Chris Ball’s Post

#TheMondays As a senior at ASU in Tempe, AZ, I was recruited by a company in northern California that paid to fly me out for an in-person interview. I felt like a VIP. When I arrived, the president gave me the hard sell, touring the office and the beautiful region outside San Francisco. I was even introduced to one young lady in the office who had a "LA Dodgers" tattoo on a tooth. As a huge Dodger fan, I thought this was very serendipitous, even if a bit extreme. After a long day, we drove into San Francisco to have drinks and talk about my future. We sat so long that I was going to miss my flight, so he made a quick call and rebooked me on a later flight. When he dropped me off, he said, “The job is yours, if you want it.” I really wanted that job. The area, the growth opportunities, the woman with the “LA Dodgers” tooth. All signs pointed there. The problem was that my mom was going through chemotherapy at the time and was ill. I was told that could take as much time as I needed to visit, so the distance wasn’t a deterrent. I also had an amazing job offer in Phoenix, one that offered similar benefits and growth opportunities. I remember vividly lying in my bed, staring at my blank, off-white ceiling for hours contemplating my future. I wanted to go to California, but Arizona had my mom and my comfort, and an equally attractive offer. It all swirled in my mind, and I didn't sleep for two days. I ended up accepting the job in Arizona, and the rest is history. I tell this story for two reasons. First, we are often faced with decisions in our lives that we feel will have a significant impact in our lives. Sometimes, they are indeed hugely important and can change the course of our lives. Other times, most times, these decisions have outcomes that are far less impactful, in the grand scheme of things, and yet they cause just as much stress. When faced with these decisions, remember that we can’t A-B test them, nor should we play “what if” or try to measure opportunity cost post-decision. We must have confidence in our decisions, not look back, and continue to move forward The second reason is for those who may be in a situation where you are weighing a huge decision in your life. Right now, recognize the beauty in having that choice and do not lose sight of what is right in front of you. The time you will spend stressed and trying to play the what-if scenarios is not worth the memories you forfeit in the process. In the end, we end up where we are, and where we are is beautiful. I have so many wonderful memories of my first job in Arizona, and I was able to spend time with my mom in her last few years. Could I have had this experience in Northern California? Most certainly yes, but not a better or worse experience, just a different experience. I now know that whatever I decide throughout my life is the right decision. Even if that includes having LA Dodgers tattooed on a tooth someday! #PersonalGrowth #LifeDecisions

Discover career pathways to success with industry giants like Starbucks, Boeing, Amazon, and more with UW Bothell School of Business! 🌟 💼 Your future job awaits—don't miss out! We’ll see you on January 25th 🚀 #CareerJourney #ExploreOpportunities #ShapeYourFuture #UniversityofWashington #Businessschool

Happy Labor Day, everyone! Today, as we stand against the backdrop of possibility - much like the towering Chicago skyline where we just visited - it's the perfect moment to reflect on how our work shapes not just our present, but the foundation for an incredible future. At Success Circles, we believe in making each day better than the last and daring to play bigger in our professional lives. On this Labor Day, I invite you to join me in some thoughtful reflection: How am I daring to play bigger in my career, and what skyline of opportunities am I building towards? Am I laying a professional foundation that I'm proud of and that will support my long-term vision? How can I bring more innovation into my work, constructing new paths for growth and success? Does my current role challenge me to reach new heights while maintaining a strong base in my personal life? What new skills am I developing that could become pillars of future success? In my journey from operator to owner (or to becoming a better owner), what cornerstone decisions am I prepared to make? How can I elevate my perspective, seeing beyond the immediate horizon to the vast potential ahead? Our work isn't just about personal achievement. It's about creating a lasting impact that extends to our teams, our industries, and beyond. Whether you're an operator aspiring to become an owner or an owner striving to be better, remember that every strategic step builds towards a greater vision. Let's use this day to recommit to our personal and professional growth, laying the groundwork for an extraordinary future. Here's to daring greatly at work, constructing each day as a new floor in our tower of success! Wishing you all a reflective Labor Day filled with renewed purpose and the courage to architect your professional masterpiece! #DareToPlayBigger #SuccessCircles #LaborDay #BuildingTheFuture

In response to Wayfair CEO year end message “Working long hours, being responsive, blending work and life, is not anything to shy away from. There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success.” Tara Craig, PMP, CPTD is spot on that if work cannot be done within 35 hours, it means that someone's not trained adequately or work is not assigned properly. Work smart is a philosophy born not out of laziness. It's born out of hardworking individuals who are (re) thinking through the entire workflow to optimize the input-output equation of their team. #peoplemanagement #productivityimprovement #worklifebalance

Here's a heartwarming story for you: After Kyongsook Kim lost her executive job at Google, she embraced the challenge of the unknown by diving into various entry-level roles. Her goal was to learn something from scratch, and along the way, she discovered that the true reward was more than just new skills. Lois invested in meaningful connections that not only enriched her journey but also proved invaluable as she advanced in her career. As I reflect on my current pause and consider my next step, what will matter most to me is how I will connect with other people and empowering those connections to drive success for an organization. In the spirit of Lois Kim, let's focus on the HOW and not just the WHAT

In today's fast-paced professional world, it’s easy to get caught up in the race for promotions and titles. However, I've found that focusing on developing new skills can be even more rewarding and beneficial in the long run for employees and companies alike. While promotions are often tied to immediate rewards and recognition, developing new skills opens doors to broader opportunities and long-term career growth. Here's why: Adaptability: The job market is constantly evolving. By continuously learning and updating your skills, you become more adaptable and better prepared to navigate changes in your industry. Value Creation: Enhancing your skillset allows you to bring more value to your current role. You can tackle diverse challenges, lead innovative projects, and drive meaningful impact within your organization. Personal Growth: Skill development fosters personal growth and satisfaction. It keeps you engaged, motivated, and confident in your abilities. Future-Proofing: a Investing in your skills is an investment in your future. It ensures you remain relevant and competitive, regardless of the direction your careers may take. Don’t get me wrong, promotion or climbing the corporate ladder and compensation are important but let’s prioritize lifelong skill development. The promotions and accolades will naturally follow when you are equipped with the right skills and a passion for growth. 📸 - Taken by me, atop an Amazon building in Seattle, WA. To me, this image represents the abundance of skills development around me.

