Randy Clark's Blog, page 45

Stop Setting Your Team Up to Fail: The Multitasking Myth

So, what is the multitasking myth? Attempting to complete multiple tasks at one time reduces the speed of completing each task while raising the chance for mistakes. If you assign your team multiple simultaneous tasks, you may be setting them up for failure. As long as your team is asked to multitask, they will be less efficient than they could be.

The Multitasking MythIt’s not Multitasking it’s Task Switching

“Because the simultaneous processing of tasks requiring attention is so tough on the brain, often, when we multitask, the brain switches attention back and forth between activities. Such task-switching “comes at a cost in performance,” explains University of California, San Francisco neurologist Adam Gazzaley.” — BrainFacts — The Multitasking Mind

Multitasking, it’s Only a Word, Right?

Language influences how we think, words color our perception of the world, and phrases define our beliefs. Things which seem insignificant can have a tremendous impact. Consider this. What do you call the thing the sun does in the morning? Did you say sunrise? It doesn’t do that. The Earth spins, but since we use the word sunrise most of us picture the sun rising. So, what the heck does any of this have to do with multitasking? A lot. When we use the word multitasking we picture completing simultaneous actions, but just like sunrise, it’s not the truth.

“You’re not actually doing both activities at the same time; in fact, you’re now diverting your attention from one part of your brain to another part of your brain. That takes time, that takes resources, that takes brain cells. What happens on the other side of the brain is that you’re starting a brand new activity, so in fact you’re probably slower and not nearly as good at doing both activities at the same time.” CNN: Your Brain on Multitasking.

What does Multitasking Mean?

It may be a question of semantics. When the word multitasking is used to mean simultaneously doing two or more tasks, it’s usually being misused. There’s a huge difference between doing and managing multiple tasks. Is it sunrise or earthspin?

“Multitasking is a myth. The human brain cannot perform two tasks that require high level brain function at once. Low level functions like breathing and pumping blood aren’t considered in multitasking, only tasks you have to “think” about. What actually happens when you think you are multitasking is that you are rapidly switching between tasks.” Ergonomics Can People Really Multitask?

Set your Team up for Success

In the business world today most people are required to manage multiple tasks. A customer service rep may be asked to process a customer order, answer the phone, and check email for service requests all within a few minutes. Switching from task to task increases the chance for errors, slows the processes, wastes time, creates stress, and lowers IQ.  We, as managers and leaders need to change the way we think about multitasking.

Stop calling it multitasking – Call it managing multiple tasks or task switching. The only way your people can manage multiple complicated tasks simultaneously is if they have two brains. I’m guessing most of them don’t. Because of the myth of multitasking many people believe they should be able to juggle multiple tasks and often feel inferior when they cannot. Take that away, stop calling it what it isn’t.

Reduce task switching – Teach your people that switching from task to task causes mistakes. Eliminate task switching wherever possible. Don’t pull people from one job to another unless it’s absolutely necessary. Encourage teammates to stay on tasks until completion. Discourage switching tasks when it’s unnecessary, such as checking email every few minutes.

Train people to mark their page –  Like bookmarking a page in a book, train your team to “mark their page” when they do have to switch tasks. Rather than lead people to believe they should be able to switch back-and-forth without losing a beat, teach them they must concentrate on where they are in the process of any task they jump from, and be prepared to re-engage as smoothly as possible.

Quit creating task switching – Anytime you ask someone to stop an activity and move to another you’re causing work to slow down. Yes, sometimes it can’t be avoided, but too often the inefficiency of task switching isn’t considered. When it’s weighed against the loss of time and accuracy, it may be more cost effective to complete a task than to switch to that “urgent” task.

Learn to Manage Tasks

When you and your team develop the mindset of managing tasks rather than multitasking you will improve production, reduce waste, and create a less stressful work environment. Teach your team to prepare before switching tasks, to mark their place, and be ready to return. Train them to limit jumping from task to task and reward them for completing tasks without switching. Don’t force the problem on your team by switching them from task to task. And don’t buy into the multitasking myth.

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 Stop Setting Your Team Up to Fail: The Multitasking Myth appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Why it’s Okay to be a Little Creepy

You could use help promoting your latest blog, video, or marketing campaign, but you don’t want to appear pushy, crass, or creepy. Is it okay to ask for help, and if so, when is it acceptable? My answer is yes, when it’s something you’re passionate about and you’re asking friends. That’s when it’s okay to be a little creepy.

