Be a Leader

Being a leader is not about telling people what to do, micromanaging, and beating down on those who make mistakes.

To be a great leader, you must see the best in people and use those strengths in your organization and help them grow on their weaknesses.  If someone is struggling, you want to ensure you are not beating down on them.  You need to ensure a few things:

1 - Are they brand new?  If so, they need time to understand your processes, their job, and their duties.  It is your job to get them the assistance they need, or help them yourself to feel part of a great team where communication and collaboration are 100% acceptable.

2 - Are they properly trained?  Did you provide proper training, On-The-Job training, outsourced training, any and all training needed legally?  If not, that is on you and you need to ensure that is done.

3 - Did you ask them if there are any issues?  Are you actively listening?  Following up after the first few days is key to understanding how they are feeling about the job, if they feel they had proper training, or if there are any hiccups you do not yet know about.  Listen to what they say and create your action plan together.

4 - If they have been there awhile and all the items above are done, you need to do a Performance Improvement Plan.  This is not to talk down to them.  This is a plan you come up WITH them to ensure they receive any training, assistance, etc they need.  You may have missed something too.

5 - If all else fails, yelling or being demeaning is still NOT acceptable as a leader.  What you do is start the disciplinary process.  This allows time for them to improve and also can help you show you are doing all you can should the need to terminate come up.

This is not an exhaustive list, but one you should look at to ensure you are empowering, enabling, and teaching your employees to be their own leaders and collaborative/ communicative teams.

Now go Be a Great Leader!

www.twinlifecoaching.ca

tara@twinlifecoaching.ca

BRAINSTORMING

 I love brainstorming with my team.  Getting those ideas out there even if we all laugh about why some are just impossible.

What brainstorming should not be: you and you only coming up with ideas for changes in your organization.  While you may have awesome ideas, your view of the business is only 1 view and may or may not be biased in some way.  So if you have some brainstorming to do, invite others to do it with you.

How to brainstorm:

1 - Gather your team (always great to have people from other areas, different levels, and different departments)

2 - Make sure everyone understands and agrees to the rules.  Rules are:

     a) Get a white board out, share your screen, and make the list you are coming up with visible to others.

     b) Tell everyone NO answer will be considered wrong.  You want anything and everything as ideas even if out of budget (maybe you can put it in budget next year, take a smaller idea from the out of range one, etc)

     c) Tell everyone to have an open mind.

     d) No one is permitted to judge anyone's responses at any time.

     e) No one is permitted to talk about a response.  This is a time solely to gather the ideas, not to discuss them - that comes later.

3 - Everyone gets a turn 1 at a time and no discussion on the ideas.  The person keeping the notes or idea list writes each one down regardless of what it is.

4 - When everyone is out of ideas the meeting is done.  Again NO discussion on the ideas right away.

5 - The person keeping the list sends it out to everyone to review.  

6 - Give everyone time to add to the list.  Do NOT remove any ideas.

7 - After an appropriate amount of time (a couple days), have another meeting to review each and every idea.  Here's what you do:

     a) Ask if anyone had anything else to add before you start to review the list.

     b) Cross out (but don't remove) anything that you know is impossible and where there is no small idea that can come from it.  Everyone needs to AGREE that this will be crossed off.

     c) What is not crossed off now needs ranked.  Have everyone rank it themselves first.  Then go around the room down each and every open idea to see how many people wanted it and where it ranked.

     d) Rank the top items and ensure everyone is in agreement as a majority.

     e) Once you have the top ideas to work through, have the discussion on the first one.  Figure out the idea in full.  Create a goal and the steps needed to get to that goal.  Assign someone to take it over, create a team, and commit to a due date.  If the full team is not needed, then also do this for the next 2-3 items until everyone has something to work on.

8 - Review weekly where everyone is at in a quick accountability meeting.  This keeps people on track to great things.

So, what great ideas does your team have you did not think of that are awesome?  I bet there are a few now.  Working with your team and other department team members is a great way to get a new set of eyes on a problem or challenge the company has.  Working together can be transformational, so use it to your advantage.

