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June 5, 2008 22:08 - Help Needed!
Ready for a little tip that will make your management much smoother?
Sometimes the language we use can be simplified, in ways that make us wonder just why we didn't think of it in the first place.
Just a tiny shift in how we say things can make all the difference.
Take a time when you might need the support of someone - like you need to go and ask a favor from them maybe.
In the workplace, it's just fine and dandy to spew out instructions - trouble is that it is short-lived and what's more, with this sort of management style, you are unlikely to have anyone busting out to help without being asked.
So, here's a different way.
If you want help from your people, ask for it! By saying, 'Hey, Jeff, I need your help', you draw on the natural human emotion of helping others (as long as his name is Jeff, of course!).
It's a tool that you can use sensibly and authentically to get things done which are a big ask.
There are a couple of things to note here.
If you abuse this little tool, you will get worse results than you might hope, as they will get drift about what you are dong.
Secondly, 'I need your help' is a two-way, win-win street, so you need to be sensitive to when others use that phrase on you - and help them!
And with this tool, used in both directions, the rapport you are creating between you can only be positive.
June 15, 2008 23:01 - Take the Hint - It's Worth It!
Sometimes we have to respond to our
surroundings. To things that happen to us -
they are there for a meaning, however long it
takes to take the hint!
In 'Maid in
Manhattan', that great movie about the maid
who meets with her perfect partner - and gets
the sack from her job for it - there are a
couple of nuggets that are great tips.
One of them is where, after Marisa (the maid)
gets the sack for impersonating someone she
isn't (and then falls in love with the would
be Senator, of course!).
In an
excellent example of following your heart,
Bob Hoskins, decides to resign in that
moment, not just in support
of Marisa, but because he realizes something
for himself.
He says:-
"Sometimes, we're forced in
directions that we ought to have found for
ourselves."
In business, we get
little inklings of possible routes forwards
that we might not have noticed in the
hurly-burly of the work we do.
As busy
managers, we 'desensitize' ourselves from
noticing the little things that we can use to
help ourselves.
Yet we are also lucky,
because sometimes, just sometimes, we get
quite a slap in the face to almost force us
to notice different possibilities.
To
learn
to be more noticing, is a valuable asset
indeed.
The movie? Of course it's
syrupy - and what's wrong with
that?
Have a great week!
Martin
June 30, 2008 12:13 - Consistency is The Key
One of the most challenging parts of anyone's job, is delivering outcomes that are expected of them.
Last week we touched on a vital element they need from you as their manager - that you tell them clearly what is expected of them.
This week, I want to remind you of something that is just as vital, or your plans will fall apart...
You see, not only must you get clear about what you want in terms of performance from your people, but you have to stick with it.
If you keep chopping and changing too much, it creates fear and concern in them.
OK, there may be times when the business needs change and sure, you can clearly tell them this and why it is necessary.
In the main run of the day job, you need to be consistent in your expectations of each one of them, so they know that they are on the right track.
Then you will get creative & energetic output from them.
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