No. But. However.

 NO, BUT, HOWEVER.

What are these words when it comes to being a leader?  They are powerful, but can be powerful in the wrong way.

I am currently reading "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith.  Although I am not through the book, he mentions that one of the flaws of a leaders is "Starting with No, But or However.  He states that, "The overuse of these negative qualifiers which secretly say to everyone, "I'm right.  You're wrong."

He captures this beautifully because we all have worked in a corporation or business where someone thinks they are always right, or comes down hard on people with the No's.  Leaders need to shift their focus when it comes to how they communicate to their fellow co-workers.  Leaders do not just say No, But or However.  They actively listen, take in advise from co-workers, their own employees or their mangers.  They want feedback how to to improve.  I won't go and say to tell a the leadership team they can't do that...they can.  However, what a great leader does, is not say No right away.  They accept that there may be other things to consider, different ways for a project to go, or advise they need to take to heart.

Some companies complete 360's on their leadership team to develop their skills.  Just remember, if you are someone who is reviewed and needs development, that this is not a sign you are a bad person or a bad employee.  It just means that, like everyone on earth where we are constantly changing, and learning, leaders need to do that too.  Continual learning and growth is what leaders do to continue to lead by example, produce great products and service and be profitable.  

Next time you feel the need to say "No that is not the way we do it." or "You have a good point, BUT mine is the best way to go", actively listen to what people are telling or showing you.  Ask questions. Seek answers.  If it is eventually a NO, BUT or HOWEVER, be ready to show why and ensure others understand the why.  For example, you hear that they need a new forklift as the only one they have keeps breaking down and is stopping shipments going out the door.  You see that it costs 50k and your budget is blown as you lost sales due to covid.  Maybe you may say, "A new forklift is a great idea, HOWEVER the budget can only handle a used one.  I will look into that right away and see what we can do to make your job easier and more efficient.  Thank You."  (That is right...never forget to praise and say thank you whenever you can.)

In summary...remember as leaders and managers, before we say "NO, BUT or HOWEVER and you are wrong and I am always right", we need to grow, learn and listen all the time to feedback from employees, vendors, customers or whomever else may have ideas, otherwise are you really leading in the way you want to or the company needs you to?  Do you have all the information you need to make a wise decision?  Are you helping your employees keep the customer first?  Are you leading by example?

Until next time, check us out online at www.twinlifecoaching.ca or email me at tara@twinlifecoaching.ca to book a free consult.

Tara

What To Do To Stay Ahead In Your Career

 

How do you stay ahead in this ever-changing world?  In order to keep up and have career opportunities or leadership growth, you have to stay informed. One way to stay ahead is by educating yourself.  Great leaders never stop learning. 

 

This could mean that you keep updated on how computers, software and phones have changed business.  If you are still using a fax machine, that is ok, but did you know some fax numbers actually go to email rather than showing up on fax machine somewhere?  Learning knowledge about software and office products is keep to continuing to keep up with these changes.  How do you sell to your customers?  That is ever changing as well.  More and more people are offering online shops.  Are you keeping up with these changes?

 

What about reading?  There are books of every possible nature out there.  Books are not just for fiction.  Need information about lean for your manufacturing business?  Go to your local library or bookstore and get the latest one.  Need help with your leadership skills?   There are a lot of great books out there too.  Want to know how to knit?  Guess what, there are books out there for that too.

 

Where else can you go to keep up with change?  Think online courses, webinars, colleges and universities, papers, listening, etc.  You can even be mentored, use a coach (hint hint) to help with your goals and ensure you know how to continue to grow and keep up with the ongoing, never-ending threat of change.

 

Do not be afraid of change.  We live in a VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous).  Embrace it.  The only thing about change is that it is continual and you need to keep up..  Once you do and you leave the past behind, except to learn from it, you will grow and continue to stay ahead in your career, with goals and with life.

 

If you need some help or want more information, please reach out to me at tara@twinlifecoaching.ca or check out our website and blog at www.twinlifecoaching.ca.

