By Jana M. Kemp

Recall Greek mythology. Hercules was a man of extraordinary strength who garnered immortality by performing 12 seemingly impossible tasks. Who in your company is demonstrating outstanding strength or accomplishing amazing goals? Who in your organization has achieved an innovation never dreamed of? 

Are you? Are your customers? Or, is your company asking employees and customers to perform "labors" or jump through hoops in order to work and do business with you?

Let's back up: How would you define a Herculean feat at work? By definition, something Herculean is of unusual size, power or difficulty. 

Consider what projects and tasks of unusual size or difficulty are being completed. What makes the undertaking "large" and/or "difficult"? Are there individuals, teams or even entire departments giving their all, perhaps with limited resources? 

Power and strength are also a part of Hercules' make-up. List the people who demonstrate personal power and decisiveness. Include individuals who make it to work every day despite tremendous obstacles. Include those who are influential thinkers and problem solvers. Consider who demonstrates silent strength and who demonstrates articulate and persuasive strength.

Watch for Herculean moments as well as consistent Herculean achievement over time. Some of us are masters at the moments, while others of us excel at long-term accomplishments. It takes all of our acts of power and strength, all of our feats of unusual size and difficulty to build a business, a family and ultimately a community worth living in. 

Hercules may be in our midst at work or elsewhere. Here are some places outside of work to look for Hercules:

1. Home: Who's working at a job that is not rewarding just so that bills can be paid? Who is sharing the load of completing household chores? Which children are helping with household chores when they'd rather be playing with friends? Which children are sharing their favorite toys with siblings? Who juggles work, household chores, and kids yet still finds time to volunteer in the community? Recognize both Herculean moments and Herculean long-term achievements at home and in the community.

2. Community: Who's actively supporting organizations that strengthen the community? Who's giving time? Who's giving money? Who's involved in church, civic organizations, the schools, the community centers and/or the libraries? Who's sharing talents that without which the community would suffer?

3. Government: Search city, county, state and federal arenas for Herculean acts. Which agencies are leading on difficult decisions? Which agencies are collaborating in new ways to solve problems or streamline government? Which public servants are providing outstanding help and service?

Look again. What Herculean feats are being accomplished in your organization, and in our community? Recognize the feats, the contributions and the achievements of the people in your organization, your family and the community. If recognition and appreciation isn't expressed, the Herculean contributors in our midst may vanish into the haven of a competitor or move to another community.

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Jana M. Kemp, founder of Meeting & Management Essentials, speaks nationally on meeting management and regularly facilitates meetings. Jana hosts Momentum, a weekly business-news-talk radio show, every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on KBOI 670am. Reach Jana via her website www.janakemp.com.