July 3, 2007 17:37 - Top 5 Key People Management Secrets!
Your business, whether it is small, medium or large. If you lead a team of employees. Or even CEO a multi-mega-sized business it doesn't matter.
You have to have the skills to get the best out of your people. Your people management skills have to be more than up to scratch. (Read Article)
July 5, 2007 08:40 - Management Snippets - The Value of Good Communication
"Continuous, supportive communication from managers, supervisors and associates is too often underemphasized. It is a major, major motivator." Jim Moultrip, Consultant for Management Perspective Groups
And this doesn't mean long, closed-door sessions that will suck the life out of your time.
It is regular, easy, one-to-one fragments of time.
Tiny conversations where you talk with your people, listen to them particularly and show them that you value them by the small amounts of time you spend with them, informally, day-in, day-out.
On almost any topic that they are interested in, as well as the business end of things.
You recruit employees for particular roles. They fit the role almost perfectly - as good as you could hope for.
Then they do a great job for you...and wonder, 'What's next?'.
If you have any real skills as a manager, you'll recognize that now that job is being delivered pretty well, it's time to give them more.
So, you get them thinking about their next step and find them some new things to do - some new things to learn.
Why would you do that?
Well, it's great to keep your people committed and motivated by stretching them to new things.
It's great to develop their skills so that they can cover key roles for you, when maybe you get gaps due to people moving on (upwards we hope!).
Building a multitasking skillset into each and every one of your people is a real win-win.
You get great cover and development, for the right reasons.
Your people feel wanted and valued as you give them new things to learn.
WOW!
Want to know more why this is such a great idea? Checkout Succession Planning Toolkit and be prepared to be fascinated!
July 7, 2007 16:55 - Management Snippets - The 4 Types of Feedback
Feedback is a gift. It is given to others to help them learn and develop.
It requires close attention from the giver and has to be a part of a regular committment where it is received in a trusted way.
To give great feedback, you need to have a relationship with the recipient; that means they trust you and that your reasons for giving feedback are of value and fair.
There are four types of feedback and I am grateful to Mark Rose at Creative Edge Training for these definitions.
"Positive
This type of feedback applies to situations where someone has performed well. It often consists of simple praise and appreciation. "You're one of my best people", "That was a good piece of work", "You've done well".
Negative
This type of feedback - often merely replays something that went wrong. It is essentially destructive and despite being quite common, provides little if any benefit. You're always complaining", "That was rubbish", "You need to get your act together".
Constructive
This type of feedback guides and encourages someone to reflect on their current performance and recognise how they could build improvements into this the next time. It often contains an element of both positive and negative feedback and needs to be delivered sensitively. "you were late" and not opinions "you are lazy".
None!
Despite being the most common type of feedback used by many managers, of course it doesn't really exist!"
It's so worth using feedback on a regular and consistent basis with each and every one of your people and, if you really want to accelerate your own growth as a manager, be very receptive to others giving it to you too.
July 8, 2007 19:30 - 3 Steps To Effective Working Practices
Whilst many of us work in offices where the organization is responsible for most things, decisions about effective working practices in our work area can be reduced by what we are allowed to do.
Yet there are a number of steps we are able to take that we do have control of. Things like... (Read Article)
July 10, 2007 07:32 - Management Snippets - You Choose
"When you have a choice to make and you don't make it, that is, in itself, a choice." William James, American Psychologist
You can't get away from making difficult choices in your business by avoiding them.
No choice is a choice in itself. you are just as responsible for the consequences as if you had made a significant choice anyway.
And it's worse as well.
By abrogating difficult choices, you lead to mistrust from your people, something you will find very challenging to recover from.
To go further than James above, often, no choice is worse than the wrong choice.
PS - this works in life as well.
July 12, 2007 07:23 - Management Snippets - Keep Your Eye On The Ball
"If you are not focused, you will not meet or exceed the duties and responsibilities of your position" Frank Alley, CEO, The Brooklyn Hospital Center
It's vital to make sure that you do the things that you (and only you), can do best, within the context of what's most important in your business.
