Randy Clark's Blog, page 21

Blond Jokes

Like many things, the truth about blond jokes has risen to the top. Blond jokes are sexist. I’m a blond. My current shade is light blond. Very Light blond. However, there were never any blond jokes about me. So, I won’t share a blond joke, but I will share about a blond I once knew quite well. She was my first girlfriend and wife and the mother of my two children. Let me begin by saying she has been a wonderful mother, especially considering I left to go find myself or whatever. I can’t thank her enough for what she has done.

If she reads this, I hope she understands that I’m laughing with her not at her, or maybe I’m laughing at us both. The incidents I’m about to share are things we both laughed about at the time, and I’m sure she has plenty more she could share about me.

Standing on a Footstool

One evening I came home from work with just enough time to take a quick shower and change into a clean suit for a company event. It was a semi-formal awards dinner. When I went to the bathroom, I found her standing on a footstool in front of the mirror, both hands raised to the top of her head, taking curlers out of her hair. When I asked why she was standing on a footstool, she looked at me like I was an idiot, “Duh, so I can reach the top of my head.” I couldn’t make this up.

Hand signal

Before turn signal blinkers, drivers used their hands to signal turns. The driver would hold their left arm straight out the window for a left turn and bend their left arm 90 degrees, pointing up for a right turn. When we were married, one of our first cars was a 1963 Chevy Impala, 2-door, green, with a missing driver’s window and turn signals that didn’t work. One day she was driving and about to make a right-hand turn when I suggested she give a hand signal. She looked at me with disgust and said, “My arm is not long enough!” then she showed me by pointing her right arm at my face. “See,” I did see.

Dawn Dish Soap

Don’t get me wrong, we were very young, and I made plenty of funny blunders. Like the time we lived in Massachusetts and she while she was out, I decided to load the dishwasher. I didn’t find any dishwasher detergent, so I poured some good old regular Dawn dish soap into the washer. I started it and went out to shoot some hoops. About 30 minutes later, I found three or more feet of soap suds in our apartment. I filled buckets, poured them down the bathtub for at least an hour, and then mopped the floor. When she got home, she looked at the kitchen floor and said it looked nice. I don’t think I ever told her the truth.

I’ve always looked for alternate ways to do things, like putting a frozen custard pie in the oven to “speed things up” That was quite a mess. Don’t do that.

 

 

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5 Benefits of a Business Wellness Plan

The reason for a business wellness plan is simple. It’s good business. I’m not talking about the good it does for your employees, and it does; I’m referring to the good it does for your bottom line. When expenditure brings a return, it’s not cost; it’s an investment. An effective wellness program has an ROI. So, where’s the payback?

5 Benefits of Business Wellness Plan1.Controlling Insurance Rates

The healthier your staff, the fewer claims processed, and fewer claims positively affect your insurance premiums. Reduced claims may not lower rates, but they may help avoid increases and can be used as leverage when negotiating rates. Many insurance providers consider the number of non-smokers and other health risks when calculating rates. Wellness programs control costs. 

2. Increasing Production

Missed work due to illness is non-productive. Employees “fill in” for absent team members, often in positions they aren’t qualified or trained to do. Short-staffed teams are overworked and stressed to meet production deadlines, which leads to costly mistakes. Wellness programs improve production.

3. Lowering Expenses

If your organization has paid sick days, wouldn’t it make sense to invest in keeping employees healthy rather than paying them not to work? Wellness programs reduce sick pay. 

4. Reducing Turnover

When employees quit smoking, lose ten pounds, or make other healthy lifestyle choices, they feel good about themselves. And if a company wellness program initiates the change, then some of the satisfaction transfers to the company. Happy employees stay put. Wellness programs lower turnover. 

5. Improving Teamwork 

Silos are a mammoth problem in American business. One method of silo-busting is to introduce team members from various departments. Whether running a 5K or tackling a healthy activity together—it builds friendships. And it’s a lot easier to help your friends get what they need to complete their work. Wellness programs promote teamwork. 

One Company’s Business Wellness Plan 

Here’s one example from a company I worked with. The business contacted their insurance provider, who brought in help and offered suggestions. Next, they established a wellness committee that met monthly and initiated a company-sponsored charity 5K, a weight loss group effort, and several other wellness initiatives. The program helped improve production, reduce the cost of insurance, and develop teamwork.

