Jab, jab, jab, right hook is the latest book by Gary Vaynerchuk. In short, in reminds all (and teaches some) brands to care about their customers and communities by providing value, engaging and building trust prior to asking for that sale (aka. the right hook). If you are familiar with Gary and his work you have probably read his first …
Who inspires you and why?
Who inspires you professionally? In this instance, I am not taking family, friends and historical figures into account even though all of them could be significant sources of inspiration. What I mean is who is currently an inspiration to you from the professional stand point? For me, two very different (age, background, experience, approach…) entrepreneurs come to mind instantaneously and …
Be proud of your accomplishments, but don’t gloat
While marketing your ideas and accomplishments is essential, being obnoxious about it actually has a reverse effect from what may be desired. It is important to be proud of your accomplishments and be confident of what you know and can do, but remember to stay humble. Let others comment of your quality work and accomplishments, don’t pat your own back. …
Organizational policies must be communicated
Whether it is a new policy or an update to an existing one, all changes must be clearly communicated across the organization and an official start date needs to be set. Furthermore, enterprise policies needs to be written with your organization, people, culture in mind – don’t simply copy them from other organizations as they won’t make sense in your …
Trust, but verify (quietly)
As you introduce new staff to your team it is essential to verify their skills, quality and performance and ensure that they are a valuable addition to your team. However, when you do this, make sure you do it quietly as you don’t want any “bruised” egos or notions of distrust among employees. This can be done in a variety …
Build your team, then get out of their way
Due your due diligence when building a team and get involved in the selection process. Your direct reports need to match your quality standards as well as their personality needs to fit with the rest of the team. Once you have built your team, empower them and get out of their way. Don’t micromanage, trust them and allow them to …
Experience trumps education
As someone who has attended his fair share of academic programs and has definitely found value in each of them I have to say that education is important and should never truly end. It is a process, not a finite event and can come in many forms and shapes. However, first-hand experience with particular products, services or technologies beats anything …
Relaxed and creative environment
One of many leadership responsibilities (both formal and informal) is to create and maintain a relaxed and creative environment for your team as that is a major prerequisite to them performing at their very best. Be professional, courteous and aware of varying needs of your team members, but ensure that each of them enjoys being part of that team.
Balanced life
We are all different and unique in our own ways and as such we are driven by different things, people, goals and ideas. One of the greatest advice I have received by those I admire is to find what I care about and enjoy and what do I want to do for years to come. Once you do a bit …
Get to the point
Have something intelligent and valuable to say? Please get to it by all means and do it today if possible. 😉 Many people have a ton of valuable ideas, yet they either don’t share them (for whatever reason) or end up taking way too long to get their point across. If are part of a team it is important to …