And enable others in your business to get on with what they are great at too.
Many manager's lose focus and get on with what's 'nice to do', and miss the point, the vital stuff to make their business tick.
And it's such an easy trap to fall into, because it sneaks up on you slowly and silently.
So check in with yourself, once in a while that you are doing the most important things first, before you start amusing yourself.
Then, the right things get done when you need them to.
July 13, 2007 08:59 - Stakeholder Management - Ten Things You Must Know
Think about everyone involved in any specific business activity or project.
Easy? Of course.
But what gets more challenging is all the 'outsiders' who may be impacted by the activity and who might have an interest.
This is why stakeholder management is so important.
(Read Article)
July 16, 2007 20:13 - Hallelujah! - What's Good To Fix Right Now?
Hallelujah!
As some of you know, I tend to be a bit last minute, so this gets written on a Sunday evening. I don't regard it as work - I truly enjoy the writing!
Thing is though, my TV viewing on a Sunday evening was (as, again, you may know!), "The West Wing".
This is now followed by "Kitchen Nightmares" by Gordon Ramsay - which I now watch with a fascination. (Read Article)
July 17, 2007 20:57 - Management Snippets - Just A Small Thought
Little thoughts go a long way with your people.
Whether it's a perfectly timed 'thank you', perhaps unexpectedly. Or a small token of recognition (like a Mars Bar!), that says 'fun' as well as 'well done'. Or if you want to go a bit further, what about a pre-printed and then hand-signed certificate.
A well-timed recognition, in context with what they did, especially if it's something that can be kept; displayed or shown off a little, reminds people that you care about them - and the contribution they are making.
In a world where employees might feel they are just a number, such acknowledgement makes an incredible difference to loyalty and, when you need it, commitment to go 'the extra mile'.
It costs you so little, apart from the time to remember how important this is.
July 18, 2007 09:58 - Management Snippets - Get In Touch, No Really...
"A leader needs to be in touch with the employees and to communicate with them on a daily basis." Donald Peterson, Former Chairman, Ford Motor Company
It sounds almost to crazy to say it, yet it's true. Top managers have to be in a place where they understand the thinking of their people all the time.
It doesn't have to be formal. It doesn't need to be heavy. In fact it's really good the lighter the better. It's about your people being comfortable with you.
Then you get signals to your radar. How on earth else could anyone find out about what is going on at the sharp end of a business, other than communicating directloy with them regularly?
How to do it? Well, it's all about just getting out there, showing an interest in the people your business depends on. Listening a lot and saying less. Valuing their contribution by hearing them and how they are feeling.
The first step is just to get out there and show an interest.
Prime your conversations, by asking questions likely to stimulate interest, then, let your people take the lead.
Ask questions that require answers from them and avoiding the 'yes' or 'no' that can come otherwise.
Then keep it up with a schedule of actions intended to maintain your visibility.
Developing long-term relationships with as many of your people as possible is the best investment of your time you can make.
July 19, 2007 11:20 - Management Snippets - Do It Right
"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?" Unknown
Time is of the essence, in the fast-paced modren world in which we live our days.
Unless we are very careful, we rush each day, fixing things as best we can, without the time to correct things so they are permanently fixed. We just about survive - on a good day!
The trouble is that when we sticking-plaster mend it doesn't often correct the underlying issues.
And because we don't devote enough time to delve and fix the bigger issue, under the surface, it comes back time and time again to haunt us, wear us down and suck the energy right away.
Next time you find a recurring problem, take a little longer and invest in a bigger fix than the sticking-plaster.
It will take you longer and it will seem tough. Then after a while, your investment will pay off and you will get the value of that time back, with interest.
July 20, 2007 13:31 - Management Snippets - Change More When Successful
"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change
often" Winston Churchill
Making the effort to improve when
performance is poor is tough. Especially when you are manager when it's up to you to
make difficult decisions.
Actually that's the easy part.
When it gets
difficult, especially for you, is when you've made the big changes and things are
ticking along nicely.
