Anonymous Distributor
How do you gain respect? Bret Simmons, a professor at the University of Nevada at Reno, suggests that you have to earn it. He says, “Respect is one of those things that too many managers and leaders think they are entitled to because of their experience, position or title.
“Respect should never be demanded or even expected. To the extent you sow respect in the lives of others, you will reap respect in your own.
“The paradox of respect is it is only something you can give away.” Isn’t that a powerful statement?
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Police in Wells, Maine, recently arrested a man on a drunk-driving charge after he mowed his neighbor’s lawn with a riding mower — without consent. I wonder if the neighbor waited until his yard was completely mowed before he called the police. Wouldn’t you?
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MTD Products recently sent a letter to all of its contracted service centers, announcing the addition of the Remington brand of electric- and battery-powered products to its stable of brand names and products. It’s a good move for MTD.
DESA Remington made electric- or battery-powered chain saws, pole saws, string trimmers, blowers, blower-vacs, cultivators, hedge trimmers, and other related accessories. It will be interesting to see what electric- and battery-powered products MTD will unveil this fall. MTD won’t be the last OPE manufacturer to get into this growing product niche.We’re going to see more and more battery-powered outdoor power products in retailers in the coming years.
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My son recently bought a battery-powered lawn mower for his small yard. You would think by now that people would have seen battery-powered push mowers, but he told me that every time he mows, neighbors stop, watch, and listen. He still puts on a show for them, stopping and starting the electric motor instantly with a simple movement of a lever. He laughs, saying it’s almost a traffic-stopper. Who would have guessed?
Our dealers, many of whom swore their customers would never buy a battery-powered mower, are selling them like hot cakes. You and I know that not every customer who walks into your store is a battery-powered mower prospect. But as I mentioned in my August 2008 column, you might want to put a few on your showroom floor. You may be pleasantly surprised at how the quality has improved and consumer interest has grown over the past year or two.
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The headline of a recent newspaper article I saw on the Internet from the Killeen Texas Daily Herald was as follows: “Texas small engine repair shop thrives on lawn mowers in summer.” Doesn’t that make you just want to say, “Well, duh?”
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In a recent blog on leadership, Rick Johnson listed some key attributes of leaders. He said, “Effective leaders are consistent, explicit and concise, and they command a presence when they walk into a room. But, they are not arrogant and ego driven.
“When they move on, others want to go with them. Their openness and honesty creates a legacy which people admire and look up to. They gain commitment and foster trust.”
Johnson added that arrogance is something leaders should avoid at all costs. “If you start to believe that you are special and nobody is as good as you, just look at the number of people in your industry, in your state or in your country. Then ask yourself how many of these people even know your name. Unless you’re Tom Cruise or Angelina Jolie, chances are that not many people really even know who you are let alone actually care how good you think you are.
“Good leaders listen at least twice as much as they talk. They take the “I” out of their vocabulary. They model themselves after the most respected people in their industry, not the most successful, because success does not necessarily mean respect.” Sounds like good advice to me.
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