[March 11, 2024] Several years ago, shortly after my retirement, I wrote articles reflecting lessons I’d learned about a successful career. But, I soon realized that those lessons also applied to everyone, not just leaders. Below is the first of these articles. I’m republishing it today because it is precisely the kind of lesson we need. The lesson? Surround yourself with hard workers.
Most of us work in an organization of some kind. It may be large or small, simple or complex, or prestigious or not, but what matters to its success is the people who work there and the hard workers who make this achievement happen.
That’s right. It’s not just anybody that makes an organization successful; it is those who work hard that carry the weight of others. It has been estimated that less than 20% of those in the workplace achieve results beyond what is required. Surprising as this may seem, leaders must do their best to ensure these folks are treated well and cared for in the most excellent manner possible.
“Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing.” – Thomas Jefferson, Letters of Thomas Jefferson
When leaders are given a choice, they should create teams based on the hardest workers. But also important is that those same people have their priorities straight; they are not prima donnas, they don’t take themselves too seriously, they place their effort in their families, friends, and faith, and they know how to have a good time (both at work and away).
We can learn much from those we work for, as we all have done. I had one of the most competent and respected senior military commanders ever produced. He was hard-working and hard-playing had his priorities straight, and his bosses liked him. But he was a prima donna, a vain man who would turn his back on any soldier in his unit if it suited his purpose. We junior officers liked his drive and effectiveness but hated that he considered us tools for furthering his career.
Good workers are smart yet capable of achieving a balance in their lives between work and home. These are indeed rare people. I personally slanted too much to the work side, and the cost to my family was more than I should have paid. Most people err on the opposite and consider their work a hindrance to their fun and family. The true leader can achieve symmetry between both.
Great leaders find those who are hard workers, those with balance in their lives, and surround themselves with these folk. Those workers are the ones who can be relied upon in tough times and will be future leaders in their own right.
—————
Listen to the song that topped the iTunes chart. Link here.
—————
Please read my books:
“Great leaders find those who are hard workers, those with balance in their lives, and surround themselves with these folk. Those workers are the ones who can be relied upon in tough times and will be future leaders in their own right.”
Excellent comment my friend. I lived by those principles as a leader in the air force
Not so obvious but right.
“Good workers are smart yet capable of achieving a balance in their lives between work and home. These are indeed rare people. I personally slanted too much to the work side, and the cost to my family was more than I should have paid. Most people err on the opposite and consider their work a hindrance to their fun and family. The true leader can achieve symmetry between both.” — Gen. Doug Satterfield
—–
I’m a huge fan of Gen. Satterfield and wanted to get this quote of his out there. It targets the problem we have in society with too many people trying to check out because they are required to actually work for a living.
Excellent point Mr.John. ✔
Indeed, MrJ is all over it.
Gen. Satterfield, thanks for your continuous good works with this website. I hope that you remain active in what you do and have a wonderful Monday.
Excellent. Common sense? YES. 💋
Indeed but more than common sense. I say that after working with some Millenials and Gen Zers. Most of them are lazy and stupid. Occasionally I find a good one and promote that person if they want more responsibility … and more pay. It works.
Achieving symmetry between work and family is, indeed, a challenge and what helps separate those who will have a good life from all the others. Plus, they work hard and have hard working people surrounding them. If anyone else would like to know more about what Gen. Satterfield is writing about, then you need to read his book “55 Rules for a Good Life” from 2022. In his book, he regularly discusses how important it is to have balance in one’s life. That is how you get to where you want and yet still have a life through family and friendds.
Well said Liz 👍👍👍👍
And welcome to you, Kittens.
Yes welcome kitten to our family. My friend Gen Douglas Satterfield love your comments even if you don’t agree. He does take it personally
Well said Liz 👍👍👍👍 keep the positive vibes going.
Great article, thanks Gen. Satterfield. Well written and a must-know for successful leaders.
Work hard, play hard, that is the unofficial motto of the army.
Army Captain, not any more. Now the Infantry MEN are required to have sanitary napkins in their bathrooms and have to decide on pink or red underwear for the day. SMH
ouch
I hope not. Are you serious?
You would think is common sense or “obvious” to any sane person, but NOOOO, the Woke crowd believes that hard workers are RACISSTTTTTT.
Those ‘racists’ are those who have african culture in their brain. No surprise here that they are also the very ones who fail at any level of progress in their pathetic lives and are also the loudest and first to shout racism from the roof tops. There is beginning to show the pattern that dumb people shouldn’t be taken seriously. But we do want to hear from them just to remind ourselves that they are crazy and stay away from them.
Lovely. Let’s at least pray for them that they come back to the Word and love God, otherwise they will continue down this path of self-destruction and cultural suicide. 🙏
I agree
Hal
Are you serious. I’m African American. I take work ethic very seriously and many other do. Poor work ethic are in every race. I was blessed to successfully have a blessed 25 year military career which 20 years were in the leadership role.