Don Graumann's Blog, page 14

Keeping Secrets is part of Trust

Does your team think it’s “safe” to share sensitive info with you? Do you keep secrets? Do you encourage them to share anything at any time? It only takes violating that trust once for it to go away.

Is your “Way” Scalable?

Is your “way” scalable? If your responsibilities increased by 5X, how would you approach it?  The answer can’t be “work harder”.

Integrity = Choosing Right over Wrong Regardless

Integrity is staying true to your core values under pressure or when no one is looking. It is choosing right over wrong regardless. Do you know your nonnegotiable core values?

Do you decline with alternatives that would work?

If the date and time for meeting does not work, do you suggest one that does or do you simply decline? If the latter, why aren’t you more proactive?

Choose Black & White over Gray?

Every issue or concept has gray areas. The question is, do you choose to live there? Or, do you choose to find your way to black and white?

In Conflict, Choose Discussion over Debate

Do you strive to use conflict constructively? In other words, do you default to discussion (exploring views) or debate (winning)? Discussion encourages greater participation and more vetted ultimate solutions.

Solid Management’s 2 Enemies

Two of the greatest enemies of solid management are the unpredictable and the late. Drive them out of your day-to-day.

Lucky or Ready?

What’s the best luck you’ve experienced professionally? How much of it was you being ready to take advantage of an opportunity?

Set Daily Priorities 1st

How do you start your day? Do you set your top priorities first? Or, do you get sucked into the transactional scramble (email, etc)? You should not look at email, etc until after you’ve set your priorities. Then, adjust if you have to.

How do you measure your influence?

Do you measure your influence by how many people you reach or by how deeply you impact a smaller audience? In other words, you you focus on quantity or quality? It is a balance.