Management Craft

Real is Rare

I was talking with a small group of leaders. The conversation got to a point of talking about intentions versus what's likely and our tendency to not be open about the differences. To not be open about the known barriers. To not be open about our expectations about how managers ought to prevail in the face of these barriers.

Why do we have such a hard time being real when we communicate?

I think this common failing leads to greater victim-itis. Why? When employees hear the corporate line - intentions without the real - they write off the message as unrealistic. If we speak our intentions and then openly discuss what this means and where it will be difficult, we build ownership.

Real -> Ownership

Corporate Line -> Victim

Given this, why is real communication so rare?

Let's take some time to discuss the tasks that don't make sense, address concerns, invite a challenge, and be open about goals that stretch way out there. What are the hassles? What are we doing that we should not be (everyone knows it)?

Don't paint your organizational "turds" pink. Doing so will not make the situation smell any better. It will cause people to disconnect, shrug off accountability, and under perform. Call it like you see it. Encourage others to call it like they see it.

Really.

BTW - On a related but different note, I have noticed that the less cocky I am about my work the better people think it is. It's nutty. I have been embracing my imperfectness and am getting more atta-girls and wows from others. Being real make you seem less flawed in others' eyes. Go figure.

Boss, it is your day! #boss'sday

It is Boss's Day. If you are a manager, why not turn this day around and use it to give thanks for the opportunity to lead. It's a privilege to have responsibility for a piece of the business and to shepherd a team to victory.

If your team forgets to acknowledge you, don't sweat it. Boss's Day is a made up holiday - first created to honor a dad, but now more commercial than anything. Many people don't even know about it. Don't hope for something and then be disappointed. If your team does not remember, it does not mean anything.

Doing something great for others is fun, so how about you bring in the Krispy Kremes. You suggest a mid-afternoon run for Pumpkin Lattes. You offer thanks to your team.

Be the boss that makes every day a great day at work.

Oh, and why not thank your boss, too! Be the nexus of celebration and radiating good vibes.

Several Things to Share - Way Overdue!

I just got internet service after being without for about a week. Moving is a drain! As a result, I am woefully behind in sharing a few important links with you. Stuff that is happening that you should check out. Yes, yes, I know that places like Starbucks have free wifi and that my excuse seems quite lame. But did I mention that I have been moving? I have had no time to lallygag at my local coffee shop.

This first share is very time sensitive with a 10/11 deadline. Pal and fellow blogger and brain expert Ellen Weber is doing a webinar for ASTD called, Revolutionize Your Next Meeting. A webinar about meetings from a brain expert? Hmmm, that's gotta be interesting! See more here. The webinar is on Thursday, 10/11 at 1pm Eastern Time. Oh, and it's FREE! Check it out here.

Speaking of ASTD, I have been meaning to tell you about a new community of practice for managers and leaders they launched called Workforce Development. As you know, I have been a member and actively involved with ASTD for years. They are a great organization with a lot of resources that can benefit managers. Check out the new community here - you can get some great stuff for free and also become a member to access very well produced and helpful learning resources and management training and development. And here is guest blog post of mine they put up called, Managerial Moments of Truth.

This next share is WAY overdue. I feel guilt! I have shared the work of Raj Setty before. He is an amazing thinker and fellow author and blogger. He is one of the most creative and determined people I know. He recently published a book called, Blogtastic! Growing and Making a Difference Through Blogging. Check it out here. In this book Raj has assembled lessons learned from dozens of bloggers including yours truly. If you have an interest in blogging - or just writing or communication in general, I think you will enjoy this. Oh, and check out the site for the book even if you don't want to blog. It is a great example of how to build an engaging product, book, site, and community together. Unless your business targets subsistence farmers living off the grid, there is something to learn here.

Here is one more share. My new puppy dogs! About a month ago we suffered the loss of our faithful dog Pako, who died of heart failure at the age of 13. We are dog people (and cat people) so we decided to adopt again from our local wonderful shelter (CAP, great place here in Houston). We are happy to welcome Hazel and Max to the family (the cats are not yet so thrilled). Here they are!

Hazel, 2.5 years old- a sweetie pie who loves to play.

MAX, 7 years old - We also call him "Houdini" because he can get into and out of everything!

Be Unstoppable

I was talking to two leaders. It was a good conversation overall, but there was a moment when they both perked up and smiled. One moment when the conversation changed. It happened when I said the words, "how to be unstoppable without compromise."

It is interesting how certain words evoke certain feelings.

The idea of being unstoppable is quite lovely. It speaks to perseverance. It speaks to follow-through. It speaks to courage and strength and triumph.

Being unstoppable means being the best we can be.

What matters to you enough that you might be willing to be unstoppable?

To be unstoppable we need to:

• Involve others.
• Keep asking. What else? What's next? How else? Who do we need? What can I do?
• Explore Plan B... Plan C... Plan D...
• Focus on progress not perfection.
• Relish the journey.
• Use hacks - whatever works for you - checklists, reminders, calendars, meeting structures, daily huddles, daily planning, etc...
• Sniff out barriers like a dog covets fresh bacon. Then get rid of them.
• And whatever else we need to do.

Like the idea of being unstoppable? Does it bring a smile to your face? Imagine what it feels like as you are doing it.....