Phil Cannella spends much of his time thinking beyond the
walls of his office.
In an era in which many CEOs speak frequently about management
by walking around, the CEO of First Senior Financial Group takes it a step
further. He doesn’t just want to know what is going on with his team, he wants
to know what makes them tick, both as employees and as people.
If you know what motivates your employees, you know what you
can do to help them reach their potential. But it goes even deeper than that.
Cannella wants each person at First Senior Financial to realize for themselves
the factors that motivate them, the areas in which they are successful, and
then begin to intentionally utilize those talents and skills to better both
themselves and the company.
In order to do it, Cannella says you need to take a look at
yourself and assess not just where you are, but the trajectory of your life and
career. It’s not something that happens overnight. Cannella says he has been on
such a journey for several years.
Smart Business spoke
with Cannella about how to self-assess and find what truly motivates you and
your employees.
What are some of the keys to motivation?
The way I motivate everyone, I start out by saying this,
‘We’re all going to take important steps in this life, but the most important
step you’re going to take is one that you’re going to take by yourself.’
I’m talking about the final step you take when you step off
this Earth. That is the most important step you’re going to take, and it’s a
step that you’re going to take by yourself. You’re not going to be concerned
about the money in your bank account anymore. You’re going to want your family
around you, and you’re going to think of what you’ve done to help others in
your life. That is the thought that will go through the thoughts of most people
on their deathbed, particularly if they’re at all spiritual.
For people in my office who are not spiritual, I ask them
this, ‘Do you know the difference between spirituality and righteousness?’ If
you’re spiritual, you have a belief in God. If you’re righteous, you believe in
doing the right thing. And I don’t care if you’re righteous or spiritual, but
you have to be one of the two in order to work for this firm.
