The Moment πͺ
Ron Blumkin had a problem most CEOs would love to have.
As CEO of Nebraska Furniture Mart, he had over 2,000 employees. Managing that many people meant endless meetings, countless decisions, and a calendar that never had enough hours.
But Blumkin did something that sounds impossible in today's "too busy" culture.
He called every single employee on their birthday.
Not an assistant. Not an automated message. Him. Personally.
Over two thousand phone calls a year to wish his people happy birthday.
Blumkin understood something most leaders today miss: "The company's most important customers are the ones who work for us."
Meanwhile, most leaders struggle to invest 15 minutes a week getting to know their people.
The "Too Busy" Trap...
Here's the excuse I hear constantly: "I'm too busy doing the work to invest time in my people."
Translation: "I'm too busy putting out fires to prevent them."
Think about it. You work with people for years - maybe decades - and can't tell me their spouse's name. Their kids' ages. What they do for fun.
But you can tell me exactly which projects they owe you and how far behind they are.
That's not leadership. That's management by missed opportunity.
Leaders who say they don't have time to know their people are the same ones wondering why their teams aren't engaged, why turnover is high, and why they're constantly fighting the same battles.
They're solving the wrong problem with the wrong priorities.
The Competitor's Advantage π
When you clarify your leadership game, you realize your real competition isn't other companies - it's other priorities competing for your people's discretionary effort.
Positioning yourself as a leader means understanding that influence isn't demanded, it's earned through consistent deposits into relationships.
The leader who executes relationship-building daily creates a team that executes at higher levels because they want to, not because they have to.
Blumkin understood something most leaders miss: Leadership without relationship is just authority. And authority without influence is just a title.
Every birthday call was an investment in influence. Every conversation was a deposit in the relationship bank account that he could draw from when it mattered most.
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Today's Move β
Right now, pick three people on your team. Write down:
- One personal thing about each person (not work-related)
- The last time you gave them positive feedback
- One specific thing they do well that you've never acknowledged
If you're drawing blanks, that's your answer. You're too busy managing tasks to lead people.
Block 15 minutes this week to have one real conversation with one team member. Not about deadlines. About them.
I'm cheering for you, Reader,
Say hi π on Instagram or LinkedInβ
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Want help better connecting with your team? I wrote a book on how leaders can greatly increase their buy-in and influence with their team. Check it out to learn how you can Lead Better Now.
Competitive Reflection
What's more important - knowing every project status or knowing the people delivering those projects?
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