Five Critical Questions

Let's get real: being a leader is not for the weak. When you raised your hand or were asked to step up and lead, you accepted one heck of a challenge. Now might be an excellent time to check in on five critical questions on your leadership. CLARITY Are you clear on what you stand for? Are you clear on your vision? Are you clear on your strategies and objectives? Have the above been communicated? COMPETENCE Are you setting a standard of excellence in all areas of your influence? Are you continually and intentionally learning and growing in leadership skills? Are you continually seeking ways to improve your products and services to customers/clients? COMMITMENT Are you committed to the vision? [...]

By |2022-02-16T02:05:12+00:00February 16th, 2022|Leadership|0 Comments

Pay or praise?

Pay or praise? For many years I thought that money was the big motivator. Well, I learned that is not always the case. I read the following quote several years ago, and this quote alone has inspired me to lead differently,  “The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated,” William Jones. Research suggests, “pay fairly and competitively.” However, the fundamental factors in keeping the good ones are: Challenge Growth Opportunities Flexibility Meaningful Work A leader who values them They want the (non-monetary forms listed above.) Certainly, perks are valuable; they help in the recruiting process. But, research has proven good ones won’t stay because of perks. Not everyone is motivated the same. As leaders, we need [...]

By |2022-02-08T20:09:23+00:00February 8th, 2022|Coaching, Development, Leadership|0 Comments

How not to lead.

Last week I shared thoughts on what it means to be leading from the front. And this week, I am sharing what it doesn’t. I have committed the following sins of leadership, and when you are out front, the temptation is there to do so. Micromanaging: Leading from the front does not mean you become overly involved in the details of what the person is attempting to accomplish. These behaviors can be intimidating and unproductive. If you commit these sins, you may be better off in your office. Eliminating decision-making power: You cannot grow your people when you do all of the thinking for them. Ask more questions, challenge them to discover solutions, and serve as their thinking partner, not [...]

By |2022-02-01T20:16:56+00:00February 1st, 2022|Leadership|0 Comments

The importance of probing questions.

As leaders, we always want to ask open-ended questions that inspire dialogue and eliminate tension. Here are some strategies to use when asking probing questions. The bridge before the question: "Help me understand." "I'm curious; please share with me...." "Could you tell me more?" The questions designed for the current situation: "What are all the possible solutions you can think of?" "What is stopping you from reaching that?" "What resources could you tap into to help you?" "Who may be affected by this decision?" The questions designed for the past: "Give me some background; how did you arrive at that?" "What have you tried?" (not have you tried A, B, or C) "What do you think went wrong or happened?" The questions designed [...]

By |2023-03-08T01:49:23+00:00January 31st, 2022|Coaching, Development|0 Comments

Look for opportunities to lead from the front.

There are three types of leaders: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who scratch their heads, stare out the window, and wonder, “ What Happened?” Hopefully, we are leaders who make it happen. As a reminder, we must engage with our people often. I am not referring to anything that resembles micro-managing. However, I recommend you keep your finger on the pulse of the needs and wants of your people. That is where you will find the opportunities to lead them. As you may know, a constant awareness of what needs to do, and the energy to make it happen is essential for every leader. Remember, you cannot maintain or build a healthy culture [...]

By |2022-01-25T21:03:57+00:00January 26th, 2022|Coaching, Leadership|0 Comments
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