Setting the pace as the leader in customized newsletters
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Setting the pace as the leader in customized newsletters
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Leadership Articles Index
The use of these articles are for our clients only. You must have permission from Sorrell Associates to use these articles in any format. We add articles to this page constantly. With over 4000 articles currently in our archive it will take some time to get them on this page. Keep checking back. Want to submit an article? Click Here L101
Characteristics Of An Outstanding Leader Wisdom is one of the primary characteristics of an outstanding leader - leaders have an insatiable curiosity for discovering and learning new things. Leadership and learning go together. If you have… Members can read this entire article by click here
L108 Distinction: Visionary Vs. LeaderDefinitionsVisionary - someone who sees things that don’t exist yet Leader - someone who influences people Comparisons: idea oriented vs. people oriented excited by the new vs. excited by reality Example: Kerrie had radical ideas about how... Members can read this entire article by click here
TM105 "Three key roles in team leadership"
Leadership roles involve many skills, from
being a good compromiser, to functioning as the group
conscience by keeping discussion moving toward the common
goal. At your next meeting, try one or more of these
techniques: Members can read this entire article by click here
L110 Traits of a successful leader Cumulative research of effective leaders has created a solid foundation of the most potent traits of a leader. Are you an effective leader? Look at the traits below and rate yourself in each area. This will give you an idea of your strengths and weaknesses and help you to focus on becoming an even better leader. Leaders are grounded. They know who they are and where they are going. They set the direction and pace for the organization and lead by example. World class leaders are reliable, trustworthy, genuine, real and positive. They make everyone... Members can read this entire article by click here
L111 Tips For Leading Your Former Peers Leading people who were once your teammates can be a new leader’s biggest challenge. The following steps can help if you’re having problems: • Talk with the people. Ask them why they’re having problems with you. Are they jealous, disappointed, or just having trouble adjusting? Keep probing them — nonaggressively — until you reach the root of the problem. • Express your understanding of their feelings. Can you... Members can read this entire article by click here
L112 Tips For Leaders If you have
a team member who is unsure of himself, tends to hover in
the background, and avoids risk, try the following coaching
statements to draw out your wallflower. Members can read this entire article by click here
L113 The Top 10 Characteristics Of An Effective Leader Are YOU a Perfect 10? According to an opinion survey of 5,000 workers, employees look for the following characteristics in an effective leader: 1. Has the ability to give clear direction. 2. Practices candid, honest, and open communication; encourages two-way communication and creates a climate of trust. 3. Is willing to coach and support people. 4. Relates... Members can read this entire article by click here
L114 Do you have the right mix of charisma and humility? Too much humility can weaken a leader. Too much charisma can be as bad, says executive coach Patrick Lencioni. To find out where you stand, answer "True" or "False" to each statement: 1. I believe others in my organization are as important as I am. 2. Praise doesn't bother me. 3. I respect others' time as much as my own. 4. I believe my leadership is a key factor in my... Members can read this entire article by click here
L115 Do You Have Leadership Traits?
L116 The Top 10 Attributes of LeadersAre leaders “born” or can anyone learn to be a leader? The best leadership training for potential leaders should be the best training about leadership - what is entailed in being a leader, and what can go wrong, as well as what can go right. 1. Leaders are persons who, by word and/or personal example, markedly influence the behaviors, thoughts, and/or feelings of a significant number of their fellow beings, followers, or audience. The leader’s voices affect their worlds, and ultimately, our world. 2. The key to leadership is the effective communication of a... Members can read this entire article by click here
L117 Leadership The Challenge People everywhere continue to look for the secret to becoming a better leader. Thousands of books and articles have been written on the art of leadership all claiming to have the "answers." The fact is there is no one answer, no "secret." However, some guiding principles and skills are fundamental to successful leaders everywhere. These skills, principles, and traits can be developed. Rate yourself in each area below, identify areas of weaknesses, and then create some goals and action steps to help you develop the successful leadership traits. • Leaders are grounded. They know who they are and where they are going. They set the direction and pace for the organization/department and lead by example. An effective leader helps to create an organization where everyone feels free to be... Members can read this entire article by click here
L118 When Employees Set Standards When Andy Heck played football for head coach Lou Holtz at Notre Dame, he switched positions on the offensive line. It was a tough transition. One day, watching game films with the assistant coach, Heck complained about a negative grade the coach gave him for a play that Heck thought was OK. "Andy, I don’t think you’re an average player," the assistant coach said, stopping the film. "Do you want me to grade you as an average player so your mark will be positive? Or should I grade you as a great player, in which case your performance on that play was a minus? You choose." Heck chose "great player," and Holtz says "he immediately... Members can read this entire article by click here