Contact me today for any other help.  tara@twinlifecoaching.ca

www.twinlifecoaching.ca

Staying Positive - Harder than it Looks

 We are all human.  Even us who think, live, and breath positivity.  

I have had the hardest time this winter staying positive at work and at home.  I think, like most of us, between Covid and the cold winter months of southern Ontario, it can be difficult to continue to be positive, or even neutral these days.

I have been finding myself trying for the life of me to be positive when speaking to co-workers or employees.  However, at times I too am in the gossip lane (mostly about those not in Canada with my company).  I reflect on this now with how can I change this going forward?  I know I need to or I will fall deeper and deeper into either sadness or negativity and that is not what I want.

So, I will assign myself the great duty of always finding a way to be neutral or positive with all situations at work.  Neutral with respect to what others say (we are all allowed to have opinions, but some we should keep to ourselves.)  Even if something bad does happen, I will result to finding a way to use this as a lesson and build upon it for any future issues that come up...and they do...almost every day.

Another thing I have noticed this winter is that no only myself, but everyone around me is feeling the blahs.  Again, this is likely due to lock downs, not seeing people, tiredness of Covid, and being tired of winter.  I am hoping if I can at least stay alert and either neutral or positive in all situations, others will pick up on this and also do the same thing...rather than the majority of everyone feeling blah.  Maybe this will not only lift up my happiness a notch, but perhaps others too.

We as leaders of people are not perfect.  We have moments, days, or even winters of weakness, but if we can recognize this, address it, and if nothing else put a smile on our face, then maybe...just maybe, we can all get through the blah's with a better outlook, more positivity, and less negative talk or thoughts.

What do you think?

www.twinlifecoaching.ca

Reframing Thoughts for Better Motivation

Do you have days when you just feel like going back to bed?  The idea of going to work is a stretch?  You think of all those emails, that long to do list, the whiny employee, and that big strategy meeting and just how are you going to get through it all with a smile on your face?

Let's be honest, even the best leaders can have off days.  There are a few things of course, you can do to help prioritize, but this post is not about that.  It is about being motivated to go to work and take care of the things you need to do, be a leader and take care of your team.

What if, instead of letting the negative thoughts go wild in your mind, we reframe our thoughts to be move positive?  

Here is an example: Your thought may be 'Sigh, I have the longest meeting in history today and I will never get anything done, the emails are just going to pile high!'

What if instead you said to yourself something a bit more positive.  How does this sound: 'I have the strategy meeting today, where I can put my ideas forth for how we can succeed.  Oh, I need to remind myself to put my out of office on, so anyone emailing will not be expecting me to reply today.'

Do you feel the difference?  Just putting a positive spin, or an idea that can assist you (out of office) you can completely change how you feel about the day.  Yes, this is a simple example, but it is about reframing your thoughts to allow more positivity, which will lead you to more motivation to get up out of that bed and head to work.  Remember we all have those days where we do not want to, so find a way to make it easier and better - reframe.

One more example: 'I do not want to go to work today because I have to fire John Doe later today, then I have the strategy meeting.  How will I ever concentrate?'  This is a bit harder as we never want to fire people.  Sometimes we do need to help our mind through it though, and change this into something easier and more manageable to our mental state.  

How about: 'Today I will terminate John Doe and thank him for his service.  If I do this first thing this morning. I will be better able to focus on my ideas for the strategy meeting rather than thinking about the termination meeting all day.'  Not a positive thought necessarily, but a reframing and rescheduling so your day will be better and you will have more focus on the ideas you have for that big strategy meeting to move the company forward.

Next time you have those negative thoughts about work, or you just want to press the snooze button one more time, try to reframe your thoughts to either be positive, or think of a way to make your life easier that day.  This can help to motivate you to get through those cold winter mornings when all you want to do is stay at home.

Need help through reframing or ideas to make your rough days better?  Send me a note to tara@twinlifecoaching.ca and let's talk.

Tara

www.twinlifecoaching.ca

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...