Mentee John Miller — Mentor Jim Strutton
On a frigid Minnesota January eve, I sat on the edge of the hotel suite couch. Leaning forward, I was working to make a good impression.
It was 1986 and was 27.
When the interview ended, the 6’ 3” sales manager from Atlanta looked down at 5’ 6” me and said, “John, you will make someone a fine sales rep.”
As the door closed behind me, I thought …
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Allow me to give a “shout out” to some QBQ! training clients. Please bear with me, there’s an important message coming.
Dave Field of Interprint, Inc. in Massachusetts—2005
Debbie Slocum of Husqvarna Construction Products in Missouri—2006
Jeff Clark of Toshiba America Business Solutions in South Dakota—2012
Don Burstow of Burstows Funeral Care in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia—2015
The dates shown denote when each client began using “Personal Accountability and the QBQ!” training.
I mention these executives because they do what most management folks don’t:
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Jeremy posted this question on our QBQ! Facebook page:
Is it possible to have too much personal accountability?
Our response:
Sure, Jeremy—but then it’s not personal accountability. It’s crossing boundaries, being controlling, and taking charge when we have no right.
This topic has always been a challenge to convey to people—including myself.
Why? Because of this truth:
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Last month we published this piece: It’s a NO EXCUSES Moment For Management
Some of you asked, “How should Mandy have handled it?”
Well, here’s what you do when you don’t have the perfect boss.
Our story is about a subordinate/boss or, if you prefer, associate/team leader relationship. If you’re in one of those roles, or ever plan to be, read on …
From Rob, a reader of the QBQ! book:
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When I was 15, my sister, Lucy, older and wiser by seven years, said something that didn’t make sense to my teen brain:
“If you want something done, give it to a busy person.”
More than forty years later, I recall how that statement confused me—but I get it now.
People with a lot to do already have momentum, vigor, and the systems and tools in place for efficient living. They’re the best candidates for handling a task, solving a problem, or assisting a person, team, or organization in achieving a new goal.
And, busy people also have …
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Note! See John share “Got Anger?” on Periscope/Youtube here!
I’ve noticed something about people who day in and day out practice PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY:
They’re in control.
They don’t fly off the handle or overreact. They don’t allow anger to take root, shaping their behaviors.
Being human, though, we can have anger that prevents us from being accountable. Here are three anecdotes:
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Note: John shares about this blog on Periscope/YouTube here:
When Miller Child #5, Charlene, landed her first job ever (at Target), she went online to view her first paycheck:
$146.09.
If I recall correctly, she shrieked, “I’m rich!”
Well, no, but if you manage your money well, you may be someday—especially if you avoid asking Incorrect Questions or “IQs” (visit here for a quick tutorial) such as these:
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For as long as I remember, my dad (John G. Miller) has been the creator and main purveyor of this thing called “QBQ!”
Twenty years now—since 1995, when I was only 12!
When people ask what it was like to grow up in “The QBQ! Home,” I tell them I’m not sure I can even answer the question. It was …
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The subject line in the email from Mandy’s manager said “Whereabouts?” and abruptly began with, “Where are you?”
Mandy, a 25-year-old shared employee, works for two organizations. The two entities—each with less than 50 staff—have financial connections and mutual marketplace interests. They collaborated in Mandy’s hiring and split her salary.
She began her employment two months ago—and now’s there’s a problem …
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Watch John G. Miller teach this blog on Periscope here!
Follow QBQ! on Periscope using @QBQGuy
A tall, white-haired fella stopped, smiled, and pointed at the center seat to my left. As I looked up at him—way up—I decided Tall Man was my inverse. I’m 5’ 6” and he had to be 6’ 5”.
Someone else may have offered this gent the roomier seat. However, with a 4-hour flight on the horizon, I decided to maintain ownership of my exit-row, aisle spot. Selfish me.
Tall Man signaled me to stay put and then stepped over me with ease. Moments later, the “Why were you in NYC?” conversation began …
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