Be Effective

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

Is the relationship between age and leadership the right question?  I don’t know about you, but I want effective leaders in commerce, government and not-for-profits.  In some environments, that may mean a twenty something, but in others, it may mean a fifty-something.  The financial challenges facing many organizations, possibly yours, would seem to underscore the need for the experience of a veteran.  However, the innovation of a young, passionate creative-type may be required to cast new vision and lead the enterprise into new opportunities and lines of business.  Conversely,  the hot new technology developed by a passionate innovator could also demand experience to help manage growth and navigate familiar obstacles.

It is likely a cocktail of the two (or likely more) ingredients seeking the perfect blend to be effective.  The responsibility of determining effectiveness rests squarely on the shoulders of owners, stakeholders, and managers to set expectations and then collaborate to find the perfect blend.  Be creative and set vision, but don’t forget the responsibility to be diligent.

Posted in Do the Right Thing, General, High Capacity - High Performance, Management | Tagged , , ,

Remember Why You Do The Things You Do

Posted on November 23, 2011 by

Do you have too much time on your hands?

If you are leading in today’s environment, then it is unlikely that you can answer in the affirmative.  Even if you can, its probably only “for now” since events and circumstances move so fast.

When the pattern fills and there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day then you have to channel your best energy to the things that matter the most.

Set goals, be thankful, and remember why you do the things you do.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in High Capacity - High Performance, Management, Organization | Tagged ,

Do you know how to find the right hat?

Posted on October 26, 2011 by

Build a good hat rack.

Much has been written and discussed about the need for entrepreneurs to wear many different hats, e.g., sell, ship, hire, build partnerships, raise money, manage legal and accounting professionals, read a blog, write a blog, etc.  That’s old news.  The challenge comes in learning to manage the clutter of the hats.

I think we sometimes wish we could walk into our offices and find a neat, clean desk like the one in a model home or maybe an advertisement for the wireless world.  I also think we should get over it.  Your desk, laptop, tablet, or phone all serve as your metaphorical hat rack.  Find the collection that serves you best.  Then, organize in such a way that allows you to shift quickly between tasks, ramp up productivity, and wear the hats to your advantage.

Build your hat rack by establishing a work space, using a smart phone and key apps, and syncing devices.  Names, numbers, and addresses should be at your finger tips.  Get productive.  Stay productive.  And, please understand organization is a process not a destination.

Posted in General, High Capacity - High Performance, Management, Organization | Tagged

Trust Your Teammates

Posted on October 17, 2011 by

You have a logistics problem.  You can’t be in two places at the same time.

But, like all good leaders, you have a solution to the problem.  You are part of a team.  So, choose to be in the best place and then rely on your colleague(s) for support.

We say we believe in the team and that nothing significant can be accomplished alone; but, we sometimes forget to rely upon our team.  We knew the secret in college when we missed a lecture and asked whomever we believed to be the best “note taker” to share her notes.  It works.  And sometimes, it might work even better when we ask others for their interpretation of the events we miss.  We discover nuances and perceptions that actually help us more than we if we had participated ourselves.  Be diligent to plan and be discerning where you place yourself and then trust the outcome.

Go Team!

Posted in General, Management, Organization

Double Fisted Leadership

Posted on October 7, 2011 by

Stay positive.  I started racing triathlons a few years ago and I’ve learned a lot about myself, about a new community of people, and the technical advantages of better equipment.  One of the most important lessons is that whatever your race or distance, there will be challenges.  Again, from yourself, your wonderful tribe, or your equipment. So, you must stay positive and deal with the present while keeping the goal in mind.

The parallels are numerous.  Challenges come your way everyday and the need is the same.  You must clench with both hands the two-pronged belief that you can solve today’s crisis through the filter of the long-term goal for you organization.

Get the right people, use the right tools, seek the best available information, and keep the faith.

Posted in General, High Capacity - High Performance, Management, Skills | Tagged

Who’s afraid of a little math?

Posted on October 3, 2011 by

I know many people like to claim they are not math people.  What does that mean?  How much of a “free pass” do we give people who make such claims?  Nobody, except those who are most definitely “math people” are being asked to do high level math in their daily walk.  We should be comfortable working simple problems.

In today’s debit card world people carry very little cash and make relatively small purchases with a swipe.  They will pay if you keep it simple.  Cash register problems are not isolated events in this world.  A technology glitch likely means a payment glitch where clerks who are not “math people” send customers out the door without paying for their sandwich combo.  But, what if the clerk knows how to use old school tools like a calculator (or knows how to punch the card numbers into the machine instead of swiping).  I know, I know, he would actually have to enter the price of each sandwich or beverage and then total the items and multiply to add sales tax (and would actually have to know the sales tax percentage).  But, if he knows how to do that, then he will actually sell the merchandise instead of being so frazzled that he sends customers out the door with a free lunch.  Everybody’s smart phone probably has a built-in calculator function. And sure, I agree that customer service is of paramount importance, but if you keep it simple, the customer is more comfortable paying and appreciates the display of competence.

I have encountered the same circus around simple fractions and ten percent discounts. Math offers real answers in our amorphous world of relative thinking and personal opinions.  Embrace its often simple and single solutions.  Hire better and don’t be afraid to be a math person.

Posted in General, Management, Skills | Tagged

Choose Wisdom…Do the Work

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

You likely lead people of all generations.  Whom do you respect?  Are they wise, foolish, evil, younger or older than you?

You have a timeless responsibility to gain understanding and to move your organization toward its goals.  Leaders seek wisdom that will set both vision and daily agenda.  You must discern whom you trust and from whom you will learn.  Surround yourself with those people because you certainly are not looking for foolish or evil partners.  And, age often will not matter.

Wisdom is the first step.  We are universally asked to love our neighbor, treat others as we would like to be treated, and forgive one another.  Do such things and build on that foundation, then choose wisely and go further.  Seek achievement, productivity, and take on big challenges to complete the work before you with excellence.  You and the organization (and its beneficiaries) will thrive.

Posted in Do the Right Thing, General, Governance, High Capacity - High Performance | Tagged , ,