Set goals and work towards them.  It’s one way to move yourself beyond where you are today.  Are you willing to go somewhere different?  Somewhere more challenging and uncomfortable?  As fearful as we may be at the thought of failure, there is more at stake when we remain stagnant.  Not acting towards the goal is a risk, but it’s not the only risk.  Aligned action is also of necessity.  Are we moving towards the correct target?

For John Spanczak, failure to act is not an option.  He is regularly challenging himself to move towards the things that need to be done to make himself, his teammates and his organization a great place to work.

Goals Clarified

At one point in 2018, John S. had his goals clarified.  Prior to that moment, he had been moving towards the goals that he believed to be the right goals.  But when it was brought to his attention that they were indeed not the goals to be seeking for that time, he quickly adjusted and began his march towards a new target.  No missed beat.  Just movement towards a new goal.

This type of responsiveness is a part of what has made John S. a great and inspiring team member at Clickstop.  One of his peers is quoted saying, “John’s has helped me to know how to lead the team in productive discussions around our core values and the work that we do.”  There is no greater influence to be had within an organization that is built upon and made great through the Values we’ve defined.

Congratulations to our first employee to receive two Core Value Awards within the same quarter!  Well done, John!

The Interview

What is your role at Clickstop?

Director of Employee Engagement Services

How long have you worked here?

11 months. Wow, how time flies!

What is your Clickstop story? If it were a book, what would the title be and why?

Fully Immersed: A Tale of Steep Learning Curves.

Audio by Morgan Freeman.

How do you relate to this core value?

I have always had a passion for helping others feel empowered to accomplish big things by helping them see potential in themselves. This aided me as a social worker in the field and now helps me drive growth at Clickstop. I believe people have the potential to achieve amazing things in life. Sometimes you just need to hold up a mirror to help them see it too.

What advice would you give to others who want to embrace this core value?

Expect growth, support growth, and challenge growth. Help people reflect on where they were and how far they have come. Push them to dream big and imagine where they want to go. Empower them by giving the support they need to achieve. After that, get out of the way and expect to see something great!

What are you most excited for or proud of on your team?

We always have each other’s backs! No matter how fast we move, we always take time to remind each other we are there for one another.

What was the best compliment you’ve ever received at work?

Winning two core value awards in one quarter!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?

I learned that in a fast-moving environment like Clickstop, you have to sometimes execute before you reach the end. As somewhat of a former perfectionist, it was hard for me to adjust, but I have learned that at times I need to expect great things from something that was just good enough.

What can we find you doing when you’re not at work?

Hiking with my wife and two pups

Last movie or book you watched/read?

We are re-watching the Harry Potter series.

Dogs or Cats?

Dogs. Some people WAG their finger at them, but I have a BONE to pick with those folks. Dogs are PAWSITIVELY awesome!

What brought you to Clickstop and why is it such a good fit for you?

I was most excited to work for a company that cared about its people. I had played softball and volleyball with a lot of folks who work here, and I was inspired by their high levels of engagement and commitment to core values. I knew that there was something special about Clickstop before I even walked through the door.

When do you feel truly “alive” at work?

Meeting with clients and getting to tell the Clickstop story. There is a visible change that happens in people’s attitudes and appearance when they hear our story and realize that they too can have a committed, engaged, and aligned workforce. I love being able to share that message and tell folks how we can help!

What small gesture from a coworker has made a big impact on you?

Ashley Rambo sent me an email once helping me reflect on the things I have learned and accomplish this last year. We do not always take the time to reflect on stuff like that, but fortunately, I have a friend like Ashley to remind me.