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Leadership Lessons We Can Gain From FDR

Leadership Lessons We Can Gain From FDR

We have all heard the stories of the stock market crash in 1929. Thankfully enough, we had a great leader in place when that happened. Franklin D. Roosevelt showed us how to navigate those devastating times of loss.

Modern day business owners can take a lot of lessons from the way FDR led our nation through that terrible time.

These are the lessons we can use today:

Get People Excited

Give your employees and team something to be excited about. Create your own slogan or chant that you speak to them on a regular basis. When you have a vision and make it clear to those that work with you, you’ll create a sense of unity among the group.

Be Optimistic in The Face of Devastation

When things are going south in your business, you need to give people hope for the future. No matter how bad things are, find ways to highlight the brightside. Never let the situation or circumstances darken your mood.

Rely on Your Colleagues to Help You Create Plans

Don’t go it alone; you’ve got a team for a reason.

Set up regular meetings where everyone has a chance to share the solutions to the problems. Write down all suggestions and then as a team, go through them one by one to figure out if it will solve the problems you are facing.

Be Bold!

You have to be bold and push through any fears that you have during these times. Being courageous doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. It means that you keep moving forward no matter what is happening. Show your team that they can keep going in the hard times.

Make Good Decisions For the Benefits of Others

At all times, a good leader makes decisions that benefit those around them, even if it doesn’t directly help them. Your team needs to know you have their best interest in mind. That’s how you develop long-lasting loyalty from others. They must know that when times get tough, you are advocating for them.

A Few Questions to Ask Yourself

If you truly want to be a better leader, here are a few things you should ask yourself:

  1. Do you have a vision for your company? If not, create one and rally your team around it.
  2. What actions can you take to increase moral in your employees?
  3. What specific goals to you want to meet in the next year?
  4. Do you have a game plan in place of how you will take your company to the next level?
  5. Are you showing courage in the face of uncertainty?

These are questions that all leaders need to answer. Always look for ways to increase your leadership abilities.

We would love to hear your comments. Please email or call today!

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 Professional.

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When Buying a Company, Get to Know the Employees

When Buying a Company, Get to Know the Employees

Acquiring a new company can be a rewarding experience, for obvious reasons. Profit is probably the biggest goal you have in mind when looking to purchase a company. Next, is productivity. You want the newly acquired company to be productive in nature, which will, in turn, increase profit. What about the people who work within the company?

That is where your heart should lie. People are what make the world go ‘round and what will make the company more profitable than ever. The employees should be your top priority.

Here are some ideas on how to make people your priority:

Make a Personal Connection

Meeting with employees personally rather than in a large group can really set the right mood.

It shows the employees that you really care about them as people, and not solely on the profit they can provide you. By having one-on-one time, or at least time in smaller groups can ultimately lead to more profit because the employee will feel they are valued as a person.

Let’s face it, everyone wants to feel needed and wanted, and what better way to show that you value someone than meeting with them in smaller, intimate groups rather than in a larger, more intimidating setting?

Have Open Communication

Company acquisitions can cause a lot of anxiety for employees. They are worried about what is going to happen, who is taking over, etc. It can be a scary feeling when you don’t know all of these things, mainly because many of us have families to support. This can happen with your current employees as well. No one wants to wonder if they still have their position when a new company takes over.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Be upfront and honest with your current and new employees. Be compassionate and understanding. If you must do some restructuring, honesty sooner rather than later is the best thing.

Once trust is broken, it’s hard to get it back and the company profits, along with everything else, start a downward spiral. Don’t let this happen. Don’t make promises that can’t be kept. Once the reputation of a company has tarnished, it is difficult to get a good reputation back. Address the issue honestly and move on.

The people you are inheriting are what will make the new acquisition a successful one. Show the employees that you really value them as people and not just a dollar, and they will really work for you, making the company productive and profitable.

We would love to hear your comments. Please email or call today!

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 Professional.

