Thank you for the post Tarek. Always nuggets of learnings for our personal and professional lives. You inspire this ole timer to meditate on yesterday, TODAY, and tomorrow. Wonderful memories that at the time may not have felt like “wonderful” yet lessons in life for TODAY.
“If with pleasure you are viewing any work one is doing, if you like it, if you love it, tell them, now.” — Paul Harvey, friend of Sam Walton describing Mr. Sam at his Memorial in April 1992.
Paul Harvey (radio personality) said he had never known anyone that mastered the art of asking questions more so than his friend Sam. In asking the many questions he then listened better than others. He genuinely was curious and wanted to know how people thought and perceived whatever the topic or situation.
He said Mr. Sam taught people personal growth from their “own” replies to his questions to them.
Mr. Sam told me in the mid-80s that people know 80 to 90% of the answers to his questions. When they answered the questions and he agreed with them he would say “I believe you are right, that is what we need to do.” By answering his questions and then answering them with our own opinions, thoughts, and ideas the ownership then fell on us because we came up with the answer to take action on whatever needed to be done. Whoever created the problem is the best person to correct it.
This first lesson memory for me was when Mr. Sam asked me why I kept telling associates what to do in the stores when they already knew what to do. Don’t talk down to people David. Build them up. Ask questions. Help them find answers to whatever problems they are facing. Respect their ways of doing things. You never know, they may find a better way to arrive at the needed or wanted end result. Your responsibility is to serve them. Stop always taking the lead. One cannot be a great leader if one is not a great follower.
“Retail 101” from Mr. Sam
Now as a 60 year old looking back it was “Life 101” Mr. Sam taught this young country plowboy from West Tennessee, and many others. 50+ years older than me, yet the Founder of Walmart gave a 20 year or so a valuable possession, his time. Every visit.
Something to be said to truly listen to those who have lived many years on this earth. Thank you to my parents for teaching me to respect my elders. It came natural and easy as a young adult to do so with Mr. Sam and others.
Maybe the greatest lessons in my life came from a 70 year or so hourly associate Billy, a mechanic in the WMT Auto Center. Maybe another day to share the countless lessons from him. Grateful for Billy’s stern words to his “supervisor”, me, many times.
1 Peter 5:5
Both young and old can benefit from Peter’s instructions. Pride often keeps older people from trying to understand young people and keeps young people from listening to those who are older. Peter told both young and old to be humble and to serve each other. Respect those who are older than you, listen to those younger than you, and be humble enough to admit that you can learn from others.
David, I think based on this comment you need to start your own blog! So encouraging to know that Sam Walton was a developer of people. I too agree that we know the answers, but we often need a guide to bring them out in us. It's never too late to live a life of significance. My goal isn't to retire and do nothing. How sad that would be. Everyone reading this can make their life count until they take their last breath. We can live for the stuff of legacy and impact people well beyond our time on this earth. Thanks for sharing today!
Thank you for the post Tarek. Always nuggets of learnings for our personal and professional lives. You inspire this ole timer to meditate on yesterday, TODAY, and tomorrow. Wonderful memories that at the time may not have felt like “wonderful” yet lessons in life for TODAY.
“If with pleasure you are viewing any work one is doing, if you like it, if you love it, tell them, now.” — Paul Harvey, friend of Sam Walton describing Mr. Sam at his Memorial in April 1992.
Paul Harvey (radio personality) said he had never known anyone that mastered the art of asking questions more so than his friend Sam. In asking the many questions he then listened better than others. He genuinely was curious and wanted to know how people thought and perceived whatever the topic or situation.
He said Mr. Sam taught people personal growth from their “own” replies to his questions to them.
Mr. Sam told me in the mid-80s that people know 80 to 90% of the answers to his questions. When they answered the questions and he agreed with them he would say “I believe you are right, that is what we need to do.” By answering his questions and then answering them with our own opinions, thoughts, and ideas the ownership then fell on us because we came up with the answer to take action on whatever needed to be done. Whoever created the problem is the best person to correct it.
This first lesson memory for me was when Mr. Sam asked me why I kept telling associates what to do in the stores when they already knew what to do. Don’t talk down to people David. Build them up. Ask questions. Help them find answers to whatever problems they are facing. Respect their ways of doing things. You never know, they may find a better way to arrive at the needed or wanted end result. Your responsibility is to serve them. Stop always taking the lead. One cannot be a great leader if one is not a great follower.
“Retail 101” from Mr. Sam
Now as a 60 year old looking back it was “Life 101” Mr. Sam taught this young country plowboy from West Tennessee, and many others. 50+ years older than me, yet the Founder of Walmart gave a 20 year or so a valuable possession, his time. Every visit.
Something to be said to truly listen to those who have lived many years on this earth. Thank you to my parents for teaching me to respect my elders. It came natural and easy as a young adult to do so with Mr. Sam and others.
Maybe the greatest lessons in my life came from a 70 year or so hourly associate Billy, a mechanic in the WMT Auto Center. Maybe another day to share the countless lessons from him. Grateful for Billy’s stern words to his “supervisor”, me, many times.
1 Peter 5:5
Both young and old can benefit from Peter’s instructions. Pride often keeps older people from trying to understand young people and keeps young people from listening to those who are older. Peter told both young and old to be humble and to serve each other. Respect those who are older than you, listen to those younger than you, and be humble enough to admit that you can learn from others.
— Life Application Study Bible
David, I think based on this comment you need to start your own blog! So encouraging to know that Sam Walton was a developer of people. I too agree that we know the answers, but we often need a guide to bring them out in us. It's never too late to live a life of significance. My goal isn't to retire and do nothing. How sad that would be. Everyone reading this can make their life count until they take their last breath. We can live for the stuff of legacy and impact people well beyond our time on this earth. Thanks for sharing today!
This is amazing. Thank you, Tarek.