Coaching to Success

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Beliefs

How do you define a good leader? 15 areas to assess and 5 to adopt…

Is it true that leaders are born, not created? Be careful not to misinterpret the vociferous amongst us as being good leaders. Natural personality often means these people end up at the front, leadership is actually a set of techniques and skills anyone can learn to adopt.

A good leader will require excellent management skills, whereas a good manager, may not actually require leadership skills!

Having looked across many different areas from the legal fraternity, general offices, retail to call centres, I am amazed at how many are feeling downtrodden and lacking enthusiasm to do better, why is this? The reality is often a need in improvement of leadership skills!
Leadership is about the people, management the process. Another observation I’ve seen is management need to do things right whereas leadership requires you to do the right things.

So to help, here’s a list of 15 leaders’ typical behaviour pattern. Give
yourself a mark, or assess someone who is in your organisation that is classed as a leader, out of ten and scribble it against each.

  • Patience to allow time for individuals to change
  • Attitude to earn rather than demand respect
  • Confident
  • Mistakes are dealt with justly allowing lessons to be learned
  • Exceptional role models
  • Deal with causes of issues rather than firefighting symptoms
  • Willing to upset the equilibrium for positive change
  • They say what they mean, and mean what they say
  • Decisive
  • Seek and endorse ‘new ideas’ culture
  • Do not create ‘favourites’ or ‘cliques’
  • Refuse to blindly follow the norm
  • Understand importance of adequate rest and relaxation
  • Focused on positive outcomes rather than negative personality traits
  • Face reality and if it’s not great, they don’t pretend that it is.

The maximum possible score is 150. Any areas below a score of 7, questions should be asked pertaining to what’s needed to do to raise the level. Below 5 and urgent attention is required!

Great leadership isn’t something learnt over night. It is a malleable form, growing and developing. More natural rather than simply logical. It’s a change of belief and a re-adjustment of values. Although I consider myself to be an exceptional leader, hmm! I still refer back to the basics to see where I can improve!

Talking of which, here are 5 areas I use towards becoming that better leader. Even the most successful leaders among us can use this as a reminder.

  1. Focus on the team members regarding the framework of the organisation’s mission, developing a clear vision.
  2. Be realistic with goals and tasks as well as expectations
  3. Set an excellent personal example for others to follow
  4. Authorise staff to make the vision a reality and support them
  5. Focus on team behaviour with positive expectations

These are but a few small areas to build upon. There are other tools and exercises Coaching to Success can help you or members of your team to develop with the end goal of being so much more productive resulting not only in more profitability but a happier workplace where growth simply escalates.

Contact Neil to arrange your free consultation either by email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk or calling 07761 187238 and let’s work together to create the ideology of excellence in leadership and the rewards that this will bring.

What are your ‘Stress Factors’?

Stress is becoming more apparent both at work and home these days, so how do we recognise the symptoms?

Thinking ‘errors’ is one place to start

  • PREDICTION – Negatively forecasting future events, ie “I have to submit this report and I know the boss just won’t be happy with it”
  • LABELLING – Allow negative thoughts about ourselves, ie “I’m not the sort of person who can handle this”
  • STANDARDS – Setting of unrealistic standards for ourselves to meet, ie “Unlike last time I SHOULD be able to do this, I MUST improve this time. You know, I CAN’T manage this”
  • MAGNIFYING – Talking things out of proportion, ie “I didn’t win that contract, my career is over!”

It could be said we’re all under pressure in some way or another, however, ‘Pressure’ is a prerequisite of ‘Stress’ but on its own it’s a healthy place to dip into but prolonged, we take to burn out or breakdown.

2yrs ago the average life expectancy was 80.5yrs compared to those in high pressure jobs at 69! Now, most jobs in one form or another are moving in that direction so it’s imperative we get control and remove external pressures that result in US suffering stress.

This control is referred to as ‘Locus of control’. Those with Internal locus believe they have control over what happens in their lives. Those with External locus believe it’s others, chance or even fate that have control. Internal locus consequently manage to reduce their heart rates.

In the 1950s, cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman looked into Personality types. Type A & B with the former being more prone to heart disease!

Type A: Can be impatient, critical or aggressive. When under pressure, they find themselves in conflict with others and what they say is final! The positive aspect is that they’re generally high achievers making great leaders but not necessarily team players.

