Tough projects, aggressive goals, limited resources and huge roadblocks are always getting in the way of your success. Plus you have to deal with managing the attitudes, actions, and behaviors of a team? Geez!
Over the years, I have developed the following guidelines that I have found to be successful while managing and coaching teams. If you are not already using these, go ahead and TRY them. I promise you will create a winning team!
1. Define roles and responsibilities. Not only do people want a clear understanding of where they fit in, but they also want others to know what they do and vice versa. Provide clarity when lines of responsibility become blurred.
2. Recognize strengths and capitalize on them. Allow and encourage rising stars to go above and beyond. Motivate employees by leveraging their strengths. Acknowledge accomplishments!
3. Provide focus, alignment and get buy-in. Employees who take part in creating a plan, own it. Ensure that goals are realistic and focus the team on the actions that will make the biggest difference to results. Above all else, make sure team is aligned under common goals.
4. Hold people accountable. People want to know that the leader will make tough decisions when others don’t play by the rules or uphold their commitments. Determine and enforce what is acceptable and what is not. Be fair and consistent.
5. Walk the talk. Provide clarity and understanding of your mission. Live it and get others excited and proud to be a part of it. Enthusiasm is contagious.
6. Communicate, communicate, and communicate. Be open and honest in all communications. Prompt discussions and share information from the top down and the bottom up. And don’t forget to LISTEN!
7. Give opportunities to influence, impact and make a difference. In today's fast-paced world, to be effective, you need to know how to adapt to and drive change. Allow others to develop ideas to improve, evolve and innovate.
8. Set a good example. Strong leaders are good mentors and coaches to their teams. Employees want to learn and grow. Pass on your knowledge, learnings and always remember the golden rule “do to others what you would like to be done to you".
9. Be authentic no matter what your strengths or personality traits. Employees know when you are NOT being REAL. It’s okay to human, but also remember that a strong leader will always keep the best interest of the organization top of mind.
10. Trust and encourage your team. Empower your employees and give them the autonomy they need to achieve results.
Any other tips, suggestions, ideas you want to share with others? Let's help each other experience the rewards of being a strong and successful leader!
For additional help in developing a strong team and driving results, email donna.king@bestyearyet.com to learn about the Best Year Yet Programs.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Trying to Grow? Give up Control
Leaders who micromanage do a disservice to their companies, their employees, and themselves; worse yet, they are often preventing their companies from growing. If you are struggling to grow your company or unit, one of the smartest things you can do is give up control. Here's how:
Push decision making down. If you're making all the decisions, you're only holding your company back. Push decision making down to the lowest level possible.
Accept that mistakes will happen. Sharing responsibility with others means things don't always go according to plan. Prepare your employees to avoid mistakes by being clear about your expectations and giving them the tools they need to do their jobs well.
Build your bench. Making yourself comfortable with giving up control requires having people you believe in. Invest both your time and resources to develop your star employees. Provide training, coaching and development and will PAY forward!
Develop a unified team. Leading a team to success means creating alignment under unified goals and a strong vision. Encourage an open forum of dialogue, and empower the team to take action towards the goals that will make the biggest difference to delivering company results.
Interested in individual, team or company-wide programs to develop your talent and maximize your resources? Learn more about the Best Year Yet Programs offered by Results Coaching. Email Donna.king@bestyearyet.com
Adapted from "Are You the Bottleneck in Your Organization?" by Brett Martin and Thanos Papadimitriou Harvard Business review
Push decision making down. If you're making all the decisions, you're only holding your company back. Push decision making down to the lowest level possible.
Accept that mistakes will happen. Sharing responsibility with others means things don't always go according to plan. Prepare your employees to avoid mistakes by being clear about your expectations and giving them the tools they need to do their jobs well.
Build your bench. Making yourself comfortable with giving up control requires having people you believe in. Invest both your time and resources to develop your star employees. Provide training, coaching and development and will PAY forward!
Develop a unified team. Leading a team to success means creating alignment under unified goals and a strong vision. Encourage an open forum of dialogue, and empower the team to take action towards the goals that will make the biggest difference to delivering company results.
Interested in individual, team or company-wide programs to develop your talent and maximize your resources? Learn more about the Best Year Yet Programs offered by Results Coaching. Email Donna.king@bestyearyet.com
Adapted from "Are You the Bottleneck in Your Organization?" by Brett Martin and Thanos Papadimitriou Harvard Business review
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
How Aligned is Your Team?
Take a moment to think about your team.
