Coaching to Success

Our business is your success

Neil Nutburn

SO HOW’S THE MORALE IN THE TEAM YOU’RE IN, OR RESPONSIBLE FOR, DOING?

Whether you’re into it or not, the footy season is upon us and new teams have been formed, existing teams re-jigged, new members joined and established members have departed… not much different to the world of commerce really but how does that leave you especially if the morale of the team has taken a knock?

“Morale is the capacity of a group of people to pull together persistently and consistently in pursuit of a common purpose” is how sociologist Alexander Leighton puts it so it’s critical to invest time in developing good morale for your organisation to flourish, those that do experience much higher productivity, profitability and staff retention, decreased level of absenteeism and turnover of employee numbers as well as producing an amazing place to ‘want’ to come and work in!

So what are some common factors to cause morale to dip, check off those you feel within your environment…

  • Dismal communication.
  • Difficult co-workers.
  • Heavy workloads and/or stress.
  • No recognition or reward/gratitude.
  • Restructure or Layoffs
  • Deplorable leadership.
  • Inflexible working conditions.
  • Loss of contract that’s had a lot of time/resources ploughed into it.
  • Cancellation of team benefits.
  • Lack of enablement or autonomy.

And how frequently do Managers or Leaders turn a blind eye, or not even realise the state of morale by just putting it down to workload pressure. How often can the following clues be overlooked…

  • Increased absenteeism.
  • Increased staff turnover.
  • Lack of enthusiasm by not only individual members but groups too.
  • Obvious despondency.
  • Decreased productivity.
  • Increase conflict between team members.
  • Increased complaints about work, or other team members.

You don’t have to be an Associate, Partner or Director of a firm or company to be a leader but whatever your role, Lead from the front and build your own positive attitude or outlook. See what difference this has on those around you. Understand what’s affecting your morale and then ascertain means by which you can address this to create positive affirmations even through the quagmire of assumed despair. Self-confidence inspires others, ‘Positive’ thinking encourages positivity around you (negative has the same effect but in the wrong direction), Quick wins results in improved morale with confidence flourishing in your team as well as yourself and understanding of the reality of the situation not just the emotive shackles we often tie around our own ankles.

Some other tips to consider:

  1. CONNECT WITH YOUR TEAM – Avoid hiding behind a desk with closed doors. Get out there, speak to the team, find out about personal as well as work subjects and show interest. Show presence by walking around and being approachable, keep communication channels open and get to ‘feel’ what’s happening around you, this is ‘emotional intelligence’ and don’t run from it, embrace it and show empathy with commitment to deal with issues arising. Remember earlier the ‘No recognition’ comment, reward your team/members and this doesn’t have to cost a penny, simply making an announcement to all how well a member or team have done builds positive feelings but physical rewards work well when they’re due or even awarding time off.
  2. CLARITY OF DIRECTION – Set ‘Clear’ goals. This way members ‘know’ what they should be doing or aiming for. SMART goals, yeah, I know, business spiel but it works!
  3. COMMUNICATION – The mother of all problems! Without clarity, rumours start and with rumours come the segregation within any organisation even if it’s sound as a bell, so it’s imperative that timely and accurate information is given. If there are changes being made, keep those around up to date so they can’t make their own ‘assumptions’. Express how things will affect them but remember to ‘Receive’ as well… after all, communication means “the activity of conveying information through the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behaviour”
  4. ENVIRONMENT – You’d be surprised to what a lick of paint, new air-conditioning, personal storage facilities, cooking equipment etc etc may have. Bright airy rooms to work in have extremely positive outcomes, tidy environment brings order both physically but mentally too.
  5. DEVELOPMENT – Regardless of managerial belief, people generally want to improve their lot, as it were. Find out what needs for development exist in your team(s), especially if there have already been lay-offs. By offering this, a better sense of security in what they do can be seen
  6. MAINTAIN MOTIVATION – All too often there’s a positive ‘get up and go’ approach and the following month, life’s back to normal! Know what makes your team members tick, it’s not always financial! (look into Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs). Keep up with SMART goals and stay ‘Connected’ with your team(s).

