Archives For Planning

Why Can’t You See The Big Picture?

January 31, 2013 — 4 Comments

halfthepicture 300x137 Why Cant You See The Big Picture?

I was doing my normal juggling of “leader” and “mom” roles.  I was feeling pretty good about the “mom” part as I drove to the stadium that night.

Sure I was on a conference call the whole way there, but I pulled into the parking lot well before halftime.  The marching band had not yet entered the field– that’s a win.

There was plenty of time to set up to take the pictures I had promised my son for his senior year.  I found the perfect spot, got some great facial expressions, and even some action shots.

I drove home proudly and uploaded them to Photoshop.  I adjusted everything just right and excitedly showed them to my son.

“Mom, did you get the guitar?”

Huh? “Ben, you play mellophone”

“Mom, the band moves into a fantastic formation… it looks like a guitar…right in time with the music… did you get a picture of that?”

I had completely missed the big picture… Continue Reading…

In Fear and Courage, Performance, Planning , , , , ,
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Discard and Replenish: What Will You Stop Doing in 2013?

December 27, 2012 — 3 Comments

You had a great year… you worked hard, you achieved results, and learned along the way.  Great… now what can you discard?

givepermissiontodiscard3 300x300 Discard and Replenish: What Will You Stop Doing in 2013?

2013 will bring new challenges, exciting initiatives and inspiring ideas.  With that will come more work, new project plans, and of course new metrics and reporting.     The new initiatives will come on fast and furious, likely with sizzle and inspiration.

Your days were already full… no matter how refreshed you feel, you cannot add more stuff, without discarding what has become clutter.   Your team can’t either.

How can you empower them to discard? Continue Reading…

In Listening, Performance, Planning, Questions, Vision , , , ,
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Building Behaviors that Inspire Sustained Results

December 13, 2012 — 1 Comment

iStock 000016019519XSmall 300x200 Building Behaviors that Inspire Sustained ResultsIf you are just tuning in this week, we are in the midst of a series on Building Results That Last Beyond Your Tenure.

An important component to achieve your vision and accomplish your goals, is identifying the right behaviors at every level.

Just as with creating the vision, you have choices.

You can identify the key behaviors and build performance management systems and rewards to reinforce them.   That may work, if your entire performance management system is carefully aligned.

What I find works even better is involving each level of the organization in the process.

How to Identify Key Behaviors: An Exercise

I have been using variations of this exercise in different roles and contexts for many years– sometimes on the outside as a facilitator, sometimes on the inside as leader.  It’s easy, and mostly involves an open mind and enough time to really engage. Continue Reading…

In Performance, Planning, Productivity, Results , , , ,
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How To Build Results That Last Beyond Your Tenure

December 10, 2012

 

results 300x300 How To Build Results That Last Beyond Your Tenure

I’ve heard all of the following phrases and many more like them uttered over the years.

“I can’t take a vacation, every time I do the whole place falls apart.”

“I had that organization running so well, and then she took over…. what a mess”

“Well, she was the lynch pin that held that whole place together, now that she’s moved on I am not optimistic”

“I came back from maternity leave early, I just couldn’t stand the thought of cleaning up the mess”

“She built all those relationships, we can’t replace that”

Not only have I heard these phrases, I am embarrassed to say that I have said some of them.

Sometimes they are true.

Sometimes they are not.

Either way, it’s not leadership.

An important sign of real leadership is what happens after the leader moves on.

  • Is there a clear vision?
  • Does the team have a clear brand and shared values?
  • Do the next steps seem perfectly clear?
  • Does each member know how they can best contribute?
  • Can the team rely on one another to get things done?

And yet, some leaders seem to take secret pride when things fall apart in their absence.  They exude a quiet form of giddy when their team can’t function without them.

Short-term results are important.  But how do you build a team that can sustain results long after you have moved to the next assignment?

If you are a “indispensable” leader, something is really wrong.  You are not adding value long-term.

What can you do now, to ensure your impact will last? Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, Empowerment, Execution, Performance, Planning, Productivity , , , , , ,
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12 Turnaround Tactics

November 27, 2012 — 10 Comments
Lemon Aid 2 300x200 12 Turnaround Tactics

Lemon Aid by Larry Kohlenstein

Turnaround situations offer a great opportunity to lead.

I had one mentor whose tongue in cheek advice was, when considering taking a new job “always look for the one where the guy before you was an idiot…”

I get most excited when the situation is a big mess.

In such scenes there seems to be more political latitude to make dramatic change.

Rocking a sinking boat is more acceptable.

Even when things look broken on the outside, there is usually more going right than wrong.

The trick is to carefully assess the situation, and then pick the right things to change.

So you’ve been asked to turnaround something important.  What do you do? Continue Reading…

In Change, Culture, Planning , , ,
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The Secret To Increased Productivity: 3 Steps to Improved Performance

November 21, 2012 — 6 Comments

Do you hope for increased productivity?  The solution may be closer than you think.

A guest post from Karin Rigas, Greve, Denmark

Karin Moeller Rigas has worked as a Sales Manager, Executive Coach, and Management Consultant within Retail Banking for more than 25 years. Founder of www.emodigy.com, an e-learning site for managers, she is the author of the book, You are special – Strong foundations make great employees.

iStock 000019477435XSmall 300x237 The Secret To Increased Productivity: 3 Steps to Improved Performance

Looking for increased productivity?  Don’t look for yet another tool to implement in the organization.  Instead, look seriously within yourself as a manager and leader.

Scientific studies indicate…

  • Most frustrations during the day are caused by managers
  • Frustration leads to lower productivity
  • Recognition from the manager is by far the largest trigger for increased performance
  • People want to be successful and know when they are successful
  • Highly skilled leaders create high performing teams

Why not use yourself as the tool to increase performance and productivity? Continue Reading…

In Planning, Productivity , , , ,
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Create a Life Map: How to Make 2013 A Great Year

November 14, 2012 — 4 Comments

iStock 000019290925XSmall 300x199 Create a Life Map: How to Make 2013 A Great YearA Guest Post by Steve Van Remortel, Author of Stop Selling Vanilla Icecream 

How to Make 2013 A Great Year:  Start Today!

As we approach 2013 I challenge you to make it a great year. I want to give you one simple tool to help you become better in all the areas of your life: as a spouse, businessperson, leader, employee, father, mother, son, daughter, and friend.

That simple tool is a “Life Map.” It’s a one page personal plan that helps you achieve success in all aspects of your life.  I am consistently working with clients and friends with their life map and I strongly recommend you start creating yours today. Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, Listening, Planning , ,
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Are Your Meetings Effective? Measure Your Meeting “Net Promoter Score”

November 8, 2012 — 10 Comments

iStock 000018026591XSmall 300x223 Are Your Meetings Effective? Measure Your Meeting Net Promoter ScoreDo you run effective meetings?

When was the last time someone left one of your meetings and told everyone, “that was a GREAT meeting.  You’ve really got to come next time.”

Do you have a good sense of what they are saying?

Would they come if they had a choice? Continue Reading…

In Culture, Execution, Meetings, Planning , , , , , , ,
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