I Should Explain Myself

I’ve had the privilege to meet with a brainstorming group of friends for more than 10 years. We’ve taken a break during the pandemic, but we still connect on a private Facebook page. One of the activities we’ve embraced and recommend to newcomers is to be a little creepy. What we mean is to let the group know where help would be appreciated.

The context for which we most often recommend creepiness is sharing initiatives, broadcasting your latest case study, inviting others to an event, or a call to action for your favorite charity. I was introduced to this idea by my friend Kyle Lacy several years ago, and it struck a nerve. If you’re passionate about what you’re promoting, why wouldn’t you ask friends for help? Is it the fear of seeming too pushy or creepy that holds us back? And doesn’t asking for help break some unwritten social media rule? “Thou shall not be a conspicuous self-promoter on Facebook, Twitter, ad LinkedIn.”

With a Little Help from my Friends

Being creepy can be pushy and distasteful—when broadcast indiscriminately, but we’re talking about friends asking friends for help. Too often, partially due to the fear of being seen as a creep, we expect our friends to read our minds, know what we’re passionate about, and help spread the word when the truth is our friends may not even be aware of our initiatives. So, be a little creepy, share your expectations, and let your friends know how they can help.

How to be a Non-Creepy Creep

For me the best way is with a private message. Send a DM, email, or text with a link to a post you want to promote. Share an event with friends. Begin a private Facebook group to get all the creepiness and self-promotion out to your friends. Email a mentor concerning your needs and follow up by reciprocating. It’s bad voodoo creepy if you expect others to help you and don’t return the favor. Better yet, help first, creep later.

It’s not only OK to be a little creepy. It’s a good thing. Share your passions, hopes, and needs with your friends. With people who admire and respect you, you may be surprised by how likable of a creep you can be. So, what are you passionate about, where could you use some help? Be creepy and leave me a comment.

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 Claudia Soraya on Unsplash

 

The post Why it’s Okay to be a Little Creepy appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

An Easy-to-Use New Year’s Resolution Fill in the Blank Form

It’s that time o’ year! Time to make your traditional New Year’s resolution. Creating a realistic resolution hasn’t always been easy for me. For example, in 2012, I resolved to publish my first book by the end of the year. It was published three years later in 2015. Sigh. I wasn’t prepared to meet the challenge. I had no plan. There was no handy-dandy, easy-to-use, fill in the blank New Year’s resolution form.

So, I thought I would aid those of you, who like me, are RS (resolution challenged) with this fool-proof, easy-to-use New Year’s resolution form.

How do you know this form is for you? 

Answer the following questions.

Are you having difficulty deciding on what resolution to make?
Do you want something achievable?
Do you need a challenge?
Are you just so darn happy with yourself it’s hard to find something?

Maybe I can help. All you need do is choose the appropriate response on the form.

New Year’s Resolution Fill in the Blank Form

This year, I will________________

track

follow

disregard

not care

give up

quit

my efforts to__________________

improve

increase

decrease

ignore

forget

deny

my_________________________

diet

exercise

income

bad attitude

gambling

personnel hygiene.

I will do this by__________________________________

setting a goal

making a plan

following activities

depending on others to do it for me

praying for it to happen

and by____________________________________________

asking for help

sharing my resolution

changing my goal as needed

nor looking at it too much

keeping it to myself

shouting “It’s none of your business!” at strangers

I will reward myself with ____________________________________

a shopping spree

a vacation

more “me” time

bon-bons and chocolate shakes

a Family Matters marathon.

deciding not to make a resolution next year.

All you need to do is copy your selections above into the blanks below:

This year I will __________________ my efforts to ________________ my____________ I will do this by ______________________________ and_____________________________ I will reward myself with __________________________________________________________

It’s as easy as that. If you’d like to go public with your resolution, pick your favorite six responses (or dare I suggest make up your own?) and post them in comments.

Here’s mine:

In 2021, I will give up my efforts to improve my bad attitude. I will do this by shouting, “It’s none of your business!” at strangers. I will reward myself by watching a Family Matters marathon.

If you’re serious about making achievable New Year’s resolutions try this, it’s based on all the resolution creation  mistakes I’ve made7 New Year’s Resolution Mistakes

Happy New Year! 

