In times of crisis, there are two directions human nature can take us: fear, helplessness and victimization or, self-actualization and engagement. On the latter, if leaders have a clear way forward, human beings are amazingly resilient. There is a documented “rally effect.” Source: Gallup, March 23, 2020. Link. Research has found four universal needs that followers have of … [Read more...]
Be present. It’s important.
Being present is truly important. We are all running around in this crazy life, with crazy schedules, kids, work, self-care and fun. We run through our to-dos, zip through our achievements and hurry around the routines. Source: Lander Company, April 6, 2020. Link. The coolest new way I just discovered was tattoos!! Not real ones but safe, temporary ones. Now, every time I … [Read more...]
Crisis management and leadership
Addressing the urgent needs of the present is the work of management. You need to make immediate choices and allocate resources. The pace is fast, and actions are decisive. Leading, by contrast, involves guiding people to the best possible eventual outcome over this arc of time. Your focus needs to be on what is likely to come next and readying to meet it. Source: Harvard … [Read more...]
Recalibrate: Thrive to survive.
Sixty days ago, we were discussing how to thrive in a competitive industry. Now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need ways to survive. Thankfully, the thrive model has application in a survival environment. It just needs to be recalibrated. Source: Vet-Advantage, February 2020. Link. What are their aspirations? Objectives? Every practice owner is not necessarily … [Read more...]
Self-deprecating humor is a positive leadership trait
Emotional intelligence has been deemed a more powerful predictor of a person's success than his or her intelligence. The reason boils down to the simple fact that human relationships are at the very fabric of business. Being able to better understand, connect, empathize, and negotiate with others is crucial in the personal ladder climb. Source: Inc., November 29, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
The leadership tightrope
Throughout history there has always been a widely accepted (at the time) leadership style, as well as new (at the time) leadership style. The most successful leaders were flexible enough to balance their approach between the two. This article nicely describes the tension between traditional leadership and the emerging model with vast applications in today animal health … [Read more...]
Five words for this decade
Watching or listening to the news can be depressing. However, if you want to watch it and be inspired by innovative ideas, get excited by new policies and be encouraged by our collective progress, then here are five words to remember. Maybe even to live by. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, February 17, 2020. Link. More importantly, we must listen well to others and thoughtfully … [Read more...]
Fear-based management is ineffective
It is amazing that some in management and leadership positions resort to creating an environment of fear to get their people to work. Research consistently proves that fear-based leadership or management does not work. It may in the short-term, but the quality of work will be average at best and it is never sustainable in the long run. Source: Leadership First, October 12, … [Read more...]
Talents don’t always mean performance
No matter how talented someone might be, there is no guarantee that their talents will translate into top performance. The science of human potential has generally illustrated that an individual’s overarching competence cannot be fully understood unless we also account for their emotional make-up, preferences, and dispositions. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 18, … [Read more...]
Protect customers from themselves
It’s conventional wisdom to sell how a customer wants to buy, but that isn’t always in the customer’s best interest. Many customers have unknowingly self-sabotaged (Dr. Google) their own buying process. It is a trusted advisor’s role to save customers from the consequences of their own actions. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, February 11, 2020. Link. Here’s the seller’s quandary: … [Read more...]
A manager’s checklist
The greatest gift of leadership is a boss who truly wants you to be successful.” Jon Taffer Source: LinkedIn Pulse, August 19, 2019. Link. Bad boss behaviors lead to poor employee engagement and high turnover. Check yourself against this short list of deal breakers. INSIGHTS: A truly great boss can be hard to find, but difficult to leave and impossible to forget. … [Read more...]
High-performance people grow high-performing practices
High-achieving people, those who can grow your practice, seek development. And, all employees have a psychological need to learn and grow as human beings. Development at work satisfies a person's drive for career and social well being. Source: Gallup Workplace, December 19, 2019. Link Organizations can foster commitment and improve engagement by meeting employees' basic … [Read more...]
Good managers encourage employees to share opinions
In nearly every dimension of business success, the manager makes the difference. From diversity and inclusion to productivity and retention, the manager plays a singular role in the life of an employee. In fact, Gallup's analysis has shown that the quality of a manager accounts for 70% of the variance in team engagement. Source: Gallup, December 30, 2019. Link [ä]. Only a … [Read more...]
Become an unforgettable boss
Google knows that people don’t leave companies; they leave bosses. But unlike most companies who wait around hoping for the right bosses to come along, Google builds each Googler the boss of their dreams. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, May 24, 2017. Link. They coach, and they move obstacles out of the way, even if their people put those obstacles there in the first place. … [Read more...]
Sensitivity is a gift, not a curse
When you’re conscientious and driven, it’s natural to think deeply about situations. However, for many people — especially highly sensitive people, or HSPs <link> — contemplation can quickly trend toward overthinking. It can just as quickly turn into paralyzing anxiety and stress that blocks your productivity and creativity. Source: Quartz at Work, December 9, 2019. … [Read more...]