L119 The Top 10 Traits of Super Star Business People Emotional Intelligence is more important then IQ in superstar success. 1. They listen well and have great oral communication skills. They have mastered the art of listening, can hold off giving their opinion, and keep an open mind to what is being said. They also can speak in a positive, friendly and encouraging manner even when giving constructive feedback. 2. They are adaptable and have creative responses to setbacks and obstacles. These super star performers look creatively and hopefully at setbacks and turn those obstacles into opportunities. 3. Highly successful people have strong personal management skills and... Members can read this entire article by click here
L120 Leading by Empowerment How often does your organization give employees responsibility without a clear direction or an understanding of the expectations? This can, and most often will, result in low productivity, confusion, and lack of results, that creates low morale and possibly high turn-over. However, employees that are empowered will produce amazing results in the workplace, and usually do it with a great attitude and enthusiasm. When leaders and managers empower effectively, they don't... Members can read this entire article by click here
L121 Having trouble implementing change? Help employees put it in perspective. THE MAGIC PEBBLES By John Wayne Schlatter It is the habitual thought that frames itself into our life. It affects even more than our intimate social relations do. Our confidential friends have not so much to do in shaping our lives as the thoughts which we harbor. J.W.Teal "Why do we have to learn all of this dumb stuff?" Of all the complaints and questions I have heard from my students during my years in the classroom, this was the one most frequently uttered. I would answer it by recounting the following legend: One night a group of nomads was preparing to retire for the evening when suddenly they were surrounded by a bold, vibrant light. They knew they were in the presence... Members can read this entire article by click here
L122 The Best Leaders Argue With Success We've all heard the adage "You can't argue with success." But if you don't question your own success, you're doomed to eventual failure. Here are some ways you and your staff can fight complacency: • Court complainers. Not all of your customers are happy. Bring in unhappy customers and let them speak directly to employees about product or service improvements. • Study the competition. Identify competitors that... Members can read this entire article by click here
L123 QUALIFICATIONS OF THE LEADER It is by no means enough that a leader should be capable in his or her profession. He or she must be that, of course, but also a great deal more. He or she should be as well a gentleman or gentlewoman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor. A leader should be the... Members can read this entire article by click here
L124 Implementing Change in the Workplace There is a saying that “the only thing constant is change.” All of us experience some form of extensive change in our lives and in the business world, change seems to be an ongoing endeavor to implement increased profitability and efficiency. This comes in the form of consolidation, downsizing, changing job descriptions and duties, automation, technological improvements, continuous improvement training and other measures to improve business results. However, many businesses and organizations ignore the first and foremost obstacle to change, which is the fact that virtually no one likes change. When employers execute a change in the work place, typical employee reactions are: Members can read this entire article by click here
L125 Follow These Steps to become an ideal leader As a leader in your organization, how much impact do you have on its performance? Probably more than you know. You may have been a leader for many years now, or recently promoted. Your organization may be a for-profit business or a church organization. It may be a not-for-profit community service organization or a local sporting organization. It matters not. What matters is that your leadership of your organization will directly impact the results you get. It has been said... Members can read this entire article by click here
L126 Six Secrets to Creating Leadership Momentum No matter where you are in your career, taking the leadership role in your organization is a given. Here is the lesson about creating leadership momentum. It’s not about you, it’s about them. True leadership begins through valuing others. In working with many law firms, major corporations and associations, everyone plays a leadership role, from the receptionist all the way through the organization to the top dog. Does everyone on your... Members can read this entire article by click here
L127 The Fear Factor Fear is big news these days and not just with the reality shows. A recent survey by Jericho Communications of over 20% of Fortune 1000 CEO’s revealed that 43% cited fear as the number one motivating factor while money motivated only 7%. Their collective response indicates a potential disconnect from what many people hear from today’s coaches and motivational speakers. In today’s self-help abounding society, we hear more about embracing the rewards and visualizing your achievements than we hear about using fear to achieve your goals. Yet according to these successful individuals, fear is what motivated them. How can we explain this “Fear Factor”? Possibly using the life Wheel may shed some light. The life wheel is comprised of 6 key areas: Mental, Physical, Family, Career/Financial, Social and Ethics/Beliefs. Using the graphic that has been provided, begin at the center and shade each area working from the center to the outer rim. The shaded area represents your potential, your satisfaction, or your happiness. You define the terms. The unshaded area is what... Members can read this entire article by click here