Consider each of the following statements and then rate your team as follows: 1 = never 2 = rarely 3 = about half the time 4 = most of the time 5 = all the time
1. We have a strategic plan and we're making progress on it.
1 2 3 4 5
2. Members of the team are open and honest with one another.
1 2 3 4 5
3. We work well together.
1 2 3 4 5
4. We know what our priorities are.
1 2 3 4 5
5. You can count on us to stick to our priorities.
1 2 3 4 5
6. When we agree to something in a meeting, we all demonstrate this decision outside the room.
1 2 3 4 5
7. We are one another's biggest fans - we each have the full support of the team.
1 2 3 4 5
8. The team puts the goals and needs of the team ahead of our personal agenda.
1 2 3 4 5
Add your responses to determine your Total Score ___
Total score is 8 - 15
Your team has a lot of work to do. When you're faced with a situation such as yours, it's almost impossible to achieve good results or deliver your promises. Perhaps yours is a new team which is just getting started. But maybe you've been at it for a long time and there's more baggage under the table than out in the open. In either case, get to work soon.
Best Year Yet is designed to get issues out in the open and to make sure everyone is heard in the process. Most importantly you need a Strategic Plan to focus and motivate your people. During the Best Year Yet Workshop there are Ground Rules to ensure an environment of safety and good common sense. The team works on its Lessons, puts the hidden issues to rest and then aligns on their Strategic Plan for the next 12 months. But it doesn't stop there. The team Best Year Yet day is followed by a half day in which each member of your team creates his personal strategic plan incorporating personal and professional goals aligned with the team plan. Each month we meet to make sure that everyone is doing their part to achieve the plan, make needed corrections and then move on developing new behaviors and producing a new level of results.
Total score is 16 - 24
Your team is doing better than some. But, as you know, it's difficult to work in an atmosphere in which trust and co-operation are lacking. It's impossible to generate real growth in the absence of a Strategic Plan. It is possible to transform your business, to raise this score and to become a top company again. But until there is FOCUS, ALIGNMENT and MOTIVATION, you're not going to move forward.Best Year Yet is designed to get hidden issues out in the open while making sure everyone is heard in the process. During the Workshop there are Ground Rules to ensure an environment of safety and good common sense. The team works on its Lessons, puts the hidden issues to rest and aligns on their Strategic Plan for the next 12 months. And we don't stop until there is genuine ALIGNMENT and enthusiasm for the plan. But it doesn't stop there. The team Best Year Yet day is followed by a half day in which each member of your team creates his personal strategic plan incorporating personal and professional goals aligned with the team plan. Each month we'll meet to make sure that everyone is doing their part to achieve the plan, make needed corrections and then move forward developing new behaviors and producing a new level of results.
Total score is 25 - 32
We strongly recommend that you consider the Best Year Yet program to accomplish this next step. The workshop and follow-up process are designed to get these issues out in the open while making sure everyone is heard. During the Workshop there are Ground Rules to ensure an environment of safety and good common sense. The team works on its lessons, puts the hidden issues to rest and aligns on their Strategic Plan for the next 12 months. And we don't stop until everyone is ALIGNED with this plan. But it doesn't stop there. The team Best Year Yet day is followed by a half day in which each member of your team creates his personal strategic plan incorporating personal and professional goals aligned with the team plan. Each month we'll meet to make sure that everyone is doing their part to achieve the plan, make needed corrections and then move on developing new behaviors and producing a new level of results.
Total score is 33 - 40
Congratulations! Your team is near peak performance. You have a gift, so do your best to appreciate it and use it. But don't get complacent. If you've achieved so much already, imagine what's possible. And no business in the current economic environment can afford to relax for a minute. If you choose to use the Best Year Yet program, you'll give yourself the best possible chance to reach new levels of performance and enjoyment. Given your current development, this could be perfect for you. It takes only one day to define your next set of lessons, rid yourselves of limiting assumptions and ALIGN on your next mountain to climb! But it doesn't stop there. The team Best Year Yet day is followed by a half day in which each member of your team creates his or her personal strategic plan incorporating personal and professional goals aligned with the team plan. Each month we'll meet to make sure that everyone is doing their part to achieve the plan, make needed corrections and then move on developing new behaviors and producing a new level of result.
For more information on the benefits of the Best Year Yet individual, team and organization-wide Programs, contact donna.king@bestyearyet.com.