🚩Red flags vs. green flags ✅ Quitting your job is a significant decision. There are a few red flags worth considering: 🚩 You are not respected or appreciated by your boss or colleagues. 🚩 You notice micro-management. 🚩 You’re feeling stressed and unhappy. 🚩 Your promotion has been denied. 🚩 You’re struggling to focus. 🚩 You google: should I quit my job? 🚩 There is no room to grow. 🚩 You don’t see yourself in the company long-term. 🚩 Your work environment feels toxic. Do any of these resonate with you? It might be time to reevaluate your path. 📝 🤔 But before making such a decision!!! ❌ Also watch for these green flags that might suggest new opportunities or situations worth staying for: ✅ Your work aligns with your personal values and goals. ✅ You feel challenged and your skills are improving. ✅ You have a supportive mentor or leadership team. ✅ Your work-life balance is respected. ✅ You’re excited about new projects or opportunities. ✅ You see a clear path for advancement and growth. ✅ You feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your work. 🔹 Our careers are a significant part of our lives, and sometimes, it's worth seeking out new horizons to grow personally and professionally. 🔹 P.S: What do you value most in a workplace? P.P.S: Have you ever quit a job based on red flags?

First days....first day of school, first day at college, first day at a new job, first time I used the term, "founder." There is nothing like the excitement tinged with fear of that "first" anything. Today the tables are turned, and I'm welcoming two new hires to We Sell Restaurants after an exhaustive search that I've written about. I can only imaging what's going through their minds. They both interviewed by Zoom and have never met anyone at the firm in person. Did any of you do that fresh out of college? Pack up and move half a country away? One is relocating from Missouri to join our team and the other is joining us from just half an hour away. I'm sure these young people are feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, eager to make a difference and yet uncertain of what lies ahead. As these two young people join our family, what are your best tips for helping to support, encourage, and inspire them? We want to provide the tools, training, and mentorship to thrive. Tag anyone you know who should weigh in. Video below is one we sent to the candidates a week ago from some of our team members to remind them how excited we are for them to join our team. Scott Greenberg #WeSellRestaurants #FirstDay #NewBeginnings #TeamGrowth #Leadership #WecomeAboard

I was speaking to a transitioning veteran this evening about the manufacturing space. The pros The cons Me: "I have to cut this a little short, I have to head into work tonight." Him: "I hate to ask, but why?" I explained that we do quarterly Town Halls and this week we are discussing some policy changes and doing some safety messaging and reinforcement, and most importantly fielding questions from the team. Him: "But why tonigh...OH, night shift." Me: "Absolutely." He asked how I dealt with it. 🤔 It isn't really a big ol' hairy deal for me really. The Army prepped me pretty well for this. And it's only every so often. So my work/life balance is proper for me. Then he asked about my 'normal' hours. Me: "6-6:30A into the office to catch the tail end of the night shift. Work through the start of 2nd shift usually until around 4-5P. Catch up a little at night at times at home on emails, etc. It just depends." I do this to get as much shift coverage as I can, to improve accessibility as much as I can, to increase visibility as much as I can. 'Seasons' in HR can cause lulls and ramp ups of course---open enrollment, policy roll-outs, seasonal peaks for customers, internship/co-op recruiting and onboarding, community events, outreach across the 'off-shifts', etc. So the weird hours happen from time-to-time. Him: "I don't know if manufacturing is for me." Me: "Glad I could help." Me, our EHS Manager, and our Plant Manager of course are here tonight. 3rd iteration of Town Halls, and a couple more tomorrow. It's good to get feedback...communicate important topics (NOTHING is more important than safety, closely followed by quality to our customers IMO while taking care of our team). I'm just as happy talking someone OUT of a function or industry as talking them INTO the function or industry. With as much experience-based evidence as I can provide. It's not selling for me. It's just story-telling and listening in return.

I’m turning the big 50 this month. I have always heard that this time can be a difficult transition. However, for me, this is a time of gratitude and reflection in my work life. I also see this as an opportunity to reset and refocus as I head into the next phase of my career. Do you have a mission statement at work? I have always felt that having high-level direction grounds me with what is most important. My direction has changed over time, and now is a great time to refocus again. I have been putting pen to paper as I look to the future, here is what I have landed on: “To focus each day on growing future leaders and providing opportunities for others.” There is so much joy in that mission statement for me. I have been provided so many opportunities in my career. From early career opportunities to take on processing controversial projects while working for local government to writing land use legislation. Now I can focus on opening doors for others while I continue to learn and grow in my career. Daily work can be stressful and sometimes hard to balance but keeping focused on the bigger picture grounds me in what is important. I started an amazing new job in 2023 at Kimley-Horn in the #everettwa office. I could provide a long list of what makes this company extremely special… but the most important is that I can live out my mission statement here. I can work hard, grow, and invest in a team while also providing all the knowledge I have picked up these past 25 years. What’s best is that when that occurs, I know we will provide exceptional service to those we serve! How do I plan to live out my mission at Kimley-Horn. Follow along as I share a bit about my story in part 2!