L128 Forecasting for Growth To be effective as a leader, you must develop skills in strategic thinking. Strategic thinking is a process whereby you learn how to make your business vision a reality by developing your abilities in team work, problem solving, and critical thinking. It is also a tool to help you confront change, plan for and make transitions, and envision new possibilities and opportunities. Strategic thinking is like making a movie. Every movie has a context (or story) which it uses to get you to experience a certain outcome (an emotion, in this case) at the end of the movie. Strategic thinking is much the same in that it requires you to envision what you want your ideal outcome to be for your business and then works backwards by focusing on the story of HOW you will be able to reach your vision. As you develop a strategic vision for your business, there are five different criteria that you should focus on. These five criteria will help you define your ideal outcome. In addition, they will help you set up and develop the steps necessary to make your business vision a reality. The following is a list of the five criteria of the... Members can read this entire article by click here
L129 Telework Has a Part-Time Future By the year 2010, more than half of American wage earners will spend more than two days a week working outside the office, reports the Sulzer Infrastructure Services firm in London. Today, 28 million people "telework" under formal company policies--a leap from 4 million in 1990--and millions more work informally out of the office one or more days a week. As inexpensive broadband Internet access and mobile technologies take hold, the number will increase, says Toni Kistner, managing editor of Net.Worker, a division of Network World magazine. "The technology has steamrolled ahead, making it cheaper and easier to work from anywhere." It will be rare even 10 years from now, however, to find people in any profession who... Members can read this entire article by click here L130 Internet Drives Shift To Leaderless Corporations
xpect more teamwork at the top. According to Business Week, truly leaderless corporations will continue to make more sense because the Internet allows information to be shared horizontally. In 1987, 28 percent of the largest 1,000 public companies boasted at least some self-directed groups, according to USC’s Center for Effective Organizations. By 1996, 78 percent had some. And the trend continues today. Some CEOs say they ... Members can read this entire article by click here
L131 The High Performance Work Force By Ryan Scholz President, Leadership Strategies Associates
eople can make a difference in the profitability and success of an organization. This is the conclusion reached in two recent books I have read – Peak Performance by Jon Katzenbach and Hidden Value by Charles A. O’Reilly and Jeffrey Pfeffer.
Katzenbach characterizes a high performance workforce as follows: 1) A large number (more than a third) of employees consistently exceed the expectations of their leaders and customers 2) The average worker performs better than the average competitors worker 3) A strong emotional commitment to higher standards and aspirations is reflected across the workforce 4) The collective performance of the workforce is a competitive advantage and is extremely difficult to copy
What then... Members can read this entire article by click here
L132 Leading Through Downsizing
eading staff through downsizing, resizing, rightsizing, (or whatever the buzz word is today) requires the leader to exercise superior planning, judgment, and decision-making. It's a complicated task that involves the leader in recognizing the natural reactions of those that remain in the organization, and determining the right timing for moving the organization from the emotional reactions to a focus on the present and future. While it is difficult, the consequences of mis-managing or under-managing the situation are severe. Both management and staff will suffer if the timing is wrong, or managers deny or avoid dealing with the fall-out from downsizing. Here are some tips that will help:
٭ Take time to talk with the “survivors” (the remaining staff) and ask them how you can help them during this very emotional ... Members can read this entire article by click here
L133 “Learning Leadership from Rudy Giuliani”
re you wondering how to lead your staff during a crisis? Well former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani certainly showed us how to lead during a crisis. He gave us all comfort and direction leading us through the worst disaster in recent history. Here are only a few of the things Giuliani did correctly and what you can do when faced with a crisis: Ground Zero. In the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, Rudy Giuliani stood tall at ground zero to console and encourage not only New York, but the entire country. All too often leaders hide behind closed doors, trying to turn things around, when they should be standing side by side within the crisis area inspiring their people to greatness. Identify the damage from the... Members can read this entire article by click here
L134 Word Count: 684 “Formal Leadership” (part 1) This is part one of a five part series on Formal Leadership. Each concept works alone however; fits nicely with the other articles. Please contact us if you miss an article. A Concept Of Leadership Throughout the years, volumes have been written which list and elaborate upon the characteristics of leaders. You need only check the literature on the subject to discover that there are as many characteristics, and combinations of characteristics, as there are leaders. With all their differences however, leaders do have some fundamental similarities. s Successful leaders have mastered the art of self-leadership and authenticity. Authenticity implies genuineness, reliability, and trustworthiness. s Successful leaders have taken the time to crystallize a personal vision of the future, which will become the foundation or cornerstone for a shared vision. They are able to attract as well as inspire commitment among the people whose collective effort will make this vision a reality. s Successful leaders understand how to align and maximize resources to realize the vision. The leader’s role is to create alignment between vision, strategy, structure, processes, and people with focus on attracting and maintaining a loyal customer base. As a leader, you must be many things to many people. First, you must have... Members can read this entire article by click here