Type B: Laid back, calm, friendly and don’t allow things that frustrate others to affect them. Generally dealing with tasks calmly. Working to a high standard and compliment others via praise while allowing individual’s their weak areas.

Recognise these traits in yourself or others? It’s never black or white but we normally lean towards one or the other.

Consider the frame of mind you adopt when under severe pressure or stress… what affect does this have on those around you? What about others such as bosses or team members? How do their words or actions affect you? Do you allow their negativity to alter your positive state?

What are you going to do to control your stress? Start by assessing what your stressors are. Think about situations where your levels of stress have risen. About circumstances that you were happy enough and someone else changed the way you were feeling.

To help, type up the following 3 headings creating your personal stress management contract, answer each in turn.

  1. I could ease the impact of stress if I were to start…
  2. I could ease the impact of stress if I were to stop…
  3. I will recognise my personal management when I find myself…

We recognise how demotivating stress can be. Making lives intolerable and work non-productive. That’s why we focus on the cause and then help find a way of Management rather than Cure. Often, cure is the external locus that our internal locus has to deal with!

Contact Neil to arrange your free consultation either by email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk or calling 07761 187238 and let’s move towards a stress free, positive thinking and highly motivated life.

“Ready, Steady, G… Hang on, before I do, maybe if…”

How many times have I historically set about doing something then haven’t due to those voices in my head telling me otherwise (these are different from those other voices in horror films … but then again!), well, it’s a rhetorical question but how many times have you considered

  • Changing your job/career
  • Writing that report you know will be a massive task … but I’ll just clear my desk first
  • Needing immediate gratification” – Procrastination loves this as it gives you an excuse to do something more interesting.
  • “I could do with some help on this”. You end up waiting until somebody else takes over. Some do this their whole lives.
  • Wait on something else – “I can’t complete this report until John gives me the figures” (Guilty! Rather than go get them, I’ve used this excuse)
  • Be passive, wait for fate or circumstance to rescue you from having to act.

 

Then there’s the factors that cause us to cease moving forward:

  • “I don’t have anyone to go to for advice, support or encouragement.”
  • “I didn’t know I was supposed to do that.” (Ignorance)
  • “What if I fail?”, then again, “What if I succeed?”
  • “No one really cares whether I do this or not.” (Apathy)
  • “It’s too risky. In this economy I can’t take the chance to…”
  • “This other opportunity will never come again, I can’t pass it up.” (Delay tactic)
  • “I’m too old. I wish I had thought about this 20 years ago.”
  • “I don’t know how to do it.” (Skill Deficiency)
  • “I just can’t seem to get started (Inertia)

This is a definite mix of both areas where confidence is lacking and procrastination, which comes in many guises, and is the mother of all temptresses to take us away from the tasks we really do need to do.

So how do we beat these? Consider these to give some focus:

  • Learn what you’re good at – Recognise your skill-set and build confidence through competence. Ask work colleagues what they see as your strengths.
  • Play ‘Follow the leader’ – Look at those who have gone before you, gain confidence from what they have achieved
  • Evidence! – One of my favourites. Work from hard facts of what you have achieved as opposed to what you think will happen. Positive affirmations every time.
  • “What exactly am I supposed to do?” – Gain clarity
  • “Why have I been given this?” – Establish the facts
  • “How does this fit into the big picture?” – Relevance of ideas
  • “How it will be measured” – Give it worth and value for the time put in
  • “How will my efforts affect the work of others?” – Responsibility.

If you or members of your team wish to move forward, we’re here to help. Simply call to arrange your free consultation and see how you can help make those changes! Neil looks forward to hearing from you either by calling 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk. We’re affiliated to the Growth Accelerator scheme, so some businesses can obtain government funding too!

Delegate! Who to? No-one else can do it as well … Can they?

Many years ago, I foolishly believed that only I knew everything and could do the task effectively whereas others who reported to me weren’t up to it or to the same standard. Surprising, the company grew once I started to delegate, trust those around me and act like the director that I’d been employed to be. Does this possibly ring true to you or do you recognise the traits?

Often we feel like we should be seen to be working with massive workloads, however, efficiency is all about insuring the operation runs smoothly. If you don’t delegate tasks that others can do, it builds distrust, feeling of reduced worth and despondency.

