Luke Staffing’s Post

I am the Manager of People Operations for my company. It was great to spend time with my team this week in Houston. We take care of all kinds of people needs that arise -- for employees, for guests, at events, in the workplace. I'm blessed with the best -- "Queen Bee" Lee and "Mama Bear" Lisa. They nicknamed me "Sunshine." I still have a lot to learn about leadership. One of the things I've tried my best to live by: "The team gets the credit; I get the blame." It sounds simple. But it's an important reminder to me that the team needs celebration and appreciation -- celebration of jobs well done, and appreciation for each person's role in success. And as the manager, I have taken on ownership and responsibility -- ownership where I did not communicate well, and responsibility where I did not coach well. It's my role to be an umbrella against chaos, confusion, and complaint. So if someone comes to me with an issue, I get to say: "That's on me." And when someone comes to me with praise, I get to say: "That's on them!" It's not easy... but they are worth it!

Who has held one of these positions before? If you are a part of a growing organization often there are no clear guidelines to what you do. You just do things and figure things out. As much as the owners, leaders and organization want to have structure within the company, if you are growing and acquiring sometimes there is no time for setting those boundaries. You will wear many hats. You will go out of the department you traditionally work in. You will be put in positions to...... Figure it out. Many people thrive and others don't. As I've launched Navarro Culinary Connections I feel sometime I am learning to ride a unicycle while juggling bowling pins on fire while playing the harmonica. You want people in your organization with a figure it out mentality, that can juggle bowling pins that are on fire. Starting, growing or being a part of a fast moving company means at times there are no answers, there is no job description and it really is, just figure it out. Those who attempt, do and find success will continue to find growth within the company. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

"A passion for excellence, safety, and efficiency. Perceptive and discerning in both verbal and non-verbal communication. Leading with a growth culture mindset that inspires employees and strengthens leadership." "20 years experience as forklift operator. 25 years in landscaping. 15 years in the restaurant business, including time in management."  These lines from his resume, his interviewing skills, and overall demeanor got him the job. However, this chapter of his life could have taken a very different path had it not been for the support of St. John’s Ministries. Read more about one guest's resilience, determination, and new beginnings. - https://ow.ly/VrJ650SvNGY

25 years in this industry with close to 20 years in some sort of leadership role - building teams, processes, and product - and the one thing I know that I am "right" about is that the only way for a company to succeed is by cultivating life and passion into the people doing the work. Listen. Find ways to make a day just a little better - whether through simplified processes or just a quick note to acknowledge a win, or even soften a loss. Build an environment that allows for discussion and quick pivots. Create workflows and systems that make sense and are easily adaptable. Evaluate all angles - not just what is in front of you and obvious. And never forget that each person you work with has their own story, their own "right way", and sometimes, they just need to know you are on their side. When your (my) people are excited to be a part of something that ultimately creates a shared vision ... that is magical. Embarking on a new journey as the Employee Benefits Operations Leader for Acrisure West is such an exciting opportunity to "get it right" with some of the best people in this industry - including my B&A Team! I am grateful to those that believe in me and cannot wait to "blow the roof off" in the West!

Hiring a senior leader for your company should only happen if: 1. You (the founder) have hit a wall and can’t grow without the experience of someone else 2. You know exactly what needs to be done next, but it can only get done by delegating Otherwise, the hire is too early.

Characteristics for Success I was recently asked to provide a list of adjectives that others would use to describe me as it relates to my work as a city manager. This, of course caused me to think about the characteristics that help one succeed as a city or county manager. Acknowledging that such a list will differ from community to community, in general what characteristics do you associate most with successful managers? Here are five (plus two) I have come up with for starters: ·        Patient ·        Strategic ·        Decisive ·        Active Listener ·        Empathetic And a couple of extras – Adaptable and a Good Sense of Humor What would you add (or take away) from this list?

Being a chief of staff is “one of the hardest jobs that you can have,” according to one former COS, requiring unique skills and an intense focus. Chiefs of staff can be instrumental to the success of top leadership while advancing their own career ambitions. In a new article, My colleagues Andrew Goodman, Poppy Johnson, and Connor Rochford provide best practices on maximizing impact in the COS role, including how to navigate relationships with the C-suite and develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. If you are a chief of staff or aspire to be one, this article is a must-read.

Hiring staff is a privilege, not an operational cost. It’s an opportunity more than a requirement. All staff should have a positive impact on revenue (directly or indirectly) Here’s an overdue celebration of my first official hire - Mary Love If processes and platforms fail … but you have great people, you can still get away with a win! It’s easy to share the client wins and cool announcements but the best thing about any business is the PEOPLE. The ability to hire someone and partake in a two way value exchange is a privilege. I’m learning more about leadership and encouragement just by having Mary onboard. Who knew I could learn business and branding lessons by studying movie editing techniques. Here’s a reminder to celebrate all the key people (internal and external) in your business!

Congratulations Walker & Dunlop on being one of our 2024 CRE's Best Places to Work! 🎉 The best place to work is more than benefits packages, compensation and flexibility. Although all the aforementioned matter, we also considered examples set by corporate leadership, the company's spirit to giving back, and the affection employees help at these firms. Read the reasons behind our picks: https://lnkd.in/ggUd5xGS

Being a chief of staff is “one of the hardest jobs that you can have,” according to one former COS, requiring unique skills and an intense focus. Chiefs of staff can be instrumental to the success of top leadership while advancing their own career ambitions. In a new article, My colleagues Andrew Goodman, Poppy Johnson, and Connor Rochford provide best practices on maximizing impact in the COS role, including how to navigate relationships with the C-suite and develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. If you are a chief of staff or aspire to be one, this article is a must-read.