Consider each of the following statements and then rate your team as follows: 1 = never 2 = rarely 3 = about half the time 4 = most of the time 5 = all the time
1. We have a strategic plan and we're making progress on it.
1 2 3 4 5
2. Members of the team are open and honest with one another.
1 2 3 4 5
3. We work well together.
1 2 3 4 5
4. We know what our priorities are.
1 2 3 4 5
5. You can count on us to stick to our priorities.
1 2 3 4 5
6. When we agree to something in a meeting, we all demonstrate this decision outside the room.
1 2 3 4 5
7. We are one another's biggest fans - we each have the full support of the team.
1 2 3 4 5
8. The team puts the goals and needs of the team ahead of our personal agenda.
1 2 3 4 5
Add your responses to determine your Total Score ___
Total score is 8 - 15
Your team has a lot of work to do. When you're faced with a situation such as yours, it's almost impossible to achieve good results or deliver your promises. Perhaps yours is a new team which is just getting started. But maybe you've been at it for a long time and there's more baggage under the table than out in the open. In either case, get to work soon.
Best Year Yet is designed to get issues out in the open and to make sure everyone is heard in the process. Most importantly you need a Strategic Plan to focus and motivate your people. During the Best Year Yet Workshop there are Ground Rules to ensure an environment of safety and good common sense. The team works on its Lessons, puts the hidden issues to rest and then aligns on their Strategic Plan for the next 12 months. But it doesn't stop there. The team Best Year Yet day is followed by a half day in which each member of your team creates his personal strategic plan incorporating personal and professional goals aligned with the team plan. Each month we meet to make sure that everyone is doing their part to achieve the plan, make needed corrections and then move on developing new behaviors and producing a new level of results.
Total score is 16 - 24
Your team is doing better than some. But, as you know, it's difficult to work in an atmosphere in which trust and co-operation are lacking. It's impossible to generate real growth in the absence of a Strategic Plan. It is possible to transform your business, to raise this score and to become a top company again. But until there is FOCUS, ALIGNMENT and MOTIVATION, you're not going to move forward.Best Year Yet is designed to get hidden issues out in the open while making sure everyone is heard in the process. During the Workshop there are Ground Rules to ensure an environment of safety and good common sense. The team works on its Lessons, puts the hidden issues to rest and aligns on their Strategic Plan for the next 12 months. And we don't stop until there is genuine ALIGNMENT and enthusiasm for the plan. But it doesn't stop there. The team Best Year Yet day is followed by a half day in which each member of your team creates his personal strategic plan incorporating personal and professional goals aligned with the team plan. Each month we'll meet to make sure that everyone is doing their part to achieve the plan, make needed corrections and then move forward developing new behaviors and producing a new level of results.
Total score is 25 - 32
We strongly recommend that you consider the Best Year Yet program to accomplish this next step. The workshop and follow-up process are designed to get these issues out in the open while making sure everyone is heard. During the Workshop there are Ground Rules to ensure an environment of safety and good common sense. The team works on its lessons, puts the hidden issues to rest and aligns on their Strategic Plan for the next 12 months. And we don't stop until everyone is ALIGNED with this plan. But it doesn't stop there. The team Best Year Yet day is followed by a half day in which each member of your team creates his personal strategic plan incorporating personal and professional goals aligned with the team plan. Each month we'll meet to make sure that everyone is doing their part to achieve the plan, make needed corrections and then move on developing new behaviors and producing a new level of results.
Total score is 33 - 40
Congratulations! Your team is near peak performance. You have a gift, so do your best to appreciate it and use it. But don't get complacent. If you've achieved so much already, imagine what's possible. And no business in the current economic environment can afford to relax for a minute. If you choose to use the Best Year Yet program, you'll give yourself the best possible chance to reach new levels of performance and enjoyment. Given your current development, this could be perfect for you. It takes only one day to define your next set of lessons, rid yourselves of limiting assumptions and ALIGN on your next mountain to climb! But it doesn't stop there. The team Best Year Yet day is followed by a half day in which each member of your team creates his or her personal strategic plan incorporating personal and professional goals aligned with the team plan. Each month we'll meet to make sure that everyone is doing their part to achieve the plan, make needed corrections and then move on developing new behaviors and producing a new level of result.
For more information on the benefits of the Best Year Yet individual, team and organization-wide Programs, contact donna.king@bestyearyet.com.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Play the Game!
Producing Results is one of the most amazing experience of life! It doesn't matter if it is reaching a financial goal, getting that promotion, landing a huge sale, losing weight, exercising, writing a book, doing yoga everyday or hitting your fund raising target! If you measure it, you can make it happen by playing the game.
Here are the ONLY rules of the game:
Know exactly what you want!
Know exactly how you’re doing – always!
