{"id":7270,"date":"2024-04-23T05:26:05","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T09:26:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/get-paid-for-performance-not-presence-frank-sonnenberg\/"},"modified":"2024-04-23T05:26:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T09:26:05","slug":"get-paid-for-performance-not-presence-frank-sonnenberg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/get-paid-for-performance-not-presence-frank-sonnenberg\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Paid for Performance, Not Presence \u2014 Frank Sonnenberg"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
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Some people are a little confused about their role at work. They believe that showing up is their job. The reality is that you don\u2019t get paid to go to work, you get paid to get the job done<\/a>. In other words, performance, not presence.<\/p>\n

Have you ever been to a restaurant where the food was excellent, but the service left much to be desired? It\u2019s as if the server doesn\u2019t consider courtesy, friendliness, and responsiveness to be part of their job. Their perspective seems to be that the sole determinant of success lies in the quality of the food. Now, consider airlines. While their primary responsibility is to transport you from point A to point B, it would be nice if they also prioritized the travel experience. At times, it seems like their business model is to make you as uncomfortable as possible and then offer an upcharge to make it more bearable. What would it take to enhance performance and make these experiences better?<\/p>\n

Additionally, marketing firms aren\u2019t paid merely to create materials like ads and literature; their role is to help build the clients\u2019 brands and grow their businesses. Teachers aren\u2019t compensated just to stand in front of the class; their goal is to ensure that students learn. When you go to a hotel, you\u2019re not just securing a room for the night; you\u2019re expecting the staff to be thoughtful and responsive. Furthermore, you\u2019re not paying someone just to cut the lawn; you\u2019re paying them to make the lawn look good.<\/p>\n

Similarly, when you retain a contractor, you expect the work to get done, but you also anticipate regular communication, timely and budget-conscious completion of the work, and responsiveness to your needs. You expect your business advisor to provide great advice, but you also expect their recommendations to be easy to implement. And yes, while a doctor\u2019s primary responsibility is to diagnose and treat you, factors such as their bedside manner and exposure to sick patients in the waiting room \u2014 for what feels like an eternity \u2014 also matter.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not about the hours you clock; it\u2019s about the value you unlock.<\/p>\n

Why Performance Matters More Than Presence<\/h3>\n

The challenge arises when we\u2019ve been doing something for a while, and we lose perspective. A doctor who performs the same surgery hundreds of times may think it\u2019s no big deal, but the patient certainly doesn\u2019t feel that way. Similarly, while the restaurant staff may enjoy the music, it can spoil the entire dining experience if it\u2019s too loud. Consequently, the restaurant owner wonders why reviews are poor or why customers don\u2019t return.<\/p>\n

The key is determining what matters<\/a>. Simple, right?<\/p>\n

Ask yourself, what counts that we\u2019re not counting?<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re trying to achieve, you\u2019ll never get there. Your marketing, training, measurement systems, and incentives all have to work in concert to reinforce your goal. Furthermore, if your actions don\u2019t align with your goals, you\u2019re essentially working against yourself. Therefore, in this case, the harder you work, the more you\u2019ll veer off course. As Bruce Lee, the martial artist, said, \u201cA goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, define your goals and determine your performance criteria. While that may sound obvious, the problem is that too many of us haven\u2019t taken the time to do it. Or we\u2019re living on autopilot, marching forward full speed ahead, and don\u2019t even realize the damage that we\u2019re doing. As Laurence J. Peter, the Canadian educator, said, \u201cIf you don\u2019t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.\u201d In other words, if most answers seem obvious in retrospect, maybe we\u2019re not spending enough time searching for the obvious.<\/p>\n

NEW \u2026\u00a0<\/strong>Soul Food: Change Your Thinking, Change Yor Life<\/em>\u00a0is now available as an audiobook. Check it out on\u00a0Amazon<\/a>,\u00a0Audible<\/a>, or\u00a0iTunes<\/a>.\u00a0 \u27a4\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a0hear a sample.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What Are You Getting Paid For?<\/h3>\n

Please leave a\u00a0comment<\/a>\u00a0and tell us what you think or\u00a0share it with someone who can benefit from the\u00a0information.<\/b><\/p>\n

Additional Reading:
Thanks for a Job Well Done<\/a><\/strong>
You Deserve It, But\u2026<\/a>
Exceptional Employees Are Worth Their Weight in Gold<\/a>
Do You Say, \u201cIt\u2019s Not My Job?\u201d<\/a>
Do You View Work as More Than a Paycheck?<\/a>
May the Best Person Win<\/a>
Exceptional Performance: Is Too Good Ever Bad?<\/a><\/p>\n

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