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

 

 

The post 5 Benefits of a Business Wellness Plan appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Breaking the Streak

For me, breaking the streak wasn’t intentional. Have you heard of streaking? In 1973 my wife, three-year-old daughter, and I lived in Worcester, MA. I was the assistant manager for the downtown Indianapolis Thom McCann shoe store when they interviewed me for a position at the home office. I accepted, and we moved to Massachusetts. We rented a first-floor, two-bedroom apartment in a building that had three floors with four apartments per floor.

When we moved in, we knew nobody but my wife and I were outgoing. We made friends with Gene and Carol, who lived in our building, and they introduced us to Hank and Ann in the next building. We were all in our early twenties and would hang out after work and on weekends.

What was Streaking?

Have you ever heard of streaking? In the early seventies, streaking was a thing. “The high point of streaking’s pop culture significance was in 1974 when thousands of streaks took place around the world.” — Wikipedia

“On April 2, 1974, at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, a naked man ran across the stage as David Niven read an introduction. Niven was shaken but recovered his customary urbanity fast enough to quip, “Just think, the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off his clothes and showing his shortcomings.” The incident marked the high point—or low if you prefer—of a practice that vied with Pet Rocks for the coveted title of Dumbest Fad of the 1970s: streaking.” — American Heritage — streaking-fad

One night in the summer of 1973, near midnight, while the three couples played cards at Hank and Ann’s apartment, one of the wives dared the husbands to streak around the building. Hank and I took the dare. Gene was smarter.

Breaking the Streak

Hank and I disrobed, ran down the stairs, out the door, and started our run around the building. I’ve always been a fast runner, so I took off as fast as possible. Surprisingly, at least to me, Hank was slowly jogging as he sang along to some silly song in his head. I got to the front door of the building before Hank had made it around the last corner. That’s when I realized I didn’t have a key. As I stood on the front steps, under the lights, uncomfortably covering my genitals with my hands, a family came up behind me. It was a lovely Indian family, Mom, Dad, and two little ones. When they came into sight of me, they stopped. Dad said something to Mom in a language foreign to me, and she rushed the children in, covering their eyes and hers with her long-flowing hijab.

Dad stared at me incredulously. After several seconds that seemed like hours, I said, “So, how are things on the Ganges?” I couldn’t make this up. Alcohol may have been involved. Dad shook his head and went inside.

Hank came around the corner just in time to see Mom and the kids enter the building. He waited for Dad to follow, then came on around with the key laughing his naked ass off as he unlocked the door. I never streaked again.

Image by David Gallie from Pixabay

 

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6 Steps to Discovering a Career That Fits You

Discovering a career that fits you is critical to workplace satisfaction. In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, finding meaning and purpose in our work is more important than ever. As an employee, understanding and embracing your purpose can lead to greater job satisfaction, increased motivation, and a sense of fulfillment. In this blog, I hope to provide a few practical tips on uncovering and aligning your work with your deeper sense of purpose.

My youngest daughter recently left her position as a high school teacher. She had 15 years of experience, two master’s degrees, and was an award-winning educator. In the end, none of that was important. The job no longer fit who she was. She called me yesterday to let me know that a sales position she’d interviewed for had offered her a position. She said, “Dad, I am so proud of myself for doing this. I deserve to be happy.” If you’re not feeling fulfilled, you deserve to be happy too.

6 Steps to Discovering a Career That Fits YouReflect on Your Values and Passions

To begin discovering your best fit as an employee, take some time for self-reflection. Reflect on your core values, the things that truly matter to you. Consider your passions and the activities that energize and inspire you. Identifying these fundamental aspects of yourself will help you clarify what you find meaningful in your work.

Assess Your Strengths

Understanding your strengths is crucial to discovering your purpose. Identify your unique skills, talents, and abilities. Consider the tasks or activities that come naturally and bring you a sense of accomplishment. Aligning your work with your strengths will allow you to excel and contribute significantly to your overall job satisfaction.

Seek Alignment with Company Values

When searching for a purpose in your work, aligning yourself with an organization whose values align with yours is essential. Research companies and organizations that share similar missions and visions as you do. This alignment creates a sense of harmony and meaning when you feel your work contributes to a greater cause.