Photo by Jared Berg on Unsplash

The post An Easy-to-Use New Year’s Resolution Fill in the Blank Form appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

7 New Year’s Resolution Mistakes

Most of us have made New Year’s resolutions only to abandon them after the mood was gone. If you’re like me, it wasn’t because you didn’t want to achieve the goal. You probably didn’t plan to quit. So, why didn’t you keep your resolution? The answer might be in one of these 7 new Year’s resolution mistakes.

7 New Year’s Resolution Mistakes
1. Don’t make too many resolutions at one time

Resolving to lose weight, learn a language, go back to school, run every day, and cut down on the ole Coors Lite may not be realistic. Pick one and focus on it.

2. Don’t make generalized resolutions

For example, “I’m going to lose weight!” Spell out how much weight, your plan of attack, and set a deadline. This might help.  Six ingredients of a Goal

3. Don’t wait until midnight New Year’s Eve to make your resolution

Put a little thought into it (and less of the traditional New Year’s Eve adult beverages) before making a resolution.

4. Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Break large resolves into smaller achievable bites. For example, if you haven’t been running and resolve to run a half marathon, you’re not going to do it next week. If you wanted to write 100 blog posts in 2021, you wouldn’t try to write them all in January, would you?

5. Don’t keep your resolution to yourself

Go public with your goals. If you’re serious about your goal, and by that, I mean you’ve thought it out and have a plan, then going public may be the added pressure you need to succeed.

6. Don’t focus on the goal—focus on activities

You cannot do a goal you can do activities. You cannot do a goal you can do activities.

7. Don’t over-complicate it

Keep it simple. Here’s an example.

My New Year’s resolution is to ___________________ my deadline is ___________________ the activities I will change, improve, begin, or stop to hit this goal are: ___________________.

There you have it, although the mid-20th century swashbuckling film star Errol Flynn may have the best answer when he resolved to, “Quit making resolutions!”

Have a safe and Happy New Year. See you in 2021.

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. 

Does your business have a management training plan? 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 Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

 

 

The post 7 New Year’s Resolution Mistakes appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Holiday Wishes 11

I’ve published an annual holiday wishes post since 2010. Time flies when you’re having fun. But this year has been – different. Many of the 2021 holiday wishes are for a better 2021, most are from the heart, and a few are funny. I hope you enjoy.

Holiday Wishes 11 

Lindsey – My holiday wish is for the 3 H’s – health, happiness, and herd immunity. (The hospital where Lindsey works is full.)

Beth S. – My wish/goal this year is to be more open minded. To bark less.

Jarred – I wish everyone some peace after the storm, a long, happy, and healthy New Year, and the peace and patience to build the world into a more generous and prosperous place for every single person. It’s time to heal!

Robby – My wish for this holiday season is to your health.

Scott – My wish is that people will look for and focus on the areas of agreement instead of disagreement with others. And I still want world peace and a pony.

Finola – With Christmas almost here, songs like ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Travelling home for Christmas’ by Chris Rea, evoke strong emotional responses in me; that link between music and memories always seems stronger this time of year. Seeing the people, I love on Christmas Day, their smiles, the anticipation for the day ahead and underlying excitement, is an experience felt by so many in all parts of the world – a day of togetherness that I’m going to cherish. My wish for 2021 is for a peaceful, kinder, and unified world, one with empathetic leadership.

Chris H – I wish for everyone to really think about the true meaning of Christmas. Value the people in your life and not focus on things. Appreciate the extra time you get with your loved one’s who you are able to be around and not focus on who you are unable to be with.

Carol –My wish is for kids all over the world to have enough to eat.

Taffy – My wish this year is that the virus will calm down, everyone stays healthy, and I can start seeing my family again. I have seen them once since March 13.

Mary – My wish is for the same thing pretty much, that all who are suffering from cancer are cured. I’m forever grateful and blessed by being cancer free (so far) and hope to stay that way, but it’s in God’s hands. Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hopefully 2021 will be better than 2020.

Bea – Wish I would not need to wear this mask.

John S – I wish everyone could feel, know, and most importantly share the same kind of love I feel and have for my family.

Keli – My wish is that we all try to dig deep and find our Holiday Joy. So easy to focus on all the things we can’t do right now due to COVID-19. I know I am struggling because I have had to cancel my annual Christmas Eve party that I have hosted for years with my family. I am not going to pout about it anymore. Instead, I am going to enjoy my time off with my husband and kids and be grateful that I can relax.