That’s all there is to playing the game. Just following these two rules with as much focus and discipline as you can possible manage.
Know exactly what you want
For example, if the sales target for your business is $5,000 a month, you already know exactly what you want! So you’re following the first rule.
Now say it’s the 10th of the month, and you know your sales so far are 1,500 exactly. You’re also following the second rule.
Know exactly what you want. $5,000 a month in sales
Know exactly how you’re doing – always! $1,500
Sometimes the first rule takes a while because we haven't taken the time to figure out the exact target. We may say "more money" or "more enrollments" "more exercise". That's natural--- we all want more these days, don't we? Problem is that's not playing the game, and it doesn't lead to producing the results you want and need.
Start playing the game with just one result until you get the hang of it. Take the time to choose the target-- exactly what you want! It can be a bit of a stretch because that always adds to the excitement and thrill of achievement when you get there. Up to you. If you work with others, get together and decide your exact target.
The second rule is a bit trickier because there are some strong limiting beliefs that keep us from following this one:
I'm afraid what I'll find out when I check -- better not to know.
Who's got time to stop and figure out exactly where I am.
I think were probably at about $2,000, not sure.
I've got more urgent things to do now.
Notice those beliefs and then just grab yourself by the collar and move to task of finding out exactly how you are doing.
Above all, don't forget the "always" part. Keep your records up to date so that you're always following the second rule. If your boss was to call you in the middle of the night and ask you "how much money have we raised to date?" would you be able to say exactly how you are doing?
Now for the FUN part...
Make the game FUN to play. Design a game to track exactly what you want and exactly how you are doing. Be creative --- charts, pictures, board games. Add some friendly competition and see what happens. Amazing how well you do when you are seeing your own progress and you have some positive peer pressure!
Adapted from article written by Jinny Ditzler, founder of BEST YEAR YET PROGRAM
For more information on personal, team and organization-wide programs email donna.king@bestyearyet.com.BEST YEAR YET will help you close the gap between planning and performance! You can be focused, aligned, and producing results, year after year!
Here are the ONLY rules of the game:
Know exactly what you want!
Know exactly how you’re doing – always!
That’s all there is to playing the game. Just following these two rules with as much focus and discipline as you can possible manage.
Know exactly what you want
For example, if the sales target for your business is $5,000 a month, you already know exactly what you want! So you’re following the first rule.
Now say it’s the 10th of the month, and you know your sales so far are 1,500 exactly. You’re also following the second rule.
Know exactly what you want. $5,000 a month in sales
Know exactly how you’re doing – always! $1,500
Sometimes the first rule takes a while because we haven't taken the time to figure out the exact target. We may say "more money" or "more enrollments" "more exercise". That's natural--- we all want more these days, don't we? Problem is that's not playing the game, and it doesn't lead to producing the results you want and need.
Start playing the game with just one result until you get the hang of it. Take the time to choose the target-- exactly what you want! It can be a bit of a stretch because that always adds to the excitement and thrill of achievement when you get there. Up to you. If you work with others, get together and decide your exact target.
The second rule is a bit trickier because there are some strong limiting beliefs that keep us from following this one:
I'm afraid what I'll find out when I check -- better not to know.
Who's got time to stop and figure out exactly where I am.
I think were probably at about $2,000, not sure.
I've got more urgent things to do now.
Notice those beliefs and then just grab yourself by the collar and move to task of finding out exactly how you are doing.
Above all, don't forget the "always" part. Keep your records up to date so that you're always following the second rule. If your boss was to call you in the middle of the night and ask you "how much money have we raised to date?" would you be able to say exactly how you are doing?
Now for the FUN part...
Make the game FUN to play. Design a game to track exactly what you want and exactly how you are doing. Be creative --- charts, pictures, board games. Add some friendly competition and see what happens. Amazing how well you do when you are seeing your own progress and you have some positive peer pressure!
Adapted from article written by Jinny Ditzler, founder of BEST YEAR YET PROGRAM
For more information on personal, team and organization-wide programs email donna.king@bestyearyet.com.BEST YEAR YET will help you close the gap between planning and performance! You can be focused, aligned, and producing results, year after year!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
10 tips on gaining confidence in yourself!
We are all human and have flaws. Even if your physical appearance, unique personality, or social skills aren't what you wish they were, that doesn't have to stop you from being confident. You are beautiful inside and out so you should love yourself unconditionally. The following are some tips on how to be confident and believe in yourself.
