Here are my 8 simple rules to help us succeed in business:
- Learn To Handle Adversity
- Focus on the things we can control
- Give others the ownership of projects
- Anticipate and plan for contingencies
- Over-communicate updates and options
- Lead People Effectively
- Respect everyone
- Analyze and recognize each team member’s unique capabilities, motivations and talents
- Reward and celebrate both small and large wins. Work Smart. Play Smart.
- Mentor The Bench Strength
- Share ideas with mentees on how to identify and find a mentor. This includes the mentor being knowledgeable of the next role the mentee is looking to move into, as well as the mentor being a good teacher
- Mentors provide counsel, while the mentee provides solutions and recommendations
- The mentee should drive the process. Coaches guide current success, while mentors guide understanding and success in future roles.
- Hire Right. Disengage Right
- Hire for values, not just competency and skills. DDI research says 89% of employee departure is due to a poor motivational fit, and not due to underperforming skills or abilities.
- Trust, but Verify ~ Ronald Reagan
- Check how candidates communicate their errors and weaknesses
- Disengage poor hires rapidly – for their benefit as well as the team. Hurry, don’t rush.
- Coaching Success
- Through excellent listening skill, others begin to feel they can be the smartest person in the room
- Be clear about expectations as measured through others stating and showing what they understand and will actually do
- Give honest, clear, patient, non-emotional, observation-based feedback
- Move from employee ‘interest’ to employee ‘caring’
- Career Pathing
- There is no longer a corporate ladder – it’s a jungle gym – lateral moves develop key competencies and decision-making for future success
- Focus on our strength as well as others’ strength to achieve excellence in current roles
- Know the organization’s expectations of roles being sought, by us or by others, will be different in 5 years
- Build Management Skills
- Technology used to be the spoke of the issue – it’s now the hub – it’s a lot more than simply a tool
- Are gains sustainable through proper systems and processes, or are they sustainable only in the heads of a few executives?
- Research and evidence carry the day – but time and effort spent to be totally right slows decision-making
- Measure results and hold ourselves accountable before approaching others. Drive dialogue and not blame.
- Why Your Team?
- Do others sense your team’s commitment to innovation and future goals?
- How nimble do others believe your team to be?
- What are your team’s values? Are they ever discussed?
- Does your team communicate change quickly and with conviction? How fast do you identify and correct issues and direction?
If we support people to drive quality and results – Everyone wins!
Jim