We spend a lot of time talking, thinking and working on ways to improve our leadership skills. I found a great article in the Harvard Business Review that focuses on leading through an era of exponential change. If anything can be said for 2020, it is that it has been wrought with changes as we’ve never seen them before. I hope the core content of this article is helpful to you as we make our way to the end of the pandemic.
Can we have a candid conversation? Are you a control freak? I’ve learned over the years that many people, especially those in a leadership role, don’t recognize this about themselves. Do you have confidence that your business can run without you? Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling with never enough time to get everything done? Do you have time to train others on your processes/procedures? Are you enthusiastic about your role in your company? Depending on how you answered these questions, you just might be a control freak. You could be too afraid to let go and embrace the art of delegation. If this sounds like you, I know you’ll enjoy this month’s article. If you’re struggling with how to change, let’s have a conversation.
As we’re full on experiencing the heat of the summer, I thought it appropriate to think about conflict in business (heated conversations). Most people want to avoid conflict…I bet you’re one of them! Do you run from what you perceive to be a confrontational situation? If you are, you’re probably missing a great opportunity to enhance a relationship, grow personally and grow your business. Sound crazy? Read these 2 articles to get some ideas on how conflict can be a healthy part of your culture.
The current workforce continues to be one of the most challenging issues I hear about from company owners that I work with. What can be done? Be worth working for!
That means not only offering competitive salaries and benefits, but also providing a high-functioning work environment, with effective management, professional development and recognition for a job well done. The best-run hiring process in the world won’t be able to overcome bad word of mouth about what it’s like to work for a particular company. Making sure that your company’s brand is appropriately and prominently displayed is a big key to finding the right talent.
If you know me, you know that accountability is something I talk about often. It is important in every aspect of our lives.
As a matter of fact, I will be speaking on the topic of accountability at the 2020 Annual Retreat for the Virginia Council of CEO’s in a couple of months.
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year that’s wrapping up and the year ahead. One of my core values is “it’s all about the people”, so that leads me to think about all of the customers and employees that are impacted by my clients. Folks, if you take care of them your business will flourish. Make your plans to establish a culture of employee engagement and a culture of customer experience in 2020. These articles will give you the road maps to do just that!
I wish each of you a healthy and happy holiday season.
In a conversation with a client the other day, we were talking about how impressed he was with his son’s school and their level of accountability for their students. The students have to earn the right to be in advanced classes and if they don’t, they are bumped back to regular classes. So I asked him if he applied this same practice in his business…any guess what his response was?
As a leader in your organization, are you taking action on every significant thought that comes to mind? Do you “know” something isn’t right, but just hope that it will resolve itself? If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Tough decisions are difficult to act on. This month’s article discusses a great tool to help you move forward with those necessary decisions (the ones around your people, anyway). If you can learn to set your emotions aside (and this tool will help you do that), and remember that your decisions should be in the best interest of the company as a whole and not any individual, then it is far less difficult to make the correct and necessary decisions to make and keep your company healthy.
Have you ever had a great employee…but they just weren’t meeting expectations? Do you realize how paralyzing this can be to the entire organization? The following article does a great job of summarizing this exact scenario. Sometimes having that challenging conversation is exactly what the company needs to move forward.
Many of you have heard me speak about the importance of accountability as a necessary ingredient for a successful business. But, many of you find it challenging to have those perceived difficult conversations with your team. I’m hopeful that this month’s article with provide you with some additional guidance and encourage you to include accountability in your businesses.