Are You a Bad Boss?? Would you know if you were? Would anyone tell you?
Or are you the kind of boss people want ​to work for?
                          Bad Bosses  are bigger problem in small towns than one would think. 

I was a Horrible Boss. I didn't know I was. At least not until a 16 yr old told with more pluck than the grown ups asked me is I was always 'like that?'. 

   Statistically 75% of people will quit a job, even if they love what they do, on account of a bad boss. (I have.) According to a study, 19.2 hours a week is spent worrying about bad bosses. Employees who have bosses they don’t like are 60% more likely to have a heart attack- that’s a staggering number! (Journal of Occupational Medicine)
  Research on “The Damage Inflicted by Poor Managers” by the Gallup Organization shows that “actively disengaged” employees outnumber engaged employees almost two-to-one. Disengagement corresponds with lower productivity, loyalty, and profitability, and higher rates of absenteeism, ​safety incidents, and employee turnover, which “can cost businesses approximately 1.5 times the annual salary of every person who quits.

   Working in a city, it is usually no big deal to simply quit a job, because there are so many more to choose from. Even if it’s not your dream job or it doesn’t pay as well, there are multiple jobs to be had.
  In a small town, the pickings can be very slim. Most folks who work in a small town stay in that job no matter what. No matter how  much they may dislike the way their boss acts, they know that there’s probably not another job in town. 

    Invite the community to host a free-will breakfast/luncheon/dinner at the old school, the park (if the weather’s good), someone’s house, or at a church. Donations can pay for a main dish and/or picnic supplies, with any proceeds going to a local charity. Invite the whole town to bring potluck dishes and introduce the visitors to everyone!
                                                    
​Good food, new friends, plenty of fun!
   And while they’re visiting, and enjoying local cuisine, make sure to round up every home vendor/foodie/artisan/crafter/small business and have a pop-up show for the entire town. Play games, visit, tell stories … have a fun for all!

  There’s an old joke about “Our town’s so small we don’t have a town drunk – everyone has to take turns.” If you get past the “town drunk” part, there’s a ring of truth to the statement – it takes everyone to get the job done.

  Not too long ago we were at one of those solo events for rural women – Ladies Ag Night -- which started out as an evening of fun and learning for the ladies but has branched out to include the gents as well. We had some fun, enjoyed an up-and-coming comedian who shared her typical, but hilariously told, experiences as a city girl learning farm life, and learned a bit about the personality side of Real Colors.
No, this wasn’t one of those “what not to wear” color profiles. It was the 10-minute – okay, more like about 45-minute – tour through a system that helps people identify their strongest personality leanings, understand how people who fall under the other colors see life, and how to best work together. It’s a lot of fun, and some of the groups’ list items and moderator’s comments had us rolling – not laughing at each other, but with each other in agreement.

   In a nutshell, everyone self-selected behaviors, values, and beliefs they connected most strongly with. There were several phases that used different methods, so as to reach a more accurate result than could be achieved using a one-size-fits-all model.

     The best part was the side discussions of how people saw themselves when the color they selected suggested different skill sets than they expected. We talked among ourselves about how analytical traits combined with empathy, how leadership traits combined with flexibility, and how great people skills and valuing relationships helped offset competitiveness and the affinity for structure.

    Think about it. Logical, scientific, research-oriented (green category) people are great to have on a committee looking at revamping the park or making improvements to the school. They’ll get the details and the numbers straight. But adding other traits to the mix will make the committee even better. Bringing a few golds into the group will add greater organization, conservatism and positivity – traits that help move the project forward, while also playing devil’s advocate when needed. A blue or two will help keep everyone working together by using their insight and caring to help consider the needs of those who use the park or the school, while also helping to keep peace when disagreements arise. And let’s not forget the orange category – these folks are great trouble-shooters who like to keep the working environment positive. Need to raise money for the project? Orange traits like persuasiveness and optimism shine at recruiting volunteers and fundraising.

   As you can see, all of the traits have value, and all of the personality “colors” bring something to the table -- some off-setting others to create a better whole. And -- no matter the size or scope of the project -- who doesn’t want the best possible outcome?
​~Annette~

   The rise and fall of rural communities: Just one of many reasons how and why 
A good friend recently forwarded this article to Katy: “The secret to keeping some rural businesses alive”  by Chris Farrell (Forbes)  with the note, ‘It sounds like you!’
After reading it, we decided it does sound much like things we talk about.  And we have a few more thoughts add on keeping small/rural businesses alive.
Picture this: Somebody wants to purchase Bob the Builder’s business. That somebody has ideas. New ideas. Fresh ideas. Ideas to bring in more sales consistently. Ideas that build on the existing business.

  Now for the zinger (which, sad to say, we’ve witnessed first-hand more than once): The good town folks get wind of this and start vociferously voicing their opinions on said -- gasp! -- changes. Everything from “You CAN’T change thaaaaaat XYZ….” “It’s ALWAYS been like XYZ,” and “It will NEVER workif you change XYZ.”
How do “they” KNOW? Are they experts? Or are they simply resistant to change, because they’re comfortable with what they have?

    By saying making these negative comments, they imply -- whether they mean to or not -- that they won’t support the new business. Not monetarily, and not in spirit.
That is daunting to say the least.
This scene has been played out many times in small and rural communities, as well as in big cities, usually with the same result. The buyer who was so excited to have a business in YOUR town backs out and takes their dreams somewhere else. If they don’t take them somewhere else, they simply give up.
                                                       Either way the community loses. 