L135 Word Count:897 “Formal Leadership” (part 2) This is part two of a five part series on Formal Leadership. Each concept works alone however; fits nicely with the other articles. Please contact us if you miss an article. The Leader As Coach Vision alone is not enough. Much like a football team that is playing in the Super Bowl, having a game plan and the desire to win is important. However, winning depends upon execution. One of your primary roles as a leader is that of coach. Coaches reinforce the results they believe people are capable of achieving. One way to develop a winning team is to surround yourself with extraordinary people. Another is to surround yourself with ordinary people who, through your leadership and coaching, achieve extraordinary results. As Sam Walton once said, "…there's absolutely no limit to what plain, ordinary working people can do if they're given the opportunity and the encouragement and the incentive to be their best." As a coach, your role is to help people develop winning attitudes and improve their skills. A coach helps people see beyond the problems, the limitations, and the "known," to focus on solutions and opportunities which are sometimes found by venturing into the “unknown”. If you are going to create a winning team, you must be good at coaching. You must be able to... Members can read this entire article by click here
L136 Word Count: 385 Do You Consider Yourself A Great Leader? Why should they follow you?
eople follow leaders because they trust you and believe in you. They also have the confidence in you to take them to the next level. However, it only takes one incident to break the trust and have people looking for leadership in others and not in you.
Also leaders
are expected to: Hire the best most qualified people. People want to work with other top performers on teams and in departments. A good leader has the ability to bring out the best in everyone. 1 2 3 4 5 Not be controlling. Leaders of the... Members can read this entire article by click here
L137 Word Count: 314 6 Steps To Overcoming Resistance To Change Transforming The Organization Series – Article 1
here may be people who will resist change because it is different or new. Resistance to change is a common and universal malady. Therefore, understanding some of the barriers to change may help in creating and implementing successful growth strategies. Some common barriers to change and innovation are: s Lack of data makes decision making difficult s Personal goals conflict with professional goals s Management behavior discourages implementation s Employees don’t understand or really want to make the change s Poor communication of vision, values, and mission s Recognition and appraisals are inconsistent with attaining goals s Unwillingness to develop new goals s Lack of process and structure Addressing resistance to change becomes a major focus and an integral part of a unified implementation strategy. To successfully implement change, several... Members can read this entire article by click here
L138 Word Count: 330 Leading During Times Of Change Transforming The Organization Series – Article 2
f the many issues with which we wrestle each
day, one certain truth is: the future
“There is a story by Price Pritchett in which he
recounts his experience of viewing firsthand All too often, we are like the fly. Instead of trying harder, doing the same things, we need to do different things. We must break the shackles of conformity, challenge the routine, and break out of existing paradigms. At the core of succeeding in today’s competitive environment is the ability to constantly improve, and reinvent the way we do business. The key to working smarter is knowing the difference between motion and direction, between activity and focused action. To lead, we must be adept at balancing what must... Members can read this entire article by click here L139 Word Count: 445 “How To Create Alignment In Your Company” Transforming The Organization Series – Article 3 This is the third article
in our series Transforming The Organization.
lignment is the balanced harmony between
interdependent people, When all critical components are aligned, results will continue to improve. If there is conflict between any two issues, there can be dissolution of the whole. For example, if you want to... Members can read this entire article by click here
L140 Word Count: 551 “Valueship” Transforming The Organization Series – Article 4
Valueship is
not a new concept. Those who are already leading successful companies are doing
so because
Never before in history has Valueship been more important than it is today. Almost daily, role models, athletes, corporate leaders, and government officials are accused (and all too often convicted) of theft, drugs, or graft. Adultery is so common that many people give very little thought to the gravity or potential pain and loss it can... Members can read this entire article by click here
L141 Word Count: 331 “Core Values” Transforming The Organization Series – Article 5
alues-based leadership begins with identifying core values. Core values are the basic principles which we have chosen to guide our actions. Core values define beliefs, standards, and acceptable behaviors. Once determined and communicated throughout the organization, they guide and govern the decisions and actions of the individuals and the organization. The core values shape the organizational culture and the behavior and actions of all who are associated with that organization. The core values provide the framework for decisions, priorities, and actions. Some examples of organization core values are: s Our integrity has not room for error. s We will conduct our business honestly. s Our “customers” must always be treated respectfully. s We believe that our employees are the key to our success. s Our actions will evidence trust, credibility, uncompromising integrity, and dignity of the individual. s We believe that our first responsibility is to our patients. The fours values of... Members can read this entire article by click here
L142 Word Count: 803 “Identifying Values” This is the last article in the "Transforming the organization series". Article 6.
