3 minute read
PARTING WORDS
Making a Difference
Making a difference in someone else’s life can be as simple as a smile, lifting a hand to help, or lending an ear to listen, especially when it might be easier to ignore the opportunity. Each day is a new day and a new chance to use what you’ve worked for and been given to lighten someone else’s load. It’s never too late to choose to move beyond success to significance. Those are the thoughts of Becky Halstead, retired US Army Brigadier General and author of The First Person You Must Lead Is You. I had the chance to hear her for my third time at the RILA Asset Protection Conference, and it is always inspiring. I keep her book handy and often refer to it. It is a great read filled with wisdom and passion. If that sort of stuff is of interest to you, I highly recommend that you get a copy.
The conference gave me the opportunity to listen and observe many in loss prevention who are making a difference in others’ lives. What was really well done was the balance between tactics—ORC, analytics, exception reporting, safe work practices, audits, leveraging EAS to enrich the customer experience—and leadership principles. It is in this area of leadership that I walked away with several pages of what I call thought provokers or tidbits for self-improvement.
Tidbits of Wisdom
Here are some one-liners that I can keep near. ■ Everyone has their own Mt. Everest to climb.
Focus on the rungs of the ladder, one step at a time. ■ Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. ■ People may hear your words, but do they feel your attitude? ■ Success ended at midnight last night. ■ Success is often achieved by undertaking calculated well thought out risks. ■ What if and why not? ■ Did you get what you asked for, and was it what you expected? ■ David and Goliath story—underdogs can wind up beating the odds. ■ Go for the yes and don’t be surprised with no. No may just mean not now. ■ We need the people who drive the truck; they are critical to the execution team. ■ Listen to those who have different ideas. ■ Success is a team sport. ■ Personal accountability is the dog tags of character. ■ Tune out the voices; stay in your lane. ■ If you are going through hell, don’t slow down; keep on moving. You may get out before the devil knows you are there. ■ Keep making a difference. Be steadfast.
The source for all of these come from Halstead, Voels, Maxwell, Gladwell, Sell, and Clarke.
Jim Lee, LPC Executive Editor
John Hegan
On a sad note, the industry lost one of the true pioneers and gentlemen in loss prevention. John Hegan passed. John was an executive with Bamberger’s and Macy’s. Prior to retirement, his last assignment was managing the Thanksgiving Day parade. None better. He made a difference, and we are all better off for it. If someone has made a difference in your life, seek them out and say, “Thank you.”
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