My Edited Thoughts and Review of Gung Ho

My Edited Thoughts and Review of Gung Ho
By Tommy Franks

Have you ever read the book “Gung Ho”? Hence forth, we should be known as the "Gung Ho" people. What does "Gung Ho" mean? It means: Working together for a common goal or purpose, enthusiasm, and Teamwork with outstanding results. Gung Ho is a Chinese description of "boundless enthusiasm, energy, and dedication". It also means "turned on and excited". We are Gung Ho! Always remember this: "When we are ready…the teacher will appear!"

Individuals who are Gung Ho realize that they are persons of great worth. They have class. They have style. They are children of great destiny. They have seeds of greatness down inside them. These seeds of greatness will germinate and grow to the surface and become a great harvest! Then they will grow to maturity and blossom out and bear much fruit...

My motto of any Gung Ho Group is as follows:

"I AM GOING TO DO IT. PERIOD! I said I'm going to do it. I have a RIGHT. I've got a DREAM. I've got a VISION. I've got a DESIRE. I said I'm going to do it. That's it. PERIOD. It's FINAL. I've got a responsibility …No question about it. I am somebody. I do not have to try to be somebody. I already am. I'm a child of destiny! I refuse mediocrity.

“I'm a WINNER. That's the way I was made. Period! No man is going to change it. No discussion necessary...No conference meetings…No summit meetings. I'm ready. I'm moving on. I said I'm going to do it. I have a RIGHT. I have a responsibility. I decide the right way…what is fair to all. It's done. The winning has begun. I'm a winner. PERIOD!”

"I'm going to do it. Self, you are unique. Out of 9.2 billion people who have ever lived on Planet Earth for the last 6,000 years, you are the only you. There is no one else like you. There never has been. There never will be. Therefore, “Self”, take your PLACE. Do what you were designed to do. Never take a back seat to mediocrity or apathy. Follow your DREAM. Follow your goals. Build upon your successes. Yes, temporary set‑backs will come, but they are just that...temporary. The real “you” is a winner and will take nothing less than the best. Therefore, today...Self, you will make it. You will make things happen. You've decided to move forward because you have confidence in yourself. You have confidence in your talents and abilities. You refuse to give up. Self, you will make it and you will make it happen for others too. PERIOD!"

"We can do it. We have character. We have inherited characteristics of strength. This is the way we were made. Today, this moment, we are free from any inferiority, self-consciousness, weakness, and detrimental habits. We are free moral agents who make good sensible and intelligent decisions that will profit this world, others, and our communities. Today, we go forward with a greater sense of responsibility and accountability. We are winners. That's it. PERIOD!"

"I may not be able to change the whole world around me, but I CAN CHANGE the WAY I see the world WITHIN me."

"I am an attitudinizer. An attitudinizer is a person who affects change and things. I will affect change, people, and things...today! I will affect others in a positive way. I will posture myself with a sense of humor, zeal, active performance, smile a lot, and have a great attitude. In general, I choose to like people. I choose to have fun and be happy!"

Gung Ho (Part II):

“Gung Ho” by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles is a powerful little book. I highly recommend that you get your own personal copy sometime. Gung Ho is a lifestyle. The connotation of the words Gung Ho means: Turned on to life...High on life. Happy! Happy people are more productive people.

As a matter of fact, happy people are normally 25 to 30% more productive than unhappy people! Someone recently said, "Happy people are also healthier people." I believe this...no doubt about it! Is anyone listening?

Today, in our travels with Gung Ho, I want to talk about “the spirit of the squirrel”. Yes, that’s right...the spirit of the squirrel!

The first secret of living a gung ho life is: Knowing the spirit of the squirrel. The spirit of the squirrel is this... “Finding worthwhile work and then doing it, NOT lackadaisically or half heartedly, but professionally and energetically. It is KNOWING that our work is making the world a better place in which to live. It is knowing that we “are making a difference”! Every worker...not only needs to know that he is important, but also that his work is important. Yes! It is working together (as the squirrels do) in a common bond with a shared goal and shared interest. It is displaying sound values that guide our plans, decisions, and actions.” This, my good friend, is the spirit of the squirrel!

Currently, it is springtime. If you get a chance to go out into the woods, take a look around and watch the squirrels for a few minutes. Squirrels are very quick little, furry rodents with long bushy tails. They come in all colors from around the world. Squirrels are “results” oriented. They are “value” oriented. They value one another. They have a common goal and purpose...to collect nuts. That’s right. They collect food for the winter months for their families. Have you ever seen a starving squirrel in the winter time? No!

No, you haven’t and you probably never will. Why? Because a squirrel believes that his “nut gathering” work is important and worthwhile. He believes that his work is important! This is no jive, he is right.