Know Your Limits

We all have limits, even as leaders.  In our logistically and employment difficult world, limits are hit daily What we need to know is what those limits are for us, and react appropriately when we get there, before burnout happens.

Know when to ask for help and don't be afraid to ask for it.  No one is super human...unless you do know of a super hero that is real of course.  If you are overwhelmed, ask for help and remember you do not need to be the only person who knows all the tasks you complete in a day.  A great leader has people behind them who are able to fill in the necessary tasks when you are not available.  Ask for help when needed.  

Limits can also be the number of hours worked in a week.  Be sure you and your employees are following all employment law for working and rest hours.  That is the first thing a good leader knows and follows.  Then if you are consistently working more than 40-48 hours in a work week, you need to do a couple of things: 1 - figure out what you can delegate to others and 2 - make your limits known and stick with them...and make sure your employees do the same.  Lead by example.  Work on getting rid of unnecessary meetings, reports, etc and if needed, work on creating your budget or proposal for a new hire.

We have all been there...working and knowing that we have reached our limits and change for us is inevitable.  We know we have to take those necessary steps.  When you do, be sure to get the right advise (employment lawyers are a great place to start if you are looking to let someone go or need advise on laws for your employees), take the right steps.  Move forward appropriately and feel comfortable that you have done the right things and have the right knowledge before moving forward.

If it is you who needs to make that change or move on, then congratulations for recognizing that.  That is what a great leader should do.  Remember :be sure you are ready, you have the right advise, and you are comfortable with your choice.  When you are, do what you need to do to stay within your limits.

Until next time...

Rewarding Small Wins

 Everyone loves to be rewarded, thanked, given praise, or even monetary compensation for a job well done.

Most companies do this after a large project is finished, say for example, the implementation of a brand new ERP system.  However, sometimes if we wait to reward our employees, some projects either fall off completely, or are severely delayed.  Why?  One reason could be that our employees have no motivation to continue to move forward.

What if, after every small win or small action item completed, we reward our employees in some way?  I know that if we do this, you could have more motivated employees in most cases.  Rewards for small wins, can be a simple group Thank You, snacks or lunch brought in for the next meeting, to providing monetary rewards or gifts.  Nothing has to be expensive for small wins, but the recognition needs to be there that your team is doing a great job and continuing to move forward.

I encourage all leaders to give verbal praise whenever it is needed.  This doesn't have to be when the small win happens, but could be before to keep your team motivated.  Praise is an essential part of ensuring projects happen on time and with effective results, whether the results are a new process or even identifying a current process is the best one right now.

What do you do to continually keep efficient employees motivated on a daily basis?  What about for small wins?  And lastly for those big wins?

Want some more help?  Feel free to reach out to me at tara@twinlifecoaching.ca or check out our website and other blog at www.twinlifecoaching.ca.

Looking for a New Job?

 

It seems that many of my new clients are all looking for a new career, career growth, or to develop their leadership skills.  This is certainly a growing theme.

Are you looking to move to a new career and not sure where to start?  Well, hiring myself as your coach of course.  ;-)

This is what I tell most of my clients when we start to chat.  Think of looking for jobs as an iceberg.  What you see above the water is only a small part of the entire iceberg...most of it is below the water.  Now what does this have to do with finding a new job?  

Well the part of the iceberg you see when searching for jobs is: Job posting websites, LinkedIn and maybe job agencies.  What you don't see under the water is a world of much more choice.  

Under the water is: volunteering to try positions out, signs posted outside companies for help wanted, online work, newspapers (online and paper - yes they do still exist!), company websites, not-for-profit organizations and so much more.

So when looking for that new job, think outside the box.  Where is your new job?  What industry is it in?  Where can you find more information?  Where do you see more postings?

Need more help?  That is where I come in...from creating a vision, reviewing resumes, cover letters, interview practice, exploring the bottom of the iceberg with you, building leadership and management skills and much more.

Contact me today for a free consult: tara@twinlifecoaching.ca