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Common Weaknesses in Leadership And How to Fix Them

Common Weaknesses in Leadership And How to Fix Them

We’ve all been around leaders that weren’t so great. In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, I’m sure we can see the areas in our own leadership style that is lacking. These are some of the most common weaknesses in leaders today and how you can fix them.

1. Micromanaging Employees

Micromanaging your employees is one of the worst things you can do as a leader. While some of those tendencies may be rooted in your own perfectionist nature, it more often has to do with a lack of trust for those around you.

In order for your employees to really rise to your standards and invest in the company, they must feel trusted. If they feel unappreciated for the job, their performance will go down. To make a win/win situation for both of you, ask them for checkups every month.

2. Becoming Stuck in Your Ways

One of the biggest weaknesses that leaders face is that they can get stuck in a certain way of doing things. If you have done something a certain way and it’s worked, it is really easy to think that is the best way of doing it. But, when you trust your employees’ feedback, invest in your own development, and stay flexible, you will be able to lead well.

3. Wanting to Be Popular

Unfortunately, you are not always going to be popular with your employees. As a leader, you can get accustomed to the attention and desire to please everyone. No one wants to be perceived as “the bad guy”.

As a strong leader, you have to be willing to make the tough decisions, even if it doesn’t make you popular with your team. Also, find ways to communicate with your employees, that while you heard them, you are making the choice that is best for the greater good.

4. Do What I Say and Not What I Do

You must lead by example. It’s really easy to tell your employees you have one set of expectations out of them, but then do the exact opposite yourself. When you say one thing and do another, it will cause your team to feel resentment towards you.

5. Not Being Clear With Your Expectations

In order to lead your team well, you must provide them clear expectations. Give them a goal and set up checkpoints along the way. Tell them the timeline you expect from them and at what points of the process you need them to check in. When they know what you need from them every step of the way, they’ll be able to meet those expectations.

Need help? Contact us today!

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.

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Here’s How You Can Improve Your Team’s Production

Here’s How You Can Improve Your Team’s Production

It’s no secret that a team should be able to get more done that someone working by themselves. If you are a team leader than it is up to you to help your team be the best they can be. One of the top ways that you can help your team improve and succeed is teaching them quality time management skills.

Limiting Casual Conversations

If you are working with the same people every day, then you are going to have casual conversations during work hours. There is nothing wrong with talking with your co-workers about everyday life, however, it’s important to know the time and place. You should be able to read the room and know that if a co-worker is busy with work then that is not the time to start small talk.

Setting Your Team Up For Success

A team is only as good as its leader. You wouldn’t expect someone to get a job done with if they aren’t set up with training, instructions, and the tools necessary to do so. So much time is saved when your team isn’t having to ask a million questions that in turn slow the team leader down.

Make sure you are clearly communicating your expectations and what your goals are to your team. Let them know when due dates are and which projects are of top priority. Spreadsheets and Google Docs are great ways to share ideas with your entire team.

Meetings

While meetings are important and can be necessary, they aren’t needed every day. In order to avoid the amount of time they leach from being productive, make sure to have a set meeting time. You shouldn’t be calling impromptu meetings at random times every day.

Meetings should have a purpose and not be about something that can be sent in an email. They should be productive and solve some, if any, problems that you are having. They can also be great for creating goals and hearing any issues that your teams are running into.

Not Just For The Team

Time management should be a priority for everyone, not just reams. Make sure you are blocking off time to meet with your employees and not stopping everything multiple times a day. Make a list of questions for employees and things you need to know so all your meetings are productive.

Time management should be utilized by everyone on the team if you want your business to thrive. Some processes and systems that in place right now might need to be changed, but that is ok. Having a happy and productive team is worth it.

Need help? Contact us today!

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.

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What to Do When Your Meeting Reaches an Impasse

What to Do When Your Meeting Reaches an Impasse

What to Do When Your Meeting Reaches an Impasse

We’ve all been there – a work meeting that seems to last forever because no one can agree. Everyone wants to be heard and everyone wants their input to matter. But, alas, you are at an impasse.