Reviewing and changing, by always asking 'What could we
do better?' or 'How can we improve more?' - even after success, shows real calibre and
guts - and that leads to perfection.
July 21, 2007 19:34 - Management Snippets - Virtual and Beyond
"It is ironic, but true, that in this age of electronic communications, personal interaction is becoming more important than ever" Regis Kenna, Marketing Consultant
Technology has changed the face of the world.
In 1975 (yep, I am that old - it WAS my first year of work!), the store I worked in sold the first calculator - before that there was nothing electronic!
Can you imagine it?
Today we have an enormous range of gadgets and widgets both in our work and our daily lives, to make it easier - which it does.
It's important to acknowledge what that time-saved actually does. It creates more spaces to do the things we can only do ourselves, interacting with others
By using the time and space that technology creates for us, it is vital to ensure that we remember that the personal relationships we have, are where, as managers, we create value as only we can.
July 22, 2007 22:32 - Treat Your People Well, Because You Never Know...
Sometimes you will find that things happen to your people that cause them to take their eye off the ball of work.
Whilst it might seem to be the center of your universe, it might come as a shock to find out that work is often some way down their list of priorities.
Recognizing this and responding very supportively, is a major step in building rapport.
Take recent flooding - I live in Gloucestershire and have had my share of getting wet this week, though fortunately without any damage - many people will have had a lot more to think about than work.
When you are their boss, acknowledging not just the blatantly obvious when people need your help, but having a good enough relationship to sense their distress, even when not spoken. is a rare talent.
And one that once you see it and act upon it to help, will always be remembered.
One day you might need them to help you, so even if you just see it as a zero-sum investment, helping your people is always worth it.
Updated this week - in the blog on the website, you'll now find a menu of "Management Snippets" - small 'nuggets' that you can use to ponder on each and almost every day!
July 23, 2007 22:22 - Management Snippets - Kiss and Tell!
"If you don't give people information, they'll make up something to fill the void" Carla O'Dell, President, O'Dell and Associates
The vacuum of not knowing causes fear and worry - AND speculation.
Not keeping your people well informed draws out their deepest concerns.
Then things start to escalate out of hand. Chinese whispers.
Keeping your people informed shows you trust them and allays concerns as far as possible.
Be the free-standing gatekeeper of your business.
You will be creating a great team, eager to work closely with you to achieve the organizations goals together.
July 24, 2007 19:41 - Management Snippets - When Would You Give Up?
I haven't seen the movie 'Facing The Giants', but this is a great little metaphor that describes how sometimes, when all our parameters for measurement are stripped away, we are able to achieve far more than we might think possible.
The whole thing about our fears and capabilities disintegrates - it's the essence of coaching.
What do you need a blindfold for then?
Enjoy!
July 25, 2007 22:08 - SMART Goals are out DUMB Goals are in
If you’ve ever read any strategic or business planning literature, you’ve no doubt come across the acronym SMART for mapping out goals.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.
Those are all fine and dandy objectives, but I’m out to propose another side of the coin - DUMB goals.
July 26, 2007 20:57 - Management Snippets - Actions Not Words
"People believe more what they see than what they hear. Show through your actions what is important to you and that's what they'll most believe to be true" Bob Nelson, Author, "1001 Ways To Motivate Your Employees"
'Walk your Talk', is another way to say this.
Sometimes it's out of bravado; other times it's fear; and then it could be you really meant it; or perhaps you just lie.
Whichever reason it is (and some are only marginally worse than others - the outcome is unsatisfactorily just the same), you will be judged on what you are seen to do, not what you say you will do.
And you know, your people will not only notice real fast, they'll tell others too.
Their impression of you sticks. Like a glue that can't be removed, you will tarnish yourself unless you deliver what you say you will.
How often do you walk your talk then?
July 27, 2007 16:05 - Management Snippets - Love Or Fear, Which Works Best?
