Be a Better Leader Through Self-Reflection

Be a Better Leader Through Self-Reflection

Are you a leader at your workplace, church, or extracurricular activity that you are involved in? Being a leader is such a wonderful attribute to have. You are the one that people can turn to for help, questions, and direction. Not only do you hold the ability to direct, but you do it compassionately.

Sometimes there are moments that we need to stop and do some self-reflecting about our leadership positions that we are in. Whether it be in the workplace or not, there are always ways that we can stop and make changes. Finding the areas that you can be a better leader takes self-reflection.

What Does It Mean To Be A Leader?

If you are considered a leader, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are the one in charge. It just means that you have the capability of encouraging, directing, and organizing while still being compassionate. For the person who is the boss or in charge of a situation, it can be hard to be all of those things at once.

How To Self-Reflect on Your Leadership Skills

To self-reflect, you have to take some time to think back on the events that have happened or are happening. That doesn’t mean the bad times, it means all times. This is going to help you to realize what worked and what didn’t.

During this time you are able to realize where improvements can be made to better a situation. By looking back, you are able to assess what could have changed, with the knowledge you have now. Over time you become aware of newer and better ways to do things.

How Self-Reflecting Can Help You As A Leader

This is extremely beneficial to someone who is in a leadership position, as it will help them to improve if needed. Make note of some areas of this journey, such as:

  • Your Strengths
  • Your Weaknesses
  • Ways That You Reacted
  • Then The Ways You Want To Encourage Others

By reflecting on these areas, you can see if you have been meeting all the areas that you are wanting to. Admitting that you are struggling in an area of your life, doesn’t mean you aren’t doing a good job. You are just admitting that you want to be the best version of you that you can be, and you are willing to make the needed changes to do that.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

How to Sell in a Pandemic Virtual World

How to Sell in a Pandemic Virtual World

Selling virtually is a very common way that many people buy things and have for many years. People are able to sell more to a wider variety of people because there isn’t a need for in-person interactions. The pandemic of 2020 has made virtual sales skyrocket, not to mention the number of people who are selling virtually now instead of in person.

Many businesses through the pandemic have gone home to work, which means that they are still doing their jobs, but from home. Individuals who have meetings and appointments are learning to use virtual ways to still have these meetings. Using sites like Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime. The only downfall that you have to consider is that technical difficulties can be a pain to deal with. But, this has been the way to keep businesses profitable and still stay socially distanced.

How To Do Virtual Sales

It can be hard to transition from in-person sales to virtual sales. When you are so used to being able to have that personal feeling and face-to-face interaction it can be hard to switch it up to a computer screen. You can be just as successful, you may just need to put in a little more effort.

Advertising online and using social media to market your items is a big part of the ways people would sell online before the pandemic and even now. There are more businesses and people using virtual sales now. It is a way for businesses to still keep up their sales even though they are needing to socially distance themselves from people.

How To Be Successful In Virtual Sales

There are so many different areas of the internet that can be utilized when you are selling virtually. Everything from social media, zoom, skype, and websites. There are ways to get the word out and advertise. It is something that you have to stay on top of and keep running.

Selling virtually can be just as successful if not more than in-person sales. You just have to have the right mindset and put your head in the game. Getting people to try your product or items that you are selling and then telling others about it is one of the best ways to boost online sales. Word of mouth is probably one of the most valuable key motivations for people to try a new item.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Improving Memory With A 3 Step Technique

Improving Memory With A 3 Step Technique

It isn’t any fun when you are having trouble with your memory. Even when your memory is great, but you are having a blank moment and struggling. It can drive you crazy. Especially when you are at the store without a written list, but a list that is in your memory.

When you think about the workplace, it is very important to remember the key components of the business. If your memory is lacking when it comes to important information about work, you can start to have some serious problems arise.  There are some things that you can do to try and boost your memory.

  1. Meditation

The brain is a very complex part of the body. It is where so many things within the body occur. It is where your body gets the signals to perform as it should. Take care of your brain and give it what it needs to keep it working at optimum performance.

Meditation is something that is very beneficial to the brain. It can increase blood flow which is so good for brain health. The blood flow that is occurring is going to increase the ability of your memory to retain information.

  1. Train Your Brain

There are so many resources that are available for you to help your brain retain more information. Having a problem remembering things can be frustrating and even embarrassing. One way that you can help yourself is by practicing brain games and techniques.

