September 24, 2008

May not be reprinted without the consent of Sue Miller

Contact: Sue@suemillerpresentations.com

WORKPLACE WISDOM NEWSLETTER

Does Popularity Matter?

Yes! AND No!

No, I'm not studying to be a politician!

BUT POPULARITY, INDEED, HAS TWO SIDES.

YES! Popularity matters! It's important.

• It is, generally, our reward for being nice.

• People like being around us.

• We're part of an inner circle.

• People include us and share with us.

• It creates a feeling of inner satisfaction.

Obvious examples...

• Fun-loving friends

• Benevolent individuals

• "Nice", sweet people

Yes, there is much written about the "power of being nice". Filling our days with

kind words, kind deeds, positive remarks, and praise for others is powerful. It

works for me. It works for you. People enjoy being around us. We are liked. If

we are consistent day-in and day-out , we say we are "POPULAR"!

NO! Popularity does not matter so much! When?

• When the news I must give will not be well-liked or well-received.

• When what I must do will be misinterpreted by many as selfish or

self-serving.

• When my solution to a problem involves offending a few in order to

help many.

• When my decisions are difficult, but they are superceded by "what is

good for the organization".

• When telling the truth causes me to be unliked -- but that truth is

ultimately good for others.

• When TODAY'S unpopular stand leads to TOMORROW'S good for

others.

September 24, 2008

May not be reprinted without the consent of Sue Miller

Contact: Sue@suemillerpresentations.com

Can you remember, in years to come, the following individuals?

• Five wealthiest people in the world?

• Five Heisman trophy winners?

• Five winners of Miss America contests?

• Five winners of the Nobel Peace Prize?

• Five of the last Academy Award winners?

No! Because these people were popular

AT ONE SINGULAR TIME IN HISTORY!

Can you remember, in years to come, the following individuals?

• Teachers who made a difference in your life?

• Friends who have helped you through a difficult time?

• People who have taught you something worthwhile?

• People who have made you feel appreciated and worthwhile?

• Individuals who accept you exactly the way you are?

These people are popular THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES!

"It costs 'nuthin' to be nice. It costs 'nuthin' to do the right

thing. Oh, but the rewards can be unimaginable!"

- Words of the famous Alabama coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant.

What does the "power of nice" mean to you?

• You can make a difference in someone's life.

• You can help someone through a difficult time.

• You can teach someone something worthwhile.

• You can show someone appreciation.

• You can accept another person just as he is.

The lesson is:

Ask yourself, "Am I popular?"

The answer might be "maybe". That's okay.

Popularity is subjective; popularity is fickle; popularity is surface-stuff.

Now, ask youself:

"Am I tough enough to be unpopular if the good of others calls

for it?"

I hope your answer is "Yes!".

September 24, 2008

May not be reprinted without the consent of Sue Miller

Contact: Sue@suemillerpresentations.com

RESPECT will follow you throughout your life.

Respect is not subjective; respect is not fickle.

Respect is what we receive when others sense we have strong character.

As the old saying goes,

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"

I hope you're balancing NICE and TOUGH.

What a wonderful combination in your and my character!

Let's work on it together.