making footprints

For Immediate Release: February 27, 2008

Make Footprints in Your Company

by: Charlie Shoemake

Returning home several weeks ago from a business trip, I was reading the book, Making Your Company Human, written by a local author, Le Herron. Le, former President and CEO of The Scotts Company, offers many great thoughts through the book, but one in particular made me want to come back and write this article for others in business to consider.

Many people work very hard in companies to make themselves invisible. By their definition, it is the road to security – not to make waves, not to call attention to themselves, not to run the risk of doing anything wrong.

What is especially startling is that among this group of invisible people are some very talented, bright and, in many cases, well educated people whose attitude says, “I’ve put in my years at school or on the job; now it’s the company’s job to see that I work my way up the ladder. And if that doesn’t happen, then it is the company’s fault.” These invisible people sit back and wait complacently for opportunity to knock.

Well, opportunity knocks seldom for those who deprive themselves of the chances to demonstrate their excellence.

Unfortunately, one of the facts of business life is that a company’s internal structure can sometimes seem to be an obstacle to personal success. While the perception of such obstacles is not always easily eliminated, individuals who want to succeed can succeed, in spite of the structure. Structure is not a reason for mediocrity; it’s only an excuse. Individuals will succeed not by dealing in internal politics or grandstanding, but by trying to be above the ordinary. The best way to advance in any company is to be so good at what you do day-to-day, that opportunity will come looking for you. In other words, make yourself visible and be consistent with your results.

When companies attempt to identify those individuals who will play a major part in the success of their future, members of the management team look for footprints: the marks of contributed value that people leave behind as they move through their day-to-day responsibilities. Most leaders in business like nothing better than their employees to become visible and make innovative contributions to the company. Your company deserves the best that your mind and talents can offer…and you owe it to yourself to exercise and develop them.

Think boldly. Shrug off excuses. Make footprints!

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