1.Make a list of special talents you have, or things you do that are good; morally or otherwise. Focusing on your attributes helps distract you from those parts of yourself that you think are flawed. It doesn't have to be a specific skill or activity either; it can be an approach or an attitude that you champion through life. Do you always make it to meetings early? Are you a very patient teacher? Do you always see the positive side of things? Are you always there for your family?
2.Find your passion. Whether it's kickboxing, music, art, or coaching, you will feel confident pursuing that endeavor by recognizing what you enjoy doing the most. More importantly, you'll be enjoying your progress.
3.Live your values. Identify your fundamental beliefs and work towards living the values that are important to YOU! Choose a role model, whether someone close to you, or someone famous. Think of the qualities and values that the role model displays, whether physical, moral, and/or spiritual. Develop those.
4.Don't think about yourself too much. Try not to focus negatively on how you come across or how others may perceive you. Instead, focus more on making other people happy and that will build your confidence as other people start enjoying your company.
5.Know that you have important things to say and do. When you feel strongly about something, speak loudly and clearly and make eye contact with people. Be yourself. Accept compliments gracefully. Don't roll your eyes and say, "Yeah, right". Take it to heart and respond positively with a "Thank you" and a smile.
6.Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet. Don't abuse your body, don't overload it, and don't deny it any of the things it needs. At the same time, don't obsess. Buying all the latest “miracle products” and makeup will not bring you closer to whom you want to be. Confidence comes from within. Take the time to reflect on your life and do some emotional maintenance. In order to be truly confident, you absolutely must value yourself and understand that your well-being is important.
7.Work out. This is a real fast change. Go to the gym, walk, stretch! Gain awareness of who you are, and not to be afraid of it. That's the real confidence. Getting exercise can boost your confidence amazingly. Not only will it give you more energy throughout the day, but being in good shape will make you feel more "confident" to talk to others.
8.Stick up for yourself. If people put you down (and not in a good-natured, joking way), then let them know that their opinion of you is not held by everyone—most of all yourself. This may, at first, be hard to do. But once you stick up for yourself a few times, your confidence builds and you get more adept at it.
9.Celebrate your individuality. If you know you've got something special or different, then embrace it; don't hide it! You may wish that you were taller, or shorter, skinnier, stronger, whatever the case may be. But you need to realize that, if you were like everyone else, then you wouldn't be who you are. "What am I?" you ask; the answer's easy: You're a unique individual who is capable of growing and learning.
10.Take action. It is surprising how powerful the simple step of taking an action can be. And the action you take need not be something extravagant or grand. It could be something as simple as tackling a task that you have been procrastinating, such as writing a letter or tidying up that corner of the garage that has been out of control for the last several months. It could also be something as interesting as taking a class in yoga, cooking, gardening, learn French, anything that interests you that you haven't done yet. Whether large or small, business or personal, action brings on exhilaration, enthusiasm, and the confidence that other things can be done as well.
Believe in who you are!
Best to YOU,
Donna King
For information on personal Best Year Yet Program and coaching contact donna.king@bestyearyet.com Want to create a plan that you can track online" Its Easy! Register here.
1.Make a list of special talents you have, or things you do that are good; morally or otherwise. Focusing on your attributes helps distract you from those parts of yourself that you think are flawed. It doesn't have to be a specific skill or activity either; it can be an approach or an attitude that you champion through life. Do you always make it to meetings early? Are you a very patient teacher? Do you always see the positive side of things? Are you always there for your family?
2.Find your passion. Whether it's kickboxing, music, art, or coaching, you will feel confident pursuing that endeavor by recognizing what you enjoy doing the most. More importantly, you'll be enjoying your progress.
3.Live your values. Identify your fundamental beliefs and work towards living the values that are important to YOU! Choose a role model, whether someone close to you, or someone famous. Think of the qualities and values that the role model displays, whether physical, moral, and/or spiritual. Develop those.
4.Don't think about yourself too much. Try not to focus negatively on how you come across or how others may perceive you. Instead, focus more on making other people happy and that will build your confidence as other people start enjoying your company.
5.Know that you have important things to say and do. When you feel strongly about something, speak loudly and clearly and make eye contact with people. Be yourself. Accept compliments gracefully. Don't roll your eyes and say, "Yeah, right". Take it to heart and respond positively with a "Thank you" and a smile.
6.Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet. Don't abuse your body, don't overload it, and don't deny it any of the things it needs. At the same time, don't obsess. Buying all the latest “miracle products” and makeup will not bring you closer to whom you want to be. Confidence comes from within. Take the time to reflect on your life and do some emotional maintenance. In order to be truly confident, you absolutely must value yourself and understand that your well-being is important.
