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With sound and effective leadership in today’s economic climate more important than ever I am astounded that I still read survey results such as the one below.

‘Jan. 26 2010 PRNewswire/ — According to a recent national survey by Lee Hecht Harrison, the majority of workers in the U.S. find their bosses likeable, but feel the management within their companies have room for improvement.’

Well that’s a “no brainer” of course and I guess it will always be the case however their next statement gives a little more insight.

“When asked to rank which qualities their boss best exhibited, likability took the top spot among U.S. workers, followed by leadership, honesty, fairness, patience and loyalty. Although leadership ranked second, just less than half of workers polled (49%) thought their managers exhibited strong leadership skills – a sobering data point reinforcing the need for renewed focus on leadership development.”

I have seen in many countries the problem of bosses wanting to be liked. To be honest if you are an individual that needs to be liked can I suggest you don’t take on a leadership role. You don’t want to be hated either however you must be respected if you are wanting to be an effective leader.

There are many aspects of to gaining respect however here is a short checklist.

Openness: let people know what you want from them and how you feel about their efforts

Competence: if you can’t demonstrate that you are a competent person you will never gain committed followers

Consistency: a measured and stable attitude to work and followers is essential if you are to reduce unwarranted levels tension and promote excellence

According to the website Bizcovering [and I agree] you also need to ‘Show courage in facing difficult issues even admitting own mistakes, maintain your vision consistently and involve everyone positively’. They go on to say a “most importantly. you need some mechanism for sustaining hope when things otherwise look sour.”

Another key survey finding uncovered: “Motivation & Mentorship Lagging: Only 24% of employees polled felt that their manager displayed motivational skills [I think they mean inspirational skill as I have explained in another blog post] and the same number noted that their supervisor failed to mentor and explain the choices made from an organizational perspective.”

**Link for direct page viewers return to main blog if you would like to read other blog posts on career and leadership success!

If you are looking to work for a more effective leader and need a change of jobs/employers take a look at the free blank resume form!

Finally can I suggest that again the central problem is poor communication skills. I have written many posts on the need to communicate well as a manger, the difficulties most of us have and some of the solutions available. Can I also strongly suggest that if you are a manger and not currently reading (or have never read) a book on leadership and/or leadership communication, best visit your local bookstore as soon as possible.

Some undesirable behaviors and crazy complaints that will destroy a job applicant’s chances to being offered the job,

1.   Saying something like “wow it took me two and a half hours to get here.”
2.   “I had a problem finding your business premises.”
3.   “Of course I’ll take the job.  How much does it pay?”
4.   Answering a cell phone during an interview.
5.   Placing your hands behind your head during an interview.
6.   Folding your arms during an interview.
7.   Turning up in dirty shoes or an un-ironed shirt.
8.   Getting too “familiar” during the interview is a no no.
9.   Getting carried away with detailing every magnificent moment in your previous work.
10. Not rehearsing how to explain a personal area of weakness and being able to sell what you are doing about it.

According to BNET hiring managers say the most common and detrimental mistakes candidates have made during an interview are:

51 percent; dressing inappropriately
49 percent; speaking negatively about a current or previous employer
48 percent; appearing disinterested ranked
44 percent; appearing arrogant
30 percent; not providing specific answers
29 percent; not asking good questions

Having interviewed many individuals I would like to add, deferring interview appointments, being late, smelling badly of body odor and a wet or limp handshake. When you are going for and interview leave time to have a quick freshen up in the company’s bathroom so you can look fresh and ready. It is also best if your stand while you wait rather than lounging in reception. A polite smile when you are greeted can’t hurt either. Oh yes… please… no perfume or aftershave.

**Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form!

Finally… a resume may get you the interview however many times I have said and will say it again here… you must research the company you are applying to and at least have a rudimentary knowledge about what they do when you get to the job interview otherwise it is likely you will mess it up.

SO WHAT IS WORKING SMARTER?

