. . . the initiative to change.

Change is constant.  Whether the price of gasoline, milk or a cup of coffee. Nothing you do will prevent change from happening around you.  Most of these situations are beyond our control. Recently we had a couple of businesses close in our community which will have a significant economic impact on our local economy.  Not to mention the human factor – people out of work, more people needing assistance, foreclosures going up, etc.

The thing is, these plant closures were not attributable to the local facility but were a direct reflection of the world economy.  The corporate office closed several plants world wide as measure to cut costs.  As a leader in an organization, it’s important to realize you can’t control everything.  If you work for someone else you’ll always be subject to someone else’s decision making.  The best thing to do for your self is focus on the things you can control, that you can influence, and master those.  If you are interested in taking a class to better your management skills, go for it.  If you are interested in learning QuickBooks, sign up today.  Even in you don’t feel, as a manager, your job is in jeopardy, constantly better yourself.

This adds value to YOU.  A more valuable YOU is a more employable YOU.  At least if the unexpected happens you’ll be ready for your next life’s journey because to a potential employer you’ve shown constant improvement and the initiative to change.

. . . know HOW to disconnect.

So this weekend our nation participated in the time-honoured tradition of “Springing Forward” to mark the arrival of Daylight Saving Time.

I have to say that I’m not fond of this event though to some degree it is a “green” event – less artificial light is needed during the evening hours so less energy is needed to run lights.  Nevertheless, this IS an event that takes place in our country twice a year – spring forward, fall back – so everyone should know about it and remember it, right?  Wrong.

I was the first one to my office this morning.  In fact, I was the first one to work out of the three offices around me.  It was so quiet this morning I thought it was a national holiday I had forgotten.  As the leader of my organization I hold myself to a higher standard, expecting more from myself, demanding more from myself, giving more of myself.  I will be the first to admit I was more than upset that no one remembered to set their clocks ahead to ensure they would be on time.  Afterall, I had given fair warning on Friday before we closed up shop by reminding everyone about the time change.  Not to mention the fact that every major news network covered the event ad nauseum on Friday and Saturday.

But I took a deep breath and relaxed.  You see, as a leader in my organization I have to realize that despite today’s connectivity – Internet, wireless Internet, Cable everything, Network News, Mobile Apps, etc. – and information overload, not everyone gets the information.  Not everyone obsessively checks to see if there has been an update on any information highway – websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc – for fear of missing something monumental or, dare I say, anti-climactic.  Some people, my employees included, know HOW to disconnect, and that’s ok.  In fact, that’s great.

I recognize they need down time; time to not think about correspondence, emails, meetings, agendas and other mundane tasks that will most definitely be there on Monday – even if they’re a few minutes late.  If you are a leader in your organization, I highly encourage you to disconnect every once in a while.  You and your family will enjoy it because you will provide the undivided and uninterrupted attention you all need.  Go ahead – unplug!

. . . yell at someone on the outside.

I am a diehard fan for personal growth through education and awareness of one’s own strengths and weaknesses.  Knowing what we do well and where we come up short are important attributes to know if you want to capitalize on the strengths and overcome any weaknesses.

What I find most ironic is the way human nature makes people embrace any strength – taking personal credit for all things positive yet refusing to accept responsibility for any situation where the results were not what had been planned.

Most of life’s challenges come from within.

When life throws you a curve – you didn’t reach your weigh loss goal, you didn’t get the promotion you were sure you would get, you didn’t do as well on a test as you thought – take a look at the situation but also take a look at you.  In the above examples, what is the common theme? You!

Self analysis is not always pleasant to do but it is always necessary if you want to succeed – at anything.  For example: if you didn’t meet your weight loss goals, did you cheat more than normal this week? Maybe you didn’t exercise as much as you did in the past or maybe you just lost your motivation and need to refocus.  No matter what the situation and prior to playing the blame game, look inside before you yell at someone on the outside.

. . . your Replacement.

How many of you have ever seen this scenario?:  a successful small business is thriving. The business owner seems to have his thumb on the pulse of his business, his customers, his community and future tends, always ready to adjust to a changing market.  Because of these traits, the small business is growing at a great pace and seems positioned to make it for the long haul.  Then something happens to the business owner: health issue, major injury, family problems.  As the key person in the business, any distraction detracts from his focus on business.  The small business starts to falter, struggles then closes its doors for good.

What happened?

In most instances I’ve been involved in counseling, the reason could be traced to one thing: control.  I don’t mean lack of control; rather, too much control.  If a small business owner or manager runs a tight ship providing only limited information to his or her employees so the company functions, they are setting their business, and themselves, up for failure.  Some owners or managers believe the best way to manage is to keep everyone in the dark, not providing any vision or goals to employees and retaining for themselves the “company secrets”. 

The problem with this theory is if or when a major issue arises (see above) there is no one within the company who has the intimate knowledge of company operations to keep it running day-to-day.  It is so imperative to have a management team – no matter how small – that is a trusted resource to help run the company.  This doesn’t mean as a manager you don’t have checks and balances to ensure that with this increased knowledge the employees aren’t doing what they are supposed to – trust, but verify – but it allows the company to move forward in the event you are unable to be there.

As a manager you should train your replacement even if they don’t replace you. This ensures continuity and no disruption of services so your organization keeps moving forward.