   The reality is that, especially in a small town, when that one buyer who came forward decides against the venture, odds are good that building -- which could have continued as a viable business and contributor to the community -- will instead become an empty shell.
The longer it stands empty, the greater likelihood the building will fall into disrepair, discouraging other potential buyers. Plus, other folks who may have considered starting or buying a business see the town won’t support change, and they decide to look elsewhere as well.

   Or maybe Bob’s building gets completely transformed into a new type of business the community never even knew it wanted until it was open? Maybe Bob’s becomes Zane the Zebra Tamer and offers all sorts of fun and fanciful items or activities. It could even bring people in from outside the area, and boost the economy.
By embracing change in our rural communities, we foster entrepreneurial spirit, grow the tax base, set an example for others, and attract new families. That’s just a partial list of positive things!
                       But most important of all, we build community.
~Katy & Annette~

  One is a tiny number, right? Like when we hear fire claimed “only one” structure in our county last year, or that “just one” person had to be extricated from a car wreck. In those terms, things don’t sound all that bad.

  Our local volunteer fire department turned out in force, working from a safe distance to protect a calving barn and three homes that are on the property. The welding gases and fuel tanks made it too dangerous to get anywhere near the burning building.
  Even though the greenhouse was a total loss, a family member told us, “If the firefighters hadn’t been there, it all would have burned.” They could have lost everything.
  Emergency services aren’t something we should take for granted, but we do. When we call 911, we expect whoever is needed to show up and take care of our problem.
   But what if they didn’t? What if the firefighters HADN’T been there to protect what was left of this family’s operation, not to mention their homes?

   Last year, rural firefighters from across North America came together to talk about how hard it is to keep their doors open. In “larger” rural communities, those with 5,000-9,999 people, almost 45 percent of fire departments are all volunteer. That percentage goes up to 74 percent in communities with 2,500-4,999 people, and in tiny counties like ours, with populations less than 2,500, nearly 93 percent of fire departments rely fully on volunteers.
  Just because there are fewer people in rural communities doesn’t mean there are fewer fires. When people are more spread out, the proportion actually rises. In big cities, where there are a million or more people, there are only 3.1 fires per 1,000 people, with a national average of 4.5. Which means something has to bring that national average up.

  That something is those of us who live rural: there are 10.8 – yes, more than double the national average -- fires per 1,000 people in communities that have fewer than 2,500 people. Is that an eye-opener, or what?
  The next question is, how are we going to keep the doors open at our rural fire departments, to make sure there’s a crew there to answer the call? Rural fire volunteers are aging – 42 percent have been with their departments for more than 10 years, and many a lot longer than that. And fewer people are stepping up to fill their shoes.
  We get it. It’s hard to work full time, raise a family, take care of a house and yard, and try to get in some downtime when we can.

                                 But if we don’t – if YOU don’t – who will?
Put away the “why nots” and consider the reasons “why to.” Volunteer fire departments need all kinds of volunteers – they need firefighters, drivers, and people to haul water, direct traffic over the radio, feed crews on fire lines, and help with all the details that keep the department running. And most departments provide all the needed training and equipment.
How healthy is your local volunteer fire department? What do they need? And how will you say “yes”?
​~Annette~

  ​That’s why we stop at the places locals gather. Where, by simply smiling at someone or saying “hello,” we can start a conversation that often spreads to include everyone in the room.
    In just a few minutes, we find out what’s going on in and around town, learn snippets of local history, and get directions to more than the usual sights – like some of those little gems the locals take for granted. We can find out who’s who, how the crops are, and hear about the guy who restored a muscle car or tractor, all in a good-natured stream of back-and-forth chatter between patrons and employees alike. We get a sense of place.    We also get that not everyone’s willing to start talking to people they don’t know. And that’s OK. But think about it. You’re already talking with the waitress – or gas station clerk, or whoever -- anyway. Why not get the scoop on fun stuff to do while you’re at it?
All it takes is a quick question: “What’s going on around here today?”

   “Not sure,” they might say, turning to a guy nearby. “Hey, Bob! These folks are looking for something to do – any suggestions?”
BOOM! Conversation started.
  It’s the same when we move into a new community -- one of the first things we do is look for somewhere to eat. Somewhere we feel comfortable and the food is good. Somewhere we’re assured of a welcome and camaraderie. A place we can meet our neighbors and become a part of the “family.” Our own personal “Cheers,” even if everybody doesn’t know our names. Yet.
And we’re not alone – there are plenty of folks just like us. Are you ready?

  When folks you don’t know walk through the door, remember the value of strangers – a value that may go beyond the price of their meal or their fuel. While some are vacationers, others are looking to relocate or may be traveling through on business. And, unless they say so, you don’t know who’s just passing through, and who might be considering moving in and boosting the local economy.

  No matter the reason, they chose to stop and meet you. Your town. Your corner. Your place. They, too, want to feel that sense of community.
It’s a universal feeling. It’s found in small cafés, major chains, corner bistros, and the coffee groups at gas station C-stores. In cities large and small, and everything in between.
​  We – employees and locals alike – need to be welcoming and friendly. After all, every last one of us represents our local cafés, businesses, and the places we live. Who cares if the unsuspecting visitor sat in your regular spot? Return the smile with one of your own, and say “hey – how’s it going?”

   Don’t be the reason they leave forever. Be the reason they come back to visit, or maybe even to stay.
​~Katy & Annette~