Look for online resources that you can take advantage of and also mental things that you can do to help. When you choose online availability, they are usually a series of repetitive numbers, letters, or patterns to remember. Mentally you can create sayings, stories, or even patterns that you repeat in your head several times to associate things with.

  1. Sleep Is A Factor In So Many Things For Your Body

When it comes to the body and the different ailments that we experience, you will be so surprised at how many of them are affected by the amount of sleep that we get. Sleep can benefit you in a tremendous number of ways. Even with our memories.

Running on little sleep causes you to be more forgetful and scattered. You don’t have the same amount of concentration and tolerance. When you are well-rested and awake, you are able to think clearer. This will also give you the ability to retain more information.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

3 Hiring Tips For Managers in Today’s World

3 Hiring Tips For Managers in Today’s World

Right now in today’s world, it is extremely hard to be a manager of a business. The worries associates with COVID-19 and all the other craziness going on makes every day challenging. So many people have lost their jobs and are out looking for new ones.

There are so many important things to keep in mind as you continue to bring employees back or starting to hire new ones. With all the uncertainties going on, it can be a lot of stress knowing the right things to do. There are some things you can think about to ease your mind and make it a little easier.

  1. Have A Plan

Before you bring in the potential employee, you should already have a plan in place of what is needed and where they are needed. The size of many companies and businesses is needing to be downsized. When you begin to bring employees back, you don’t want to overwhelm things and bring too many back at one time.

Having a written out description of what you want out of the employee will benefit you greatly. Knowing what you can offer the employee in the benefits package will help when interviewing. The potential employee has expectations just as you do.

  1. Advertise What You Are Looking For

When you have decided exactly who and what you are looking for in the employee that you hire on, it is time to act on it. In today’s world, you have a multitude of ways that you can advertise a job position being needed. If you want to pay for the advertising, there are companies that can help to find the people looking for jobs.

  1. Interview and Hire Your Next Employee

Once you begin to receive resumes, you can start weeding through the ones you want to meet. Deciding on the people that will best fit the position you are needing to fill. Most likely, due to timing, you won’t be able to interview every single person who applies.

It is so easy to preconceive what you want in your mind, trying to get rid of that and see everyone as a blank canvas will help. They may possess the abilities that you didn’t realize you needed. Interviewing people can be intimidating for both parties, and giving them a chance to show you what they can do and offer you may benefit you both.

Do you have some effective hiring tips? Share them today via email. We would appreciate hearing what is working for you.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Major Challenges CEOs Are Facing During The Pandemic

Major Challenges CEOs Are Facing During The Pandemic

The pandemic of 2020 has brought a lot of stress and anxiety for people all over. People owning and running a business are absolutely no exception to that. Trying to stay afloat in a world where people are told to stay home and don’t go shopping unless absolutely necessary.

It is not easy and causes a lot of challenges for keeping a business going. There are many different things the CEO’s are facing right now during this time. Here are a few of the most common challenges that they are facing throughout this uncertain time.

When Is It Safe To Return To Work?

Many places are needing their employees to return to work to keep the business running. Then they have to think about if it is safe. Trying to keep people healthy and safe is the main priority throughout this whole thing. Places who have the ability to work from home are in a little bit better of a situation, but it is still not exactly the same.

What If Someone Tests Positive?

While it has been said people can return to work, the doors are able to be open, precautions are to be taken, you may still have concerns. As the one in charge, it can be hard to make the decisions that you need to about opening the doors.

What happens if someone tests positive? Do we close again, send everyone home, quarantine? Even if all necessary steps have been adhered to, the reality of someone testing positive is a concern. The leadership team has to be prepared for this scenario and have a plan ready to put into action.

Do What You Can To Stay Positive

In these uncertain times keeping up confidence is not an easy task. Employees have just as much stress as those in charge. They’re concerned with their health and the risk of contracting the virus and bringing it home to their families. The future of their jobs is on their minds and many other stressors.

When the morale of a company is high it has been shown over and over that production is also increased. Likewise, when morale is down, production tends to decrease as well. Being a leader is tough even when things are good, but given the current conditions leadership positions are even harder. The key to surviving the CEO world in these times is to just keep moving forward.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Your HR Team Needs Ongoing Training

Your HR Team Needs Ongoing Training

In today’s day and age, the workplace moves just as quickly as the world around it. One of the most efficient ways to boost engagement and retention rates among your employees is continued education. Professional development is growing more and more crucial in today’s workplace. 

