Take Action

Let’s take some action friends.  Nothing in life happens unless someone does something.  There may be someone or something prodding you to take some action and you need to listen to your instincts.

Don’t let the outside world or personal circumstances stop you from being all you can be.  Let’s motivate ourselves away from the masses.  Back away from the herd and the branding iron and lead your own stampede – only a stampede that will get you closer to your results.  We only have 3 weeks left in March which ends the third quarter.

What are you going to do about it?

Don’t Miss a Golden Opportunity to Build a Better Relationship by Avoiding a Difficult Conversation!

I have been a longtime fan of Susan Scott and her book ‘Fierce Conversations.’  If you haven’t read it I would suggest it as a ‘must read’ to anyone who struggles with facing issues in both personal and professional relationships.  Today I am going to discuss work conversations and why it is so critical to have ‘real conversations’ with colleagues and clients.

I find the biggest issue that causes conflict is being misunderstood, misquoted or interpreted the wrong way.  The root of most communication problems is not addressing these issues immediately.  Even with clients it may seem very difficult to address a problem directly but if you don’t, the ramifications could be losing their business altogether.  When working on a project, a team assignment or even dealing with family life issues, you need to be clear and state what fact vs. feeling is. 

Here are some tips to think about as you begin the journey of ‘getting real’ with conversations:

1. Matching Efforts on Projects - Most teams at work and even within families start to feel unbalanced in their productivity.  Who is doing more work, who is contributing more and what feedback should you give to someone on the team who is not doing their fair share
2. Never allow silence with a client to last more than a few days - Don’t ignore signs from a client – if they are not responding to email or calls, stay strong and don’t give up
3. Don’t hide behind email - A. Email can lead to misunderstandings because you can’t hear or see the ‘cues’ - B. Use my rule of never handling any issues over email – pick up the phone
4. Get real with corporate goals - A. Don’t let an annual review go by with the basic baseline feedback. B. Create a T chart – here is what I need from you – what do you need from me?
5. Remember that not speaking up and discussing or confronting issues solves nothing….make something happen by speaking up!

Don’t Sabotage your Career!

It is so easy to point fingers at others you work with but it may be more difficult to look at yourself.  It is easy to identify bad habits.  Always rushing to finish a project, shooting down others ideas, not listening and being disorganized.  Many people live with a false sense of security.  They believe they are the smartest, strongest, sharpest and best looking until someone comes along that highlights their weaknesses.

Your blind spots may stop you from growing in your career.  Pay attention and be willing to take feedback so you can improve and grow.

So here are my tips for this week:

1. Stop missing appointments, deadlines and don’t fall short on your commitments

2. Get organized immediately

3. Don’t procrastinate – get it done and on time

4. Double check your work

5. Take responsibility for your goals

6. Don’t have an “It’s not my job” attitude.  Do not be that person who won’t take on responsibility and is unwilling to sacrifice personal interests for a larger goal

7. Be willing to change – get out of your ‘rut’

8. Be positive

9. Create more value than expected

10. And…..most of all contribute to the success of the whole organization – not just your department

This is Not Just Another Day

History of Veterans Day:

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.

However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Remember today, those who have served their country with such pride and heroism – always and forever!