Who are you to your friends? What’s your role in a sense…are you their rock, the confidant, the shrink, a class clown, party animal, the traveler…what are you to your circle of friends? Which of your qualities do they associate with you and really value in you? Once you have that answer, think about how can that help you in …
Ask your team for honest feedback
Are you failing your staff, your coworkers, your team? How do you know? Did you ask them? While most of us will annually reach out to our customers, clients and partners to get their feedback on our performance we often neglect those we work with closely. How often have you asked your coworkers, your staff, your immediate team members about …
You are not allowed to quit!
Are you in pursuit of a lifelong goal? Is it getting tough to get there? Have you started doubting yourself and are you considering settling for something less? Are you thinking about giving up? Well…you won’t and here’s why. You are not allowed to quit going after what you truly want and what you truly see as your goal. You …
Is your team providing strategic value?
Every once in a while do a complete assessment of your and your team’s contributions to the overall mission, vision and purpose of the organization that you work for. During this process, ask yourself, are you providing strategic value? Are you contributing (directly or indirectly) to the main cause and main reason why all of you are there? If the …
Give people your undivided attention
Wherever you may be, especially when in smaller groups, please provide your colleagues and coworkers the respect that you would expect in return. Give them your undivided attention, focus on what they are saying and the message or need that they are conveying at that time. Focusing your attention on them demonstrates your commitment to their need and clearly displays …
It’s OK to say NO
If you really don’t want to do something let the other person know right away. Be sincere and straightforward and say no to things and plans you have no interest in being a part of. Saying no can be liberating, empowering and will definitely let others know where they stand with you which is what we all want anyway – …
Include people and lead together
One can never be too informed. Get as much valuable and relevant information as you can so that you can act on that information, make decisions and lead people. The best way to do this is to actually include people and ask for their input, their ideas and suggestions. Include people and lead together.
Can’t win them all
While you may have the best intentions in mind and are able to demonstrate your highest levels of quality, at times, some people may still not be completely satisfied. I say this not to suggest that you should give up on improving your services and products or that you should give up on trying to reach those individuals and address …
Introduce yourself and meet people
As you join a new team it is crucial to introduce yourself and meet people in this new organization (both within and outside your immediate team and responsibilities). While it is important to familiarize yourself with policies, guidelines and operational structure it is equally important to put names and faces together and by doing so build familiarity and trust.
Enable people to contribute
As you work with people from different departments, divisions, even different companies you may come to realize that their work may be based on varying levels of quality and expectations. Before getting upset or immediately escalating to their supervisors please try to understand the full picture as to what they may be dealing with. They could be severely understaffed, overworked …