Set Meaningful Goals

Setting goals that reflect your purpose is a powerful way to stay motivated and engaged. Consider both short-term and long-term objectives that align with your values and passions. Break these goals down into actionable steps, and regularly evaluate your progress. A clear direction guided by purpose-driven, action-planned goals will provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your everyday work.

Embrace Continuous Learning

Continuously seeking knowledge and growth is an integral part of discovering your purpose. Engage in professional development opportunities, attend conferences, take courses, or pursue certifications that align with your interests. Embracing lifelong learning expands your skill set and opens doors to new possibilities and opportunities aligned with your best fit.

Seek Meaningful Connections

Building meaningful connections with colleagues, mentors, and like-minded individuals can significantly impact your journey toward discovering a career that fits. Engage in conversations, networking events, or mentorship programs to connect with people who share similar values and passions. Surrounding yourself with individuals who inspire and support you can help you stay motivated and focused on finding what’s best for you.

Discovering a career that fits you is much more than having job skills, knowing policies, and following procedures. It’s finding your fit by working in an industry, at a business, with others that share your passions. It’s finding a home where your values are mirrored and gives you a satisfying sense of purpose.

You might be thinking that’s all very nice, but I need a paycheck, so I have to put up with whatever is thrown at me. I once thought the same. I stayed at a company and in a position that didn’t make me happy until I didn’t, I was 50 years old when I walked away and looked for a place where I felt I belonged, and I found it. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. Is it time to find your best fit?

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

Photo by True Agency on Unsplash

 

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It’s Kinda an Alarm System

So, my alarm system worked, to an extent. Have you heard of the Kia TikTok challenge? Until March of 2023 I hadn’t. There’s a design flaw on many Kia’s and Hyundai’s that allows them to be hotwired or started with a simple USB cable. Yep, and what’s worse there’s video all over TikTok showing how to do it and then thieves joy riding the stolen cars.

On the Way to a Meeting

On March 8th I went to my car at 6:00 am and found it unlocked. I thought that was weird because I never forget to lock my car. I hadn’t forgotten. It had been broken into. I found the steering column exposed and the ignition hanging freely. I thought about putting the key in the ignition and trying to start it but then thought better of it. I drove my wife’s car instead.

After conducting two leadership meetings I got back home about 10:00 am. That’s when I discovered the back window on my Kia Soul had been smashed in. It was dark at 6:00 and I hadn’t noticed.

I called the police and a friendly officer drove by the house to inspect the “Crime Scene.” Next, I contacted my insurance agent who connected me with an insurance adjuster. After that I called my Kia dealership service department and talked with Nick. I’d worked with Nick before. He is courteous, caring, and professional. And most important to me he has a sense of humor. When I told him what happened he was silent and then said, “It’s the Kia Challenge.” “The what?” I said.

The Bad News

Then he told me the bad news, there’d been so many it was difficult to get parts. Nick was right. My car was at the shop for a month. I got it back on April 8th.

So, why is this in a compilation of humor pieces? I haven’t got to the punch line. Every, law enforcement officer, insurance adjustor, and Kia mechanic I shared this with laughed. It also let me have a little fun and not focus on not having my car for a month.

A Clutch Situation

My Kia Souls had the rear window smashed, the steering column taken apart, and it looks like the thieves got it started. So, why was it still in my driveway and not taken for a joyride? Because it’s a manual transmission. The would-be car thief didn’t know how to drive a stick.

My wife and I have joked that our manual tranny cars, we have three, are theft proof because young car thieves don’t know what a clutch is. It’s an alarm system of sorts. It worked, because they didn’t steal the car, they just damaged it and put it out of service for a month. How I wish I could’ve seen their faces when they realized it had a clutch.

If you enjoyed this you might like, It’s not a Stop Sign

 

 

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10 Challenges Every Small Business Faces

There are challenges every small business faces. My father, a small business owner, said, “If you own your own business, you deserve it.” To this day, I’m uncertain what he meant. How things were going defined his quote. Some days he was a damn fool, and others, he was a small business genius. The business climate in America has changed since my father’s time, but many of the challenges he faced 50 years ago continue to face small businesses today.