Amanda – My wish is for the holidays to be over quickly.

Andy – So much of this year, I feel like I’ve been squeezing my fists and holding my breath, and I know I’m not alone. My wish for this Christmas and for the coming year is that we will finally be able to release some of that persistent tension and find everyday joy and contentment again.

Mandi – This year’s wish from me is for everyone to find health and happiness in 2021. This last year has been so hard on so many … for so many reasons … and I just hope everyone can find true joy, peace, and a sense of normalcy in the coming year. And I also wish the baking banana bread fad would come back. I miss it.

Sam – My Christmas wish … for all to come together as a nation, White, Black, Hispanic, and others, Male, Female, Gay, Straight, Republican, Democrat, etc. For all of us to realize life is too short to live with hate and bitterness. We are all humans, and we all want the same thing. Life, liberty, and the relentless pursuit of happiness. I wish for the beginning of the healing for this nation. Together we stand … divided we fall.

Madilyn – Abolish monopolized capitalism.

Mason – For 2020 to be the greater evil 2021 to be less trash.

Evan – My wish is that I can be a good father to my son.  And I wish the Colts would win the super bowl!

Bethann – I wish for science, truth, and common sense to prevail. I wish for common ground, empathy, and understanding.

Jen – All I want for Christmas is my family to be healthy.

Julie Jo – All I want for Christmas is a fat bank account and a skinny waist. Same wish as last year but it got reversed somehow.

Jason – My two front teeth, literally!

Michael – World Peace and for humanity to act like they have a conscience.

Randy – I wish for all of us to be a little kinder to one another, to appreciate what we have not what we’re missing, and to help those in need. Merry Christmas!

The Ghost of Christmas Past!

Unfortunately, the first holiday wishes from 2010 have been lost, but I thought you might enjoy these from 2011.

Your Holiday Wishes 2011

Allison Carter  @AllisonLcarter – Wishing my brother a safe deployment in Turkey with the US Air Guard. He leaves just after Christmas, so we’ll be celebrating early so he can report on time.

Amber Recker  @amrecker – My wish: To look life in the face and know it; to love it for what it is (good or bad), always.

Okay, and I could use a new handbag

Is it Okay to Wish Your Customers Merry Christmas?

Isn’t it a little sad that marketers must be concerned about offending clients if they wish them a Merry Christmas? The truth is whether your business shares Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, you might offend some. However, the facts are that more people use Merry Christmas than Happy Holidays. So, is it okay to wish your customers Merry Christmas?

Shopping Online 

In today’s world, most people vet companies before making a purchase. When folks are searching for holiday products, what words do they search for? To get an idea of what people preferred, I completed two searches on Goggle Keyword Planner, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays. Here are the top search results.

AdWords Keyword Planner Partial Results 

Keyword                              Searches Per Month

Merry Christmas              1 to 10 Million

Christmas Holiday          10 to 100 thousand

Happy Holiday(s)            100 to 1,000

I don’t profess this article to be all-encompassing. It’s not a scientific treatise. It’s an indication of the mindset of people. Folks, including your customers, search happy holidays less than 10% of the time compared to Merry Christmas.

Do Customers Prefer Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays?

If people are searching for Merry Christmas at a rate that’s 90 % higher than Happy Holidays, doesn’t it make sense that the majority of consumers prefer Merry Christmas? Again, this isn’t a whitepaper, but the search numbers don’t lie. Will you possibly offend someone by saying Merry Christmas? Yes. Will you put off more by saying Happy Holidays? Probably. Will a large percent of your clients appreciate and respect you for saying Merry Christmas? I think so. Should you wish your customers Merry Christmas?

What about Collateral Material, Emails, and Advertisements?

I asked a friend who is a VP of marketing for a large firm how she reacted when she received a Holiday card as compared to a Christmas card. She shared that it didn’t much matter to her. However, for her organization, she steered clear of Merry Christmas and stuck with Happy Holidays for their advertising and collateral materials. Was that the best strategy? It was for her.

What’s the Best Answer for you?

The best answer for you is to consider how your customers will react. I don’t have the best answer for you, your customers do. What do your clients want to hear this Christmas, Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays? So, should you say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? As for me, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season.

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. 

Does your business have a management training plan? 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. I’m also available to conduct training.

 

 

The post Is it Okay to Wish Your Customers Merry Christmas? appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

How I Avoid Holiday Stress (and so can you!)

