Gayle Lantz’s Blog

Management Self-Help for the Motivated

Self-help is in the spotlight. Today’s Wall Street Journal features an article about the damage self-help can do. Clearly the kinds of extreme activities mentioned can be harmful.

 

Coincidentally, during my television interview in Atlanta today, the interviewer asked me about the self-help movement for leaders. He described some managers as “needy,” and questioned what executives did before all the “management self-help” books were available.

 

In my experience, the leaders who seek ideas, insights and information aren’t needy. They’re motivated. They’re committed to their own personal growth and leadership development. They link their personal leadership effectiveness to the success of the business.

 

Executives and leaders don’t need to turn to radical interventions. Simply reviewing and applying leadership fundamentals is a good start.

What's Your Story?

I recently led a session as part of a local leadership development program. The group represented leaders from different businesses and industries. As they got to know each other, they learned about specific successes they had each experienced in their life and work.

 

One man in the group had a conversation with a woman participant about one of her specific accomplishments. Humbly, she shared a specific story about her experience with inner-city youth. Clearly she made a significant impact in the community. The man was so impressed by her story, he shared it with the whole group.

 

It’s good for you to recall peak experiences that help shape who you are as a leader. It’s even better when others can talk about your experiences as well. When other people understand what you’ve done, and want to share it with others, they become your advocate. Leaders at all levels need advocates…and they can be advocates.

 

What are the stories you want others to share about you?

Stay Visible to Stay Top of Mind

Lately many people have been so overwhelmed with work that they’ve isolated themselves in their office. With fewer resources, they’ve had to spend more time at work (or so they think) to get it all done.

 

On the other hand, there are people who desire more work…businesses trying to win more customers or projects, and job hunters looking for a job. Some people start to doubt themselves when they can’t see immediate results.

 

They spend too much time ruminating in seclusion, wondering why results aren’t happening quickly enough. “Why aren’t my phone calls being returned?” “What are we doing wrong?”

 

Don’t be too busy or too bummed to get out of your office, or your shell. Connect with people you know or need to meet.

 

You’ll increase your chances of others remembering you when they have a need for what you or your business offers. Ongoing visibility leads to opportunity.

What's Your Sense of Accomplishment?

If you’re like many of the executives I work with, it’s easy to get through the day and wonder, “What did I really accomplish today?”

 

There are always more items left on your “to-do list.” So how will you accomplish what’s most important?

 

Let the needs lead you. Pay close attention to the most important needs in your market, especially when they may be changing. You’ll develop ideas, solutions, and maybe timely inventions to propel your business while helping others.

 

Just see what Ben Franklin did. He set daily goals by keeping a couple of simple questions in mind.

 

At the beginning of the day, the question was, “What good shall I do this day?” At the end of the day, “What good have I done this day?”

 

For more on Ben Franklin and to inspire the spirit of invention in your business, enjoy Maira Kalman’s recent column:

 

Can Do - New York Times

Sharpen Your Strategic Focus

It’s July 1, so you’ve made it through the first half of the year. Now it’s time to get serious about what you want to accomplish over the next six months. Consider it a fresh start.

 

Lately I’ve been talking with executives about the importance of staying focused. It’s easy to be distracted by negative news, fluctuations in the market and predictions for the future. Even in the midst of changing conditions, some businesses are stuck on autopilot. Smart businesses will take the time to reflect and chart a new course.

 

Take a look at what you’ve accomplished so far this year. Determine what’s working and what changes you need to make. You’ll be most successful by concentrating even harder on the needs of your market. Listen and learn.

 

Be prepared to make necessary adjustments in your business strategies, try something new, take a calculated risk. Approach the balance of the year with a sharpened focus and strengthened determination to accomplish your goals. Make the balance of the year the best part of your year!

A Customer Centric View of Your Business

Just returned from a great marketing seminar delivered by Terri Langhans of Blah Blah Blah (www.blahblahblah.us). One helpful reminder was the importance of not viewing your business as your products and services, but as your clients and customers…past, present and future.

 

I’ve seen many companies who want to become more customer centric, yet they’re struggling to do so. With so much pressure to close a sale, they’re pushing their products or services instead of letting the customer or prospect know they understand their real need, pain or problem first.

 

A leader’s role is critical to help others understand the importance of truly viewing the business with the customer in mind first. What are you doing to be more customer centric in your business?

Take the Bull by the Horns: A Great Father's Day Gift for Any Busy Dad in Business

If you're looking for something to help a devoted dad whose trying to manage people and the business, order a copy of Take the Bull by the Horns: The Busy Leader's Action Guide to Growing Your Business...and Yourself. He'll thank you.

The book continues to get great reviews and was just recognized as a finalist in the Best Business Book category for the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. 

You can order easily through amazon at this link. Order soon!

http://tinyurl.com/mgssvl

A Close Call -- Lesson Learned

Yesterday I saw a teenage driver smash her car into a tree in my neighbor’s yard. Miraculously, no one was hurt.

 

The car had been sitting idle, but was not in park. Instead of hitting the brake, the driver pressed the accelerator and the car lunged forward out of her control. Luckily the tree, which was only a few feet away, prevented the car from speeding forward which could have resulted in a much more serious accident.

 

Surely this young driver, who had only been driving a couple of months, will now put her car in park whenever the car is actually parked. Lesson learned.

 

We learn much through mistakes and failures. This is a lesson that applies in business and leadership as well. Just recently I wrote about the importance of this kind of learning in WorkMatters Tips. In case you missed it, you can find the article here:

Overcoming Failure

 

 

 

 

 

HR Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Economy

The ICFAI University Press published one of my articles in the May issue of HRM Review. ICFAI University Press is the publishing arm for the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India.    The entire issue addresses the recession's impact on human resource professionals.

My article, "HR in the Spotlight: Lighting the Path for Change in Tough Times," takes a look at the changing role of HR and emphasizes the importance of developing leadership to be most effective. HR executives and professionals should be proactive in positioning themselves to create the highest value in organizations. For more information, visit: http://www.iupindia.org/HRM_Review.asp

A Good Idea for Business Improvement

When you’re looking for new ideas to help you improve your business, look at a similar non-competing business. Create a reciprocal arrangement where you can learn and exchange best practices. Compare business practices, processes and operating procedures. Some of my own clients in different industries have done this successfully.

 

Physically visit a non-competing business or firm that’s similar to yours to learn what works and what doesn’t for them. See the business in action. Share your observations and ideas.

 

Or invite executives from a non-competing business to visit your office to compare notes. They’ll assess your business from a different perspective.

 

You learn from them. They learn from you. The experience is mutually beneficial. 

 

Maybe you’ll identify a process that’s taking five steps when it could really be done in just two steps. Maybe you’ll stop having weekly meetings if they’ve been unproductive.

 

Some organizations have discontinued traditional performance review processes because they're not effective. Other businesses are changing paper shuffling processes to online processes to be more efficient.

 

You never know what business improvement ideas you might find until you step outside of your own business temporarily.