People look for business culture inspiration in many places, but sometimes the best is from an unexpected source. While there’s a waiting line for cultural help from Tony Hsieh, Robert Orben is still available and probably (maybe?) costs less.

Let’s start with the basics, because if you can’t get this one right there isn’t much hope, “If you can laugh together, you can work together”

Managers know that as resources are reduced it’s more and more difficult to get everything done. That said, it helps to remember this gem, “Time flies. It’s up to you to be the navigator.”

Orben had a wonderful take on failure, one that is sure to encourage your people, “Don’t think of it as failure. Think of it as time-released success.”

Here’s a little ditty should be chanted in unison at the start of every meting. I guarantee it will improve the participation and content no end, “Every speaker has a mouth; An arrangement rather neat. Sometimes it’s filled with wisdom. Sometimes it’s filled with feet.”

Some managers are good at stroking their people, some not so much. If voicing compliments is difficult for you remember this bit of wisdom might make it easier, “A compliment is verbal sunshine.”

Finally, when the deadlines loom and stress is rising it’s god to remind your team that they have choices, “In prehistoric times, mankind often had only two choices in crisis situations: fight or flee. In modern times, humor offers us a third alternative; fight, flee – or laugh.”

Thank you, Rob Orben.

Flickr image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eselby/3827336868/

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 6th, 2011 at 1:10 am and is filed under Quotable Quotes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Tags: happy employees, laughter, wisdom
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