Diverse thinking adds value
There are many reasons to encourage diverse thinking in your workplace. Social justice and political correctness may be admirable, but their contribution to your bottom line is marginal. The real payoff of diverse thinking is the added value for your organization. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, December 2, 2019. Link. The term “psychological safety” refers to the concept of a … [Read more...]
Take the stress out of work and the holidays
Everyone is affected by stress and the holidays only seem to add to the level of it. Stephanie Sarkis offers tips for managing this increased stress level. Source: Forbes, November 19, 2019. Link. If you’re feeling stressed out, don’t take on new assignments. You may be concerned that it will reflect poorly on you, but your health is the most important thing. If you aren’t … [Read more...]
Find your perfect moment
A perfect moment is one that you utterly and wholly feel where the very concept of time recedes into the distance. It’s where you and your surroundings are alive, brimming with tiny details of mesmerizing beauty. Source: LinkedIn Pulse December 4, 2019. Link. I realize now that Perfect Moments can happen anywhere, anytime. The difference is me, and whether I choose to be … [Read more...]
Difficult customer reactions
I have written at length regarding the ability to acknowledge your customer’s reactions in a way that demonstrates that you heard what they said, you are taking them seriously and you respect their right to their own point of view. Sounds easy enough in theory, but not in application. Source: Vet-Advantage, Livestock Edition, November 2019. Link. At this point, more probing … [Read more...]
Drive: Do you have it?
What gets you up in the morning? Do you need someone else to set expectations for you? Or do you flinch at being presented with a schedule and a set of expectations? Source: Forbes.com, November 11, 2019. Link. Beyond pluck, grit, perseverance, and luck, business success takes one trait above all: drive. Drive is what gets you up in the morning . . . It’s what makes you … [Read more...]
Leadership Presence
Leadership presence is difficult to define, but it is generally where your experience and competence intersect with your confidence and demeanor. The good news is that there are some very reliable ways to develop your leadership presence. Wally Schmader has suggestions. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, November 5, 2019. Link. Recognizing the good work of others is crucial to … [Read more...]
Leading change
There are salespeople who seem programmed to think if they can overcome, handle or minimize a customer’s negative points of view, the customer will drop their resistance and the salesperson’s goals will be achieved. In other words, the belief seems to be, “If I prove my point, you will you drop yours.” Source: Vet-Advantage Magazine, October 2019. Link. Start by thinking of … [Read more...]
We need less I and more WE
We have become fascinated with strong individuals: ninjas, rock stars and 30 under 30s. We hail unicorns and disruptors, and we mock those on the decline as dinosaurs or people who couldn’t see the writing on the wall. Celebrating individual achievements is fine, but not if we forget about the importance of community. Source: The Message, October 10, 2019. Link. Care more … [Read more...]
What if…?
What if I fail? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” These two brief sentences speak to both the fear that paralyzes so many of us, as well as the unlimited potential should we allow ourselves to imagine. Source: Forbes.com, October 15, 2019. Link You can’t successfully go after what you want until you can clearly articulate what that is. Challenge yourself to dig deep … [Read more...]
Managing our attention
Wish there were more hours in the day? Sorry. Everyone gets 24 – no more, no less. If you’re serious about personal productivity, time is not the most critical issue. Personal productivity is mainly about attention. Source: Forbes, October 8, 2019. Link. The first person we will break an appointment with is always ourselves, requiring us to spend time “dragging” tasks from … [Read more...]
Failure is a step to success
Failure simply means that I set an intention that I was not able to live up to or a goal that I did not achieve. The only sure-fire way I know to completely avoid failure is to never set intentions and never state your goals. Source: Forbes, September 27, 2019. Link. A life without failure is a life without striving. Of course, no one (knowingly) strives for failure. We … [Read more...]
Positivity pays off
We all have a choice. We can choose to be positive and encouraging, or we can choose to be a pessimist and have self-pity. It’s a power we all have. Each of us encounters hard times, hurt feelings and pain. The key is to realize it’s not what happens to you that matters; it’s how you choose to respond. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, September 2, 2019. Link. One of the most … [Read more...]
More helping – less selling = success
I have just alienated every sales manager out there. But, our industry needs less selling and more helping. Your customer is trying to decide whether to buy or not. HELP THEM. Stop regurgitating features and benefits in the hope that something sticks. Source: Veterinary Advantage – Companion Edition, August 14, 2019. Link. For too many distributor representatives, objections … [Read more...]
Humility in the workplace is not a sign of weakness
Humility tends to be overlooked in the workplace. It is frequently misconstrued as a weak attribute. That is actually a far cry from the true meaning of the word. And, it is a further cry from the way it should be applied in leadership. It's about showing respect and recognizing truth in all situations, including in the workplace. Source: Inc., August 23, 2019. Link. Humble … [Read more...]
Keep success simple
One thing is true, regardless of how you choose to define success, it’s not for the weak-hearted! With some courage, a commitment to leadership and resilience, success is attainable and sustainable. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, August 14, 2019. Link As with many things in life, there's a little mind over matter involved. What we see as the final product (success) is actually made … [Read more...]