summed up in two words: customer service.

I saw it fail AGAIN this weekend at a local Walmart. Stepping up to the pharmacy drop off window, I came face to face with a pharmacy worker. During my first 2-3 minutes at the window, another pharmacy teammate came to another dropoff window immediately to my left. Both managed to score a big fat zero on giving ANY kind of greeting.

The woman in front of me was completing paperwork for a customer down the line. I understand. I was only looking for a smile. A welcome. An indication a real human was at her window. And perhaps a comment asking for patience. That’s all. But that was too much for either of two window dressings.

I am not anti-Walmart. I like them. In fact, I also shop at a Sam’s Club where they have an excellent pharmacist who gives some of the BEST customer service I’ve seen in that kind of work. No, this isn’t about some bone to pick with Walmart. It is strictly about lousy customer service.

Let’s pretend a rumor circulated that Brad Pitt was in the store. And suppose he had a pharmacy question. I have a strong suspicion my two pharmacy workers would have dropped everything for the honor of helping Brad. In fact, the woman who was too busy to greet me might have told the other customer to get lost! IF…it was Brad Pitt. Alas, it was little ol’ me.

So this weekend, I read this marvelous article in the New York Times about, get this, GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. Not for a single company, mind you, but for an entire town in Colorado! It happened in Steamboat Springs.

Faced with declining numbers in a survey about a willingness to recommend the town to others, the chief executive of the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association encouraged the community leaders to bring in a specialist to help improve customer service. You can read the whole story in the Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/business/smallbusiness/a-whole-town-tries-to-improve-its-customer-service-how-could-we-be-a-70.html?emc=edit_sb_20141105&nl=business&nlid=68618012

My friend, this is not rocket science. Well, it SHOULDN’T be. It is so shockingly easy that even children can learn it. And I hope they do.

Greet people. Take an interest in them. Walk them to where they need to find an item they want. Thank them. Ask for their patience with a smile if you must ask them to wait a moment. Be courteous. Carry stuff to their car.

And why? Because it’s the right thing to do. It makes YOU feel better. You get better tips. More repeat business. You might even keep your job!

Imagine. A consultant is needed to ‘splain this stuff. Hey…SHOW ME THE MONEY! But I offer this freely.

Who’s listening? 

Jesus of Nazareth had a message regarding how we apply wisdom in our lives. In defending his associations with “sinners” and confounding his enemies, he stated, “Well, the proof of wisdom is in the actions it produces.” (CJB)

No single thing in building a healthy business costs less to implement than basic, excellent customer service.

I’m confident event Brad Pitt knows that!

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Mark Elfstrand can be heard weekdays, 4-6 pm on AM 1160 WYLL in Chicago. Check the web for WYLL and the app for AM 1160 to listen live. Or by podcast.

I’m Not Buying What You’re Begging

Some who live on the planet today remember a publication titled Grit. It defined itself as “America’s Greatest Family Newspaper.” During a good part of the 20th century, children and teenagers around the country made money by selling Grit subscriptions. With newspapers struggling these days, all the marketing changed. Now, I believe Grit is only sold in magazine format on a bimonthly basis.

These same children and teens also grew up helping raise money for groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. They still do. Overpriced popcorn and cookies generate a fair amount of revenue for these groups. And the young ones learn a valuable lesson in approaching people and asking for a sale. Unless, of course, parents simply put out signup forms or do the work for their kids.

I read a blog recently by Trey Tompkins from the healthcare field titled, “Thanks for not buying popcorn from my son.” The boy’s Cub Scout pack was doing their annual fundraising outside a home improvement store. Many customers politely declined the purchase. There’s always a group that simply wants to avoid all eye contact.

Trey’s son discovered that selling is a tough business. Persistence is the key. And as he told his father, “you have to let so many people tell you ‘No’ before you ever get someone to tell you ‘Yes.’”

Whether it’s a young person coming to our door, or that encounter at a retail store, I frequently buy what they’re selling. It depends on the kid and the product, but I admire the effort. Of course, I have to believe in the cause as well.

Something has changed in more recent years. Now I frequently find young folks outside of stores with their parents alongside asking for money — but not selling anything. Oh sure, they say the money is for the baseball team or cheerleading group or some choir trip. But frankly, I don’t see much difference between panhandlers in downtown Chicago trying to get me to pay for a meal.

I purposely included the word begging in the title of my blog for a bit of effect. Why should I be giving money for kids in my neighborhood to play baseball or go on a trip? When I was that age, my parents were expected to pay for my expenses. In high school, we had a soft drink machine for our speech club to earn money. Club members had to do all the ordering, stocking of drinks, etc. Other times we sold ad space in programs, ran a concession stand at games, or a bunch of other creative money making ideas.

What lesson for our children is there when they simply stand outside a store and ask for money? Teach them how to MAKE money. This is particularly true when it is an expense the parents should be covering.

A business may want to donate to organizations for goodwill or a tax deduction. So be it. That’s different. And certain truly charitable efforts deserve our consideration.

The verses from the Bible I am about to quote can be interpreted differently. I think The Message treats 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 perfectly for this lesson. “Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.”

Put those kids to work to help pay for their extracurricular interests. You’ll wind up with better kids.

And, yes, I WILL have another peanut butter pattie. Or two.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Mark Elfstrand can be heard weekdays, 4-6 pm on AM 1160 WYLL in Chicago. Check the web for WYLL and the app for AM 1160 to listen live. Or by podcast.