Do You Know Who Cleans Your Office?

When you work late at night in the office, you often see the cleaning service pass through. They make sure the space looks pristine, smells pleasant and that everything is sanitized, especially in the world of COVID. They play an important role in the day-to-day operations of the organization.

But do you know them? Do you know their names? Do you know their backgrounds, family life, the names of their children? Or do you simply believe they don't work alongside you since their role is vastly different? If that’s your mentality, you’d be wise to reconsider. Everyone who enters and works in the building is an essential worker; each plays an important role in its vitality and success.

Years ago, former Hall-of-Fame NFL Coach Bill Walsh was standing on the sidelines before a game and heard the stadium's announcer goofing around. Walsh expressed the same level of outrage that he would’ve for a Joe Montana interception. Why would he care so passionately about the announcer? Didn't he have more pressing matters at hand? No, he cared about everyone and everything. If he was tasked with leading the 49ers, he was also responsible for how absolutely everyone in the organization performed.

When we as leaders begin to care about everyone and everything operating in harmony, we can then understand how each role is dependent on the another to perform at the highest level. How do you know a restaurant is operating properly? Go into the bathroom. A clean bathroom means a clean kitchen; it also means someone understands that the details matter. The person who cleans the bathrooms at any restaurant is just as important as the chef; therefore, it's vital to know more about them than just their name.

If Walsh owned a restaurant, the bathrooms would be glowing. Walsh knew that respecting each person in the organization was important regardless of the job he or she performed. He believed his skills as a leader meant leading everyone, knowing everyone, and ensuring that everyone understood they had an obligation to the company to put forth their best effort.

There is no such thing as non-essential workers. Everyone is important, and everyone needs the same leadership. Start today by going and checking your company's bathroom. Make sure you know everyone's name who works with you, not for you.

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