So what do you do when you reach this point? You want to keep communication open and have an effective meeting, but aren’t sure how to do that. The following are just a few helpful tips to prevent an impasse at your next meeting.

Have a Plan

Not only is it good to have a plan when you start a meeting, but it’s also effective when you reach an impasse. A plan may be as simple as writing down everyone’s thoughts and ideas, possibly through “Mind Mapping,” to thoroughly and thoughtfully discuss them. With this, everyone feels heard and the conversation stays meaningful.

Control the Situation

When the impasse occurs, it’s important that one person steps up to “facilitate” the rest of the meeting. This may be as simple as asking others to speak up and share their thoughts. Or it could entail moving onto another topic to allow everyone to cool off before addressing the issue again.

Whoever does step up to facilitate the meeting, it’s important that they help everyone assume positive intent. At the end of the day, you are all on a team, working together to reach a common goal. Realizing this will help others not take things personally, and will foster an environment of open discussion and idea sharing.

Keep Talking

During an impasse, always encourage open communication. Glossing over an issue, or never settling it can cause bitterness and animosity amongst the group.

In addition, never put issues to a vote. In a vote, the minority always loses causing unhappiness and instability. Strive for an agreement, consensus, or harmony.

Between Two

Lastly, there may be times when the impasse results when just two people in the meeting can’t seem to agree. The conversation can often get off topic or even turn personal. At this point, it is beneficial to get the whole group involved.

Start by clearly expressing each viewpoint, possibly writing it on a whiteboard for clarity and to make sure nothing is missed. Next, allow the whole group to chime in, giving their ideas and opinions on the pros and cons of these viewpoints.

As a result, the two will have had time to cool off, giving them a chance to see the full picture and, perhaps, even change their view.

We would love to hear your comments. Please email or call today!

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 Professional.

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Common Weaknesses in Leadership And How to Fix Them

Common Weaknesses in Leadership And How to Fix Them

We’ve all been around leaders that weren’t so great. In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, I’m sure we can see the areas in our own leadership style that is lacking. These are some of the most common weaknesses in leaders today and how you can fix them.

1. Micromanaging Employees

Micromanaging your employees is one of the worst things you can do as a leader. While some of those tendencies may be rooted in your own perfectionist nature, it more often has to do with a lack of trust for those around you.

In order for your employees to really rise to your standards and invest in the company, they must feel trusted. If they feel unappreciated for the job, their performance will go down. To make a win/win situation for both of you, ask them for checkups every month.

2. Becoming Stuck in Your Ways

One of the biggest weaknesses that leaders face is that they can get stuck in a certain way of doing things. If you have done something a certain way and it’s worked, it is really easy to think that is the best way of doing it. But, when you trust your employees’ feedback, invest in your own development, and stay flexible, you will be able to lead well.

3. Wanting to Be Popular

Unfortunately, you are not always going to be popular with your employees. As a leader, you can get accustomed to the attention and desire to please everyone. No one wants to be perceived as “the bad guy”.

As a strong leader, you have to be willing to make the tough decisions, even if it doesn’t make you popular with your team. Also, find ways to communicate with your employees, that while you heard them, you are making the choice that is best for the greater good.

4. Do What I Say and Not What I Do

You must lead by example. It’s really easy to tell your employees you have one set of expectations out of them, but then do the exact opposite yourself. When you say one thing and do another, it will cause your team to feel resentment towards you.

5. Not Being Clear With Your Expectations

In order to lead your team well, you must provide them clear expectations. Give them a goal and set up checkpoints along the way. Tell them the timeline you expect from them and at what points of the process you need them to check in. When they know what you need from them every step of the way, they’ll be able to meet those expectations.

We would love to hear your comments. Please email or call today!

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 Professional.

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Creating Agile Teams is More Than Just a Fad

Creating Agile Teams is More Than Just a Fad

Upper management is progressively recognizing that agility is eating the world, so to speak. In recent surveys, over 90% of upper management would like to be agile, and a staggering less than 10% already see their company as highly agile. Large companies and organizations, both private and public, are planning agile transformations.