Why Is Ongoing Training Important?

According to a recent Gallup poll, millennial turnover due to lack of engagement costs the United States up to $30.5 billion annually. This is why taking every step possible to increase the retention rate of your employees is a sound investment for your business. Continued education not only helps your employees stay up-to-date with an ever-changing workspace, but it also leads to stronger investment in the company. 

Despite the narratives against them, millennials are taking over the working world and getting them invested can make or break a company. 87% of millennials say that professional development is important in a job. They also say that continuing education is a great investment in your employees and company. 

What Are the Benefits?

The more businesses invest in their employees, the better their returns. HR Magazine conducted a study that shows investing $1,500 or more per employee per year on training averages 24% higher profit margins.

These companies report higher profit margins than companies with lower yearly training investments. Here are some of the results from an American Society for Training and Development study:

  • Firms that offer comprehensive training have a 218% higher income per employee than those with less training
  • Firms that offer comprehensive training enjoy a 24% higher profit margin than those with less training
  • Those firms also generate 6% higher shareholder returns if the training expenditure per employee increased by $680. 

What Can Ongoing Training Do For Your Company?

  • Boost your employee’s confidence – Ongoing training reassures your employees of two important things. One, the company cares about them and their success and two, confidence that they aren’t being left behind.
  • Get the most out of your investment – You’re already invested in your employees and the technology they use. Ongoing training ensures that you’re getting the most out of that investment.
  • Keeps your employees happy – Investing in your employees lets them know that you care about them. This will help with retention and preventing high turnover rates.

Invest in training your HR team, because it will help your overall company. The better they can do their job, the better the rest of the team will perform. If they know how to handle the things that come across their desk, then your employees will stay on longer.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

3 Questions You Should Ask In A Job Interview About Covid-19

3 Questions You Should Ask In A Job Interview About Covid-19

This is a crazy time in the world. Many people are out of jobs and on the hunt for a new one. You have put in the time to apply to all the jobs that are within your job skills, and you finally see that email or phone call pop up asking for you to come in for an interview. You will instantly be excited and think of all the things you need to do to impress the interviewer.

There are many things that you should keep in mind when you go to your interview. So many things have changed and have new requirements due to Covid-19. Take note of all the rules and regulations that they have and that you are informed of everything about the company before you accept the job. Here are some things that you should ask the employer before your interview.

  1. What safety precautions are you as a company taking during this time?

You want to ensure your safety and the safety of others is being put high on the list of importance. Find out what they are doing to make sure you are safe and what their procedures are if someone tests positive.

You will want to get the information needed for if you test positive for COVID-19 and what the steps are that will need to be taken. Even in the case of a family member contracting COVID-19 and needing you to care for them. If they offer sick pay or if you will need to apply for unemployment.

  1. Has your company had to lay employees off due to the pandemic?

Finding out what they did or do to help the employees during this pandemic says a lot about a company. A place of employment that truly values its employees will provide the information and tools this person needs to get help.

  1. Is there an option to work remotely during the pandemic of Covid-19?

Right now everyone is uncertain of the way things are going to go. Businesses all over were shut down and had employees, who could, working remotely from home. Finding out if your employer will allow you to continue working if a shut down were to occur again.

It is important to get any information about communication and requirements that go along with working from home. Sometimes it is easy to get distracted when you work remotely, having an idea of what the employer expects will help you stay on track.

Contact us now!

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

3 Communication Habits Good Leaders Practice Daily

3 Communication Habits Good Leaders Practice Daily

Communication is probably one of the most important qualities that a leader can possess. It shows that you not only can be in charge, but you also care about what others feel and think. When there is lack of communication, it leaves room for people to get confused. This can lead to unfortunate rumors and misinformation.

The people in your workplace will thrive on good communication. The business can run more efficiently and effectively when their communication with one another is strong. When people feel as though there isn’t an open line to do so, they may be afraid to speak up and voice what they are feeling or thinking.

Ways to Communicate In The Workplace

Communicating isn’t just about you talking, it is also about listening. A good leader must show respect and interest in what people are telling them. Listening to what your coworkers have to say can make them feel heard and understood.

The reason that we communicate is to inform one another, express how you are feeling, to encourage, to impact each other, and to meet expectations. Without it, things would not play out very well. Here are some ways that you as a leader can do better with this and encourage your team as well.