It’s been years since I stressed over the holidays, but in my day, believe me, I’ve been a nervous wreck. I’ve overspent, waited until the last minute, went to gatherings I didn’t want to attend, overate and … well, you get my point. However, I’ve learned how to avoid holiday stress, and so can you.

Okay, so I’m a grandfather with no little ones under my roof, and yes, having children at home and wanting the best holiday for them can be a source of stress, but it doesn’t have to be. If you have children at home, your path to a stress-free holiday is more complicated than mine, but you can do it. You can learn to avoid holiday stress. Here are a few places to start.

9 Ways to Avoid Holiday Stress  
Make Gift Buying Easy

I have a friend who asks his children to choose four gifts each. On Christmas morning, they decide on two of the gifts. They donate the others to charity. Not only does it make gift buying a simple process, but it adds to the spirit of the season and teaches a valuable lesson.

I have four grandchildren from 13 years old to 25. I don’t know what they want or need. I could ask them or their parents, but mom and dad usually have those presents covered. So, my answer is gift cards. I buy four gift cards, put them in Christmas cards, and then send my love with a note in the card. It takes me less than an hour, and the grandchildren couldn’t be happier.

My wife and I donate to charities in each other’s name. We give each other a few choices, and then we each decide. Let’s face it; we have what we want. We buy what we need, and we don’t need to purchase unneeded gifts just to have something to put under the tree, do you?

Have a Plan

My gift buying suggestions might not work for you because you have a gift exchange at Aunt Edna’s, your children asked for a special present from Santa, and your office has a Yankee Swap. You have to go shopping. You need a plan.

Before you head to the store, stop, and ask yourself what you can buy online. It could save you time, money, and from catching COVID. If you have to go to the store, check online to see if the product you need is available. Try to go at off-peak hours, for example, when the store first opens. Do your homework so you can purchase multiple gifts at one location rather than tromping through 15 stores. Wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hands.

Do not wait until the last minute! There’s no excuse. If you wait until the last possible moment, you will be stressed.

Planning shouldn’t stop at gift buying. It would help if you planned what to cook, who you should send cards to, who to call, and who to zoom.

Set a Budget and Stick to it

It’s too late this year, but I highly recommend saving ahead for the holidays. I began doing this several years ago, and it lifted a weight off my shoulders. Do not go into debt over holiday shopping. Stay within budget. One year when my finances weren’t the greatest, I painted pictures for my family. I painted a trackside view of my brother’s favorite NASCAR driver. When he visited me last year from St. Louis, he mentioned it was still hanging in his den. I gave it to him 20 Christmases ago. Last year he made a butcher block cutting board and gave it to me as a present. What arts and crafts talents do you have?

Just Say No

Especially this year. Stay home. Stay in. Schedule a virtual gathering. Even without the pandemic it’s okay to turn down invitations. Say thank you, but you’re too busy. You don’t have to attend every work, family, club, school, church, and friend event. This was a hard one for me, but it makes a huge difference.

Be Prepared for Aunt Sue and Uncle Billy

Even online events can be contentious, so come prepared. If Uncle Billy is going to talk politics and you don’t want to be a part of it, excuse yourself and walk away, and if he insists, tell him you’re here to celebrate the season with family, not debate politics. If Aunt Sue is going to ask you for the umpteenth time when you’re going to settle down and give your mother grandbabies, tell her you’re not ready, but when you are, your mom will be the first to know, and Aunt Sue will be next.

Take Some You Time

I love walking in the snow. For you, it might be working out or just sitting around a fire with your pets. Whatever it is that helps you relieve stress, plan for it. Put it on your schedule; make it part of your to-do list, plan time for you.

Celebrate with Those You Love

My wife is my best friend. There is no one in this world I’d rather spend time with unless it’s my wife and my daughters and grandchildren together. However, there were too many years, when both my wife and I accepted too many holiday commitments, and spent too much precious holiday time away from each other. Not anymore. We know our priorities.

Catch the Spirit

My youngest daughter watches  Hallmark Holiday movies. I have my favorites movies, too, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Christmas Vacation, to name three. Every year I read The Christmas Carol, Skipping Christmas, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I have more than 50 Christmas music CD’S (Yes, I still play CD’S), and most years, I attend Holiday performances such as The Nutcracker, this year, I watched a Russian Ballet troupe on YouTube. Immerse yourself in the season; the spirit will catch you.

