Author Archive
The Road to Success – Your Choice
Posted by: | Comments“Alice came to a fork in the road. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked.‘Where do you want to go?’ responded the Cheshire Cat.’I don’t know,’ Alice answered.‘Then,’ said the Cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Success is something most of us would like to achieve – in everything we do! But the road to success is not an easy path to follow. It is full of twists and turns, potholes and ruts, false signs and impediments. Decisions have to be made all along that road and the decisions we make are up to us.We are responsible for the decisions we make -100 % of the decisions – 100% of the time.It is up to us!
We must learn from the mistakes we make, and carry on. The road is passable! Conventional wisdom indicates that the road to success involves a vision, a plan and action. Dr. Robert Schuller has said, that “If you can conceive it in your brain, and believe it in your heart, then you can achieve it.” Inscape Publishing Company, in their Everything DiSC® Work of Leaders’ assessment, uses a framework of Vision, Alignment and Execution to help in understanding leadership behaviors, and how they impact effectiveness.
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Building More Effective Relationships
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The saying “no man is an island” is nowhere more true than in the fast-paced business world of the twenty-first century. Whether you are a member of a business team or a member of a corporate department, your success is largely dependent on the quality of your relationships with your fellow workers and clients. But relationships don’t just happen, they have to be built; and the number one ingredient in building strong relationships is TRUST.
Trust is the foundation on which all lasting relationships are built; and building trust is a skill. Most people assume that by being trustworthy, they build trust. But that is not necessarily true! There are many trustworthy people in our business world who are ineffective at building relationships, and therefore, at managing – because they do not know how to build trust.
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Goal Setting and Relationships
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Recently I was shown an article that appeared in our local paper entitled “Goal-setting spells trouble for relationship” – and was asked to comment. The article was about a young girl who had been raised by her parents to set goals, work diligently at them, and realize success by achieving them.
The problem was that her boyfriend was not as goal oriented! In fact he did not set goals because he did not believe they would be met. Talk about a self- fulfilling prophecy!
The young lady felt that their relationship was in jeopardy because of their differing views on goal setting. She declared that she was not prepared to change, and felt that her boyfriend’s attitude would likely be a problem unless he changed.
To my mind there is no question that the road to success involves the formation of a vision – where you want to go; the development of a plan that will take you there; and putting that plan into action. Or as Mark Hughes has indicated in a recent sermon: you must perceive a vision or goal, pursue that goal, and persist until you have achieved your goal or vision.
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6 Ways to be a Better Team Member
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In the fast paced ever changing business world of the 21st century, high functioning teams have become the norm. The very well-being, and/or survival, of many companies depend on these teams for their very existence. To reach high competency each team member must have a clear understanding of his/her personal strengths, a real appreciation of the difference in others, and how their strengths interact with those of others. This knowledge is the foundation for successful team development.
On the other hand, each member of a team is an individual with his/her own characteristics and behaviorial preferences. Their success as a member of an operating team will depend, to a large extent, on how well they interrelate, and capitalize on the strengths of each individual team member.
Leaders must be aware that each team is composed people who are different – with different needs and wants. Effective leaders understand that “one size does not fit all”. They adapt their approach to meet the needs of their followers.
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NorQuest Weekly Round-Up February 7
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Fast Company: Lessons In Teamwork From The Treacherous Sydney To Hobart Ocean Race
Dennis N.T. Perkins is the author of Into the Storm, a new book about the crew of the AFR Midnight Rambler during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race, a 628 nautical mile challenge is often called the “Everest” of offshore ocean racing. But in 1998, conditions were extraordinarily dangerous. This article is an excerpt from the book, and focuses on the exceptional quality of the captain and the exceptional leadership that not only led to a win, but surviving the vicious seas during a brutal storm that resulted in the largest search-and-rescue operation in the history of Australia.
Inc.: Servant First, Leader Second
We love the Battlefield to Boardroom series by Inc.! This is a terrific article about really understanding what servant leadership is and having the humility to practice it.
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360 Feedback for More Sales
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Perhaps in no other field is income related more to success than in the sales field. In most cases, the more you sell the more you make; the fewer the sales the less income you receive. Obviously then, the more we can eliminate our weaknesses and strengthen our strengths the more success we can be.
Well timed, relevant, and constructive feedback provides the greatest motivation to change. It is axiomatic that good feedback gives people the information they need to change. Why? Because feedback generates insight and a better understanding of what is currently working and what is not. Thus, given this information we are able to set priorities for our own development. These priorities can be turned into personal development plans; and the result is improved ways of operating that will enhance our sales effectiveness.
In this process one tool is the 360 feedback instrument, or more specifically Everything DiSC® 363™ for Leaders. This instrument for enhanced sales effectiveness:
- Generates a report of some 22+ pages that is all about the sales leader
- Is an all-new research-validated model
- Has intuitive, easy to read visuals and rich cuts of data and feedback breakdowns
- Includes a comprehensive listing of rater comments
- Includes three strategies for improving effectiveness
NorQuest Weekly Round-Up January 31
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The road to being a quality is a rough one, fraught with challenges and missteps. We hope this round of articles helps you develop into a better leader and talent manager!
Inc.: 4 Signs You Will Fail as a Leader
Outwardly, you appear effective, dependable, on top of things. But look closer. Are you in danger of destructive behaviors?
Inc.: Dries Buytaert: 3 Crazy Ways to Really Motivate Employees
This short video features Drupal founder Dries Buytaert explaining how he encourages his team to meet hugely ambitious goals.
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