Top 5 Things Employees Want & Need to Hear from Management

As a leader here are TOP 5 THINGS TO DELIVER TO YOUR EMPLOYEES

1.  Where are we going?

2.  What will it look like when we get there?

3.  What difference are we making?

4.  Why is it important for you to be there?

5.  Why should we help you get there? 


This is all about creating a clear and defined Vision & Mission for your firm.  And then making sure that your team is clearly aligned with this Vision. 

This is provided by Vistage Speaker, Holly Green.  Managing Director of   www.thehumanfactor.biz


         Read more details at:      http://bit.ly/SKIEj6

PEERNOVATION - How to Get It!!

Innovation can be viewed as creativity realized!!  And outside influences can help you think in different and creative ways. 

Here are some parameters to generate innovation:

  1.  Destination  - know where are you headed

  2.  Confidence  - in your ability to get there

  3.  Craft your own solution  - must come from within you 

Read more by  clicking here    Expand your contacts and ideas to outside your Industry. 

4 Leadership Lessons from the Founding Fathers!!

Can we still learn about leadership from our founding fathers?  Here are 4 Leadership Lessons that appear timeless. 

Margaret Mead said:   “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”   Imagine what this could do to change your company. 

The lessons are:

  The courage of convictions

  The Sanctity of sacrifice

  The fulfillment of faith

  The power of purpose 

Read the article from Fast Company by    clicking here

See how these principles can impact your leadership. 

Innovation: Lessons to be learned from 3M

Who is the most Innovative company?  Likely that most people would say Apple.  Well, do you know that there is a $30 BB firm that has been historically "fostering organic growth  by inventing entirely new, market changing products?"   Yes that firm would be 3M.....the inventor of Post-It pads and Scotch Brands.

How do they do this?  Read more at:      click here   


Their time tested principles include:

      - Dedicated R&D, long-term development and separate from concept to launch efforts

      - Apply and use Open Innovation; host ideation sessions with members of all departments

      - Foster a culture of innovation by allowing team members to take risks in a protected environment

      - Reward and encourage creativity

How many of you use some of these concepts?  You might just want to study more about 3M to apply to your need for Innovation.  

10 Things Great Bosses Do !!

How do you compare?  I recently found this interesting article regarding the 10 Things that Great Bosses Do.  Most seem like common sense....however think about your firm.  How many of your managers would exhibit these traits?

Things like:

  - Entrust their employees with responsibility....and then hold them accountable

  - Behave like a mature adult......genuine and empathetic

  -  Promote a can do / customer service attitude

  -  Work their tail off.....and be hands on, when necessary

  etc. 

Read more at    click here.  

Compare yourself....you may just find some things that need to be changed. 

THE REAL LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM STEVE JOBS

Walter Isaacson, author of the book about Steve Jobs life recently captured the Key Leadership Lessons from Jobs in a recent Harvard Business Review article.  When he asked Jobs about what was he the most proud..... the answer was not any particular product.  It was Apple the Company!! 

Among the key principles were these items:

  Focus
  Simplify
  Take responsibility end to end
  When behind, leapfrog
  Put products before profits
  ..... plus several more

To read the article  click here  

So, do you focus and simplify the items to prioritize in your firm.   Or do you try to do too many things and lose focus? 

INNOVATION IS ABOUT ARGUING....NOT BRAINSTORMING!!

How to argue productively?  Conduct deliberative discourse. 

Interesting idea.  I noticed this concept in a recent article in Fast Company by Daniel Sobol. 

Here is an excerpt:  

we use deliberative discourse--or what we fondly call “Argue. Discuss. Argue. Discuss.” Deliberative discourse was originally articulated in Aristotle’s Rhetoric. It refers to participative and collaborative (but not critique-free) communication. Multiple positions and views are expressed with a shared understanding that everyone is focused on a common goal. There is no hierarchy. It’s not debate because there are no opposing sides trying to “win.” Rather, it’s about working together to solve a problem and create new ideas.
So we argue. And discuss. And argue. A lot. But our process is far from freeform yelling.

Here are five key rules of engagement that we’ve found to yield fruitful sessions and ultimately lead to meaningful ideas.

  1.  No Hierarchy

  2.  Say No,  because

  3.  Diverse perspectives

  4.  Focus on a common goal

  5.  Keep it fun

Read the full article   here