7.Work out. This is a real fast change. Go to the gym, walk, stretch! Gain awareness of who you are, and not to be afraid of it. That's the real confidence. Getting exercise can boost your confidence amazingly. Not only will it give you more energy throughout the day, but being in good shape will make you feel more "confident" to talk to others.
8.Stick up for yourself. If people put you down (and not in a good-natured, joking way), then let them know that their opinion of you is not held by everyone—most of all yourself. This may, at first, be hard to do. But once you stick up for yourself a few times, your confidence builds and you get more adept at it.
9.Celebrate your individuality. If you know you've got something special or different, then embrace it; don't hide it! You may wish that you were taller, or shorter, skinnier, stronger, whatever the case may be. But you need to realize that, if you were like everyone else, then you wouldn't be who you are. "What am I?" you ask; the answer's easy: You're a unique individual who is capable of growing and learning.
10.Take action. It is surprising how powerful the simple step of taking an action can be. And the action you take need not be something extravagant or grand. It could be something as simple as tackling a task that you have been procrastinating, such as writing a letter or tidying up that corner of the garage that has been out of control for the last several months. It could also be something as interesting as taking a class in yoga, cooking, gardening, learn French, anything that interests you that you haven't done yet. Whether large or small, business or personal, action brings on exhilaration, enthusiasm, and the confidence that other things can be done as well.
Believe in who you are!
Best to YOU,
Donna King
For information on personal Best Year Yet Program and coaching contact donna.king@bestyearyet.com Want to create a plan that you can track online" Its Easy! Register here.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
4 ways to transform your Toxic workplace!
Heavy workloads, stress, a competitive atmosphere, a few bad seeds — whatever the cause, working in a toxic environment is unpleasant at best and excruciating at worst. Here are three ways you can begin to make positive change:
Start talking. Perform one-on-one, confidential interviews with employees. Give them the space to vent, and then engage them in solving the problems they've raised.
Be helpful, not forceful. Help employees think through the issues, but don't tell them what to do. Allow employees to take personal responsibility for making things better.
Don't just talk — change. Make a pledge to turn complaints into commitments. You gain employees' trust by showing them you are listening and making changes based on what you heard.
Create a partnership within your organization. Managers partnered with staff, enabling commitments to work. Accountability involved ongoing conversations, regular staff meetings, and consistent performance management, creating new habits over time. These behaviors became the "new normal."
Positive workplaces are possible. Are you ready for your Best Year Yet?
The Best Year Yet Program is a highly effective Team planning, execution and performance improvement program that delivers consistent and measurable results. This success implementation system tracks progress towards achieving critical goals throughout the year while helping quickly achieve significant changes in team’s Attitudes, Actions and Accountability. For more information contact donna.king@bestyearyet.com.
Donna King, Results Coach and Best Year Yet Facilitator
Today's tip adapted from "Does Your Office need an Intervention? Harvard Business Review.
Start talking. Perform one-on-one, confidential interviews with employees. Give them the space to vent, and then engage them in solving the problems they've raised.
Be helpful, not forceful. Help employees think through the issues, but don't tell them what to do. Allow employees to take personal responsibility for making things better.
Don't just talk — change. Make a pledge to turn complaints into commitments. You gain employees' trust by showing them you are listening and making changes based on what you heard.
Create a partnership within your organization. Managers partnered with staff, enabling commitments to work. Accountability involved ongoing conversations, regular staff meetings, and consistent performance management, creating new habits over time. These behaviors became the "new normal."
Positive workplaces are possible. Are you ready for your Best Year Yet?
The Best Year Yet Program is a highly effective Team planning, execution and performance improvement program that delivers consistent and measurable results. This success implementation system tracks progress towards achieving critical goals throughout the year while helping quickly achieve significant changes in team’s Attitudes, Actions and Accountability. For more information contact donna.king@bestyearyet.com.
Donna King, Results Coach and Best Year Yet Facilitator
Today's tip adapted from "Does Your Office need an Intervention? Harvard Business Review.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
It's Time to Celebrate! The Results are Worth it!
Finally. It’s 7:00 p.m. and the entire team has worked since 7:00 a.m. to put the final touches on the project you have all been working on for the past month. And it is done. On time. What a relief! It has been a difficult job with many roadblocks but somehow, when push came to shove, you and your team found a way to get it done.
Congratulations!
Now here is the critical question: What will you do next?
