Drag Illustrated Issue 145, June 2019 | Page 55

D.I. COLUMNIST The Real Deal I with Tommy D'Aprile recently attended a seminar on business owners and their success. I would like to translate this seminar in short form to you. Many of you own companies or race teams and are overseeing many people. Now let me ask you this ever so challenging question: How do you serve your employees? Now many may say, “Serve? My employees should serve me!” If you answered that way, I can probably tell you the general attitude of your company employees. I went to a tire store one day and the gen- eral manager came out to meet me. I told him what I was looking for and he was quite friendly and eager to help me. As I went outside to wait for another guy to show me the tire, I witnessed this very kind and polite manager demean his employees. He talked down to them and made it a point to devalue them. As the scolded employee headed my way with the tire, I told him how grateful I was that he was helping me. We struck up a nice con- versation and I asked him how it made him feel to be treated in such a way. He responded very bitterly and stated how he could not wait to find another job where he was treated like a human being and not a number. I quickly responded and told him how valued he was and if the manager could not see that, it was the manager’s loss. He was very appreciative. About that time, the manager came over, almost brushing the worker aside, again devaluing him, and said, “I can have these tires put on for you right away.” To this I responded, “No, thank you.” When he asked why not, I responded by saying, “I don’t feel comfort- able doing business at a place where segregation and power are so evident.” The puzzled look on his face was priceless, especially when I told him it was he who I was talking about. He didn’t even see it. He thought he had to have this tough-guy attitude to get things done. The only thing he got done was lose the respect of those around him. The employee took the tire back inside while giving me a smile and mouthing the words “thank you.” Not only do we see this in the workplace, we see it in some of our race teams. Big money and being a team owner does not just magi- cally give you respect – you must earn it. We all deserve to be treated with respect and in turn respect others as well. You’ve heard the say- ing “treat people the way you want to be treated.” Now can you put it into practice? A man named Carl, the CEO of a large, successful company, was asked, “How are you so successful?” This man’s answer? “I serve those that work for me.” The best leaders in the world have always been the best servants. How you serve those around you daily will determine how productive they will be for you. In other words, peo- ple like to be treated with respect and in turn most will work harder for those leaders who are genuine and truly care for their team of employees. Pride will bring a person low and usually leads to com- plete defeat of not only the person, but the company as well. A pride- ful, arrogant leader will be his own demise. So, those of you who are in a position of leadership, ask yourself if you are leading by example or force. Are you truly interested in the best for those that are working for you or is it all about you? You see, the bottom line is important in business, but if the bottom line is causing you to hurt others and demean them, you may have to ask yourself if it’s all worth it. If you’re one of those pound-your-fist bosses to get everything done, you might find that a little compassion and kindness will be more productive while saving your hand from hurting from all the pounding. People will work harder when they feel valued and if you don’t believe it then give it a try. The choice is yours to make. Email Tommy at tommyd@dragillustrated.com June 2019 Increasing Boost ? ARP Head Studs Can Handle The Highest Combustion Pressures ARP head studs and bolts) are made from a variety of premium grade materials: • 190,000 psi rated 8740 chrome moly • 220,000 psi rated ARP2000 • 260,000 psi L19 • 280,000 psi Custom Age 625+ All are manufactured in-house to the most stringent standards in any industry. Get the extra clamping force you need to seal combustion chambers under the highest pressures with ARP head studs and bolts. The same materials are also employed in ARP’s line of main studs/bolts and connecting rod bolts to ensure complete reliability. There is nothing better! 800-826-3045 www.arp-bolts.com DragIllustrated.com Get a FREE copy of the new 2019 catalog online | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | 55