"There are two great motivators in life. One is fear. The other is love. You can manage an organization by fear, but if you do, you will ensure that people don't perform to their real capabilities. People are not willing to take risks when they feel afraid or threatened. But if you manage people by love - that is, if you show them respect and trust - they start to perform up to their real capabilities. Because, in that kind of atmosphere, they dare to take risks." Jan Carlzon, Former CEO, Scandinavian Airlines System
Want fast results? Manage with fear. Scaring the hell out of your people works really well in the short-term.
The trouble is, where fear exists, your people will keep their heads down and do exactly what is expected of them - and no more. And if they are scared enough, just hang around until they have found somewhere safer.
Why would they try new ideas, just in case they get beaten-up when they do?
Pain hurts - and no-one inflicts pain on themselves if there is another way out.
Being firm and fair, showing you care, within a framework of business goals and helping them do more; learn more; try things, moves things along
Creating a sustainable growing organization, prepeared to risk and challenge.
July 28, 2007 16:24 - Management Snippets - Giving Ideas Life
"An idea is a fragile thing. Turning it off is much easier than keeping it lit. Ideas shine because somebody had them and somebody helped them and nobody turned them off" Tom Peters - "A Passion For Excellence"
Your people bring with them, into your business, a wealth of creativity.
In fact we are all creative beings until some kind soul in our youth knocks it out of us.
Want unique, creative solutions from your employees?
Nurture and caress their ideas - give them airtime, however crazy it might seem.
Seek more informastion rather than be the smartass who knows it all and knocks them back, again.
Your people will generate wonderful, imaginative and above all different solutions for you - if you listen and let them
It can be the difference - and you alone can enable it.
July 29, 2007 22:40 - The Difference You Make
It was around 1998. I'd been on vacation for a couple of weeks. My reading had been a great book called 'Maverick', by Ricardo Semler.
You can still get it on Amazon. It's a simple book that tells of a Brazilian washing machine maker (Semler),who builds an amazing business by giving up control to his team.
When I got back, I was chatting purposelessly with one of my supervisors about the book - no expectations at all in our conversation.
The Saturday evening fill-up team were one of the most challenging and rather in a bit of frustration, she decided that she would give the opportunity of 'self-management', to that team, to see if it made a difference.
Interesting experiment eh?
She set the outcome expectation for them and spent most of the three hours she would usually be chivvying them up, out of their hair.
On the first week, the team stayed on late, to complete the required workload by half an hour.
On the second and subsequent weeks, they pulled their ideas as a team together and delivered consistently better outcomes in much more creative ways than we expected.
So far, so good.
The team were made up of a bunch of young 'Saturday kids' - full of the energy and challenges that youngsters provide in a job whilst still at school.
The summer came, a number went off to college and we celebrated as the team broke up the experiment and shared their thoughts on how well it had gone and what they as individuals had gotten from it.
Rarely do we get feedback as managers.
This weekend I met one of that team again - nine years later. He now manages his own team in a tough engineering business. He remembers well the enthusiasm and energy the self-managed team generated.
He told me in quite a bit of detail how he'd valued the experience and how he had been able to use it in the business he now operates.
It was fascinating to hear the difference that experience had made to him then, as well as in his business too.
Sometimes we make more of a difference than we know or expect.
Your people are your major asset, so it makes sense to treat them with the respect they deserve.
Great people management is all about watching out for any value-creating opportunity that helps you do your job.
And you are also helping keen, interested and 'developable' people in your team stretch and learn, on the job.
This is a true win-win, with you getting much more work done - this time by others.
Whilst stretching them as well to new skills they can bankl for the future too!
July 31, 2007 12:09 - Management Snippets - Consistency and Value, The McDonalds Recipe For Success
"We provide food that customers love, day after day after day. People just want more of it" Ray Kroc - McDonalds
Whatever you think about McDonalds, their business model is successful.
Their food probably won't win any Michelin stars, nor is that what their customers want.
It's a consistent food standard that McDonalds customers like.
They don't want to take their kids somewhere that has unexpected foods (snails maybe...), that maybe the kids won't like, or at silly gastronomic prices.
Many parents want consistency and good value.
And that is precisely what MvDonlds provides
Thus meeting their customer expectations more times than probably anyone else in their market.