Coaching to Success understands where individuals and groups can suffer from the drop in Morale and how to help those leaders develop a positive environment and helps keep you motivated to succeed through these times as well as supporting you along this path. If this is an area you feel you, your team or firm/company would benefit from, take that first step by speaking to someone who can help you improve morale whilst keeping you on track to reach them, after all, that’s what coaching is all about so pick up the phone to arrange a free consultation on how we can help, contact Neil (07761 187238) or throw us an email at info@coachingtosuccess.co.uk… We’re here to help.

GOING FOR YOUR OWN GOLD… WINNING FORMULA!

Goal Setting!! Yep, easy expression but not so easy to achieve. Back in 1979, New graduates of the Harvard’s MBA Program were interviewed and it was found that 84% had no specific goals at all, 13% had goals but they were not committed to paper 3% had clear, written goals and plans to accomplish them. Later, in 1989, the interviewers again interviewed the graduates of that class and they discovered the following results… The 13% of the class who had goals were earning, on average, twice as much as the 84 percent who had no goals at all. Even more staggering – the three percent who had clear, written goals were earning, on average, ten times as much as the other 97 percent put together.

So, Goal Setting. Here’s 7 Tips to set you off on a path of Gold:

  • Tip 1: SET REALISTIC GOAL

Explore your imagination, let it run riot and go for the BIG! And then reign it in to check it is actually achievable and within a time scale that is also realistic. Adopt the SMART strategy (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timed)

  • Tip 2: OPEN YOUR MIND TO ALL AREAS

It is all too easy to simply focus on work-related goals alone. Look at goals that also bring enjoyment into your life relating to you happiness and well-being. Get the balance of goal setting right across all areas of your life.

  • Tip 3: MAKE THE GOALS ‘POSITIVE’

So many times we set ‘Negative’ goals!! What are these? Well, take areas such as wanting to GIVE UP smoking, STOP working so many hours, or to LOSE weight, these are negative so turn them around and put them into the positive… Create a healthier lifestyle, Spend more time with my family or to get fitter. Reframe negatives into positives… you may be surprised at how much more attractive they become and consequently more achievable.

  • Tip 4: SET REALISTIC COMPLETION TIME

Often we estimate to complete a task by ‘x’. To be truly proficient in setting a deadline is to set a start-time. Once you have the start, you can decide how long each segment (if there are more than one) takes to complete your overall goal and then schedule those times in thus removing the panic at the end and inevitably not completing it at all.

  • Tip 5: SET AN ACHIEVABLE AMOUNT OF GOALS

There are only 24 hours in a day, and each goal will take time and energy, therefore, be constructive and realistic in how many goals you can achieve and the time you can give them to insure they receive your full attention. “Quality, NOT quantity” so rather than setting a myriad of goals, by all means, set out what you wish to accomplish and then chose the ones you wish to start on knowing they’re attainable.

  • Tip 6: IT’S NOT A FAILURE, IT’S A LEARNING!

As Thomas Edison commented when he eventually found how to create electric light “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. When you don’t succeed, treat these as ‘Learning’ curves, not failures as these contain the lessons that can ultimately change your life. Take note of where you may not have been successful in reaching your goal and use that knowledge for the next attempt.

  • Tip 7: REVIEW HOW YOU’RE DOING

Some short term goals can be set and achieved in a matter of weeks, others may take years but throughout, it is critical to review your own progress. Analyse what you have achieved up to a given point and do this at regular intervals. If it’s a large overall goal, set sub-goals and reward yourself when you accomplish them within the given time-scale (for me, I make myself a REALLY nice cup of coffee!) It doesn’t have to be costly but something to show you’ve achieved it. Also, you can review or adapt your goal to insure it remains live and realistic.

Coaching to Success help and keep you motivated along your path to success and support you through these transitions and if this is an area you are unsure of or feel you would benefit from, take that first step by speaking to someone who can help you set these goals and keep you on track to reach them, after all, that’s what coaching is all about so pick up the phone to arrange a free consultation on how we can help, contact Neil (07761 187238) or throw us an email at info@coachingtosuccess.co.uk… We’re here to help.

