In 1500 words or less, each post will give you something you can use TODAY to build yourself, your people and your organization whether your organization is a "for-profit" or a "not-for-profit."
Managers and supervisors do not earn their money when everything is running smoothly. Managers and supervisors earn their money when everything is going to shit.
With apologies to Rudyard Kipling, “If you can keep your head while all those about you are losing their minds, then you are truly blessed.”
Solving issues is a learned skill, a process combined with an open perspective will give you a key competitive edge.
Nothing about difficult situations and angry people is ever simple.
Rarely is there one trigger and one solution. Nuance, exceptions, and the lack of anything resembling black and white all are factors in finding solutions to their problems. There is never just one or two sides to a story, there are usually forty-two sides!
This post is about a process, the tools, and the training required to anticipate, avoid, and ultimately how to deal with these situations when they occur.
Have you ever tried to reinvent yourself only to have people tell you that it’s too bad your skills aren’t broader or more applicable to the opportunity they have?
A famous racecar driver once said that races are won by how fast you get through the corners, not how fast you go in a straight line. Many organizations focus on the flash and sizzle of their worlds, ignoring at their peril the routine and perceived “basic” things. Failure to acknowledge and overcome Organizational Vulnerabilities are the things that will cause your team to fail.
IS THE CUSTOMER OR CLIENT ALWAYS RIGHT?
Of course not. Should every customer/client be treated fairly, with dignity, with respect, and should they always get value for their time and money? YES, every time.
It is a simple rule.
For profit or not-for-profit, many organizations do not properly utilize meetings as a tool for communication. Many times meetings are not effective because the three simple rules of meetings are forgotten.
Many small and medium-sized organizations do not have a human resources person or department. This very important function can be just one more very important function that one of the organization’s senior people does along with their other important functions.
Being a good leader doesn’t have anything to do with titles.
Being a good leader is about respect.
Respect is earned.
Retail, manufacturing, non-profit, charity: it doesn’t matter the field of endeavour, we’ve said this or know people who have said it. These people are super-dedicated, high-achievers, passionate about what they do and stubbornly refuse to admit that they are completely wrong. Anyone who consistently works these kinds of hours, either does so because they want to or because they can’t (or won’t) delegate.
Your organization will be stronger when people are encouraged to contribute what they really think and to help the organization avoid mistakes. By developing and listening to your associates, good people will want to join your team. Your organization will grow past the point that it would have if you were the only one driving ideas.