10 Challenges Every Small Business FacesToo many eggs in one basket

It’s great to have a big customer, someone you can rely on and plan ahead with; until they’re no longer your customer. Keep that big customer happy but never stop looking for others. Are all your eggs in one basket?

Paperwork

Keeping track of state and federal laws and regulations can be overwhelming. Hire help. Seek out an attorney. You can’t be an expert in all things. However, for some things, you can save time and money by working with online services.

Pricing

How many small businesses have failed because they didn’t understand their overhead? And how many have failed because they priced their product or service out of the market? Know your overhead and what the market will bear.

Money, Money, Money, MONEY

If you don’t have cash flow, you’re sunk. Account for every penny, establish a line of credit, plan ahead, and if you’re not an accountant—retain one. How to Understand Cash Flow Statements

Leading a team

Great designers, web developers, or craftspeople don’t necessarily make great leaders. It’s a skill set. Does your business have a management training plan? Because, if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program.

Marketing

Where to start? Do you begin with Social media, broadcast advertising, or print collateral? Should you try to do-it-yourself or outsource? Are you overthinking? For example. “Where do you cause your clients’ pain? Have you been like me and concentrated so much on complicated marketing campaigns that you’ve missed the fruit hanging easily within your reach? — Is Your Business Reaching Past the Low-Hanging Fruit?

Not enough hours in the day

If your business is to grow, they’ll come a time when you cannot do it all. Trying to do it all limits growth, and it ain’t too good for your mental health. You should budget a minimum of 1/4th of your time to work on your business. “A friend and I were recently discussing working invs. working on his business. Working in defined as doing the work, and working on defined as growing the business and shaping its direction. I’ve always thought of it as the difference between an actor and a director. Eventually, leaders that only work in the business stunt the growth of the organization.” — The Path from Working In to Working On the Business

Staying ahead of change

We’ve all seen shops close and read stories of businesses large and small that didn’t keep up with change. “Failure is full of lessons and, over the last decade, the demise of several once extraordinarily successful businesses are providing us with plenty of them.” —  Lessons from three big business failures.

Not asking for help

It’s OK not to know everything, and it’s OK to feel overwhelmed; both mean you’re pushing the limits. Join an association of like-minded business owners, seek out a mentor, and ask for help. Why Your Executive Staff Needs a Coach

And number one of the challenges every small business faces

Drum roll, please… Burnout. On paper, the idea of being your own boss, making your own way, and being your own person, looks honorable. And it is, but it’s more work than most people imagine. It’s not only putting in the hours—it’s the pressure. It’s waking at 2 am, wondering how you’ll meet payroll, finish the order, or find someone to buy your product. That’s why it’s essential to disconnect and get away from your business. Take time to work out, turn off your phone, meditate, and take a vacation. If you don’t think you can, then you’re allowing your business to run you. I once had a crew blow the engine on a truck because they hadn’t taken time for maintenance. When asked why, they said they were too busy. Don’t blow your engine.

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

The post 10 Challenges Every Small Business Faces appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

The Late Show

I wasn’t on THE late show but… It was 1974. I was 23 years old and experimenting with stand-up comedy. I’d recently been the MC for an outdoor concert where I introduced bands and did a newscast comedy bit between sets, much influenced by George Carlin. My best Line was when I announced a newsflash, “The U.S. military has pulled out of Viet Nam.” To my surprise, the audience of several hundred stood, cheered, and even threw hats into the air, so I paused and then repeated it. Once again, they cheered. When it quieted, I hit them with the punch line, “They’re in Cambodia now.”

The Late Show

In 1974 Dave Letterman worked for a local Indianapolis TV station; he did the weather and other assignments. He also hosted a late-night movie named, Freeze Dried Movies, “…a low-budget film showcase that aired so late (2 a.m.) the station really didn’t care what he did—and neither did Letterman. Regardless of what movie might be showing, the host would tell viewers they were watching When Godzilla Ate Detroit. In his second episode, he celebrated the show’s tenth anniversary.” — https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/64188/david-letterman-show-no-one-watched.

I don’t recall how I ended up on the show, but I did. I only appeared once because the next week, Dave quit, moved to L.A., and the rest is history. My bit was a take-off on a local commercial from an Indianapolis furniture store that ended every TV commercial with several people in succession shouting, “Be smart, buy now!”