ARE YOU ‘COMFY’ WITHIN YOUR BUSINESS? YOU MAY NEED TO STRETCH YOURSELF THEN!

When I heard that news about Neil Armstrong, may he rest in peace, I started to think about what he would have done had he simply sat back and said “You know what, I’m comfy doing what I do and I don’t think I’ll stretch myself to areas of the unknown”?

which then got me thinking about the fact that we’re still in difficult times out there, so let’s sit back and absorb the doom and gloom the media keep throwing at us… alternatively, we could always ‘stretch ourselves’ out of our own ‘Comfort Zone’ and now IS the time to take those risks as others are doing as they will be the ones to succeed. Darwin once said “It is not the strongest that survive but the one most responsive to change”. Okay, we’re talking the greater concept of evolution here but, nonetheless, the same principles apply to our businesses, jobs, career path and decisions in our own lives too!

Change is always imbued with danger of the unknown, but it doesn’t need to be that scary a place to venture.

Consider these points…

Take small steps first:

  • Pick up the phone, call someone you haven’t spoken to for some time a lost customer/client.
  • If you’re inclined to let others have a debate and not contribute for fear of your point not being valued, push yourself and let it be known.
  • Review what you know then learn a new skill.

 

Medium sized steps:

  • At Networking events or gatherings, go up to someone, actually, 5 someones you have never met before and introduce yourself… quick tip here though is ask them about what they do before spouting out about everything you do!
  • Take the reins and actually go for that job, project or relationship.

 

Take a Gigantic step(s):

  • Go and present to a company of which is outside of your experience or knowledge.
  • Learn to deal with failure (to quote another well-known individual, Thomas Edison… I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work)
  • Contact an expert in your field and specifically ask them for an endorsement or even an interview.

Personalities are affected by our comfort zone and those who have the confidence to step outside of their own prisons are normally those considered to be highly successful as they inevitably seem to accomplish what they set out to achieve.

Our comfort zones are a mental condition to impede moving into the unknown and consequently act as a sense of mental boundaries of which we stay confined and hide behind curtains of excuses for not being able to move forward. To step out of it, we have to adopt new behaviours, new beliefs and this does affect each and every one of us differently.

Coaching to Success have helped people confront un-acceptable situations at work, to create a new business in these times of austerity and succeed, teams to bond well together increasing the output two fold over the sum of the individuals alone and even someone who not only had to give a speech but to create and deliver a wedding speech!! Anyone can accomplish anything they desire… it’s taking the first step outside of your own confinement that’s the difficult one! Start by taking small steps, then push your own boundaries and with each success, comes the reward of self-propulsion to move up the gear.

Coaching can help you, motivate you and support you through these transitions and if this is an area you are unsure of or feel you would benefit from, take that first step by speaking to someone new and pick up the phone to call us to arrange a free consultation on how we can help, contact Neil (07761 187238) or throw us an email at info@coachingtosuccess.co.uk… We’re here to help.

THINGS CHANGED… FOR A WHILE! SO, BACK TO NORMALITY THEN!

It appears to be a human trait that we look at things cynically with great expectations of failure. The 2012 Olympics came to an eruptive conclusion Sunday night with everyone in the country thinking what a spectacular event and what a total SUCCESS it was. If ‘Change’ is handled correctly, we’ll embrace it, if not… we fight against it! So, how do we go about making positive change that everyone wants to buy in to? Read on…

Prior to that though and with the full knowledge that we were to make some drastic changes to our beloved capital city, our lives were to be disrupted. The burden this would put onto our country that seemed to already bowing under the pressure of every other bit of doom and gloom the media could throw at us… CHANGE, we frequently don’t like it but it’s inevitable and with change, benefits can be found in abundance should we choose to look but there’s more! COMMUNICATION is the key.

