Coaching Businesses to Success News Update

We all want our businesses to run well.

The truth is, when we are managers, we have responsibilities to meet and to deliver those, it is so tempting to run almost everything ourselves.

Giving up some of the tasks, especially as you get further down the track with the areas of your work that you have always found to be yours traditionally, can be really tough.

Because you want the results to exactly as they were, when you were doing the task.

Truth is, not only could your outputs be less than perfect anyway, letting go might, just might, create better results than you might have yourself.

Letting go is tough - and a brave step along your development path.

By putting in a few clear expectations and ground rules (and I mean a few!), you can start to let go and accept that the results might be, well, different - slightly.

And that's OK.

Then remembering the benefits you get from letting go of chunks of the workload that others can acceptably do, it all becomes worthwhile too.

Not to even mention the value it gives your people, to be engaged in new challenges that give them excellent growth opportunities too.

December 10, 2007 17:33 - Winter Beauties!

It gets dark early and it's dark when we get up. It's cold - or worse, it's just damp and grey.

Winter brings challenges, especially in contrast with the summer we can now just barely remember.

Yet, as with most things in our world, there are positives and it's quite important to recognize that.

A time of celebration maybe; a time of brisk walks in sharp air that gives us a rosy glow; a period of anticipation for the next phase in the seasons too.

It's a little trite and Pollyannaish to say that there are positives in everything, and yet when we look closely, however challenging our business days are, we can take much from the contributions we make, whatever the difficulties.

It's just about how we look at things.

In fact it is possible to find value in the situations we face, whatever the circumstances, if you try hard enough and take them in the right light.

You might amaze yourself!

December 20, 2007 12:16 - 2008 - Your Best Year Yet?

We've just sent out the 100th newsletter in the series from Coaching Businesses To Success, and it's been a lot of fun to do!

It's also the last newsletter till 2008 - time for a little break till January 7th, so what's to share this week to keep you thinking over the next couple of weeks then?

Well, over this century of tips to help you get the best from your people, one thing that is important to remember is not about them, it's about you!

Over this festive period, and maybe even as you're considering your goals for the new year, ponder on this:-

"What capabilities do you feel that you have already inside you, that you haven't exploited fully so far - and how would it be in 2008, if you were to let doubt go and really attack that fantastic skill lying dormant right now?"

Next year can be even more amazing for you, when you cast aside any little self- doubts inside you and truly go for broke.

It really can be your best year yet.

Have a great Christmas and a wonderful break!

December 21, 2007 22:30 - Management Snippets - Change Needs Plenty Of Notice

"Provide ample advance notice of change - whether the change is favorable or unfavorable"
Donald Kirkpatrick - How To Manage Change Effectively
It's vital to let people settle into change situations.

When change happens, it's like shock - in fact Elizabeth Kubler-Ross worked on how bereavement affects people and it was later found that all change fits the same model.

Clearly bereavement is often without notice, but where it is, people get chance to start to adapt a little as it approaches.

In business, keeping your people very informed when changes are happening makes it much easier for them to adjust - and the chances of that change being successful becomes all the more likely.

And, even better, where you are upfront and open with your people, they really respond better to you and your management team as being caring and supporting, especially vital when the news is sticky.

Don't be afraid of embracing changes and getting the news out there - your people will thank you for your openness and honesty.

December 26, 2007 10:26 - Management Snippets - Small Looming Large

Have you ever been watching TV or listening to the radio when something went wrong?

Do you recall it at all, and if you do, did you make much of it?

Last week, I was listening to the radio when everything seemed to go wrong.

The presenter said that she just didn't have the right script, it went all quiet for a few seconds (which seemed like a few seconds to me, but, I guess seemed an eternity to her), and she then started to waffle on uncomfortably a bit.

She actually did really OK in the circumstances.

I guess she went off to hold her head in her hands, yet to me it was a small incident that I remembered only because I thought it would make a nice little piece for the blog!

Sometimes, items that appear to be larger in your rear view mirror are, in the whole scheme of things, smaller in reality.

December 27, 2007 19:41 - Management Snippets - Are You In The Management 5%?

"Ninety-five percent of American managers today say the right thing. Five percent actually do it"
James O'Toole
It's about walking the talk; being a model in your business

Your people will follow your lead - and it's up to you to lead them the right way - no-one else.

You see, why would your people put themselves on the line if you don't?

Saying things that you passionately feel are only of any value, if you follow them through.

Employees are very fickle and they will latch onto your shortcomings fast and use that to beat you with - often subtly; never overtly. It's because they have been treated badly in the past, sadly.

It's not you - but you pick up the backend, if you aren't careful.

The 5% are the successful managers - and so will you be if you show the integrity, to match what you say, with what you do.

December 28, 2007 16:09 - Management Snippets - Every Team Member Has A Value

"Make it clear that everyone is on the same team. Avoid practices that make it clear that some are on the first team and others are part of another"
Paul S George, University of Florida
The quickest way to breed contempt; destroy morale; and lose the value of 'team', is to be divisive.

No-one likes to be told they are a part of a team that has different layers - and different benefits, espcially when they are hidden.

Getting used to the fact that everyone pulls some of the weight, whatever their skill or role, is vital.

From the expert-you-can't-do-without, to the guy who sweeps the floor, they are all special and treating them to recognize the contribution they bring makes the difference.

And that includes you as well.

It's a team, after all, and needs the involvement of all to mazimize the outcomes.

December 31, 2007 11:57 - Management Snippets - Perspective, The Way You See It

Working with a group of clients this week, we had a great time exploring 'perspective'.

I thought this little anecdote brought home, in a humorous way, how we all see things differently!

The old man was quite a gentleman. His nurse visited him every day for a few hours to help him with getting dressed and to attend to his medical needs.

Occasionally, he gave her a little present, so when he placed a small bag in her hand, full of tasty looking brazil nuts, she was delighted, they were her favorite. That evening, she sat to watch the TV and settled to eat all the nuts.

Next day, the old gentleman asked her how she liked the nuts. 'Lovely, the nurse said, I ate every one'

'It seemed a shame to waste them', said the old man, 'So, after I'd sucked all the chocolate off them, I thought it would be nice for you to have them!'

So, you see, there is always more than one way to see anything...