Here are 5 simple steps to help you along this path of delegation:

  1. WEAKNESS – It is not a sign of weakness to delegate. Know your people and show trust. Maybe there’s feeling of shame, guilt or wanting your own badge of honour showing what a martyr you are. Be truthful with yourself as to the reason why you don’t delegate, it IS NOT a weakness to delegate but shows signs of trust and responsibility… ok, stick by your thoughts there’s no one responsible enough to hand it to! Been there, seen it, even got the badge and then proved totally wrong.
  2. DUMP THE EGO! – No, you’re not the only person in the whole world that can do that job. Ok, it may not be done to the standard YOU BELIEVE to be correct but we’re all different and with guidance and training, someone else can do specific roles and possibly even have the ability to do it faster or even better than you – there’s a thought!
  3. BE OBJECTIVE NOT PROCEDURAL – Two forms of management, Micro and hands off, both equally incorrect! Delegate the task with the desired outcome you’re looking to achieve. Demonstrate how to do this and be approachable. Indicate that they can do it as they wish but the outcome with the objective being what is at stake. Set SMART goals. Allow sufficient time for them to be innovative in what they are doing or learn their own way.
  4. PATIENCE – … “my backside, I’m gonna kill someone!” They’re not likely to get it right first time without making errors? This is the learning curve. Don’t assume it will be carried out perfectly first time round as if they already have a track record of success, this isn’t their fault it’s yours for assuming too much without giving the FULL guidance and support needed in the first instance.
  5. RECOGNITION – When everything goes well, bestow credit where it’s due. Superiors will see how well you manage your team/staff, your delegate will see their worth in not only your eyes but the firm/company’s too. Notoriety is a reward in its own right. Say Thank You and truly show your gratitude, this feeling of appreciation will certainly do you well when the next task comes along.

Coaching to Success wok with Directors and Managers to help understand how to let tasks go enabling concentration on what they should be doing. If this is an area you feel you or members of your team would benefit from, take that first step by speaking with Neil (07761 187238) or throw him an email at info@coachingtosuccess.co.uk… We’re affiliated to the Growth Accelerator scheme and are here to help.

Procrastination – Two week remedy programme

I spent two days wondering what to write about, then it dawned on me, I was putting it off. So, with an element of irony, here’s how to avoid that dreaded procrastination.

Procrastination effects our inner peace, our calmness and not always consciously. How often do you feel fidgety and not totally relaxed when you know there are tasks to be done, especially ones you don’t enjoy?

It affects us all in some way, so here are 10 tips to help take back control from procrastination.

  1. Clear your work place – A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. Piles of paper, post it notes etc. distract and stop you from focusing on the job in hand. Only keep what you’re working on in front of you, file the rest or create to-do trays.
  2. Set Goals – Set realistic goals but break the Big picture down. Set smaller, achievable goals with realistic timelines.
  3. Rewards – I once had a client who bought himself an iPad when he achieved his overall goa. I like to treat myself to a really nice cup of coffee and chill for half hour to enjoy both it and my accomplishment. Doesn’t need to be big but reward yourself. Scale it according to the level of success.
  4. Learn new skills – How will that help? By learning to achieve the next level of competency, such as dancing, rock climbing, photography etc, helps you look to the next level of aspiration. I started karate some 30yrs ago and this helped me through my whole career (not necessarily the way that you may be thinking!)
  5. Negative inner voices – When self-doubt creeps in, put it in its place. Start listing the ‘positive’ reasons that things WILL work and listen to this voice instead.
  6. Playing the victim – Stop glorifying how you’re the victim of circumstances. Stand tall and leave what’s happened behind. Be proud of what you can accomplish and when your inner ‘victim’ raises its head, tell it who’s boss.
  7. Prioritise – Evaluate and if it’s important enough for you to do, you’ll find a way. If we don’t care, we’ll keep putting it off. Go through your tasks and prioritise them, starting with the most important.
  8. Delegate – Others can actually do some of those tasks better than you! Let the reins go and give someone else the chance, who knows, they could very well enjoy those tasks that you don’t.
  9. Accountability companion – Chose a person, a supervisor, a junior, a spouse or friend. Tell them you’ve committed to a task with a specific time-frame and ask them to hold you accountable. Human nature compels us to act if we know others are watching!
  10. New Habits – take all of the aforementioned and set about creating some new habits on how you will overcome procrastination. Definition of habit: “Settled tendency or practice”. Be positive, be proactive and be aware.

Taking on one step each day (see 3) you should master the skills of overcoming procrastination is just 2 weeks. If you get stuck with any aspects along the way, contact Neil via phone on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk to beat the beast that is procrastination. Good luck