What are we here to do?  Why is it worth doing?  How are we going to do it?  These questions help create the mission, values and strategy of the team.  Then, we seek agreement.

Once agreement is reached, we choose to hold ourselves, and others, accountable to aligned action, knowing that our belief will be tested.  The grind of the work can drain our motivation and test whether we consider it to be worthwhile.  We can be tempted to measure our results without attention given to how they were created, leading to an inconsistent approach to how we work.  And when a strategy proves to be unproductive against the goals, it can lead to frustration.  The tests will come.  How will you respond?

The Difference Between Good and Great

 Joe Dumars was a member of two NBA championship teams.  He once said, “On good teams, coaches hold players accountable; on great teams, players hold players accountable.”  Why might this be true?  I believe it’s the speed of support and accountability.  A good coach will inevitably become aware of the issues within the team, but it can unfortunately take more time to uncover when those closest to the problem are unwilling to confront it.  As this goes unchecked, it leads to poor execution, lowered morale and less focus on what matters most.

When team members support and hold accountable, there is greater consistency in achieving positive results.  The team operates as one and focuses on what matters most.  There is greater appreciation for and satisfaction in the work being done.  The misaligned action is swiftly corrected, and improved strategies are created.

A Rock Star Teammate

Six years ago, Sarah Meinders received recognition as a Clickstop Rock Star.  This past quarter, Sarah became Clickstop’s first, two-time Rock Star!  The reasons for this recognition are rooted in her ability to support and hold herself and team accountable to aligned action with the mission, values, goals and strategies of Clickstop, exemplifying our core values and having gone above and beyond the expectations of her role.  Not to mention, she also had a baby.  That’s pretty awesome!

Clickstop has changed a lot in her 8 years here, and Sarah has been instrumental in the fulfillment of our business and cultural objectives.  As a form of recognition, we will hang another picture of Sarah on our Rock Star Wall, grant her the Rock Star Parking Spot and present her with a T-Shirt and $1000 check.  Thank-you, Sarah, for your commitment to making Clickstop a great business and a great place to work!

 

The Interview

What is your role at Clickstop?

Digital U/X Strategist

How long have you worked at Clickstop?

8 years

How did you feel upon being recognized for this award?

Very humbled and shocked.  There are so many awesome people at Clickstop.  To be recognized amongst all of them is humbling and shocking.

What do you believe has led up to this recognition?

Surrounding myself with like minded people.  Taking on big challenges and being trustworthy of peers to get their parts of the project done.  I try to pinpoint the skills that we need to accomplish the task at hand.  Try and paint the picture for those involved: focus on the expected outcomes.  Then, keep everyone motivated and excited to take on such a big challenge, whether it’s a project, task or new website.

Have you had struggles within the Core Values?

Yes.  I try and communicate openly about the challenges and be decisive about how we can resolve the challenge so that the issues don’t stretch out longer than necessary.  I believe this is keeping Clickstop’s best interest in mind and has helped move the company forward

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

Hanging with my kiddos.  Golfing in the summer on ladies’ night.  Volleyball during winter.  And I love to go out for a good Mexican meal with margheritas.

What brought you to Clickstop?

I was working in corporate America right out of college and quickly realized that there wasn’t much opportunity to instill change when you saw a better process or something that could be improved upon in a company that large.  I had noticed a lot of people getting hired on at Clickstop and was curious what it was.  I applied for a position that was open and immediately loved the small community, family feel that Clickstop had.  I felt like I would be able to apply my skills and help shape a young start up company into something great by causing change in a positive way.

What keeps you at Clickstop?

I have a strong belief in the mission statement at Clickstop.  I have full trust in Tim and Nicole and what they’re doing with the business.  I’m surrounded by people that I enjoy working with; they’re my friends.  I feel at home and I’m able to apply my best each day.

There are days where I miss being a team of 20 people, but there are certainly benefits in being a bigger company.  We’re not losing an entrepreneurial environment; the values are still present and there are many opportunities to grow.  It’s up to you to find opportunity.

If you could live in any period of history when would it be and why?

This one.  I like modern medicine and the amenities and comforts of today.  It would be hard for me to picture living in a different time.

Tell me the things I’d see when I walk in your door?

A lot of toys scattered amongst the toys and carpet and living room.  Kids screaming and laughing.  Chaotic happy life.

What TV / Netflix Show currently has your attention?

Married at first sight.  90 day fiancé.  The Bachelor.  I like Reality TV.   I have, though, ventured out and started watching A Million Little Things.  Also, I just started watching Netflix and am hooked on Shameless.  I hear that Making a Murderer is something I need to watch.

What’s a movie you can practically quote from start to finish?

There are none.  I don’t usually have the attention span to watch a full movie.  If I do, I’ll forget most of it.  It’s a recurring joke amongst my friends.  I fall asleep. It’s a struggle to stay awake.

Tell us about your first cell phone?  What were the features?

I got my first cellphone when I turned 18 because my parents were very fair amongst my 3 sibling and myself.  My older sister got one at 18, so I didn’t get one until I was 18.  It was a tiny LG flip phone.  There were no extra features.  You could call.  No texting. No games.  It was very basic.  I’m pretty sure it was a free phone that came with the plan.

What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?

Traveling the World.  I would start in Australia, which is on my 10 year plan.  There is a lot of beauty that I see in the pictures.  Also, I’m a big beach junkie, and their beaches look amazing.  Kangaroos are cool, too, but not Koala bears.  Scott Keeling let me in on some interesting facts about Koala Bears.

What fictional place would you most like to go?

Hogwarts.  I read all the Harry Potter books.  Who wouldn’t want to see it?!