I’m lazy.
Not necessarily at work, where it’s usually “go time” and I’ll champion even the most minute thing, but in my home life. I’m more likely to watch TV with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine or pick up my computer and cruise the net than run around the block, cut grass or go for a bike ride. I am not typically physically tired from work, but I’m usually mentally exhausted and in need of some recharging from a long day.
In little squabbles over 22 years with my significant other, this perceived lack of motivation becomes a point of conversation and will be packaged to me as “things you always do.” Like “you never make the bed, take out the trash or put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.” In my mind, I say how my job is more demanding than his. Or that he’s too “type A” about things. I’m fine. HE needs to loosen up! Now, he does all the outside work, so in theory (although I never agreed to this on paper), I focus on the “house stuff” — cleaning and laundry (which I find strangely therapeutic). But sometimes my actions don’t fit his timetables.
One day, the summer before last, I was about to leave for work. Those of you who know me know that I get up REALLY early in the morning. I’ll go to the gym. (I drive by it every day, I figured I might as well go in!). I’ll come back home and have some coffee, maybe do some work on my laptop. Sometimes I’ll even take a nap before work. (Yes, I get up THAT early!) While about to rush out the door, I looked down at that pesky sink full of dishes from dinner the night before. I walked away, stopped, turned back toward the sink and said, “Do the right thing.” Take the extra time to do what’s right. Don’t give him the chance to bring this up again. And it IS the right thing to do. Clean up your mess. Be a good citizen.
My mantra has become DTRT — Do the Right Thing! I use it almost daily. DTRT and straighten up before you leave for work. DTRT and empty the garbage when it’s full or replace the toilet paper when it's two sheets away from being empty. DTRT and take a deep breath and relax when someone cuts you off on the expressway. DTRT and thank someone for something they did. Doing the right thing isn’t the law. But it makes me feel good and helps create harmony in the house.
The same is true in business. Dennis Organ defined Organizational Citizenship Behaviors as “individual behavior that is discretionary, not directly or explicitly recognized by the formal reward system, and that in the aggregate promotes the effective functioning of the organization.” It’s about doing the right thing and going above and beyond to benefit yourself, your coworkers and your organization.
That’s what it’s all about at Dixon Schwabl. We look for good citizens. People with values and integrity who do the right thing. People who lift each other up and act as a true team. People who value diversity and differences of opinion and thought. People who take the time to replace the paper in the copier, rather than just walk away. People who mentor new employees, even though they’re not tasked with that function. And people who admit when they’re wrong or when they’ve made a mistake — even if it’s hard or embarrassing to do.
Doing the right thing has benefited my personal life. And it has helped me advance in the workplace, too. Be a good citizen of your household, your workplace, your community and the planet. When you get the chance to do business as usual or pay it forward and create harmony and order through simple action, it’s pretty clear to me … DTRT!
Britton Lui is our VP of People & Development, and he’s definitely not lazy when it comes to cultivating a culture that grows and sustains itself through doing the right thing. Reach him at britton_lui@dixonschwabl.com.