Don’t Set Unrealistic Expectations

If you channel your inner Clark Griswold and expect everything to go perfectly because it’s the holidays, you will be disappointed. Like any other time of year, things will go wrong. The weather will turn sour, your children won’t like the socks and underwear, and your spouse might buy you a vacuum cleaner. It happens. So, rather than expect too much, be realistic, expect the wheels to fall off, and be pleasantly surprised when they don’t.

Are Your Ready for a Stress-Free Christmas?

You can do this. The key is to understand nothing is perfect, not even the holidays. I think it’s easier to imagine in 2020, but even when COVID is history, there will be hiccups and disappointments. So, be prepared to avoid overreaching. When things don’t go as you hoped, what good comes from stressing over it? Plan ahead, simplify the holidays, and take deep breaths. Learn to avoid holiday stress. Merry Christmas!

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. 

Does your business have a management training plan? 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. I’m also available to conduct training.

Photo by Derek Arguello on Unsplash

 

 

The post How I Avoid Holiday Stress (and so can you!) appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Be the Change

We all want things to be better; everyone wants positive change in their life and at work, but where does change begin? We often want others to change to meet our expectations, when the change should begin with us. As comedienne Lilly Tomlin said, “Somebody should do something about that. Then I realized I am somebody.” Be the change. 

Stop Griping And Start Helping

How can you get it done?
What can be improved?
How may it be avoided next time?
What needs to be changed?
Who else could help?

Think about it — any excuse becomes a reason not to perform. Do you want to perform at the highest level, or under-perform due to excuses?

When we point fingers and pass the blame — little will change. Only by taking responsibility can change be affected. Don’t concentrate on what you cannot control; concentrate on what you can control. If you wait for others to change to meet your expectations… you may be waiting a long time. It’s easy to say it’s not your responsibility, or it’s someone else’s fault, but if that’s your plan, you have no plan. How’s the idea of expecting others to change to fit your needs working so far?

Remember, something can always be done. What can you do?

Don’t Point Fingers

Finger pointing — we all do it. It’s easy to do and often seems justified, but what’s gained? Regardless of how “real” the blame — blaming will not improve the results; it could make things worse. If someone dropped the ball, didn’t follow through, or did a poor job — pointing a finger will not make it better (OK — you might feel a little better, but how does it help?).

Complaining about problems and mistakes to others, without looking for solutions, is toxic. Do you want to improve, complete the task, and make it better?

An Exercise for Improvement

You’re the commander of an army facing horrific conditions — what do you do?

Most troops lack uniforms, shelter, or warm clothing, including shoes
There are severe shortages of food and potable water
Over half the troops are sick with dysentery, flu, malnutrition, and worse
There is a severe shortage of ammunition
Nearly half the citizens of your country are against the war
The government is months behind paying your troops
You’re fighting a highly trained, larger, better-equipped force
Volunteers regularly abandoned posts—sometimes—entire regiments

History buffs will recognize these obstacles as a few of those faced by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. I’d say they were substantial roadblocks, but as you know, he didn’t use them as excuses.

You Can Be the Change

Quit finger pointing. Stop allowing excuses to affect your performance, and find a way to help. Be the change.

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. 

Does your business have a management training plan? 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. I’m also available to conduct training.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The post Be the Change appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Where Does Becoming a Leader Begin?

There’s an old adage that you can’t love another until you love yourself. The same principle is true for leadership. Becoming a leader begins with you.

Once Upon a Time…

As a young manager, I approached my general manager with the idea of promoting a member of my team. My general manager listened patiently and then asked me what I knew about the teammate’s character choices at and outside of work. I knew he was at times a loose cannon, drank a lot, and caroused. But he was charismatic at work; everybody liked him, and he usually got the job done.

A Tale with a Lesson

My GM then asked me why we should leave our company in the hands of someone who couldn’t manage his own affairs. I told him it was because I believed work and home were unrelated, and I was certain my candidate could do the job. My GM approved the promotion telling me if I felt strongly enough I might make it work and if not it would be a good lesson for me.

The End of this Story

It didn’t work. I was forced to fire him because he didn’t always keep his promises to his direct reports, occasionally he would lash out, and his focus was self-centered concentrating on what was best for him not what was best for the team. My GM was right; my candidate wasn’t ready to lead. He needed to learn to lead himself first.