There is a cycle we go through individually as well as in the organisation or firm from ‘Crisis’ to ‘Opportunity’ and understanding where people are along this route means we can help them as well as ourselves towards the ‘Opportunity’ whilst aiming to insure that we don’t add further barriers.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross looked into this cycle and it goes along the line of…

FIRST THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL … Relief (rumours have passed, now I know!) … Shock … Denial … Anger … Bargaining (‘if’ I do this then maybe!) … Guilt … Panic (What if it fails, will I be caught out that I can’t do this??) … Depression … THEN WE HEAD UP … Resignation (Nothing I can do about it, ‘spose I’d better just get on with it) … Acceptance (maybe these changes are going to be beneficial?) … Building (ah, this is where I can contribute) … Opportunity (this is good, I’m liking where this is going. This is actually fun!)

Using, but more importantly, understanding this cycle, you can relay different messages throughout the whole change process. Plan to keep people involved and informed. Understand where they are in the cycle and insure clarity of communication is given and to help them through that area they may be stuck on/in.

This is an area where we’re strong in at Coaching to Success but leadership in your organisation may not be as strong when it comes to making change in your organisation. Going back to the Olympics… remember the news coverage? Support that the stars and sports people offered all through the process! Updates on how we were actually ‘Ahead’ of schedule in the construction of the park! The ‘feel-good’ factor that emanated without it having even started! And when we started to win medals, there was no stopping the ‘Positive’ communication that came out.

Don’t assume people know what’s happening. Keep them informed and involved, ‘Change’ will happen without as much pain as could otherwise be avoided. Such a positive end to the Olympics, long may that positivity reign before the media head back to what they do best , hmmm!

Should ‘Change’ be something that you will have to go through or are going through and are struggling to get others on board, consider the cycle and if you or your organisation/firm would appreciate some external help to smooth the way, we would welcome your initial enquiry just to chat and see how we can benefit what you’re doing. Simply call Neil to arrange a free consultation on how we can help, on 07761 187238 or email info@coachingtosuccess.co.uk… We’re here to help.

DANNY BOYLE CERTAINLY CHANGED THE WAY OF NORMALITY!

Although a lot of the world may not completely understand what Danny Boyle was doing concerning the great representation of our honourable history, the visual effects were outstanding in their own right but, nonetheless, he did something quite risky and away from the safer normality of how the Olympics are opened and IT WORKED!

This is by way of a tenuous link to what has been mentioned before in as much as that if you stay on the same path that you’re on now, you will inevitably end up at the same location. Sometimes you need to break the mould and do something a bit drastic. In other words, if you’re not satisfied with the way your current life is going, the lack of impetus in getting new clients, business is reducing rather than increasing, your team are simply not working together etc, the likelihood is that you need to change the way you currently do things.

You could argue that it’s outside situations or events that are influencing your outcome, to a degree we wouldn’t argue but if you just accept that without stepping out of your comfort zone to try something different or new… things WILL NOT improve.

Quite a harsh statement made there and this now leads on how you can look to where you are now and where you’re heading. A great tool for this is the ‘Cartesian Quadrant’ and although simplistic in its nature, it has quite powerful outcome with regards the way it gets you to take a step back and assess where you are.

As a coach, we would delve into some of the areas with incisive questions, digging deeper than the obvious, thus getting you to really think and that’s an area we can discuss should you so wish, in the meantime, play around with it yourself and once you get the buzz for where this could lead you, give us a call then… here it is:

Draw a large square box and then divide this in half first horizontally then vertically so you now have a block 2×2 squares. Along the top, on the left write “If I DO make a change” and above the squares to it’s right, write “If I DON’T make a change”. Moving to the left and adjacent to the top square, write “What WOULD happen” and next to the bottom row “What WON’T happen”. So in the top left square you can write your answers to the question “What WOULD happen If I DO make a change”… you’ll get the idea from here.

If there is an area that you wish to change but are unsure of how to get there… do not hesitate in picking up the phone to call us to arrange a free consultation on how we can help, contact Neil (07761 187238) or throw us an email at info@coachingtosuccess.co.uk… We’re here to help.