Unaverage Leadership

Finding Fresh Eyes

Remember years ago as a child looking for the elusive four-leaf clover in the yard?  The hunt could last for hours as you strained and focused on trying to find the lucky piece of clover.  Eventually, you started to wonder if it really existed.  Then your mom or dad would walk up and see how you were doing.  The look of frustration on your face explained the situation all too well.  They sat down and within minutes they would find the four-leaf clover.  The same story can be told for working on puzzles, coming up with ideas and changing the culture in your company. 

The fact that you did not find the clover sooner is not due to a lack of effort, knowledge, or willingness.  It is that your eyes and perceptions become clouded due to your intense focus.  That is why your parents found the clover so quickly – they had the fresh eyes.

Those responsible for changing company culture to improve the bottom line and their employee's lives, sometimes suffer from the same tired eyes as the child hunting for the lucky piece of clover.  They have the want, knowledge and willingness, but blinders have narrowed and clouded their view of the company and its employee owners.  They become frustrated, cynical, and start to lose the passion once at their fingertips.  It does not take long for the company to begin to mimic the same symptoms.  This is a time when you need to find ways to re-energize your eyes or bring some fresh views into your world.   

Does this sound familiar?  You preach the same ideas, practices and stories, but it seems to have no impact.  It is similar to how parents sometimes feel about their children – they just do not listen or get it.  This is opportunity where an outside influence may be the answer.  In the family it may be a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or a good friend that can help the child to understand.  In organizations it can be the independent board member, an outside speaker, consultant, or even your customers.  These resources bring the fresh eyes that can see issues clearly and provide solutions.  Do not be afraid of the “outside“ perspective. 

Do not let the routine of business, personnel issues, or individual habits restrain you and your organization from reaching new heights.  Take the actions that can widen the view of possibilities to increase the bottom line and enhance your employee's lives.  Remember that fresh eyes are the best eyes!

 

 

The Perfect Time For Training

If you want your company to be ready for the upswing in the economy, then start with training your people.  This is a perfect time for training.  You have the time so make the investment.

It is far to easy to get caught up in the short term thinking of slashing, cutting back and maximizing short-term profits.  Break the cycle and think long term.  It it your people that will create the long term value for your company.

Studies show that the educational and training variable is the best predictor of a company's success.  This should not surprise you since we are in a knowledge economy.  Training your employees builds knowledge and the use of that knowledge.  Another buy product of training is employee engagement, which is another significant predictor of company success.

Training should be a regular agenda item at your management meetings and a part of the strategic plan for your company.  By being proactive towards training and having a plan that is actually implemented, you will reduce the risk that your training dollars will be squandered on ineffective efforts. 

Take The Leap

Life is boring, work is boring, you are stuck in a rut and need some new excitement.  This is when it may be time to take a flying leap into unknown territory. Quit thinking and do it.

I am sure you have heard at work that it is time for change, yet nothing really ever changes.   If you want to see significant change in your organization, then get started with action.  Getting employees doing vs. thinking, will create quicker change. I am a big believer in planning and thinking things through, but do not get the "analysis paralysis" disease or in simple terms "all talk and no show".  Getting employees involved in the change that will impact their work days will get you much higher buy in and less skepticism.

No matter what area you want to change in your business - get your employees involved will produce better results.  Please remember to be patient, give them ample time, and be the cheerleader not the impatient leader of old.

Be the leader that takes the leap first, gives the tools to the organization to do the same, and then gets out of the way of the tsunami of creativity and energy that will be unleashed.