A New Beginning

The key to guiding yourself from managing people as if they were projects to inspiring your teammates to reach levels of performance they didn’t realize were possible—is continuous learning. One of the traits of a true leader is they never quit trying to be a better leader. Are you ready to take on the challenge? Is it time to improve your leadership skills? Do you want to be a better leader?

Leaders Aren’t Born, and They Don’t Happen Overnight

Becoming a better leader, developing into a person that inspires women and men to do greater things than they would have without your direction, isn’t something that just happens. The path to becoming a leader is long and difficult. It’s filled with roadblocks and setbacks, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Every step on your leadership odyssey brings you closer to the light.

Becoming a true leader is a challenging and ongoing process. There may be times when you think you’re not cut out for the job. However, if you care about people, if you get a thrill out of watching others grow, and if building a successful team motivates you, then you’re the right women or man for the job.

Breaking bad habits, changing your mindset, and learning to lead begins by accepting you’re not the best leader you can be.

Leaders make mistakes. That’s okay. It’s going to happen. But there are two things that can be done, learn from your mistakes and avoid the mistakes of others.

Are You Becoming a Leader?

Not all transformations from manager to leader are so drastically needed, or apparent, as the story I just shared. Sometimes the journey from manager to leader or improving as a leader is more subtle. So, where are you on the journey to becoming a leader? What’s your story?

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. 

Does your business have a management training plan? 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. I’m also available to conduct training.

Photo by rob walsh on Unsplash

 

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The Path from Working In to Working On the Business

A friend and I were recently discussing working in vs. working on his business, working in defined as doing the work, and working on defined as growing the business and shaping it’s 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. If you have no one in your organization that can do what you do, your growth will always be limited to what you can get done. For some that is the goal. They don’t want their business to grow any larger. They’re happy where they are.

However, those who want to grow their business can’t do it alone. There are only so many hours in the day. If you want to grow, train someone to do what you do, or hire someone who can. The other side of the coin is that not developing future leader’s not only limits growth, but will drive away the best employees who are looking for opportunities for growth and advancement.

It’s a Work in Progress   

As my friend and I talked (I’m a verbal processor), I realized I hadn’t shared a realistic view of progressing from working in to working on the business. Any start up will rely on leadership working in the business, and proceeding from working in a young business to working on a larger concern is a journey, it’s not an overnight, turn a switch, transformation.

My Journey to Working on Business

In 1987 I joined a sales and marketing team at entry level. In the beginning, I strictly worked in the business. At first in lead development and later as a sales consultant. Eventually, I became a sales manager. My staff covered preset appointments six days a week, as did I. In that sense I worked in the business. However, I worked on the business by never going to an appointment alone; I always took someone from my team with me. It was part of my training plan. Working on the business, I also hired and trained salespeople, conducted meetings, reviewed activities with each rep individually on a daily basis, analyzed reports, developed a weekly game plan, and met with other department heads at a weekly staff meeting. My time was split 50/50 working in and on the business.

From 50/50 to 75/25

My next step was as district manager. In this role, I traveled to offices in a three-state area. My primary responsibility was to improve the performance of each office. I did this through training, planning, and accountability. Often, when I visited an office I would go on a sales call with the manager. It was a good time to talk about their operation as well as watch what they were doing in the field. 75 % of my time was spent working on the business, but I continued to work in the biz.

100 Percent

As vice president of operations overseeing all aspects of the business I no longer had time to work in the business, I was too busy directing sales, marketing, and installation to work in the field. My time was spent training managers, planning for growth, creating systems, and documenting procedures. When I took over the position, the company didn’t have procedural manuals, job descriptions, checklists, or training materials. We were attempting to run a supermarket as if it were a roadside stand. It was a culture of personality not procedures, and that can only go so far. By the end of my tenure we had become a systemized organization, which was replicated in other markets. The company doubled its net volume three times while I was VP. As VP I worked 100 % on the business.

Where Are You in the Journey?

Like I said, transitioning from working in the business to working on the business isn’t overnight. It’s a work in progress. However, if you never make the transition you will eventually hit a brick wall. Regardless how exceptional one person might be they can never accomplish as much as a focused and dedicated team. So, are you working in or on your business?

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. 

Does your business have a management training plan? 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. I’m also available to conduct training.

Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash

The post The Path from Working In to Working On the Business appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.