any people have given little more than a passing thought to identifying the values that govern their personal behavior, and even fewer organizations have done do. Instead, they accept the values of others or let situations determine the values. In almost all cases in which values are not clearly defined, good decisions are more difficult to make. Without values, people are easily influenced and decisions are subject to frequent change or compromise. "Situational values" confuse people, and create problems and complexity. Successful leaders make important decisions based on a set of core values...doing the right things for the right reasons. In an organization, personal values may differ. A leader will help everyone focus on a "common-good" value that will engender a desire for cooperation and team work, without invalidating those personal differences. What are your values? Can you easily and specifically identify them? What about the people throughout your organization? Are they committed to the organizational values? Take time to clarify or review the values you hold as a leader. Focus on what is really important to you, and ask yourself, "What are those few beliefs that I value so ... Members can read this entire article by click here
L143 Word Count: 380 “Formal Leadership” This is part three of a five part series on Formal Leadership. Each concept works alone however; fits nicely with the other articles. Please contact us if you miss an article. The Leader As Mentor While many aspects of the mentoring role are similar to coaching, the significant difference lies in the mentor's advisory or teaching role. A mentor is a trusted advisor and tutor. Mentors share the benefit of their experience and knowledge. It is a critical role in developing individuals who will collectively be responsible for the success of the organization. As a mentor you should: s Seek innovation, s Encourage experimentation, s Reward appropriate risk taking, s Drive out fear, s Develop trust and full cooperation, and s Create an environment where everyone communicates freely, honestly, and positively. Establish an environment that... Members can read this entire article by click here
L144 Word Count: 371 “Formal Leadership” This is part four of a five part series on Formal Leadership. Each concept works alone however; fits nicely with the other articles. Please contact us if you miss an article. The Leader As Director In the director’s role, the leader is like a symphony orchestra conductor. Everyone knows their part, comes in on cue, and maintains the tempo that has been established. The conductor does not play the instruments, that is the role of the musicians. Each musician does not decide when to play, that is the role of the conductor. The role of the conductor is to elicit the best possible individual performance in concert with the entire orchestra to create a symphony of sound. The conductor encourages and contributes to practice. Each individual knows his/her part. Each knows how critical that part is to the whole. The conductor brings each of the individual parts in at precisely the right time and place. The leader/director establishes the direction for the organization and for the people. This does not mean the leader is the authoritarian expert who... Members can read this entire article by click here
L145 Word Count: 878 “Formal Leadership” This is part five of a five part series on Formal Leadership. Each concept works alone however; fits nicely with the other articles. Please contact us if you miss an article. Authority and Power Have you ever observed two individuals of equal position, rank, and authority in an organization? One seems to accomplish everything successfully and with ease, while the other seems to always be "under the gun," having a crisis, and a difficult time. The true leaders in any organization are easy to recognize. They're the ones who always seem to accomplish more with apparent ease. The key is their ability to get others to accomplish more than they thought they could. The effective leader is one who makes a difficult task look easy. An ineffective leader is one who makes a simple task look difficult. This phenomenon occurs at all levels in an organization. Improving your understanding of two concepts, authority and power, can help you to develop a more effective leadership style and help others to become better leaders. The terms authority and power have been used interchangeably over the years. However, power and authority are two very different concepts. Understanding each will help you to drive leadership skills throughout the organization. Power may be defined as the ability or capacity to act in ways which influence the behavior of others. It is a personal talent which can be developed. It is the ability to get others to do things. It has little or nothing to do with title, rank, or authority. Power is a measure of personal effectiveness. It is granted to you by those over whom you have influence. Power is earned and given by those who follow. Authority, on the other hand, defines limits and actions which you have the contractual right to take or use. It is granted to you by the organization as part of the organization’s attempt to control and manage. It is the right to settle disputes, to control operations, to make and implement decisions, and to administer or manage. It has little or nothing to do with the ability to influence the behavior or others. It is entirely possible to possess a great deal of power, while not possessing... Members can read this entire article by click here
L146 Word Count: 963 Building Success Attitudes And Habits For most people, developing positive attitudes about growth, innovation, and possibilities is not an easy process. It involves the formation of new habits which can take days, weeks, months, and even years before they become an integral part of our lives. The task is not easy, but it can be done. The process of change can be divided into three parts: First: Understand that attitudes are habits of thought that give some degree of internal satisfaction. Second: Analyze the habit as honestly as possible to learn what kind of satisfaction it provides. Third: Remember that the mind does not work in a vacuum – you can’t simply erase a habit and leave an empty space; therefore, you must replace the old habit with a new, more effective habit, which offers you greater satisfaction. To change your attitudes, you must be willing to sit down, and take an “inside-out” look at yourself. We are products of everything we have inherited and are exposed to. We are a product of family, friends, genes, parents, disasters, triumphs, role models, leaders, experiences, and more. By examining... Members can read this entire article by click here 147 Word Count: 677 “Collaborating For Results” (This is a part 1 of a 3 part series on effective collaboration.)
