Do you Add Value or Drain Resources?

If from the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks (reference Bible Matthew 12:34, Proverbs 10:11, Psalm 14:1 and others), then from our principles and practices the fruits of our efficiency or inefficiency are revealed. Meaning, the way we bill our time, develop boundaries, train our people, build relationships, make choices, and represent our brand can clearly identify the core principles we value and highlight the habits we have chosen to employ on a regular basis.

I optimistically say that being a "drain on resources" is not a result of inaction or laziness. Nor is it a blatant refusal to work or pure callousness to authority and workplace structure that one becomes a "drain." Truly I have hope for many employees who are (within reason) at the right role, industry, and organizational culture. I notice that the "drain" more often comes from the opposite of inaction, the drain actually comes from a consumption with the "busy."

Keeping busy: having our heads down and hands busy does not equate to production, profit, or other forms of positive value added. Although the illusion is surely there that busy is positive, the idolatry of "keeping busy" has fooled many. This idolatry keeps us entangled in a flurry of motions and emotions, without the time or knowledge to break free into choices with a more value-adding direction.

So how does one navigate the difference between staying busy (you know the pressures of engaging with the buzz of the workplace and always full of woes for having a never ending inbox) with the contrary but similar notion of contributing significant value to the mission, project, and/or organization?

Focus on actions that lead to the outcomes. Align your choices to ones that impact the goals of that project or organization. Aim to see a return on the investment in the workforce and resources as it relates to the results produced.

These statements are the RESULTS focused. They are products of the action we chose to take and decisions we choose to make. The fruit comes from the seeds sown and cared for through the execution of value adding practices and principles. This is why staying in motion is not the same as calculating efforts to reach a desired result. Example, if I were at a batting cage and swung my baseball bat 55 times at the ball thrower that only actually pitched me 37 balls, I'd be exhausted as well as have a lower success ratio from the times swung to balls hit. Why is that? Simply because constant motion of my bat did not align with the opportunities of balls being thrown..

This is why I tell employers I am referring military affiliated candidates to, that I would rather send them 1 or 2 highly competitive, qualified, and great match referrals who also seem to align with culture, salary expectations, and retention likelihood than 25 opportunity seekers a month who are not even able to be added to their interview roster. By identifying and establishing a calculated referral process, it produces more value to the employer as well as possible fruits to accompany the hopes of the military affiliated opportunity seeker. I want both the veterans and the employers to anticipate reading my emails, picking up my calls, and being a part of my events more so than I want to scramble keeping busy with sending ridiculous amounts emails to meet a quota and making more phone calls to fill a time sheet. Referring a basket-weaver for an engineering role is just not really an efficient use of time if you ask me.

So I encourage you to follow the old saying, measure twice cut once. Take the time to align your habits and principles with the desired outcomes of the role. If you desire to stay married, employ habits of healthy communication, attentiveness, and respect toward your spouse. If you desire to raise honest, courageous, and generous children, create a household where service to others, and authentic and respectful conversations are a part of the day to day engagement. If you desire to become stronger and healthier, make daily efforts to learn more about the body and initiate doable choices that contribute to your body's functioning.

If you haven't noticed, adding value may not look like action in every moment, but the impact and results made through intention daily choices can result in stronger and more effective outcomes. Your value add comes from intention, education, and alignment.

So - are you considered a "value add" or a "resource drain" in the various areas of your life?