Bob Schultek Author of The Gauntlet All our lives, we struggle to improve, to advance our careers, and to strengthen the financial well-being of our families. There is genuine value in this pursuit, and during our lifetimes, we’ll have opportunities to make more money. But, is the pursuit of wealth what truly drives you? Is that what defines you? Most leaders acknowledge that real satisfaction comes from what they do, how they act to overcome …
Leaders seeking commitment from their teams regarding the implementation of a decision often encounter delays as a team pursues consensus and certainty. Living with the reality that decisions must be made promptly, and typically with limited time for research or analysis, is a fact of life for leaders; they understand that these circumstances could lead to a decision being wrong. But their teams may struggle with this reality as they work towards committing to the …
For leaders, change is a perpetual companion, sometimes arising from circumstances and sometimes by plan. When driven by strategy, change always involves a bargain. If the bargain you’re offering is not generating an adequate reaction, then there are 2 remedies. Your bargain involves an “if-then” proposition. “If you follow this methodology, then you’ll accelerate that production line.” “If you take these steps, then your profitability will be more sustainable.” “If you operate like this, then …
Leaders are hired to improve results. It’s expected that they will change the status quo to accomplish this objective. But leaders can’t change things by themselves; they succeed by inspiring and influencing others to get it done. When driving a change initiative, be aware of two issues that influence how motivation for the change is perceived. Impact and imperfection drive change by clarifying the reasons for it and by accelerating it. People need to understand …
Leaders are expected to be positive change agents that improve performance. And the performance enhancements produced by their change initiatives are expected to be sustainable. Properly mixing two ingredients produces sustained, transformational change. Much of the information involved in a change initiative is factual and objective, all of it observable and measurable. But change involves motivating people to challenge precedent and to move in a different direction. To be successful, it must address shared perceptions …
Leaders communicate purpose, vision and goals. But no action or change can begin until your people engage to move in the direction you’ve specified. As the constant companion of change, fear of the unknown must be overcome. Paralysis persists as the assessment of what could be gained or lost continues. If your team cannot visualize the goal, if they can’t see how the future will emerge, then you must help them push through the fear …
As their leader, your people are always watching you – and you are impacting how they perform. Leaders make the difference. When you’re the leader, to your direct reports, you’re the most important person in the organization. You influence their willingness to stay or their urge to leave. You shape their career trajectory, their behaviors, their motivation to do their best work, their connection to your company’s purpose, and their commitment to exceeding your customers’ …
A recent blog addressed authenticity as the enabler of leadership. Several of you asked how to take the next step in leadership – how do you inspire action in your team? Learning how to inspire is part of mastering leadership. Some leaders do it well while others can’t seem to make it happen. The most inspirational leaders share a common process. They all ask “why” something should be done before they explain what must be done and …
Every leader faces a business crisis during his or her career. It’s the defining moment of adversity that tests that person’s leadership competency. What decisions must be made now? What vital actions must urgently be taken? Proven leaders consider 3 key questions when confronting a crisis. 1. What is the current real situation? Leaders first seek to gain a comprehensive understanding about the actual scope of the crisis. This is the diagnostic assessment. What caused …
Leaders understand that success is the result of adapting to circumstances. How much direct influence is required to achieve the goal? When a significant change impacts the business or a crisis arises, a more directive approach is necessary. When the organization is functioning well, then a more empowering style can be effective. What remains constant, regardless of the circumstances, is the pull to be drawn into today’s problems, potentially diverting your attention from future opportunities …
