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Get serious about feedback and positive reinforcement.

One of the many lessons I have learned about encouraging performance is this: if you are serious about getting better results, you must deliver feedback on performance quickly, honestly, and consistently. Nobody likes to live in the gray area. People will not grow when they live in gray. As a leader, our job is to observe, analyze, and deliver fast feedback. Spending time with the troops in the trenches and observing and listening to them will prepare you for your feedback delivery. Always be prepared and ready to give positive reinforcement. Give it quickly -- that way it maintains its punch. Don't worry about giving too much positive reinforcement. I've never heard someone tell their leader, "Hey Boss, you reinforce me too [...]

By |2021-11-23T19:09:59+00:00November 17th, 2021|Coaching, Development, Leadership|0 Comments

Seek first to understand.

The header of today's blog is one by Stephen Covey's, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In other words, before jumping to solutions, always strive to make sure are you are focusing on the right issue. By mastering the art of effective questioning, we can become problem solvers, coaches, and leaders. As a quick reminder, here are a few rules to follow: Avoid questions that will result in a yes or no response Avoid questions with hidden solutions Avoid multiple choice questions Ask open-ended questions: What is your desired outcome? What you have you already tried? Why is this important to you? What would this mean to you? What are you willing to commit to? As a leader, there exists [...]

By |2021-11-23T19:05:33+00:00November 10th, 2021|Development|0 Comments

The dreaded task of delegation.

In every organization the leader is faced with the challenge of delegating. It could be a task, managing a project, executing a large initiative, but it's not always the leader who is involved. In fact, in my cases the leader most likely is not the best person for the job. When considering whether a team member is the right fit for a possible task, here are a few things to ask yourself: Do they have the time? Is this something they’ve expressed interest in? Do they have the skills needed to complete the task effectively? How much coaching, if any, is required? Do they typically meet deadlines? Will they work well with others? It is critically important that you clarify [...]

By |2021-11-23T15:29:39+00:00November 3rd, 2021|Development|0 Comments

We have adversity — now what?

We have adversity -- now what? It is true, many businesses are still moving through difficult and challenging times. For the most part, they can't control external factors like supply chain issues, labor shortages, proposed mandates, and so much more. I certainly don't intend to make light of these times, this is serious stuff we are dealing with, but as leaders, it's not supposed to be easy, and it's our job to grow from these circumstances. Equally serious as the current state of affairs, is our mindset and behavior. Oftentimes leadership is best learned, or honed through adversity. Recently, I read an article where former GE chairman and legendary leader, Jack Welch was asked, "What does it take to have [...]

By |2021-11-23T15:23:33+00:00October 27th, 2021|Leadership|0 Comments

What are you tracking? 

As leaders we know how important it is to track results. Without results, we have no business. What I know to be true is to get, and keep the “ball rolling” we need the right kind of action -- action that drives results. To be clear, I’m not referring to our people being busy -- or looking busy, but rather, are they doing the right actions that drive results? For example, we have metrics—take sales, we measure sales results. Obviously we need new business, growing market share etc., but, they don’t necessarily drive success -- they only measure results. What we must have is accountability that drives results. Said another way, when coaching your people, and when reviewing their list [...]

By |2021-10-19T20:31:19+00:00October 19th, 2021|Leadership|0 Comments
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