Ready to take another step towards becoming a consistent manager? Great!
To achieve your desired results, clarify what you expect from your staff. As Brian Tracy says in The Psychology of Achievement, you must 1) tell people what to expect, and 2) follow through on those expectations.
That makes sense, right? If you ask employees to arrive by a certain time each morning, then someone shows up late without consequences, your staff assumes your timeliness standard isn’t important. Without follow through, more and more employees will arrive late. Why? Because when you do not follow through, you send a message that it is no big deal.
Over my 15 years of corporate coaching, I’ve added two of my own key steps to Brian Tracy’s advice. The first is to know what you expect.
Think about how you, as a leader, view flex time, paid time off, and other policies and come up with your own standards. That way, you’ll know exactly what to tell your employees. This will increase your odds of being consistent.
The next piece is to communicate assertively. Otherwise, your staff will be frustrated.
Want an easy way to achieve assertive communication? When you make a request, stop sticking that big, old “but” into things!
Seriously, look at the difference one word can make:
“I know you’re busy now, but I need you to comment on this report.”
“I know you’re busy now, and I need five minutes to discuss this report in the next hour.”
"That’s a really great idea, but that’s not what we’re talking about right now."
“That’s a really great idea. I’d like to add it to our agenda for next time, will you email me a reminder to do so?”
Notice how the second sentences present clear, respectful expectations. Now that’s an excellent manager talking!
Welcome to the Black Box of Leadership!
Leadership often feels like you have entered that black box. There is no seemingly easy out. AND too often we get into leadership because we are good at our jobs. Being good at your job has NOTHING to do with the skills needed to lead people who do the job! My goal is to create a forum where:• Top performing employees learn what they can do to be ready for a leadership position;• New managers gain the necessary tools for success;• Proven models of leadership success are told, taught and supported.
There is light in the black box of leadership. Let me help you find it!
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