I sat in an overstuffed armchair with a fake potted plant beside me. I introduced myself as Herman P. Croucher of Croucher Mortuaries and serenely listed this week’s burial specials. You’ve probably guessed how I ended the bit. Yep, “Be smart, die now.”

Near the show’s end, I walked past Dave and another guest and did a pratfall. I was pretty good at it. I’d slip on a piece of paper or the corner of a carpeted area in a public place, do a complete flip, and land on my back and buttocks, moaning. I thought it was funny.

I didn’t know that the news crew was directly below us filming a news segment. The fall shook the floor, which was their ceiling. I later heard that in the newsroom it reverberated like a sonic boom, the lights were swinging, and the crew wondered if Indiana was experiencing an earthquake. Nope, it was me. I think I’m funny.

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

 

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10 Surefire ways to Improve Customer Loyalty

How important is customer loyalty? The most expensive customer is the one you lose. Replacing lost clients with new prospects through marketing and advertising strategies is costly in dollars and time. Doesn’t it make sense to focus on keeping the customers you have? The business world moves at such a hectic pace today that organizations lose sight of where their priorities should lie. Developing customer loyalty should be at the top. Nothing may be more important than building a base of loyal customers and keeping them happy.

How to Build Customer Loyalty with Clients Offer an outstanding product

No way around this. Regardless of how personal and sincere your business is, if you don’t have the goods, it doesn’t matter.

Give ’em what they need

Not what you want to market or think they need, but what they need based on market research and customer surveys.

Communicate 

A customer should never have to check on their work status because you should always stay ahead of them. Even if the information isn’t what the customer wants to hear, hearing it builds trust. Your business relationship will be strained when a customer uncovers bad news before you inform them. Listen to customers, and ask for their advice. Learn where and how they need your help.

Recognize their contributions

Look for ways to show your appreciation. Thank customers for their patronage, and let them know how important they are to your organization.

Offer outstanding customer service

Your entire organization should be customer-centric, not just the customer service department. Everyone in your organization should put customers first.

Happy employees make customers happy

Unhappy employees could care less about your customer. If you want to make customers happy, treat your employees fairly. Make them part of the team. Give them customer service expectations and the training to fulfill your customer’s needs. Why You Should Treat Your Employees Like Customers

It’s not one size fits all

Don’t try to put round pegs in square holes. Learn your customers’ needs and do your best to personalize solutions for each.

Promote them

To build customer loyalty, give your customers a reason above and beyond. Be an evangelist for your customers. Send clients to your customers, promote them, and look for ways to help their business.

Add value

Give your customers more than they expect. Under-promise and over–deliver. Throw in extras and add-ons, and surprise them with an upgrade or unasked-for service.

And the number one answer is, drum roll, please…Solve Problems

To build customer loyalty, make your customers’ lives easier. You’ll seldom lose a customer when you solve their problems. 

The next time you lose a valuable customer, ask yourself why. Did your organization communicate poorly, not meet the customer’s needs, or forget to recognize how important they were to your business? How does your company treat its customers? Would you be loyal to you?

If you’d like to read more, try this, Where Does Your Business Cause Customers Pain? 

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because, if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out. It might help you stop putting off what you want to do.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

The post 10 Surefire ways to Improve Customer Loyalty appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Falling for 20 Minutes

Falling for 20 minutes is how my dad put it. I didn’t learn until I fell a couple of years ago that I have an imbalance in my inner ears. The vestibular system was out of balance. My right ear tested 60% different from my left. I’m not a doctor, so I’m sure a professional can better explain it, but the bottom line is that my balance is and always has been compromised. It explains a lot.

When I played football in school, I was always one of, if not the fastest, player on the team. However, when we ran sprints I could never run a straight line. I’d get called out for bumping into others. I’d explain it wasn’t on purpose, but no one believed me.

When I was taking swimming lessons at the Krannert YMCA, I’d swim from the left boundary to the right. Thank goodness ropes divided the lanes.

Ice Skating

And then there’s ice skating. When I was a pre-teen, my younger brother, sister, and I received Ice skates. I think it was for Christmas. We took our skates with us when we visited our moms’ parents that winter, the Reverend Dale and Janet Holly, our grandparents lived in western Pennsylvania. He had been transferred to a small town by the Methodist church. There was a frozen pond next to the parsonage.