Unfortunately, for most of us in this deadline-driven, goal-focused, understaffed and overworked world, the answer is an automatic “Well, I’ll move on to the next project that is behind schedule and off track – as soon as I get a good night’s sleep.”
STOP!!! TIME OUT!!!
You have just ignored a major opportunity to increase your productivity and effectiveness, boost your morale and everyone else’s, and enhance your chances for a promotion, a bonus, or a nice raise when the time comes. You need to celebrate your success!
The celebration of success is becoming an endangered activity as today’s workforce is under more pressure to do more with less. There is less money to spend on recognition and less time to allow for parties, retreats, or time off. But that doesn’t mean we can eliminate celebration from our work cycle. It serves a critical role in the ongoing success of a work team by providing:
• Personal satisfaction
• Enhanced team pride
• Lessons for the future
• Documentation
Personal Satisfaction
Our own morale requires a boost in order to keep going. Taking the time to thank those who contributed to the success of a project provides a sense of satisfaction that one’s efforts have been noticed and recognized. It serves to re-fuel our energy and ensure that we will work together well in the future.
Enhanced Team Pride
A team with a record of success approaches its next project with an enhanced spirit of drive and a conviction of its ability to achieve and exceed its goals. However, success is not success unless it is celebrated as such. Without a celebration, the act of achieving a goal, reaching a deadline, or overcoming an insurmountable obstacle is perceived as “just doing my job.”
Lessons for the Future
An effective celebration should include an analysis of the success. Why did we pull this off? What did we do to make it happen? What specific actions, decisions, interactions, or changes made the difference? This discussion will almost always uncover a few things we SHOULDN’T do again – mistakes we made, wrong turns we took, etc. These too should be acknowledged and recorded, but remember to focus on what went right. Recognizing what worked will help a team repeat its success in the future.
Documentation
It’s kind of like the tree falling in the forest: If a team succeeds and the boss doesn’t know it, was it really a success? It’s important to document any success “for the record.” Be sure employee files are noted, supervisors are informed, and next-level managers hear about the details of the success and the names of those involved. This can even be a very effective part of the celebration itself.
Celebrating on a Shoestring
So how can you celebrate when you have no money and little time? First, by keeping your focus on the four objectives described above: personal satisfaction, enhanced team pride, lessons for the future, and documentation. None of these elements REQUIRE money, and they can be accomplished in a very short time frame. Second, by believing that the time spent in celebration will reap a reward far beyond the hour or two involved. Third, by building celebration into every team plan.
As for specific ideas, here is a short list:
• Hold a celebration meeting (with food, of course) and invite the boss.
• Debrief the group by making a list of “How we did it.”
• Give a hand-written thank you to each team member.
• Send an email to senior management, detailing the success and the individuals involved, and send a copy to the team.
• Make a poster with details of the success. Hang it where team members AND non-team members can see it.
• Post blue ribbons, gold stars, or helium balloons at team members’ workspaces.
Do not discount silly, inexpensive rewards, even for the most highly educated, professional team. Recognition matters. The team knows the financial situation, and if you are sincere, any sign of appreciation means a great deal. A great resource for many more ideas is the book 1001 Ways to Reward Employees by Bob Nelson. However, you will find that once you build celebration into your routine, you and your team will be the best resources for creative ways to celebrate each new success.
So go ahead and get that good night’s sleep, but the first item on your plan for tomorrow is CELEBRATION!
Special THANKS to Karen Morey, my partner, mentor and coach for reminding us of this important lesson in the cycle of productivity.
For information on how the Best Year Yet Program helps individuals, Teams and Organizations achieve success, email donna.king@bestyearyet.com.
Interested in self-coaching ONLINE Success program? Click here
Congratulations!
Now here is the critical question: What will you do next?
Unfortunately, for most of us in this deadline-driven, goal-focused, understaffed and overworked world, the answer is an automatic “Well, I’ll move on to the next project that is behind schedule and off track – as soon as I get a good night’s sleep.”
STOP!!! TIME OUT!!!
You have just ignored a major opportunity to increase your productivity and effectiveness, boost your morale and everyone else’s, and enhance your chances for a promotion, a bonus, or a nice raise when the time comes. You need to celebrate your success!
The celebration of success is becoming an endangered activity as today’s workforce is under more pressure to do more with less. There is less money to spend on recognition and less time to allow for parties, retreats, or time off. But that doesn’t mean we can eliminate celebration from our work cycle. It serves a critical role in the ongoing success of a work team by providing:
• Personal satisfaction
• Enhanced team pride
• Lessons for the future
• Documentation
Personal Satisfaction
Our own morale requires a boost in order to keep going. Taking the time to thank those who contributed to the success of a project provides a sense of satisfaction that one’s efforts have been noticed and recognized. It serves to re-fuel our energy and ensure that we will work together well in the future.
