14. Be Humble.

Don’t let your own ego get in the way of doing what’s best for the team. Be open to learning from others, no matter what role they have, and regardless of their age, industry, experience, or years with the company. Everyone has something he/she can teach us, and everyone’s perspective has value.

Michelle's Message:

As I thought about this fundamental I pictured myself sitting at a desk, back in elementary school. It was fifth grade and the teacher had various posters around the room. I loved the animal pictures (she was the science teacher) but there was one that I often recited back to myself as I sat, staring at the walls between lessons. It was the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I have reflected back to the Golden Rule a lot throughout my life. Whether making new friends in middle school, starting my first job as a teenager, or today with my work associates and my family, I often think about how others feel. I look at not only how I can help them but more importantly how they help me. It generates a positive outlook rather than focusing on the negativity around us. Everyone has something about them that makes them unique, and listening openly and truly taking in what others have to say is the key to humility.

Each monthly conference call, Marc Blaushild goes over the work anniversaries. Some months there are 10 or more associates that have 20 plus years here at Famous. From those lists there are people on there that I speak to regularly, and it amazes me that despite having 3x or 4x as many years of experience under their belt, they always treat me like we are on the same level. When I was asked “who at Famous practices this fundamental well?”, it’s difficult to name just one. However, I would like to shout out to all the associates that have been here more than 20 plus years and say —thank you! It truly shows how open hearted and passionate you are for being here and for being mentors to each of us.

As you go about your day, try to think back to the Golden Rule and see if it changes how you proceed with a task, phone call, or conversation with a customer. Take a step back, be open-minded and show humility to others.

This quote from Gordon B. Hinckley summarizes all of what I just wrote in one sentence.

“Being humble means recognizing that we are not on Earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others.”

Thanks for reading!

Michelle