Agile is Used For Cost Reduction

Let’s go over a global bank that implemented agile. The idea was to accelerate innovation so there would be an improvement of quality services and products and in turn would increase customer satisfaction. Agile implementation began to suffer and eventually failed because, in order to improve profits, staff had to downsize along with other cost-cutting decisions.

It’s A Scientific Management System

Certain companies have ceased using the term “agile” and deploy a less direct slogan to win over the support of late-adopters and avoid the burden of being attached to that specific term. Shifting to different terminology can actually run the risk of resorting back to the cost reduction we talked about earlier.

Agile Needs To Be More Than Just A Patch

In a separate case, a global company was careful in its deployment of the agile process. They tried to incorporate repetition, daily standups, dealing with past events, and small groups. Unfortunately, agile was just a minor patch and their work eventually continued as it did before.

It’s Used As A Scaling Framework

Some cases of scaling framework have been implemented across organizations. Then they go about without seeing any significant change in their work practices. Once again, no benefits have been proven where the work is carried out.

When Agile Is Not Implemented Properly

Let’s look at another case where a firm was moving forward, profiting, and making excellent progress in the agile execution. During this time an official order came down the pipeline where the company needed to implement significant cost-cutting measures. While management tried doing their best to keep the gains they already had and minimize casualties, in the end, trust was lost.

The employees eventually saw that management talked about the value of staff and customers being a primary concern. But ultimately they learned that the real concern was the value and concerns of shareholders. This ended up being another failed attempt at agile implementation.

Key Takeaway About Creating Agile Teams

In the end, it needs to be clear to your team and company that agile is more than a fad. It’s something that needs to be trained and consistently checked on within your organization. It will work as long as you are making sure to avoid these costly mistakes.

We would love to hear your comments. Please email or call today!

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 Professional.

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Your Customers Know What They Want and You Need to Give it to Them

Your Customers Know What They Want and You Need to Give it to Them

55% of companies out there don’t truly understand what their customers need. In fact, most people go to great lengths to avoid a company’s pushy messages. So, how do you excite your customers and provide what they need? These are some important truths if you want a successful company.

The Customer Is Never Wrong

The first thing you should realize is that your customer is never wrong. They aren’t always right but they’re never wrong. It’s important to realize this so that you can cater to the needs of your customers.

Too many corporations stopped listening to the needs of their customers and what happened to them? They are now obsolete, a name of the past. If you don’t want to go the way of those other companies, you’ll never stop listening to your customers. There are a few ways you can ensure you’re listening to your customers.

  1. Don’t Assume You Know What Your Customer Wants

Too many companies assume they know what their customer needs. The problem is that customers often don’t know what they need until you show them the final product. It’s your job to stay one step ahead of them so that you can present them with the product they never knew they had to have.

  1. People are No Longer Brand Loyal

The new generations are no longer loyal to any one specific brand. It’s all about which companies currently are providing their expectations. If you stop providing for their expectations and stop keeping them intrigued, then they’ll simply move onto the next company who’ll provide that for them.

Don’t get too comfortable in your brand because building a reputable brand is no longer enough. You need to keep their interest by continuing to provide products and solutions to fit their needs.

  1. Know Your Customer

Getting feedback from the customer is vital to your success. This is how you’ll truly listen to your customers. You can gain this feedback in several ways:

  • Base your decisions about your customer on facts
  • Research the trends and marketplace for your customer by

○ Listening to what they say on social media

○ Build their trust in your brand by producing high quality, educational content

○ Give them something for free, such as a free trial

○ Track your customers’ behavior

  • Keep an eye on your competition to see what is successful and not so successful for them
  • Put yourself in your customer’s environment
  • Surround yourself with people who’ll have insights on your customers

In Summary

Customers can tell you what they want but it’s your job to figure out what they need. If you do this, then you can stay one step ahead of them and provide their needs. This is how you’ll delight your customer and keep them interested.

