In his landmark study of companies that made the leap from Good to Great, author Jim Collins found that great companies focused first on their people:

“We found that they first got the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats – and then they figured out where to drive it. The old adage, ‘People are your most important asset’ turns out to be wrong. People are not your most important asset. The right people are.”

Once They Are Onboard, Treat Your People Right!

A 212° Leader’s responsibility doesn’t end after hiring the right people; you have to treat them well to retain them. Here’s a story from Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans that drives the point home:

A successful accountant, tragically killed by a speeding bus, arrives at the Pearly Gates and is welcomed by St. Peter. St. Peter explains that she will need to spend one day in Heaven and one day in Hell before she decides where she would like to spend eternity.

With great trepidation she enters Hell and is amazed to find a beautiful golf course, friends, and colleagues who welcome her, terrific food, a great party, and even a nice-guy devil. At the end of her day, she regretfully leaves Hell in order to experience her day in Heaven. That experience is quite good also, with the clouds, angels, harps and singing that she expected.

St Peter pushes her to make the decision of a lifetime (and beyond). In which place would she spend eternity – Heaven or Hell? You guessed it – she chooses Hell. When she returns to Hell, she finds a desolate wasteland and her friends dressed in rags, picking up garbage. There are no parties – only misery and despair. She says to the Devil, “I don’t understand. Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club, we ate lobster and danced and had a great time. Now I see a wasteland and all my friends look miserable.” The Devil looks at her and smiles. “Yesterday we were recruiting you; today you’re an employee.”

A paycheck is what an employee works for. Recognition and praise is what they live for! One of the greatest challenges for managers is finding creative ways to fill that need. Many times, this one thing can be the difference between a good and a great leader.