If we want our fellow workers to be gung ho, the first step is to develop the same type of characteristics displayed in the spirit of the squirrel.

First, we must understand that “our work is important”.

Second, we must share a common goal and purpose.

Third, we must display sound values that guide our plans, decisions, and actions in a positive manner!

Fourth, we must KNOW that we are “needed”.

What is the alternative to this? What is the other side of the coin? Managers/supervisors that are NOT gung ho or understand the way of the squirrel, normally manage or supervise by “control”, manipulation, domination, or intimidation. Some will even pretend that certain information is too sensitive or volatile for others, especially for their subordinates to handle. By withholding important perishable information, they remain in “control” (at least in their own small, narrow minds). This type of nonsense is for “self made power trips” that lead to distrust and disharmony. As a leader, if we want our teams to trust and respect us, we must “tell them the truth”, give them the information that rightfully belongs to them, and treat them the way that we want to be treated (with dignity). That also means “putting the team players first”...even ahead of yourself. Why do we care? That’s simple. We are “GUNG HO”!

Gung Ho (Part III)

We have talked about the “spirit of the squirrel”...which is: Finding worthwhile work and then doing it, NOT lackadaisically or half heartedly, but professionally and energetically. It is KNOWING that our work is making the world a better place in which to live. It is knowing that we “are making a difference”! It is knowing that we are important and that our work is important. It is working together in a common bond with a shared goal and shared interest. It is displaying sound values that guide our plans, decisions, and actions.”

Now, let us talk about the “way of the beaver”. The way of the beaver is as follows: Achieving the goal. Respecting one another’s feelings, dreams, needs, and aspirations…Right work being done the right way. Respect.

Beavers respect each other. One beaver does not hide a good tree from another beaver. They all have mutual access to the available resources (good trees) to get the job done which includes full, accurate, and current information on everything. Beavers highly value other beavers.

THE GOLDEN RULE FOR ALL MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE: Value the employee as people with dignity, value the employee’s thoughts, feelings, ideas, concerns, dreams, goals, and his self-esteem/self-worth. For the 21st Century, “He who has the gold makes the rules” will not work...on a permanent basis. Current managers/supervisors need to get away (far away) from the glare of their own self brilliance and self-importance and start thinking about “making a difference in our society”, especially the workplace.

Again, the characteristics of the beaver are as follows: Achieving the goal. Respecting one another's feelings, dreams, needs, and aspirations. Right work being done the right way. Respect for all people.

The way of the beaver is simple: Each person is in control of his/her destiny and goals. It is also accomplishing the right work…the right way. The way of the beaver describes the individual's relationship to the overall organization (good or bad).

FACTS: Beavers respect each other. They work together as Team Players. They all have access to available resources which includes full, accurate, and current information on everything. No secrets! They VALUE each other. Their thoughts, feelings, needs, and dreams are respected.

We must realize one thing in the "beaver mentality". We must realize that nothing (not one thing) is going to change unless we take a stand as team members and implement change. Our leadership needs positive change. Some of us need to change, especially me! I am constantly taking inventory of my own self to see if I need to implement more changes in my own life. Sometimes change hurts, but is necessary.

Someone once said, "Information is the gatekeeper to power". Everybody needs "full and open access" to information. Today, in our working society, two things need to transpire:

1. Team Players must be willing…even eager…to take on additional responsibility.
2. Supervisors must be willing to relinquish some of the levers of control that they have acquired over a lifetime. Nothing is worse than to be given a task and held accountable and then to find out that you do not have the authority or resources to accomplish the mission/tasking.

Sometimes, it may seem as if a supervisor has left you dangling from the top of a mountain…hanging there by a frayed rope…that could break at any moment…because he/she had given you a tasking…without the necessary authority or support to accomplish the mission. This type of supervisory behavior does NOT promote trust or increased productivity. It promotes just the opposite effect!

Gung Ho requires us to stretch a little at times: work that demands our best and allows us to learn, move ahead, and take giant steps into uncharted waters.

Gung Ho (Part IV)

We have talked about the meaning of Gung Ho (which means: Working together for a common goal or purpose, enthusiasm, and Teamwork with outstanding results. Gung Ho is a Chinese description of "boundless enthusiasm, energy, and dedication". It also means "turned on and excited". We are Gung Ho!

We have talked about "the spirit of the squirrel" which is: Finding worthwhile work and then doing it, NOT lackadaisically or half heartedly, but professionally and energetically. It is KNOWING that our work is making the world a better place in which to live. It is knowing that we "are making a difference"!

