Advancing from the least-engaged age group to the most-engaged age group, thanks to the pandemic and its baby, remote work; millennials are engaging like never before. Their engagement surge clearly relates to a particular employee experience – one that can be analyzed, categorized – and replicated. Source: Gallup, January 6, 2021. Link. Millennials are the majority and as … [Read more...]
2020’s Leadership lessons
All those who made it through the past 12 months did so by learning, being conscious of their situations and being open to change. Here are five important lessons. Source: Executive Grapevine, January 13, 2021. Link. Interactions are essential. INSIGHT: My personal mantra for 2020 and beyond is “Assess, Adapt and Act.” … [Read more...]
The 2021 employee experience
To create a best-in-class workplace, leaders need to consistently deliver on the fundamental, unchanging elements of a great employee experience. At the same time, leaders must ask smart questions in response to pressing demands and strategically adapt their employee experience to accommodate those challenges. Source: Gallup.com, January 8, 2021. Link. Onboarding new … [Read more...]
The fallacy of more education
Far too often we believe that more education will solve every problem. It will not. If it did, we would have achieved 100 percent compliance years ago and this entire column would be unnecessary. Source: Vet-Advantage, December 2020. Link. When you mention vaccines or preventatives, your customer will begin to formulate an attitude about that subject. The attitude they adopt … [Read more...]
Resilience needed for ongoing success
For many of us, and in most businesses, change is constant. Whether a business is adapting for relevance, roles are expanding for progress or departments are realigning for efficiencies, something new is at the heart of the change initiatives. And, never has this been truer for all of us in a global pandemic. Source: Turknett Leadership Group, December 17, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
That is logical
Becoming a logical person involves cultivating intellectual habits and skills that, though they may seem simple and obvious, are only achieved after years of struggle and education. Source: The 10 habits of logical people, Foundation for economic education, fee.org. January 21, 2018. Link. The authentically logical person keeps his logic rooted in truth and never lets it … [Read more...]
The future of work?
Upon examination, these months of operating in survival mode provide valuable insight into how organizations and people can move forward from this disruption and position themselves to navigate future disruptions that are bound to occur. In short, we see a path toward thriving, not merely surviving. Source: Forbes, November 18, 2020. Link. Going forward, leaders and teams … [Read more...]
Habits and the Grand Canyon
I am not sure there is a way to adequately prepare yourself to see the Grand Canyon for the first time. But for those who have always lived nearby it is just a fact of life, part of the usual environment. Like a habit. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, November 18, 2020. Link Replacing a bad habit with a good one is not as easy as that sounds, but it is doable. You do not have to be … [Read more...]
The new manager challenge
The transition from individual contributor to manager is not an easy one. In many cases, the skills that got you a promotion will not be the same ones that make you effective as a manager. Source: Inc., August 7, 2017. Link. Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself, in others, and leveraging this awareness to manage your … [Read more...]
Creativity – nature or nurture?
Some people think creativity is static. You are either born creative, or not. Jesse Hemphill believes creativity is more of a muscle that you can strengthen. Sure, some people are born preternaturally fit, but we can all do a lot to get a lot stronger. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, November 2, 2020. Link. If you are looking to grow professionally as a writer or a hotel staffer or … [Read more...]
Learn to say, “No.”
To make the most of your time, you will need to say no to things that are not particularly aligned with your personal or professional goals. Source: Forge, September 21, 2020. Link. The question is not would I rather do this thing or nothing, it’s would I rather do this thing or everything else in my already packed life that I’m currently living. INSIGHTS: Time is a … [Read more...]
Opening a conversation
If you find yourself starting conversations with, “How are you?,” Bill Murphy, Jr.’s column will help you. Because it turns out there is a solid argument for why choosing a different phrase could subtly improve the ways that other people perceive you. Source: Inc., October 10, 2020. Link. Most of the time, you don't ask "How are you?" because you actually want the other … [Read more...]
Leadership is often not pretty
Many consider leadership an art and sometimes that art is imperfect. The market changed and you did not see it coming. That new hire turned out to be all style and little substance. Regardless of the specifics, mistakes happen, and Jason Aten’s article may help you manage them. Source: INC, October 10, 2020. Link. One of the most challenging parts (of leadership) is that you … [Read more...]
Dreamer or doer?
Warren Buffett shares four life choices. Common sense, yes. But, to many of us, it is not common practice. That is, until we become believers than the principles work. All you need to do is act on them with positive intent. Source: Inc., September 24, 2020. Link. You will move in the direction of people you associate with. So, it is important to associate with those that are … [Read more...]
Zooming as the norm
With more people than ever working remotely, it feels like we’ve been in more meetings than normal in 2020. The desire to sync up with our teams more often when we are all working from our homes makes sense. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, September 9, 2020. Link. That is, start your meetings by making sure everyone on the call understands the Purpose, the Outcomes, and the … [Read more...]
