When in doubt, edit. And then edit some more. If you want your stuff read remember this…people are busy. Busy people (and we are all busy people) like bullet points, brief, and don’t have time to read all the adjectives and adverbs you may be including. Edit.
Good Advice, For Good Managers
I’m a huge fan of Seth Godin. This certainly isn’t the first quote of Godin’s that has surfaced within the blog posts on this site. While Mr. Godin is all about marketing, his thoughts expand far beyond just that topic. I promise you, if you read his posts and/or books you’ll pull great information from them, and find them relevant beyond marketing. Godin’s work will contribute to building upon your current skill set, regardless of your field and/or focus. The quote below, I believe, is a great piece, reminding managers and leaders of all sorts, that the goal of the organization, is greater than the goal of the individual, or heaven forbid, the individual’s ego.
Communication, Foundation To Success
Urgent vs. Important
It is true, many of us work and/or live in environments that are fueled by doing what is ‘urgent’. The question is, who defines what is urgent? It is important to occasionally take a step back and review your own mission, goals, etc. and determine if your daily actions and activities are leading you towards your definition of positive outcomes and success, that which is important. Or, are you trapped in someone else’s cycle of urgency?
Women, The Workplace & Self Esteem – Like Watching A Rerun
My summer reading pile is almost all books about women. Books about women in the nineteenth century, women and self esteem, women and leadership, women in politics, etc. All very interesting, all research for articles and a book I’m drafting out. And while these books are interesting, all too often there is a common thread that tugs at the back of my mind, women as a gender are often stagnant regarding the women’s issues talked about in the 1970s and on. We still have not resolved many of the challenges women face in society and the workplace, and at times it seems like in the past they were easier to address, as now, when you bring them up in certain circles an example of an outlier will be thrown into the conversation as if that woman was the norm. For me, reading these books is often like watching reruns of the late 80’s early 90’s hit Designing Women, deeply unsettling when the realization that so many of the concerns, issues and challenges of decades ago still exist today. I’m constantly amazed how many successful women, whether at home or in the workplace still feel their contributions are not noteworthy. And I’m still sadly surprised when I hear, as I did last week, why women do not belong in leadership roles, or hear a woman in the workplace referred to as a “bitch.” I deeply believe that if we start paying more attention to the dynamics that surround us we can improve and progress from where we are as a society in regards to women, to where we often assume we are, and where we strive to be. There is currently a gap, and a big one at that.
Action Trumps Ongoing Discussion
Action trumps ongoing discussion. Think about the issue, have a meeting or discussion to find the best course of action and then move on it. Failure to pull the trigger and then relapse into ongoing consensus and meetings is the path to an ongoing loss of productivity and ROI. Be active, be accountable.
Yes, this.
This quote needs no explanation. It is clear. It is genius. It is the path to success.
You Get What You Settle For
It doesn’t matter if you are the employee or employer, you will get what you settle for guaranteed, probably even less. Sure it is important to set realistic and achievable goals for all involved in the work place, but if you don’t know your people, how do you know what they are capable of doing? Whether it is team building or DiSC testing, get to know those in the workplace. It is not just a nice thing to do, it is a profitable one.
Don’t Bargain
I’ve always loved the following quote: “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi The reason is that so often either subconsciously or consciously we stop ourselves from committing all we can whether in work or relationships. Sometimes we may feel that if we bargain our gifts and/or emotional commitments we can somehow manage an excuse if all does not work out. News flash…if you bargain your gifts and talents, providing less than you are capable of…all has already not worked out. Give your best, everyday, always…as it is your life, and your responsibility to live it well.