Thursday, November 27, 2008

What Qualties Make Up a Great Leader?




I think there are many different views on what makes a great leader
but I do believe there are some core qualities. Some of those are:





  • Attentiveness vs. Distraction
Showing the worth of a person or task by giving
my undivided concentration
Not just waiting for our turn to talk!
  • Boldness vs. Fearfulness
Confidence that what I have to say or do is true,
right, and just
No more memos to the entire team just to address one persons failure!
  • Compassion vs. Indifference
Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts
of others
It's not about taking care of number one, YOU!
  • Decisiveness vs. Procrastination
The ability to recognize key factors and finalize
difficult decisions
When you come to a fork in the road, take it! Yogi Berra
  • Enthusiasm vs. Apathy
Expressing joy in each task as I give it my
best effort
Stop with the soar faces, please!
  • Patience vs. Restlessness
Accepting a difficult situation without giving a
deadline to remove it
Stop stressing out people!

  • Truthfulness vs. Deception
Earning future trust by accurately reporting
past facts
A lie can take a life-time to repair!

Please comment and add your thoughts!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

They say that people join companies and leave managers


This is very much a true fact so it becomes that much more important to ask What makes a great manager?

If you are a manager and you are not asking what makes a great manager, then you are missing out on some key information that will make your job easier and your employees job easier and more fulfilling.

Think of how much easier your job as a manager would be if you could retain key employees and avoid training new employees. If you can win the confidence and respect of your employees by asking and delivering on what makes a great manager you'll have an easier life and your employees will love you for it. So what makes a great manager?


A great manager listens first then responds: Your employees will want to tell you ideas, concerns, information and general day to day chatter. Avoid distractions and interrupting even if you know the answer let your employee have their say. Even if you are prepared to disagree, let your employee finish their communication. People have a natural drive to be heard and allowing employees to finish their statements goes a long way in building respect.


A great manager recognizes positive actions and efforts: When your employees complete something successfully or show initiative recognize it. This take discipline as its easy enough just to see what's been done and say to yourself "good". If you notice that turn it around and thank your employee for that accomplishment. Many who know what makes a great manager know that most employees are not motivated by sheer money. They need recognition even if it is not public. Great managers know that employees feed off acknowledgment that their job is being done well.


A Great Manager Shares The Wealth: Many managers receive bonus compensation based on the efforts of their team members. If as a manager you are compensated based on the efforts of others reward them each time you receive your bonus. Take them to lunch on "you" so they know you appreciate how their efforts contribute to your own paycheck.


A Great Manager Sets Clear Expectations: Employees should always know what you expect of them. One of the easiest ways to do this is to set deliverable milestones for each employee over a set period of time. Then review the employees performance vs. the milestone or deliverable and discuss ways to improve or congratulate them on a job well done and set new goals.


A Great Manager Provides A Road Map To Success: One of the key things a great manager can do is lay out a roadmap for your employee to follow to be a success. In addition to one on one meetings, a great manager should sit down at least six months prior to a performance review to explain where the employee is at and find out where they want to be and work out a way to get there. Some employees may be satisfied with "good" performance, some will want to achieve a performance review that is above average. It is critical to assist those wanting to outperform with a road map to do so. This can be challenging but is key to developing outstanding employees.


FROM GREATMANAGER.NET

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Can Managers Really Evaluate Their Leadership Today?


In today's market place many managers could care less about evaluating their performance as a leader. There are also managers that would like to receive an honest evaluation, they are just not sure how to get an "accurate" picture.
The days of sitting with your people and asking them these types of questions are over. (here are just a few)
  • are you fulfilled in what you do?
  • am I helping you to reach your full potential?
  • do you believe I care about you as a person?
  • what can I do to your work environment better?
A powerful book titled "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" states that the foundational dysfunction is a "LACK OF TRUST."
People are tired of being burned after sharing what was on their heart.

Character First! has developed a really neat anonymous way to accomplish what we once took for granted. Their survey is a simple and quick way to ask your people some tough questions.

I sure hope you will take time and try this out.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

State of Jalisco Planning to Become a City of Character


Guadalajara is a welcoming city in the state of Jalisco.







We are excited to assist state government in their pursuit of a community of good character.



The architecture is beautiful and the food out of this world.










Government leadership is excited and ready to get started.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Leadership 101

Well folks, I am back from my Mexico trip and thought I would share a few thoughts that I connected during my trip. I will finish the photo montage in my next post.

Here are the keys to becoming a great leader.
  1. Expect good character from yourself
  2. Fix your faults as soon as you can. We all have character failures (i.e. mistakes) and it is what we do with those failures that makes us a man or woman of integrity. You will also need a solid friend, spouse, or colleague that can share your blind spots,
  3. Learn to appreciate good character in others. Celebrating right choices is a lost art. Typically we share encouraging words after a person dies. Many eulogies are smack full of encouraging stories of a persons character. Sadly, the one needing to hear these words the most is buried under a lot of dirt. We MUST celebrate when they are alive.
  4. Return to number one on a daily basis. Sometimes this is required moment-by-moment.
These key points kept surfacing as I presented in Mexico City, Pachuca, and Guadalajara. I was compelled to share them with you.