Monthly Archives: May 2016

Ambitious people often spend a great deal of time working on improving their areas of weakness. This is a noble endeavor, and will help you to improve your skills and become a better leader. But, don’t make the mistake of spending so much time trying to improve in areas where you struggle that you forget to make the most of the areas where you shine. Leveraging the strengths you already possess is just as important as improving areas where you are not as adept. Here are some unique ways that leveraging your strengths can help you and your business.

1. You can take the most active role in your business where it makes the most sense. Rather than spending a lot of time trying to hone your accounting skills so that you can manage your own books, spend that time using your already powerful sales skills to bring in more business. Then, you’ll have more money to pay an accountant to manage the books.
2. You can become a leader and mentor. One of the best ways to develop your employees and others in the community is by sharing your skills as a leader and mentor. When you focus on those things you are good at, you are more able to impact and teach others.
3. You can increase the awareness of your business in your community. Leverage your skills for good, as well as in your business. Volunteer in a community organization or work in your church in an area where you excel. As you meet new people through your volunteer work, not only will you be making a difference in your community, but you will also shining a light on your particular business skills.

As a leader, it is critical to continue to grow and learn new skills. Just remember that you got where you are today because you already possess some pretty impressive abilities. Be proud of these, and use them where they can bring the most benefit to you and to others around you.

One primary sign of a good business leader is the willingness to take action when needed. Too often, problems languish due to a hesitation to make a definitive move forward. However, in addition to being willing to make a decision and take action, it is just as important for a leader to take the appropriate action at the time. Here are some tips to ensuring the action you’re about to take is the appropriate one.

1. Is it necessary? There are times when a problem doesn’t really require action. We may be tempted to take unnecessary action because we are upset or have a strong opinion on the situation at hand. But, before you make a move, consider how the scenario might play out if you do nothing. Sometimes, letting a situation resolve itself without your intervention is the best course of action.
2. Is it well thought out? Once you’ve decided that it is important to take action, it is equally important that you take the right action. Look at all your options, and choose carefully. Don’t be afraid to ask for input from those who will be affected by the actions you’re about to take.
3. Is it timely? Taking action at the wrong time can be costly. Be certain to evaluate the timing of your action. The right move at the wrong time can be just as costly as the wrong move. This is especially true of situations that involve people who may be hurt or angry. Sometimes, a cooling off period will change perspective on the situation.

One of the marks of a great leader is the ability to make good decisions and move forward, even in times of uncertainty, and even when these decisions must be made quickly. However, even in the most urgent of times, it pays to take a minute and ask yourself the three questions mentioned above before you make a move.

It is easy to become complacent, whether in business, or in life in general. Every so often, it’s important to have a “reset” if you find that you have allowed your work or your personal life to stagnate. Being satisfied with the way things are, or believing you don’t have the power to change them, keeps you in a fixed mindset. When you’re ready to move something forward, like changing a relationship for the better, or increasing your business, it’s critical to switch to a growth mindset.

Here are some tips for making that change

1. Pinpoint the stagnant areas. Do you want to increase business? Do you want a happier marriage? Do you want to increase employee retention? Write down your goals, so that you can focus on where you want to go.
2. Question everything. Look at the way you do business, how you interact with customers, your overall business model. Question it. Remind yourself of why you do it that way, and reevaluate whether or not the model still works. Take a look at your relationships. Are you and your spouse in a rut of not talking or picking fights?
3. Come up with a plan. Here’s where you may need some help. Talk to people who will be affected by the changes and people who will need to change along with you. Discuss ideas you have, and get their ideas as well. Target specific steps that need to be taken to reach the goals of change.
4. Write it down. Document where you want to go and the steps you must take to get there. Be as specific as possible. Be sure that the people who must help you in the change buy into the goals and the plan to reach these.
5.  Make it part of everyday life. The hardest part of shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth one is living it out every day, even when you don’t feel like it. Keep your written goals and steps close at hand, and review them every single day. Over time, the new behaviors that will move your forward will become routine.

To stay in this growth mindset, it is important to regularly reevaluate your goals and the steps you need to take to reach them. It’s ok for goals to change, and it doesn’t make sense to keep working on goals that are no longer relevant. Regular evaluation will help you to stay focused and keep in that growth mindset that helps you move forward.

Decision making can often be stressful for anyone in a leadership position. We are often concerned that we may not take all the facts into consideration or may not have the correct perspective on the issue at hand. One tip to help you ensure you make the best decision possible is to be certain you have asked all the right questions. Asking the right questions helps ensure you are best prepared to make the decision at hand. Here are some ways to ensure you’ve asked all the right questions before moving forward on an issue.

1. Did you talk to the people who will be most involved? Often, the people who will carry out the day to day tasks or live with the day to day consequences of the decision you’re about to make will have a different perspective on the situation. Have these people give you the questions they would ask – you may be surprised at the new perspective you receive with this simple step.
2. Did you consider both the best and worst case scenario that could come from the positions you’re considering? Rarely do we see either the best or worst case scenario come to fruition. What actually happens usually falls somewhere in the middle, between the two. By considering both ends of the spectrum, you’ll be better prepared for the eventual outcome.
3. Did you question the timing? Sometimes, we feel rushed to make a decision that doesn’t really need to be made just yet. Sometimes, we make a decision that never really needed to be made. One question you should always consider is whether this is something that you need to take a stand on, or should you just let the situation play out.
4. Did you question the details? The old saying that “the devil is in the details” is quite true. One tiny detail you failed to consider could be the difference between the right and the wrong result.

It always pays to take a little time to ask the right questions. Not only will you make a better decision for having done so, but you will feel more confident in the decision you made and be better informed about the situation, and the results you can expect.

Good leaders are always looking for a way to gain a new edge. Any tool that can help you be more effective is welcome. One tool you may not have considered that has the potential to bring you great benefits is taking advantage of the guidance you can gain from having a personal leadership coach.

Personal coaching is new to a lot of leaders, but the concept has been around for a number of years. Personal coaches use their experience and skill to help executives and business owners develop into the leader they wish to become. Professional coaches can offer a fresh perspective and new ideas on how to handle the challenges you face in your business life.

How Do I Find a Coach That’s Right for Me?

Choosing the right coach is important to ensuring a successful partnership. Look for a coach that has a style similar to yours, but be sure he or she has some differences from your personal style, as well. We can always learn from those who handle issues differently than ourselves.

You might start by looking for a coach that specializes in an area where you have interest. Interview several coaches before choosing one. Don’t worry; they are accustomed to this process, and want to ensure a compatible fit as much as you do.

How Does the Process Work?

Your initial coaching session will be much like an interview, where the coach will want to learn about what you plan to get from the coaching process. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you face and where you would like to see growth. Your coach may also ask you to take some personal assessments to better understand you and your style.

Over the course of the relationship, you may have face to face meetings or talk over the phone. Keep a list of issues or things you want to discuss between meetings. Your coach will likely recommend articles and books for you to read that he or she has found valuable for others facing similar challenges.

Be prepared to evaluate the relationship in an ongoing way. Do your part to follow your coach’s advice, but be honest about what does and does not work. Over time, your coach should become better and better at helping you as you work together.

Many leaders have found personal coaching to be a valuable tool in developing themselves and growing their business. Even a few sessions of personal coaching may be just the help you need to move yourself, and your business, forward by leaps and bounds!