Delegation is a powerful leadership tool. By definition, it is the assignment of meaningful tasks, either operational or managerial, to others with some supervision. It is not for simple, unpopular or isolated tasks at the whim of the supervisor. Delegation has a number of tangible benefits, including enhanced employee capabilities and confidence, improved teamwork, and it enables leadership to devote more time to highest value activities. Here are a few guidelines for delegating effectively: Clarify the objectives and the performance standards Shift authority commensurate with the re … [Read more...]
Which came first, the winning or the attitude?
Attitude. The word itself has many meanings and connotations. Well folks, the 'tude you choose to sport is as important to your success as any other personal attribute you possess. It has been said that success is like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you get tired - you stop when only the gorilla gets tired. In order to find out what you are really capable of, you must push beyond what you think is your limit. Fall seven times? Get up eight times. But which comes first, the 'winning' or the 'winning attitude'? As Napoleon Hill said, "Every successful person finds that great s … [Read more...]
The Ins and Outs of Coaching
The coaching profession is exploding and changing rapidly. As a result, there is a wide variety of coaches, from many backgrounds and levels of experience and areas of expertise. While the sheer number of coaches may be intimidating to those interested in coaching services, there has never been a better time to find a coach that is just right for you. Although the language varies, coaches work with clients in two fundamental areas - inner work and outer work. Inner work focuses on the client's sense of purpose, confidence, values, resilience and beliefs. Effective inner work enables the cli … [Read more...]
Document the Dream!!
Here's an exercise I've been using personally, and with clients, for years. For some, it comes very naturally. Others must really work on "suspending disbelief" before they are able to complete the process. Simply put, the exercise is about envisioning your goals and writing down a detailed description of what the vision is. You may need a comfortable chair, a glass of wine, some soft music. Whatever you need, get into a comfortable position and relaxed state of mind. Now imagine that you are holding a DVD that says "Your Name - 2015 Highlights". Never mind how you got a DVD with your n … [Read more...]
The 7 Keys to Effective Listening
“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.” - Karl Menninger There has been much written about the importance of speaking clearly in order to convey your desired message. If you're not familiar with encoding, decoding, paradigms, message intended vs. message received - well, you've got much to learn. For this post, I will focus on the habits of the best listeners. Effective listeners focus on the person speaking, desire to understand instead of judg … [Read more...]