Even though we’d never skated before, my siblings and I grabbed our skates and headed to the pound as our parents and grandparents watched from a large window at the house. My brother and sister took to skating right away. They looked confident and graceful. I remember my sister even did a spin or two.

Falling for 20 Minutes

I don’t think I ever totally straightened up. My arms flayed, my legs spread out like I was trying to do the splits, and my body bent forward and back continuously. I did a good job of not totally losing it and breaking my neck. I didn’t fall until I tried to stop. No one had told me how to stop.

When we returned inside, all the adults were smiling and laughing. My dad looked at me and said he’d never seen someone fall for 20 minutes.

Just a few years ago, my two oldest grandchildren were visiting when we decided to go ice skating. We headed to a large rink in downtown Indianapolis. The kids had a blast, and I had a wonderful time watching from the stands.

 

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Leaders vs Commanders: Which Approach Drives Success?

Leaders vs. commanders which do you prefer working with? You hate having someone stand over your shoulder because you find it smothering, even claustrophobic. You want to scream, “Let me do my job and quit micro-managing me!” But… it’s your boss, the manager. “Don’t they know they get in my way and slow me down?” You’re seriously considering taking another job, even though it’s less pay and not the work you love to do.

Second scenario: You love your job. The work is good, and the management team is even better. They’re less like bosses and more like friends or family. Your immediate supervisor is a leader. They listen, lead by example, have your back, and share a vision for you and the company. The problem is you’ve been offered a higher level (and higher paying) position at a competitor. Your decision? “I’m going to wait. It will happen here when I’m ready; in the meantime, I can keep learning.”

Leaders vs Commanders

The difference leadership makes in the workplace is amazing. Take two identical organizations with the same pay, benefits, work, and product — give one an open-minded leadership team and the other commanding managers, and the difference is night and day. Which management retains employees and helps them reach their potential?

Characteristics of LeadersListening attentively

Leaders listen with an open mind, offering advice, and using employee suggestions whenever possible. They listen to understand, not to respond.

Leading by example

This doesn’t mean leaders do their employees’ jobs. It’s about how they go about any job, how they treat others, and their business ethics.

Putting others above themselves

To lead is to serve. Leaders seldom point fingers or attach blame to individuals. They look for answers. Leaders understand failure is a path to success.

Sharing a vision, giving direction, and setting goals

Part of what makes any leader attractive is their ability to steer the course and their confidence to pull the team along with them.

Being honest and consistent

They don’t always treat people equally, but they always treat people equitably. They may change plans or adjust a goal but always maintain the same core values.

Characteristics of CommandersMicro-managing

They’re afraid to delegate tasks for fear tasks won’t be done to their standards. Training someone to take delegation is hard, but hard work pays off.

Attempting to bully people

Commanders bully people with threats and fear. This may work occasionally, but in the long run, it’s counterproductive.

Not listening

It’s my way or the highway. They expect direct reports to blindly follow orders, stifling creativity.

Doing as I say, not as I do

They expect others to follow their rules of order but place themselves above them because they’ve “earned” it.

They expect everyone to be motivated by the same things

Employees who don’t think like the commander probably won’t get what they need to be stimulated at work.

Is someone commanding you at work and just giving orders, or are they leading by giving you direction? Which boss do you have? Or is your leadership team a combination? Do you work WITH someone or FOR them?

A Few Thoughts on Leaders Vs. Commanders

I want to leave you with the thoughts of a few friends about leadership. A few years ago, I crowd-sourced the following question on my Facebook page. “From your experience, what characteristics and activities make for good, effective leadership?” I don’t think much has changed regarding effective leadership, do you?

Listening skills.—Amy Stark

listening, compassion, and being fair. —Mary Warrick

Organization vs. the pretension of organization.—Jarred Juett

Good effective leadership — understand who you’re leading, personality traits, communication styles, etc. Ineffective – reacting vs. being proactive. —Joe Noorthoek

The desire and ability to lead through service.—Don Kincaid

Constant ego checks. Never let yourself work against others.—Timmy Greenlee

What would you add?

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

 

 

The post Leaders vs Commanders: Which Approach Drives Success? appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.