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March 3, 2008 09:21 - Managing Expectations
This piece could have gone either of two ways.
It could have helped you recognize that you need to manage the expectations of the terms and conditions of your employees.
Before they start to think that things will be different; or better than they expect.
I'm not going to tell you about that, important though it is!
What I want to help you acknowledge is that you need to be clear with your people, in exactly what you are expecting from them.
You see, when you give instructions; make requests; set standards etc., you really need to be very clear about what outcome you are expecting.
One way you can start to ensure that you have a successful result, when asking your people to deliver for you, is to get them to summarize back what it is you want from them.
By very carefully ensuring that they've 'got it' - first time, you will really reduce your disappointment and also make sure that you and your business achieve success.
And you know what - your people will grow in confidence and do much more.
March 4, 2008 15:10 - Manager or Team - Who Is Accountable?
The last couple of weeks have been busy week for football managers in the UK (or soccer - this newsletter goes out all over the world!).
For some managers, they have had quite a shock when their highly fancied team has gone out of the competition to one of the 'minnows' - a smaller team from a lower division.
So, when this happens, where does the 'fault' lie in a below par performance?
Is it the manager - or the players in the team?
As a manager, we can do our utmost to prepare our players for their time at the sharp end.
When they do their job in the workplace. We cannot 'play the game' out for them.
We do our best, yet, if they underperform, is it down to us, or is it all about them?
Truth is, there is no simple answer to this in business, nor on the sports field.
In the harsh reality of the business world, when the bounce of the ball is much more consistent and luck is less of an event, a manager has much better control of the outcomes.
In an embarassing football defeat, a manager's job may be lost - such is the quirky nature of the game.
In business, there is more stability; it is a more predictable outcome.
The success or failure of a team is much more down to the manager than the players.
In your business, you can manage much more effectively than if you are in the unpredictable world of teams against you playing out of their skin on a bobbly pitch.
No excuses then, it's down to you, whether you have a Ronaldo in your side or not.
March 9, 2008 22:04 - Ask Me Another
One of the best ways to get the very best performance from your people, is when they trust you and understand you.
It comes down to the smallest things that you do, in your everyday interactions with them.
These are the things that cumulatively, when you apply them consistently, make all the difference to how well you build rapport.
And good rapport with your people means success.
So here's a little tip for you.
When someone you are in conversation with tells you something, always ask them something else about what they have just been telling you.
This alone is one of the most valuable steps you can take, when you want to build lasting, trusting relationships with those important to you.
If you aren't sure about this, just check out this week when someone does this with you. How valued you feel; how much you feel able to trust them.
Just consider your feelings towards that person and maybe contrast that with an occasion when someone doesn't do this when in conversation with you.
It's simple and yet one of the most valuable actions you can take in everyday life.
March 23, 2008 20:02 - Repeating Your Goals
Talane Miedaner is one of the most talented executive coaches from the States.
She has trained with CoachU and holds clients from many of America's Fortune 500 companies.
In her acclaimed book, 'Coach Yourself To Success', Talane lists 101 ideas about how you can be more successful in your life and business.
One of these is amazingly simple - and works!
It's so easy, you might not believe it works. And if you do try it out, you will find that it is one of the most powerful actions you can take, to get yourself moving towards your goals.
Just write your current goal down 15 times, each day!
By doing this, your subconscious takes the goal on board as well as focusing you on that goal.
It works best if you write it as if you have achieved it - if that's too big a hurdle for you, into the future will work as well, though perhaps a little more slowly.
'I have written 2000 words of my book today', works a bit better as your goal than, ' I will write 2000 words of my book today'.
Just remember the 15 times, all in one go, in your own handwriting - now, how long could that take then?
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