Perspective

When you are in- charge,
So easy to lose perspective
My friend, Dan, died last week of lung cancer at 71.
40 years Ford,
10 years retired,
So tough to keep perspective during the 40.
Contract Negotiations,
Labor Disputes,
Office Politics.
Do Or Die
No time for family.
No time for friends,
No time for self.
Coffee and cigarettes to keep going.
Drinks to wind down.
Then Retirement:
10 years to gain perspective.
To Make Friends with Sons and Daughters
To reconnect with old friends.
To play golf and feel the sun shine.
10 years to make peace, and finally gain perspective
We will miss you, Dan

Coaching Through Listening

Many of us make the process of coaching more complicated than it need to be. Whenever I talk to people about who their best coaches were, they inevitably describe someone who was a good listener. This week, whenever you are coaching, actively practice being a good listener. To do so:

• Think about the questions you want to ask , rather than the points you want to make
• Practice asking these questions instead of giving direct orders
• Really listen to the answers
• Paraphrase what it is that you heard and ask the person if you heard them correctly
• Thank them for taking the time to talk to you and to answer your questions

"Listening to your team is the first step to getting
their commitment to do anything. If you do not hear what they have to say,
they may not choose to buy in to what you want them to do."
-Bruce Baumbach, Plant Manager at GEMA Plant Daimler-Chrysler

Be Aware of Your Power to Impact People Negatively

As a CEO, you have more power than you may realize. Unfortunately, this cuts both ways. You can provide tremendous motivation and encouragement to your employees, yet you can also demoralize them quickly by being excessively negative and critical. Be sure to remember the five to one rule; for every one negative or critical interaction with your employees, you need to balance this with five positives. This rule has been well established by psychologists who have studied interactions both at work and in the family. Note well, this rule applies to your personal relationships as well as to relationships at work. So this week, each day keep track of the five to one ratio and see how well you are doing.

Leadership By Walking Around

Start the week by practicing "leadership by walking around." Visit all parts of you organization, including people in places where you rarely go. As the leader of your company, people enjoy seeing you. Note well: avoid being critical during your tour. Remind people that you appreciate them.