We would love to hear your comments. Please email or call today!

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 Professional.

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Get on a Best Workplace List by Doing This

Get on a Best Workplace List by Doing This

Having a workplace that is known for being the best is just as good for the business as it is for workplace morale. Ranking high on a positive list is viewed as the result of the effort of that specific business to build a better environment for its employees rather than itself. The reward ultimately lies in the fact that you have created something that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

If your business is working correctly then the trust will start at the top tier of management and work its way down to everyone else. However, you need to know that high-trust can start in any department, team, or employee and work its way out. Here are a few tips for creating an atmosphere that cultivates a positive work environment.

Take A Look At Yourself

If you want to culture a high-trust environment, you need to work from the inside out. You need to make sure that you trust yourself and have credibility with others before you try to expand your relationships. Work on the core behaviors like listening, clarifying, talking confidently and straight, and making sure you are holding yourself accountable.

Declaring Your Intent

Make sure when you are explaining what you would like to achieve, you are being open and explicit. When you aren’t being direct with what you want to achieve, people aren’t going to understand and might not take you seriously. Be transparent; describe why you want to do this and what your plans are.

When you are direct with your plans and intentions, you are going to change how people feel about your behavior. Leaders should always declare their intent in a simple, direct way. It’s an important way to deploy a feeling of trust and openness in your organization.

Extending Trust

One of the cardinal rules of trust is that you get what you give. If you are working with someone who is equally trustworthy, but neither of you are willing to extend trust, nothing will get accomplished. This doesn’t mean to trust anyone, but to make sure you are reading people well and the risk involved in your project.

Don’t Let The List Be Your End Goal

While lists are important and can show who you are as a company, don’t let your name on a list be the ultimate goal. If your company is able to achieve success and be trustworthy first and foremost, you will climb to where you deserve to be. Rankings and measure will follow the business and workplace that you cultivate.

Need help? Contact us today!

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.

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3 Reasons Why Our Leaders Are in Trouble

3 Reasons Why Our Leaders Are in Trouble

A surprising majority of people in the workplace believe the world is currently in a leadership crisis. People in positions of power seem less and less competent to lead and more and more arrogant about the positions they hold. Here are some reasons we believe our leaders may be in trouble.

  1. An Obsession With Results

Today’s result-driven world has caused our leaders to become obsessed with the bottom line. No longer are they focused on the process of getting to those results, they are simply driven by profit and results. This can lead to a workplace with a toxic environment where positive production hangs by a flimsy thread.

Leaders should be just as focused on the process as they are the end result. Establishing a healthy work environment and focusing on the basics will become more beneficial to the company in the long run. When all you focus on is profit and income, you lose sight of the factors that cause those outcomes.

  1. Failing to Adapt

Companies and the teams working in them being a well-oiled machine is one of the oldest metaphors in business. However, just as technological advances change the way those machines run, cultural advances change the way our businesses run. Organizations are a well-oiled machine, but they are a machine that is ever changing.

Unfortunately, not all leaders realize the importance of being able to adapt to the times. Just because something worked a decade ago, or even just five years ago, doesn’t mean it’s going to work today. A successful leader is willing to change, adapt and implement new leadership styles that keep their team running like a well-oiled machine.

  1. We’re Working Harder Not Smarter

As Americans, we have a ‘the grind never stops’ mentality that has been engraved in us since we started elementary school. While other cultures around the world have found success in adopting a ‘less-is-more’ approach, we continue to push ourselves on a daily basis. It might be time to consider working smarter, not harder.

Studies have shown that a decrease in the number of hours can help increase employees’ productivity. The idea behind it is an employee who works less will be more energized, motivated and will be less likely to burn out. Perhaps it’s time for leaders to reconsider how we view the American workweek.

Not All Hope Is Lost

While leaders may be losing the faith of their contemporaries, not all hope is lost. There are steps leaders can take to improve what’s going on around them.

Need help? Contact us today!

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 Professional.

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