Development Archives - Page 8 of 19

Knowledge is Power.

I learned the phrase, “knowledge is power,” many years ago. Indeed, learning and even mastering a subject is satisfying. My intention today is to remind us that “knowledge without action can be powerless.” We can read volumes, listen to podcasts, audiobooks, attend seminars and workshops, and gain valuable information, only to discover there is very little value, if any, without putting into action the concepts, ideas, or principles you have learned. Being a lifelong learner is critical for leaders. However, unless we COMMIT to an action plan from what we have just learned, I ask you, how valuable was the learning experience? Below are some questions to ask yourself as you seek the power in knowledge: Is what I just [...]

By Bob Fashano|2022-03-01T21:25:51+00:00March 1st, 2022|Development, Empowering|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 Bob Fashano|2022-02-08T20:09:23+00:00February 8th, 2022|Coaching, Development, 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 Bob Fashano|2023-03-08T01:49:23+00:00January 31st, 2022|Coaching, Development|0 Comments

The one job no leader should delegate: having the right people, in the right place.

There are so many things we can’t control – from the economy, supply chain challenges, actions of competitors, and those are to name a few. If our people are our most important asset, we need to pay careful attention to the one thing we can control– the quality of our people. This is especially true for leadership positions. As leaders, we can get caught up in strategy, operations, current people issues, and the business of every day. I have been guilty of this numerous times and failed to pay more attention to who we selected. I realized that the best competitive advantage we had was the quality of our people, and that is our differentiator. Some of you reading this [...]

By Bob Fashano|2022-01-22T16:32:41+00:00January 19th, 2022|Development, Leadership|0 Comments

Influence is about them — but the responsibility is ours.

I have been writing and sharing some thoughts on the topic of influence. As John Maxwell has taught, and I believe, the definition of leadership is influence. Your influence on another person is critical in your leadership. It is true that when we influence another person, they benefit. However, we must own and continue developing the skills required to influence and change behavior to achieve better results. Your influence is not about you. Influence is the experience you create for someone based on what they see, hear, and understand. That is the key differentiator. It means the responsibility shifts from the listener or reader to the communicator. The bottom line is we must earn the right for people to listen. What I [...]

By Bob Fashano|2022-01-22T16:01:28+00:00December 29th, 2021|Connecting, Development, Leadership|0 Comments