1. Eye Contact

Eye contact is a very important thing when you are communicating. Body language is perceived in either a good or a bad way. Your eyes surprisingly can play a big role in your body language. Eye contact lets the person know that you are listening and care about what they are telling you.

2. Don’t Zone Out

Spacing out during a conversation can sometimes be easy to do. When you do that you have a look on your face that happens, this look is very obvious that you are no longer paying attention to the person talking to you. When you catch yourself zoning out of a conversation, make a conscious effort to bring yourself back in.

3. Tell Your Story

This is a way the people you work with can connect with you on a different level, it will help them to also open up. It can improve the workflow that happens. This will also give them the opportunity to open up about themselves, and help everyone one learn how to better work with one another.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

5 Tips on “Re-Engineering” Your Business

5 Tips on “Re-Engineering” Your Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has left every business and business owner in new, uncharted territory. The aftershock of this pandemic has left many business owners facing one harsh reality: Businesses will never operate the same. When these partial lockdowns are lifted and people begin to shop normally again, there will be a heavy emphasis on safety. Which means your business is going to have to re-engineer itself.

Here are five tips to help you smooth that transition.

  1. Identify Your Experience

While the personal effects of COVID-19 are felt by almost everyone, the lingering effects on businesses aren’t. As a leader, it’s important, now more than ever, for you to lead by example. Your employees should understand that the way the business operates may never be the same and that these changes may be a good thing.

  1. Consider the Constraints

Risk management is a crucial part of any successful business. Map out constraints the safety concerns are imposing on your business’s process, product, and experience. This will help you better understand the problems your business is facing and how you work around them.

  1. Imagine New Ways to Overcome

Now that you have identified the struggles you may face, it’s time to figure out how to work around these roadblocks. Think of this situation, not as a burden, but as an opportunity for growth. How can your business take advantage of the situation and turn it into a positive? Are there any new markets or processes that could work?

  1. Reassemble Your Process and Test

Implement these changes you have brainstormed and test them out to verify its effectiveness. Given the circumstances, this may be difficult, but it’s a critical part of the process. Going into new endeavors completely blind is a risk that can be entirely avoided.

  1. Remember That Re-Engineering Drives Progress

As mentioned earlier, try not to view these circumstances as an unmovable roadblock. Re-engineering in the face of uncertain times is often the catalyst for innovation and progress. In fact, a number of companies have innovated and found success in the face of this pandemic. Re-engineering your business for safety can benefit your business greatly in the long run.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Leadership and Anxiety

Leadership and Anxiety

Leadership and Anxiety

Recent events have lead many of us to realize just how fragile the ground we stand on is. As a leader, it’s hard not to find yourself anxious over the uncertainty every day brings. It’s even harder to find the strength to lead by example while your mind and heart are racing. Here are some ways you can combat your anxiety while still showing the strength and authority necessary to lead.

Don’t Run From Your Emotions 

The worst thing you can do to your anxiety is to pretend that it doesn’t exist. In order to combat it, you must first accept the fact that you’re dealing with anxiety. No one has to hear you say it, but saying it to yourself can be therapeutic for some.

After you have identified your anxiety, you can play the role of detective. Search your feelings to try and pinpoint the root cause of your anxiety. Are you worried about not being prepared for a big pitch or are you worried about something out of your control?

Rationalize With Yourself 

When we’re anxious about what the future holds for us, it’s easy to find ourselves stuck in a negative thought loop that prevents us from moving forward. To combat this, one must sort out the probable from the possible. Doing so will help prevent feeling anxious about things beyond one’s control.

Try to avoid thinking in absolutes. While it’s possible that a pandemic wipes out everything that we love, it’s highly improbable that it happens. Don’t be afraid to recruit help from people you trust. Conversations with these people can help us differentiate what is likely to unfold from what is a long shot.

Take Steps to Reduce Anxiety

The best way to reduce anxiety is to control what you can. If you’re worried about not being ready for a big pitch, structure your time properly so you can better prepare. Being organized has a massive positive impact on mental health.

When you begin to feel anxious, an immediate task can easily become overwhelming. Even regular mundane activities can leave you feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Take small, meaningful actions that will help you ease your mind until the panic subsides.

Traveling in uncharted waters, like many of us are now, can lead to warranted anxiety and panic. It can be difficult to lead during bouts of anxiety. Taking a step back, diagnosing your anxiety, and taking small but meaningful actions can help you regain control of your situation.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.