Do You Have A Leadership Line In The Sand?

Apr 17, 2012 | Leadership Development

Are your employees clear as to what your expectations for performance are? Do your employees know what the non-negotiable attitudes and behaviors are that are expected of all team members (yourself included)? Do your employees know what the consequences are if they do not meet these expectations? Are they certain you will take action, one way or the other, depending upon how they choose to perform? Have you clearly drawn your "leadership line-in-the-sand"? If you didn't answer "Yes" to every...

Who Do I Want As My Customers?

Apr 10, 2012 | Sales, Marketing & Customer Service

We've been doing a lot of work with clients lately on fine-tuning their marketing efforts. A crucial step in this process is getting crystal-clear on just who they want to have as a customer. Now I know this sounds like a somewhat strange activity. But you'd be amazed at the number of businesses who believe they can and should service everyone. Selling to anyone and everyone sounds great in theory, but in reality, it can cost you money, waste your time and resources, and drive your "real"...

Communication is a Beautiful Thing

Apr 3, 2012 | Leadership Development

A beautiful thing happened during a client work session this past week: The management team experienced the value of clear, honest communication. For some time this client has been under the incorrect assumption that its management team communicated well with each other. Yet invariably when I'd have a one-on-one meeting with any member of the management team, I'd hear comments along the lines of, "Well, I believe what he really wants to do is..." or "I don't think she's really clear on how to...

How Managers Develop Their Employees

Mar 13, 2012 | Succession Planning

We're working with several organizations helping them prepare their next tier of managers to eventually take over the senior leadership positions. However, before we focus on developing this next tier of managers, we spend a good bit of time working with the current senior leadership team to help them comprehend their level of responsibility in developing their own employees. It's not Human Resources' job; it's theirs. Whether they hold the position of VP of Operations, Director of Eastern...

Accountability – It’s Expected

Feb 17, 2012 | Leadership Development

Leaders think beyond the current frustrations and pressures. That’s how they identify opportunities and foresee roadblocks. That’s how they do their jobs. That’s how they’re able to lead. That’s how they do what is expected. That’s why they’re respected.