Mother Knows To Watch Her Language

Hello Everyone

Last week I had the privilege to speak to the students,  facility and staff at Suffolk County Community College on Long Island.  Just like two week when I could not get a flight home and had to drive a thousand miles to Atlanta to catch my flight to South Africa, New York was not nice to me again. I arrived at Penn Station at 8:50 to take the 9:14 train out to Long Island which is about 75 miles from NY.  At 9:00 they announced that there were no trains in or out of Penn Station because of a third rail power problem. Knowing NY from the days I lived there I immediately went to the subway and took the E train to Jamaica Station which is the end of the line. I checked for a train there but it was not leaving for an hour so I went right outside and found a young man with a car and told him I would pay him to take me to my destination which was 50 miles away. Once again I made my speech just in time arriving at the school ten minutes before the start time. There is always a way.

 

My new book, The Customer Rules will be published in just two days. The Customer Rules and so do mothers. (www.LeeCockerell.com)

 

I hope you enjoy this weeks message about the power for words and the lessons they teach us.

 

Things your mother might have said to you when you were young. The leadership lessons were in those words.

Don’t run with a sucker (lollipop) in your mouth!  (Safety)

I’ve got eyes in the back of my head!  (Know What Is Going On)

I’ll kiss it and make it better.  (Make Me Feel Special)

Why did you wait until 10 p.m. to ask me to wash your shirt?  (Time Management)

You need a haircut.  ( Look Professional)

Taste it—it’s good.  (Learn—Try New Things)

Turn the lights out when you leave.  (Control Costs)

What a beautiful picture.  Let’s put it on the refrigerator.  (Positive Feedback)

Yes, Operator, I’ll accept the call.  (I Am Always Available.)

Don’t ever make fun of someone less fortunate than you.  (As A Leader, Be Careful What You Say and Do.)

Don’t pick on your sister.  (Don’t pick on your brother.)  (Be Nice and Don’t Abuse Your Size And Authority.)

Don’t jump on the bed.  (Safety)

I’m so proud of you.  (Positive Feedback Builds Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence.)

Do your best.  (Encouragement)

You are not going out of this house dressed like that.  (Professionalism and Image)

Let me help you study for your test.  (Development)

You call this clean.  (Attention to Detail)

Don’t say things like that.  (Diversity)

I love you.  (We Care About You!)

EVERY WORD HAD A LESSON!   Every word or phrase your mother spoke was for a reason.  She was continually teaching you what was right and what was wrong.  So sit down one day soon and write down all the things your mom or dad told you, and see if you can figure out the leadership lesson they were trying to teach you.

*From the publication 199 Things Your Mother Used to Tell You by Marcy D. Nicholas of  Tresco Publishers

Have a great week….Lee