Category Archives: Personal Success

May 14 2014
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Personal Success

Drink From a Firehose – Without Drowning

Let’s face it. We have all found ourselves in situations where we were the “newbie.” In the midst of numerous people who have worked together for years, know what they are doing and are trying to bring us “up-to-speed.” And/or, we are losing sleep about an upcoming situation that will look something like this.

Too often, people get flustered and either avoid, or soon bail out of, these situations which could have otherwise turned out to be very lucrative opportunities.

Realize, that every single person on the planet has been in this situation. Don’t worry!

But, what can a person do? Quite simply, learn to drink from a firehose, without drowning.

More specifically, when you find yourself in a situation like this you are encouraged to listen intently, take notes and ask lots of questions. Don’t try to over-evaluate or make sense of everything all at once. Just take it all in.

Once you get alone (back to your cubicle, office or home) sort through, review and organize your notes. Let all the collected information simmer in your mind. THINK (as outlined in a prior post). And, prepare another round of questions that you can pose at the next available opportunity to clarify and confirm your understanding.

What is most exciting is that you are in the enviable position of being able to ask ANY question possible. More often than not, one of your questions will result in the “experts” saying “WOW, we’ve never thought of it that way!” Voila, you may have just helped the team make a breakthrough towards a long-standing problem or barrier to success. Good for you!

In closing, don’t let the fear of unknown circumstances and surroundings prevent you from jumping in with both feet. Go for it. Drink from the firehose. THINK and make lucid observations. You will find that you have unbelievable talents and insights you had previously not acknowledged.

Just say – “Bring it on!”

May 07 2014
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Personal Success, Successful Kids

Moving On Up – The Toughest Job Transition

Early on in my career I learned that the toughest job transition for people to make is from individual contributor to team lead or supervisor. Fortunately, I didn’t experience major problems during my transitions on the way “up the ladder” because I had numerous mentors and solid training. I did, however, witness a number of crash and burns along the way.

More recently…Listening to my boys discuss their experiences it seems that retail establishments (where they’ve worked) have a MAJOR challenge in this regard. I’ve heard so many accounts of store managers who seem to have zero training in supervising or managing people. The outcome is that employee morale is poor (at best) and the performance of the business suffers greatly.

The key point is realizing that what made someone successful in their individual contributor role is NOT necessarily what will make them successful as a team lead, supervisor or manager. Certainly their domain knowledge is important. But, there is so much more to successfully leading people!

If you would like to effectively make the transition from individual contributor to supervisor (and beyond) which results in receiving more pay / more responsibilities, read on. And, managers, if you’d like to effectively bring someone “up the ladder” and/or improve the performance of your team, your coaching and setting an example in the areas outlined below will be extremely beneficial to all concerned!

Following are success principles for anyone in the position of leading people:

  • Keep pride out of the way:
    • Consider your employees team members and NOT subordinates.
    • Treat team members as if they are working “with you” and not “for you.”
  • Replicate yourself by training team members to be able to do your job.
  • Information (withheld) is NOT power. Sharing (appropriate) information is extremely powerful.
  • Delegate, delegate, delegate – not just work, but “appropriate levels of” authority.
  • Don’t be a “know it all.” Listen to your team members. Ask for their input. They are your “sensors” with keen insight in terms of what is working, what is not working and what customers are saying.
  • Realize that “What you do speaks so loudly that I can’t hear what you are saying.” Said another way, don’t ask team members to do anything you aren’t willing to do (or aren’t demonstrating) yourself.
  • Don’t be a “fault finder.” Your team members can make you look good (very good) if you coach, counsel and build them up. Yes, there will be situations warranting “corrective guidance.” Balance this by frequently “catching them doing something right!”
  • When team members come to you with a question or problem ask them what they think the appropriate course of action is. If/when their approach is off track guide them to the correct path.
  • As the leader it is YOUR responsibility to ensure team members understand what you communicate. To ensure understanding (of particularly important information) ask team members to repeat back what you just said, in their own words, to make sure “they got it.”

Numerous books and training courses are available on leading people. You are encouraged to seek out and devour these. To get started, a foundational “must read” is a book previously recommended. If you’ve not yet read this book (this year) you are encouraged to do so (again) as it will make a big / HUGE difference in your career and life!

HTWFAIF

In future posts I may add to, or expand upon, the above principles. It all depends on the next “story” I hear from one of my boys 🙂

Apr 30 2014
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Personal Success

They Need to Pay Me More! Really?!?

With 3 of my sons in college I often hear them talking about conversations they’ve had with fellow students who are lamenting about offers they’ve received for their anticipated first job, resulting from their degree.

A frequent comment my sons have heard is: “I need to be paid more than $X per hour (or year) for that job.” And, the follow-up: “I have a friend who is making 20% more than what they offered me.”

First, congratulations on earning the upcoming or recently acquired degree!!! Hang it proudly. Realize, though, it is just a piece of paper, which caries zero entitlements. And, an education does NOT end with a degree, unless we plan on coasting for the rest of our lives.

Let’s be clear: The potential employer (most likely) doesn’t know the college graduate. And, it is (likely) that the graduate hasn’t yet had the opportunity to demonstrate “real-world business experience” related to the degree earned. Yes, there are exceptions (especially for those fortunate enough to have landed a solid internship in their field of study).

For the rest of us (myself included) we must get our foot in the door and WORK OUR TAILS OFF, if we want to get ahead of the pack.

Think about this. Have you ever sat in front of a wood stove and said “give me some heat!”? What happened – NOTHING!

If we want heat we must first put wood in, light it, give it time to warm up and then / finally we get some heat.

The same goes with a salary. Yes, an employer will begin paying us upon starting a job. But, if we want more we need to demonstrate we are worth more. If, on the other hand, our attitude is “if that is all they are going to pay me then this is all I’m going to do – that which is absolutely necessary to maintain the job and nothing more”, then guess what? That is all we will be paid (expect no dramatic increases). And, we are likely to be a “C Player” who will be jettisoned (that is short for “laid off in a heartbeat“) at the first possible time and/or when the company experiences its next downturn.

To be paid more we have to be worth more. How do we become worth more? Do more than is expected (no brown nosing, please) and be more!

You might ask, where do I get started? I am SO glad you asked. The quick answer: Read more of this blog and ACT on what is suggested. To review focused content on “Personal Success” and “Leadership” read entries in this blog categorized as such. You can do so in 2 ways:

  1. At the top of this post, on the left, under the date, click on “Leadership” or “Personal Success”. All posts for the selected category will instantaneously be presented to you! Gotta love WordPress!
  2. Near the bottom of any page of this blog, on the right, you’ll see a pick list labeled “Categories.” Select “Leadership” or “Personal Success” and voila, the same thing will happen (you will be presented with all posts for this category).

Enjoy the (never-ending) process! And, don’t be afraid to come back for more 🙂

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