IMAJUSTA- Is this a new specialty coffee drink?

Transforming "IAMJUSTA" Employees into Valued Team Members

Have you ever stopped to think about how your employees see themselves within your organization? If you had to classify your team, how many would fall into the category of "IAMJUSTA" employees?

Wondering what "IAMJUSTA" stands for? Let me break it down for you.

I AM JUST A-  

You've probably heard this phrase before from your employees: "I’m sorry, I can’t help you. I am just a _______." Fill in the blank: salesperson, support staff, clerk, manager, etc. These "just-a" employees are the ones who are doing the bare minimum for your organization. Why? Well, it’s not always as simple as laziness (though that could be a factor). More often than not, the real issue is that no one is empowering, engaging, or energizing them to go beyond "just a."

Think about it: if your team members feel undervalued or disconnected, how do you think they’ll act when interacting with your prospects or customers?

Hospitality Begins Within - Hospitality isn’t just about serving your customers—it’s about creating genuine personal connections that leave people feeling something special about your product or service. And that all starts internally, with your team.

Here’s how you can inspire your employees to move from “I’m just a…” to “I’m proud to be a part of this!”:

1. Connect- Take the time to truly engage with your employees. Ask for their ideas on how to improve their roles—trust me, they’ve got plenty to share. Show them that their voices matter.

2. Empower- Encourage your team to make decisions that benefit both the customer and the company. And if mistakes happen (they will), use them as opportunities for growth by coaching and mentoring them on what to do differently next time.

3. Challenge- Set a standard of excellence that inspires your employees to go above and beyond. Create clear guidelines—your company’s “way” of doing things—and make excellence something they can strive to achieve every day.

4. Energize- Sometimes, a little recognition goes a long way. A genuine “Great job!” in person, a handwritten “Thank you” note, or even a small reward for handling a difficult situation can make all the difference. These gestures show your team that their efforts are appreciated.

From "IAMJUSTA" to "Happy to Help"-  By connecting, empowering, challenging, and energizing your employees, you can transform their mindset. Instead of “I’m just a…”, they’ll proudly say, “I am someone who makes a difference!” And that positive shift will resonate with your customers and prospects, too.

Bob Pacanovsky is a Keynote Speaker and Strategic Trainer who works with organizations to empower the IMJUSTA’s to become Brand Ambassadors to deliver a consistent and rememorable The Black Tie Experience!

To learn more and to book Bob, contact him:

Call-  (330) 352-6084

Email - Bob@BobPacanovsky.com.