Whether you’re fresh out of college with a diploma in hand, or a seasoned employee in search of a job, you will stand out from the more than 14 million unemployed if you read this book. More importantly, if you follow the book’s advice. Give yourself the advantage in today’s tough job market.

Congratulations, Harvey! My guess is that you will add another “bestseller” to your list while helping millions of people.

PS. One reporter’s opinion, “Your book is filled with good advice for anyone…not just job seekers!”

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Phil Jackson and Judy Jernudd

I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Jackson.  Granted a first impression doesn’t mean you know a person, yet after a few minutes with him, he makes a lasting impact. His unusual combination of competitiveness and Zen not only serves him well as a coach, but it is who he is.

Judy’s Take: During the interview his answers are thoughtful due to his presence with the questions. He listens. His “in the moment” attitude is contagious. You feel yourself becoming more centered and focused because he is.  Everything about him projects sincerity and wisdom. Even some of his players, who’ve publicly admitted resisting his Zen coach approach, give him credit for his meditative teachings. He listens and delivers answers with the message he wants to get across. He looks directly at you when he talks and forms a connection.

Coach Jackson has written a number of books you might want to check out about his leadership style and what makes him win.  One of my favorites that I recommend to leaders is “Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior.”

Gold Star Action: Answering questions in a job interview, to a reporter, in a sales presentation, or conversations in general should be void of sounding scripted or canned. Treat every question with importance.  Think before you speak.  Looking into the eyes of the person asking the question is a powerful way to connect. And be present. Master these skills and people will relate to you more positively and you will create a greater impact.

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Congratulations with gratitude, to US Airway’s miracle landing in the frigid Hudson River off New York City yesterday. All 155 passengers and crew members lived through the watery landing in what might have been a “no survivors” tragedy thanks to the heroic leadership of pilot Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, co-pilot Jeff Skiles and the US Airway crew. Commuter ferries and emergency agencies responded to the crash in record breaking time to rescue passengers from the 36 -degree water and 20-degree air temperature before hypothermia claimed lives. January 15^th will live on in history as a bright day of heroism, humanity and leadership.

Pilot Sullenberger is receiving praise and thanks for his extraordinary skills, calm, cool and in-control leadership in crash-landing the jetliner safely. It is reported that the “captain of his ship” combed the aisle of the Airbus 320 twice in search of passengers before he left the submerging plane. Mr. Sullenberger is known as a “’pilot’s pilot’…until January 15th when he became the ‘passengers’ pilot’” who saved them from what many feared, would be it. 

GOLD STAR ACTION: Most leaders will never be in a position of making life and death decisions, yet the lessons from yesterday’s amazing response are clear. Mr. Sullenberger made quick and life-saving decisions with calm and professional brilliance. Along with his crew, they were prepared, trained and heroic .  Passengers prayed as they offered the best in humanity helping others evacuate safely. What a day to express thanks and gratitude! 

Next week: We continue our Legendary Leadership series with Bill Marriott, Jr. , CEO Magic Johnson, former E-Bay CEO Meg Whitman, Jet Blue’s CEO David Barger and Xerox CEO, Anne Mulcahy.

Stay Tuned!

Judyth

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“An Alaska Airlines representative is on phone. They found your lost luggage,” Jeanelle, my assistant, announced handing me my headset. I flew on Alaska Airlines back in April with luggage in tow. My first reaction was to dismiss the call. Jeanelle continued, “Her name is Linda and she’s calling on your home phone line.” Not business information. Well, that got my attention.

Now the story comes to life. Linda, the Alaska Airlines representative, had opened the bag and found one piece of mail and a party invitation from me. I asked her the address on the mail and recognized it as a street in the neighborhood. A few weeks ago, I had dropped off an invitation for a community party in the mailbox of new neighbors who hadn’t moved into their home yet. At the time, I thought they probably won’t receive it until after the party, but I left the invitation anyway.

After talking with Linda, I walked to the new neighbor’s house to find a relative inside. I asked if the owners had lost their luggage. She started to cry and said, “It belongs to me. I’ve been praying to get it back. Do you have it?” “No, but I know where you can find it,” I said with confidence. She had picked up the mail along with the invitation and tossed it into her carry-on bag. Someone picked up the bag by mistake and returned it to Alaska Airlines. With no baggage ID tags, Linda tracked down the rightful owner by contacting me off the community party invitation.

Don’t you just love a story with a happy ending? And don’t you marvel at how many pieces of the puzzle it took to come together?

Kudos to Linda! Because of her persistence, problem solving skills and follow through she added joy to someone’s holiday. In the process she also redefines customer service, humanity and thoughtfulness. Thank you, Linda!

Kudos to Alaska Airlines for employing and empowering someone of Linda’s caliber. All of us in business wish we had a Linda on our team.

Kudos to the “Good Samaritan” who realized the mistake and returned the luggage to Alaska Airlines to find its rightful owner.

GOLD STAR ACTION: Whether you run an airline, you‘re a sole proprietor or you lead a team of thousands, you have the opportunity to deliver amazing customer service. Empower your employees to think, take action and help your customers or clients. The lesson from Linda is the age old; “Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.” As we approach the holidays, let’s put this Golden Rule into play. Imagine what a world it would be.

Stayed tuned!

Judyth

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Gold Star Action: Anyone who steps up to take the position of a beloved boss or leader might want to consider revealing vulnerability by expressing humility. Acknowledging, with grace, the big shoes he or she is filling, wins support from the onset. Did you notice that Mr. Gregory’s brief comment included the team’s effort? The star of a TV show is in the front of the TV cameras, but what the audience might not know is it takes an entire team behind the scenes to make the show happen. It is my experience in working in behavioral change; confident people are most comfortable in revealing humility and giving others credit. This is a valuable lesson to each of us who, from time to might be tempted to practice haughty behavior.

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First segment of Legendary Leadership Series

The Jet Blue CEO spoke at a conference where I  spoke in August. One of the things he said taught a valuable lesson about leading from the top. He talked about the turbulence—his word—in the airline industry. Times are tough for both the airline and hospitality industries, but his talk was not doom and gloom. In fact just the opposite. He and his company are taking positive steps not just to survive but to keep the Jet Blue brand healthy. He sees a bright future for Jet Blue and the airline industry as a whole.

Mr. Barger took a voluntary 50% pay cut from July of this year until at least the end of the year. He said, “Pilots and crews are going be flying less and that means not as many hours which translates to less money. How can I ask them to take pay cuts if I’m not willing to do the same?”

Nothing builds employee loyalty and helps pump up morale faster, even in tough economic times, than a leader of a company or professional organization delivering more than lip service and empty messages. His pay cut is in direct contrast to the CEOs of companies experiencing financial meltdowns, but walking away with millions. His action sends a clear message to employees, “we are in this together attitude” as oppose to “it’s us—the leadership—against them.”

Another quality that stood out, and one that is often one lacking in leaders, was his optimistic attitude. Mr. Barger expressed throughout his talk his optimism for the future of his company. He said, “It won’t happen overnight, but we are looking at building an even better brand, not necessarily a bigger airline.” As a leadership communication coach, I will tell you that optimism is contagious especially when it flows from the top. It builds morale, sparks creativity and infuses confidence which helps to increase the bottom line.

Congratulations to Dave Barger and Jet Blue!

Watch for future leadership posts in our series on leaders, including conversations and observations of legends including Bill Marriott, Jr., Meg Whitman, Phil Jackson and Anne Mulcahy.

Stay tuned!

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