We have talked about the "way of the beaver" which is: Achieving the goal, Respecting one another's feelings, dreams, needs, and aspirations; the Right work being done the right way, and Respect for all people. It is also being in control of our own destiny and goals.

Next, let's look at the "gift of the goose". The Gift of the Goose is: Enthusiasm, encouragement, "honking", cheering others on to success, coaching, saying kind things to fellow workers, being a cheerleader for your TEAM and fellow Team Mates, and "thanking and congratulating" each other on daily successes!

Why do geese "honk"? Think about it. Geese honk because they are excited about life. They are excited for one another's welfare/success/ flying/health/happiness. Oh, yes! They honk (cheer) each other on…just like cheerleaders at a football game. Think about this for a moment: If we (all of us) begin encouraging and cheering our fellow co-workers on to success and let them know how great they are…What do you think would happen? I'll tell you what would happen:

It would be like throwing gasoline on a spark…explosion of energy and enthusiasm!
Increased productivity.
Pleasant working environment.
More humor and laughter.
Less threatening environment.
Greater trust and respect.
The mission would come alive.
Our work would seem more important and worthwhile to us.
Teamwork & cooperation would expand exponentially.
Give us a better reason for "doing what we do best"…accomplishing the mission!

The gift of the goose is "a gift to each of us". We need to have the approval of others. This is a basic need in every human being on Planet Earth…no exceptions! We need to know that we are valuable, commendable, worthy, creditable, precious, needed, loved, and missed. We need to encourage each other to have faith and hope.

Every leader/manager has an unlimited supply of "congratulations" available to give out. Active and passive affirmations are very important. Congratulations or cheers must be timely, responsive, spontaneous, unconditional, and enthusiastic. NO, YOU OR I CANNOT OVERDO "CONGRATULATIONS". This is powerful stuff!

We need to cheer/coach others on to success. We need to celebrate when things go well…and be supportive when things (sometimes) go wrong while all the time…creating an atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm.

Once we get a taste of the "gift of the goose", we will never go back to our old ways. We will never go back to live in the barnyard where we use to only smell the manure of the hogs, chickens, horses, and other farm animals. We will never again grow accustomed to eating chicken feed. We will want to continue to fly high like the geese and other flying foul, such as the eagle. You and I were meant to fly high…and enjoy the picturesque and lovely scenery. Eagles live to be over a hundred years of age prior to going to eagle heaven. Hello!

Additional Gung Ho Elements!

We (you and I) can get what we want out of life on a consistent basis. We can feel great any time of day. We can change frustration or disappointment into personal power and then make the best of the situation. How? It is called "focus".

We can change how we feel…and be happy, joyful, and even energetic! We can have better relationships, more money, and a better quality of life. How? We must truly have a desire to be happy, feel better, and want the positive change that will bring these kinds of things. Therefore, we must change how we feel about certain elements, things, and even certain people. No, this is NOT easy! But we can do it!

Once, we make up our minds to change for the better, incredible things begin to fall into place. We begin to change our mental focus. We begin to pay attention to our words, our thoughts, our present state, and our future. Sometimes, radical change may be the answer. We can take charge of our own lives and create the type of feelings and passion that we truly want in life. How? By our emotions! You see, emotion is created by motion. We create our emotions and feelings by motion…by what we do with our bodies and minds…our movements, thoughts, and even our gestures.

We are responsible for our own state of mind and our enthusiastic lives. Once we realize that we have this power over our own lives, we begin to understand and see the light. We begin to use this ability. We begin to "take charge" and have more fun, joy, passion, and energy than we have ever dreamed.

Sometimes, it is just a matter of "smiling". You heard right. Smile! We need to change our facial expressions at times. Have you ever felt depressed while smiling? Practice smiling for 20 minutes a day. Go ahead. Try it. You'll like it. You will feel great…simply by smiling. Facial expressions of frowns or frustration create negative emotions in our bodies. Control your face and you will control your state of mind. Just try it.

Believe it or not, you are a very powerful person. You can change the way you feel by talking or believing in something that really inspires you. Sometimes, this may be talking to another person or even talking to yourself. I give myself a "pep talk" quite frequently. I think it is necessary regardless of your work or profession.

Now, we get back to "focus" again. What we focus on determines how we feel! How we feel determines how we behave. When I feel lousy, I do not fare too well at what I am trying to accomplish. Therefore, I must focus on the desired results. People who are successful are people who control their focus.

In conclusion, think positively. Smile a LOT. Cheer others on to success. Work as a team Player. Feel good about yourself. You are the only you. You are a very beautiful creation that is unique, powerful, kind, worthy of success, hospitable, and generous. You are a very wonderful person of bountiful dignity and great value. No one can take this away from you. You deserve the very best in life! Period!