Includes two audio clips.

Ever wonder why people don’t meet your expectations?  Ever wonder why they don’t take responsibility?

A few years ago, Mick Mixon , now voice of the Carolina Panthers joined me for a Business Class interview.  It was close to Father’s Day and so we talked about lessons he had learned from his father that had shaped his career.   Here is one of them.

He said his Dad emphasized the importance of work. So Mick spent his early years doing everything from babysitting to working at Roses, Western Auto, Iveys, Chapel Hill Tennis Club, Finley Golf Course and WCHL.

The first year that Mick made $1000, his Dad sent away for the proper tax forms. Mick was 14 at the time. The forms came, Mick filled them out and his Dad checked for accuracy. At school a few days later, Mick asked one of his buddies what he put down for the value of his bicycle. The friend had no clue what Mick was talking about.

Listen to Mick tell the story here (3 minutes).

Mick’s Dad took a stand.    He made his expectations clear from the start – teaching Mick the value of work, the importance of saving money, living below your means, overall fiduciary responsibility.   He taught Mick to take responsibility by giving him responsibility – lots of it!

So – for those of us in management positions wishing people would do more,  here are five helpful questions:

1. What do I stand for?  What do I value?  What do I expect?
2. Am I making my expectations clear?
3. Am I giving people responsibility for meeting these expectations?
4. Am I giving them the tools, the support and the authority they need to meet these expectations?
5. Do I sometimes take the responsibility away?

These are tough but critical questions.  Answer them and you’ll be able to clear up a lot of wondering – yours and theirs.

Speaking of questions.  Questions are a terrific management tool.  Mick’s a great question asker.  Apparently so was his Dad.

Listen to this excerpt ( 2.5 minutes) from the interview about a stop-you-in-your-tracks question. Plus lovely Father’s Day message from Mick to  his Dad.

How might a question like this help in your work as a manager?

What did you learn from your Dad that has helped you as a manager?

What message will you send your Dad on Father’s Day?

Other Stories from Mick Mixon

• Mistake Management Tips
• Service Lessons
• Sales & Service Tip – Mick’s Homer at Texaco
• On managing yourself & others
  • A  lesson from Ray Austin at Western Auto
  • A lesson about going from good to great – this one from Bob McAlister
  • A lesson from Mr Horiza at Western Auto
  • Handling Rejection

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