Here are my 8 simple rules to help us succeed in business:

1.     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

2.     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.

3.     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.

4.     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.

5.     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’

6.     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

7.     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.

8.     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