When the first nationally recognized Labor Day was celebrated in 1894, the day consisted of a street parade sending up a message of “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” (in the words of the AFL). We have come a long way since then. Today most employers focus on offering opportunities and benefits to attract and retain talent; as a result, the need for unions has diminished and few remain.
Yet we still celebrate the day as a national holiday. Perhaps it is simply tradition, or the acknowledgment of the end of summer. Or a reminder to celebrate how far we have come as a nation of leaders and followers, where two-way communication has become much more the norm than work place “negotiations”.
So, as you enjoy your family barbecues, or however you celebrate the day, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself:
- As a leader, what can I do tomorrow to let each member of my team know they are valued and are essential to our success?
- As a follower, what I can do tomorrow to let my boss know what else I can do to add value to the success of our company?
The initial results of my Pivot are excellent. I feel I have much greater clarity regarding the next 3-5 years.. 