Clear expectations needed for best results
Our expectations are world-class customer service.” Does this mean we answer your call within three rings? Does it mean our customer service representatives are multi-lingual? Does this mean our customer service department is open 24/7/365? Does it mean the customer is always right? Exactly what does it mean? It illustrates the need to set clear expectations. Rachel Botsman’s … [Read more...]
Grief leadership needed during Covid-19
The coronavirus pandemic has put in perspective the need for leaders to prepare for disruption of work routines, anxiety within their communities and organizations, and even deaths of community members, friends and team members. Source: Uniformed Services University, May 2020. Link. During pandemics, leaders must attend to many responsibilities, including effective … [Read more...]
Too many options
The information age has provided decision makers greater access to more information faster than ever before. While information is beneficial, too much of a good thing can create problems. This is where the concept of “strategic ignorance” can help decision makers succeed. Source: ideas.ted.com August 31, 2020. Link. If you’re serious about achieving goals and intentionally … [Read more...]
Differentiate your practice
One of the biggest challenges facing veterinary practices today is how to differentiate the practice from every other one in the marketplace. It is a challenge for everyone in the business-to-consumer category. Sometimes the answer lies in getting outside ourselves. Source: Vet-Advantage, August, 2020. Link I am going to suggest that you might further differentiate yourself … [Read more...]
Growing during a pandemic
With social distancing and other safety measures in place, a virtual component to your business strategy is vital. Cost-effective and instantaneous, digital marketing can serve as a lifeline for business during these uncertain times. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, May 4, 2020. Link. Complementing the local outreach strategy, look for ways to inspire and champion your community. If … [Read more...]
Empowering empowerment
Firms are finding out that transitioning from an authoritarian model to an employee-empowerment model is not easy. It requires new behaviors and new ways of thinking for executives and employees. Source: Forbes, August 4, 2020. Link. Empowerment is an active process. It involves coaching or teaching team members to self-serve, to make decisions, and to use less of their … [Read more...]
All ears
You’re not listening to me.” Your customer is actually saying you aren’t taking them seriously and it is probably because you didn’t acknowledge their concern before you offered a solution. Source: Vet-Advantage Magazine, June 2016. Link. By responding to the other person, you are telling her that she has the power in the conversation. Remember, they are the … [Read more...]
Be a coach, not a micromanager
Around the early 1900s as we shifted from an agrarian economy to an industrial engine, micromanagers were needed to help farm hands become industrialists. A couple of decades later, they were obsolete. But, they managed to evolve so that, unfortunately, they are still around today. Do you work for one, are one, lead one or have a culture of micromanagement? This article may … [Read more...]
The best advice? Ask more questions.
As a leadership mentor, I am often asked for advice about a wide range of business issues. The temptation is to immediately try to answer the questions. I have learned the best mentors slow down and ask a few of their own questions before trying to answer the questions they were asked. Source: Inc, July 19, 2020. Link. The Advice Giver is usually an established, busy person. … [Read more...]
Improve your mental strength step by step
The current pandemic greatly demonstrates there is a real scarcity of mentally strong people. Spend more than a few minutes on social media and you will be exposed to meltdowns over trivial concerns. I wondered why, so I searched for advice on improving one’s mental strength. Source: Forbes, January 7, 2019. Link. Most of the articles on mental strength focused on what not … [Read more...]
Build your mentoring team
It is well-documented that those who are mentored outperform and out-earn those who are not. They get promoted more often and report lower burnout rates.However, having just one mentor is limiting. Having a team of mentors puts you in the driver’s seat. Source: Forbes, July 6, 2020 Link. Tell people what your goal and plan is. Mentors will emerge with guidance and … [Read more...]
Vulnerability can be a leadership asset
It is a given that no one is invincible. Even Achilles had a weakness. Business today is less of a war and more of a competition for minds and hearts. So, revealing what we already know – that you are vulnerable – can be an asset. Source: Fast Company, June 29, 2020. Link. Leaders gain invaluable respect and trust by asking more questions (and valuing the input) rather than … [Read more...]
When you are closer to the end than the beginning
Arthur Brooks, who recently retired as president of the American Enterprise Institute, is one of my favorite writers. His recent work, Love your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt, is some of his best work. This Atlantic column deals with another disturbing topic – our decline – but also offers some sage advice. Source: The Atlantic, … [Read more...]
A request for help
Comments: Malone addresses one of the more common stumbling blocks all animal health pros face when experiencing resistance. These experiences drive a desire for answers to: How do I handle “NO?” How do I overcome objections? How do I deal with difficult people? In this article like others, Malone drives home the need for leadership regardless of your role or … [Read more...]
Employee engagement builds resilient teams
Business units are at an increased advantage and more resilient than their peers if employee engagement is strong. And they are at an increased disadvantage and less resilient if employee engagement is weak during a recession. Source: Gallup, May 20, 2020. Link. Clear expectations - during tough times, employees need managers who reset priorities, involve them in … [Read more...]