FISH TALES --- REAL-LIFE STORIES TO HELP YOU TRANSFORM YOUR WORKPLACE AND YOUR LIFE
by Stephen C. Lundin, John Christensen and Harry Paul with Philip Strand. Hyperion, 2002
INTRODUCTION
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FISH! --- Summary of the "FISH!" philosophy from the World Famous Pike Place Fish market in Seattle Washington: (p1-7)
[1] PLAY = Work made fun gets done --- especially when you choose to do serious tasks in a lighthearted, spontaneous way. Play is not just an activity. Play is a state of mind that brings new energy to the tasks at hand and sparks creative solutions! (p5)
SECTION 1 --- PLAY --- Play is not just an activity --- Play is a state of mind that brings new energy and sparks creativity (p9-43)
[2] MAKE THEIR DAY = When you "make someone's day" (or moment) through a small kindness or unforgettable engagement, you can turn even routine encounters into special memories! (p6)
[3] BE THERE = The "glue" in our humanity is in being fully present for one another! Being there also is a great way to practice wholeheartedness and fight burnout, for it is those halfhearted tasks you perform while juggling other things that wear you out. (p6)
[4] CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE = When you look for the worst you will find it everywhere. When you learn to have the power to choose your response to what life brings, you can look for the best and find opportunities you never imagined possible! If you find yourself with an attitude that is not what you want it to be, you can choose a new one. (p70-74)
The "FISH! Philosophy" has spread into organizations around the world because of the FISH! video and book and motivational seminars. Employees began "reinventing" what their time at work could be about, and the passion, energy and accountability they discovered led to surprising business improvements!
They shared their inspiring stories and, through their experiences, our understanding of what is possible with these principles expanded and deepened. Some of their stories are in this book. The stories illustrate how you can choose to try to live more joyfully, responsibly, and wholeheartedly! (p6-7)
[1] A company that has fun connecting --- Sprint Global Connection Services (p13-35)
SECTION 2 --- MAKE THEIR DAY --- The world becomes a better place the moment you act on an intention to serve another (p41-74)
(1) Staying connected
[2] Small Bites (p36-40)
(2) Leap of faith
(3) Playing with a purpose
(4) "Sir, that call is free!"
(5) Hearing smiles
(6) What if it doesn't work?
(7) Starting rumors
(8) "It's nice to know you're human!" --- Anything that brings you joy can be used to transfer that good feeling to your customer!
(9) Mommy, why are you acting so funny?
(10) Creating ownership, stimulating creativity
(11) An answer for "HMMM" --- We have fun working while delivering the ideal customer experience in consumer communications!
(12) Living the philosophy --- We have crossed so many lines. I don't know if there are any lines we would not cross to try to improve our business. But when you launch on journeys, you have to get outside your comfort zone.
It is not about seeking permission, since we all have a certain sphere of influence. But it is about taking risks within that sphere!
[1] Driven to serve others --- Rochester Ford Toyota (p45-69)
SECTION 3 --- BE THERE --- You can multi-task with "stuff," but you need to "be there" for people (p75-104)
(1) What are you feeding?
[2] Small Bites --- "Code Swim" (p70-74)
(2) A philosophy, not a program
(3) "We actually had fun..."
(4) Selling what they need
(5) Little things
(6) Change yourself
(7) Jumping in with both feet
(8) Mr. Perfect
(9) Playing your part
(10) Making a difference
(11) One day at a time
At Pike Place Fish market the fishmongers have learned that customers want the full attention of the employees when they are buying fish. A big part of the employees' magic is being fully present!
SECTION 4 --- CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE --- The attitude you have right now is the one you are choosing. Is it the one you want? (p105-137)
[1] The gift of being present --- Missouri Baptist Medical Center (p79-100)
(1) "I hate this"
[2] Small Bites (p101-104)
(2) Feeling the pressure
(3) A "fishy" invitation
(4) The great fish giveaway
(5) Playing while sick
(6) Competing for stickers
(7) The clarinet and the conductor
(8) Letting wonderful emerge
(9) Spreading the joy
(10) Swimming in the same direction
(11) "The fishmonger's simple choice" --- You have to choose to be at work and you have to choose whether you want to have a good day or not! It is a simple choice!
[1] Let it rain --- Tile Technology Roofing Company (p107-131)
SECTION 5 --- LET'S GO FISHING --- FISH! for 12 weeks and discover the richer and more rewarding life that is just a few choices away (p137-171)
(1) Choosing to be great!
[2] Small Bites (p132-133)
(2) Redefining success!
(3) Choosing a legacy
(4) Speaking their language
(5) Creating awareness
(6) Sharing yourself
(7) The shrewsberry greeting
(8) Learning new tricks
(9) Staying safe for others
(10) "Something's different about you guys"
(11) Coaching the vision
(12) Going into the pond
(13) Tile tech's secret
This section is designed for those who wish to bring the "FISH! Philosophy" into their lives and would like a few ideas. Included are 12 weeks' worth of activities. Some of the ideas have been field-tested but most are presented here for the first time. Remember that a Full Life = Work Life + The Rest of Life.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND AUTHORS' NOTE ()
Of course, "life at work" is part of a full life! Yet many employees devalue their work life and treat it as something they must pass through on the way to the "rest of what life offers."
[1] Week One --- FISH! swim best in a "sea of gratitude" ()
(1) Are there things at work you take for granted but without these things your life would have less abundance? (p137)
(2) Are there times you are doing one thing and already thinking about the next, thereby losing all that the present moment has to offer? (p137)
(3) Are there people who serve you every day whom you do not really see and without whom much of what you take for granted would come to a halt?
[2] Week Two --- ()
[3] Week Three --- ()
[4] Week Four --- ()
[5] Week Five --- ()
[6] Week Six --- ()
[7] Week Seven --- ()
[8] Week Eight --- ()
[9] Week Nine --- ()
[10] Week Ten --- ()
[11] Week Eleven --- ()
[12] Week Twelve --- ()
BRING THE FISH PHILOSOPHY DEEPER INTO YOUR ORGANIZATION ()
[1] Web Contact:
[2] Phone Contact:
www.fish philosophy.coma
fish tales@chart house.coma
www.chart house.coma
Charthouse Learning = 1-800-328-3789
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