Monthly Archives: February 2016

Indecisiveness can cripple a business leader. Often, we find ourselves doing nothing simply because we are unsure of the right action and are fearful of making the wrong choice. Sometimes, we find ourselves particularly fearful of taking action after having made a decision we now regret.

It’s important to remember, however, that delaying action can be just as bad, or even worse than making the wrong decision. When we fail to make decisions, we pass up opportunities, and we allow something, or someone, to control our business inadvertently. Here are five things you need to know about taking action.

1. It is stressful. Don’t wait for making hard decisions to get easy. That generally doesn’t happen. Occasionally, you will find that delaying a decision will allow circumstances to play out and make the decision easier. However, more often than not, delaying the decision only delays the stress; it doesn’t eliminate it.
2. Taking action is empowering. Making a decision and moving forward makes you feel in control of your situation and your business. Sometimes, you will make the wrong decision. But as long as you learn from those decisions and take corrective action, you are still exercising control.
3. The more you take action, the easier it becomes. Each time you make the right decision and move your business forward, you will gain confidence. This confidence fuels you for the next hard decision. Even when you fail, you will gain knowledge and experience that will help you make a better decision next time.
4. It’s ok to ask for help. Seeking counsel doesn’t make you weak; it makes you wise. Turn to mentors and trusted advisors to help you make the best decisions rather than always trying to go it on your own.
5. You will gain respect. Peers and employees have more respect for leaders who aren’t afraid to take action, even when there is risk involved.

Everyone has fear when it comes to making hard decisions about important matters. Over time, the decisions may not get any easier, but your skill and confidence in making them can definitely grow, leading to greater and greater strides forward for both you and your business.

As a busy leader, you’re no doubt asked to do many things, from appointments with clients, to community events, and even family events may get added to your calendar without much thought. You may promise to get back to a client or employee within a certain amount of time. It is important that you do not make such commitments lightly, as being unable to honor your commitments may tarnish your reputation.

Stay Organized

For many people, the inability to keep commitments is not intentional, nor does it stem from a lack of concern. Rather, many people simply fail to stay organized, allowing commitments to slip through the cracks, or double booking themselves unintentionally. If this is your issue, take steps to find and use the tools you need to stay organized about your commitments. Use an online calendar that alarms you for appointments and commitments, making sure to consult it before you commit to an event. Use its reminders to keep you informed about commitments you make to clients on getting back to them with answers, just like you would for booking physical appointments. Once you begin to use this tool religiously, you will easily be able to prevent being over committed as well as prevent missing a commitment. When you see that you have too many things planned, reschedule or delegate something immediately, so that you don’t let anyone down.

What To Do When You’ve Missed a Commitment

 Even with the best of intentions and organization, you may find that you occasionally let something slip through the cracks. When this happens, it’s important to contact the other party right away. Reschedule immediately and make amends. If you owe a customer an answer, get in touch with them right away even if you still don’t have the answer, and reschedule for a new time. Being quick to act and sincere in your apology goes a long way to maintaining your integrity in this situation.

Being a person of your word is critical in the business world. Keeping your calendar managed to help ensure you don’t overcommit will help you to stay organized as well as keep up with the true number of commitments you’re facing. Being quick to make amends when you do miss something will help you to maintain your reputation as a leader with integrity.

As a business leader, there are many reasons why you need to surround yourself with people who are loyal and who are committed to your success. One of the most important reasons to have the right people around you is to gain the benefit of their feedback. Feedback that you can trust can help you grow as a person and as a business leader. Here are three things you can gain from authentic feedback:

1. Perspective – It’s important to see how your words and actions come across to others. If someone in your circle reports to you, so much the better. He or she can help you see how employees view you as a leader and help you ensure that are the kind of leader that is able to retain valued employees and create an open environment at work. This kind of relationship can take time to develop, as people are naturally reluctant to criticize the actions of their boss.
2. Advice – Sometimes you just need to know what someone else would do if faced with the same situation. Someone in your circle who is more experienced than you can help you explore all your options and make the best choices. The mentor who has already walked the path you’re traveling is priceless.
3. Support – Feedback is designed to help you grow. Sometimes the feedback that is most important is the “cheerleading” kind of feedback. It’s important to have people in your circle who will remind you that you are capable and that you have overcome obstacles in the past. Ideally, the person or people who give you this kind of support will know instinctively when you need it.

Select your trusted circle carefully. Your most valued advisors should have no hidden agendas, and should be capable of being honest with you, even when they may have to tell you something you don’t want to hear. When you do find those people, safeguard your relationship. These kinds of friends and mentors are extremely valuable in helping you to reach your goals.

Most of us suffer from having too much to do in a day. Prioritizing all those tasks can sometimes seem overwhelming. As you’re working through your plan for the day or week, don’t forget that thinking through your intentions can help you to clarify exactly what actions you need to take and help you determine which actions have the highest priority.

Think About the Results

This means beginning with the end in mind. Decide first what you are trying to accomplish today. Then rank those plans in order, marking your “must dos” first. Once you’ve determined the goals that must be met today, you can get a much better idea of what actions you must take to complete the day’s intentions.

Beginning your day or week with this sort of focus really clears the clutter from your mind and helps you to stay on task. You’re less likely to find yourself working on whatever someone puts in front of you or asks of you, and more likely to work on the tasks that really make a difference to your business.

Plan for the Unexpected

Of course, it is important to factor in some time for distractions each day. In any business, unexpected things come up that must be attended to. When you plan some time in your day to handle these issues, you are less derailed when these happen. You can handle the surprises and then get right back to the work you’ve already identified as most important for the day. This kind of plan minimizes the risk that an “emergency” will ruin your day.

This intentional focus on the day requires a change of mindset. It means you’re creating your day, rather than letting the events of the day control you. It may take some special focus in the beginning to learn to structure your day this way, but once you have mastered this routine, you’re certain to find that you not only accomplish more, but accomplish more of the really important tasks each day.