Enhanced Team Pride
A team with a record of success approaches its next project with an enhanced spirit of drive and a conviction of its ability to achieve and exceed its goals. However, success is not success unless it is celebrated as such. Without a celebration, the act of achieving a goal, reaching a deadline, or overcoming an insurmountable obstacle is perceived as “just doing my job.”
Lessons for the Future
An effective celebration should include an analysis of the success. Why did we pull this off? What did we do to make it happen? What specific actions, decisions, interactions, or changes made the difference? This discussion will almost always uncover a few things we SHOULDN’T do again – mistakes we made, wrong turns we took, etc. These too should be acknowledged and recorded, but remember to focus on what went right. Recognizing what worked will help a team repeat its success in the future.
Documentation
It’s kind of like the tree falling in the forest: If a team succeeds and the boss doesn’t know it, was it really a success? It’s important to document any success “for the record.” Be sure employee files are noted, supervisors are informed, and next-level managers hear about the details of the success and the names of those involved. This can even be a very effective part of the celebration itself.
Celebrating on a Shoestring
So how can you celebrate when you have no money and little time? First, by keeping your focus on the four objectives described above: personal satisfaction, enhanced team pride, lessons for the future, and documentation. None of these elements REQUIRE money, and they can be accomplished in a very short time frame. Second, by believing that the time spent in celebration will reap a reward far beyond the hour or two involved. Third, by building celebration into every team plan.
As for specific ideas, here is a short list:
• Hold a celebration meeting (with food, of course) and invite the boss.
• Debrief the group by making a list of “How we did it.”
• Give a hand-written thank you to each team member.
• Send an email to senior management, detailing the success and the individuals involved, and send a copy to the team.
• Make a poster with details of the success. Hang it where team members AND non-team members can see it.
• Post blue ribbons, gold stars, or helium balloons at team members’ workspaces.
Do not discount silly, inexpensive rewards, even for the most highly educated, professional team. Recognition matters. The team knows the financial situation, and if you are sincere, any sign of appreciation means a great deal. A great resource for many more ideas is the book 1001 Ways to Reward Employees by Bob Nelson. However, you will find that once you build celebration into your routine, you and your team will be the best resources for creative ways to celebrate each new success.
So go ahead and get that good night’s sleep, but the first item on your plan for tomorrow is CELEBRATION!
Special THANKS to Karen Morey, my partner, mentor and coach for reminding us of this important lesson in the cycle of productivity.
For information on how the Best Year Yet Program helps individuals, Teams and Organizations achieve success, email donna.king@bestyearyet.com.
Interested in self-coaching ONLINE Success program? Click here
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Celebrate your Successes!
Why is it so hard for us to take the time to celebrate our accomplishments? Why don’t we make the time? Why can’t we can’t drag our focus away from the every day tasks long enough to feel good about what we have done well? Do we think we are so self motivated that we don’t need some silly celebration to recognize our achievements? Sound familiar?
And yet, we pay a price for passing up the chance to feel rewarded. We feel so beaten down that we find it hard to remember the good news of the day, much less a week ago. We find ourselves feeling frustrated, discouraged and unsuccessful. We wonder if anyone even knows how hard we are working. So how can we change our behavior? Be a celebration champion!
With the influence of a disciplined advocate, the rest of the team begins to develop celebration habits also. The champion keeps insisting on asking the “What do you feel GOOD about?” questions, and passes the good news on to others. He/she finds creative ways to celebrate milestone achievements and refuses to accept the excuses others give for skipping out on celebrations. Go ahead! Be the Celebration Champion!
Do you have ideas on how how to celebrate your accomplishments?
And yet, we pay a price for passing up the chance to feel rewarded. We feel so beaten down that we find it hard to remember the good news of the day, much less a week ago. We find ourselves feeling frustrated, discouraged and unsuccessful. We wonder if anyone even knows how hard we are working. So how can we change our behavior? Be a celebration champion!
With the influence of a disciplined advocate, the rest of the team begins to develop celebration habits also. The champion keeps insisting on asking the “What do you feel GOOD about?” questions, and passes the good news on to others. He/she finds creative ways to celebrate milestone achievements and refuses to accept the excuses others give for skipping out on celebrations. Go ahead! Be the Celebration Champion!
Do you have ideas on how how to celebrate your accomplishments?
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