Archive for the ‘Management’ Category
Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017 by AdvisorCatalyst
Dialogue is the path people use to shape initial ideas into decisions and actions. As different perspectives are surfaced, it is helpful for everyone to know the line of thinking behind those positions. Leaders can set an example of transparency by both articulating the assumptions behind their positions and asking clarifying questions about other’s statements. “Why are you drawing that conclusion?” “What data are you seeing?” Help people connect the dots of assumptions behind the conclusions. With this understanding, the merit of good ideas will be more apparent. Conversely, faulty thinking can be exposed and poor decisions more easily avoided.
“It is wiser to find out than to suppose.” Mark Twain
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Tags: In 100 Words, Leadership, management, Troy Schrock
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Thursday, June 15th, 2017 by AdvisorCatalyst
“Bring me solutions, not problems!” can be poor advice. We want people to be pro-active so the adage applies at times. Leaders, however, deal with many complex and challenging problems which either require, or benefit from, collaborative work. Collaborative work entails conversation between two or more people to surface and debate alternative solutions. One person alone will not get to the best decision.
Some people disguise complaining or laziness by merely pointing out problems. Other people, though, raise genuine issues with a desire to be actively involved in collaborative work on a solution. A wise leader discerns between the two.
“Many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind than the one where they sprang up.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
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Monday, May 1st, 2017 by AdvisorCatalyst
I love you, I love you not…
Time we share together can be so energizing when we are engaged and collaborative. Good ideas flow and build. Conversations are relevant. Debates are healthy. There are clear decisions and follow-up. I want to see you again!
I must confess, though, much of our time together is a waste of my precious time. It’s maddening to experience glowing screens of distraction, conversations without preparation, and boring report-outs. I simply can’t go on meeting like this!
Tell me, am I alone in my feelings? I beg you, can we rejuvenate our relationship?
Yours Truly
“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” Friedrich Nietzsche
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Tags: In 100 Words, management, Meetings, Troy Schrock
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 by AdvisorCatalyst
Why do we spend time setting the top few quarterly priorities (a.k.a. Rocks) only to put off working on them until we get some free time? Free time will not simply appear in our schedules. To accomplish Rocks we must put in the time. This doesn’t mean all, or even the majority, of our working time has to be dedicated to Rock work.
We should, however, invest our first and best time – our first and best time each day and week. Watch results accelerate when you commit the first hour of your working day to the Rock you are leading.
“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” Alexander Graham Bell
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Tags: In 100 Words, Leadership, management, strategy execution, Troy Schrock
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2016 by AdvisorCatalyst
As leadership teams craft strategy plans for the upcoming year, they should remember the following lessons:
• There are no formulaic answers, however, you can benefit from a systematic approach to both your preparation and strategy planning conversations.
• Markets are dynamic so be disciplined in your strategy thinking. Challenge and test your basic assumptions – even if they are producing good results. Things change.
• Strategy requires clear choices and resource commitment. Each decision either reinforces or weakens the whole. The strength of how the decisions weave together form the fabric of compelling business models (think IKEA, The Container Store and Southwest Airlines).
“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes… but no plans.” – Peter Drucker
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Tags: In 100 Words, Leadership, management, strategic planning, strategy execution, Troy Schrock
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Thursday, September 15th, 2016 by AdvisorCatalyst
Is your speech betraying you? I use the words speech and language loosely – I mean to encompass all personal communication. The actual words we speak account for less than 10% of our communication while the remainder is tonality and physiology – the nonverbal elements.
Language reveals our mindset and attitude about the other person(s) and the situation. Particular words, phrases or nonverbal communication can make or break outcomes of relationships, deals or projects. I try to remind myself to adjust my mindset and attitude toward the other party before engaging in communication knowing that my speech is likely to betray me.
“People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.” — John C. Maxwell
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Tags: In 100 Words, Leadership, management, Troy Schrock
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Monday, August 1st, 2016 by AdvisorCatalyst
How well do you concentrate your mental and emotional faculties on the situation at hand? Can you tell when someone else in a conversation is “miles away?” Here are four reasons why being present is a difficult skill to do well in our person-to-person interactions:
• we are naturally self vs. others focused
• we allow distractions (phones, email, etc.)
• we aren’t emotionally invested
• our minds wander
If we cultivate the mindset of being present we will have greater impact in the current situation. More importantly, we send people the message that they, and the tasks at hand, are important.
“The mind is never satisfied with the objects immediately before it, but is always breaking away from the present moment…” Samuel Johnson
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Tags: In 100 Words, Leadership, management, Self-Management
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 by AdvisorCatalyst
Great accomplishments have a history of adversity. Our response when asked the question, “When have you grown the most in your career?” is frequently connected to times we were stretched to an uncomfortable level. The struggle of adversity is likely to produce stronger personal character as well as better performance. Character growth is seen in the form of greater personal humility, more graciousness toward others, and increased work ethic. Performance improvement comes through investing extra effort, developing our skills and figuring out new solutions. In the end, adversity provides the necessary edge to accomplish more than we first thought possible.
“There is no education like adversity.” Benjamin Disraeli
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Tags: In 100 Words, Leadership, management, Self-Management, Troy Schrock
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Monday, May 2nd, 2016 by AdvisorCatalyst
Flying solo is a major accomplishment for a learner pilot. It is, however, a poor approach for a Quarterly Rock Champion. The Rock was selected because the leadership team thinks it will have significant impact on the organization’s future if it is accomplished during the next 90 days. This typically requires deep work and focused use of resources.
A Rock Champion should set up a strong team and utilize project management disciplines. Along the way, keep the leadership team regularly apprised of the status so they can: generate ideas, challenge the work, and commit resources necessary to complete the objective.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison
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Tags: In 100 Words, Leadership, management, strategy execution, Troy Schrock
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