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever
has.” Imagine an acoustical engineer, an electrical designer, a pilot, and a manufacturing engineer in a computer generated, virtual environment putting their heads together in to running jet engine simulation to offer their expert opinions on what they see. This is collaboration, and it is happening everywhere people think together about the same problem, situation, or goal. The technology for collaboration, created at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications Simulation, is being applied in industry to areas of scientific visualization, manufacturing design, rapid prototyping, and education. In a competitive environment, collaboration is critical to innovation, inspiration, and speed. Collaboration is a way of energizing people to work and think together. It is the exploration of multiple options from various perspectives. Collaboration is the process of people thinking and working together to discover ways to solve problems; address complex or cross-functional issues; improve processes, products or systems; or invent new ones. Creative, collective thinking applied to work we do leads to examination of how we do it, and how we can do it better. This means discovering new ways that are better, simpler, more efficient, or faster. You will discover many advantages to getting the individuals within your organization to collaborate with others and share their... Members can read this entire article by click here L148 Word Count: 659 “Rules For Collaboration” This is part two of a three part series on effective
collaboration. As we embark upon a new era in business, an era that increasingly deals more with ideas than objects, we must focus upon creating learning organizations that acquire and apply knowledge, ideas, and improvement, AND do it quickly. More and more, speed is a significant factor in getting and maintaining a competitive advantage. Just having information is no longer enough. The information must be turned into ideas and improvements that can be implemented quickly. Collaboration is the key for better ideas, improvements, and quick implementation. Rules For Collaboration Consider the rules well. By just knowing and applying these three rules, you can influence your collaborations to go smoother and produce better results. Collaboration has three simple rules: s There must be shared space. s There must be common goals for collective effort. s The goals must drive toward tangible results, not just activity. For collaboration to occur, people must... Members can read this entire article by click here L149 Eight Key Leadership Strategies Peter Drucker, called by BusinessWeek “the most enduring management thinker of our time,” turned 96 this month. In a June 2004 Harvard Business Review article What Makes an Effective Executive?, Drucker said that, as different as effective leaders may be, they all follow 8 practices: 1. Focus on opportunities rather than problems. 2. Run productive meet 3. Think “we” rather than “I.” 4. Take... Members can read this entire article by click here
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t seems that one of the secrets to a productive workforce—and therefore a successful business—is an elusive thing called good morale. Just what is good morale? It usually refers to how your employees feel about their jobs, you and your business. And that can directly affect your bottom line.
So the next question would be: "What contributes to good morale in the work environment?"
It’s a myth that good employees care only about money. Money is important, but there are many items that contribute to an employee’s morale. Interestingly, some are so fundamental that we tend to miss them completely. For instance, do your employees feel:
Treated fairly and respectfully?
Valued and appreciated?
Recognized and possibly even rewarded for their work?
It shouldn’t take you long to realize that if you wish to attract, recruit and retain good employees, fair and respectful treatment is a given. Employees who do not feel valued and appreciated will either contribute less effort as time goes on, or leave for greener pastures where they will be appreciated.
Continued from page one - rewards
In addition, everyone likes to have achievements and efforts recognized. Even though personal satisfaction is usually generated from within ourselves, it is always more meaningful if someone else notices and shares the success. Thus the concept of recognition and rewards.
Rewards can motivate and encourage employees to contribute to their own success and that of your business. Now, we’re not talking big-ticket items like a car or trip to some exotic locale. On the