Working smarter is perhaps…

• Showing respect for other’s points of view
• Constantly being open to new ways of doing things
• Never believing our way of doing things is the only way of doing things
• Being prepared to see all ideas as good ideas until they are proven otherwise
• Habitually seek ways to improve processes, job design, products and services
• Listening at least twice as much as speaking
• Listening rather than just hearing

“GIVE FREE REIGN TO CREATIVE TALENT AND LISTEN TO YOUR JUNIORS” Keiji Tachikawa (President of NTT DoCoMo)

• Spending more time LEADING ‘good’ performers rather than wasting time MANAGING ‘bad’ performers.
• Understanding sound principles for setting priorities rather than doing what’s easy or habitual.
• Analysing projects/procedures/systems for value adders and seriously attempting to cut or avoid energy suckers.
• Carefully picking team members to ensure a diversity of competence, opinion and talent rather than those who will simply agree with us.
• Seeing work as a constant learning process and implementing appropriate changes through experience.
• Accepting that change is not just inevitable, it is essential.
• Delegating authority while maintaining responsibility and always being willing to be held accountable.
• Understanding that all those around us are motivated by their own selfish desires, as are we.

“DO, OR NOT DO. THERE IS NO ‘TRY’.” – Yoda (‘The Empire Strikes Back’)

and working smarter is…

• Sharing our vision
• Planning for our vision
• Enlisting support for our vision
• Being flexible and accepting others points of view
• Knowing our strengths and volunteering to participate
• Knowing our weaknesses and employing to compensate
• Constantly encouraging and training of those we work with
• Saying what we will do and then doing what we say
• Only asking questions we really want answers to
• Being tolerant of mistakes to allow learning
• Communicating effectively – listening
• Empowering others

…AND SOMETHING I LEARNT IN WOODWORK (SHOP) AT SCHOOL…
MEASURE TWICE AND CUT ONCE!

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

For some of us perhaps working smarter for 2010 will be to work somewhere else… take a look at the free blank resume form!

The worth of a meeting can often be indicated by both the form and substance of how they are conducted. Often the value, or lack of value, of a meeting is reflected in the statements that are made during the meeting.

If you are the chairperson or the senior executive that has called the meeting and want an effective outcome here are a few statements you must not make:

I’m the boss!  Why are we here?  That’s a stupid idea!  Listen to me…  you don’t listen.  I know you all agree, now just get on with it.  He’s the expert we should do what he wants.  What the &#%$ would your department know about this!  It’s my call and that’s how it will be!  Okay that’s enough; you don’t know what you’re talking about, now who’s next!  How you feel is not important, just stick to the facts!  You guys are just here to observe!  Why do you keep disagreeing?  Just to digress for a moment!  Lets vote on it.

Well-known management guru Douglas McGregor gives us a key to how to conduct things a little more professionally:

Effective Meetings… no tension, no boredom, everyone counts and contributes, no undue deference nor domination by the leader, understanding the goal with commitment by all, ensure relevance, disagreements are aired without ill feeling, criticism is constructive and freely given, consensus is sought, feelings are expressed as well as ideas and clear assignments are made.

WHY ORGANIZE A CHECKLIST FOR YOUR NEXT MEETING AND SEE HOW IT RANKS…

POINT: Before we call a meeting we should ask ourselves the following questions…

Can we achieve the desired result with a ring around or with just two people face to face?

Is this meeting really just ‘disguised working’ or a ‘social event’?

How long has it been since anyone asked why we have this meeting, has it become a ritual?

Are the decision makers attending or are substitutes sitting in?

Do the loudest always win and how will a counter this?

Is that idiot with the mobile phone or “Blackberry” going to be there?

Has this meeting become a forum for show offs and politicians?

Is there an agenda and are minutes distributed?

Do we make decisions and did anything happen as a result of the last meeting?

POINT: If one person is late and keeps six other highly paid executives waiting ten minutes… one hour of productive (and expensive) time is lost. A great way to stop those that are habitually a problem is to lock the doors 2 minutes after start time and exclude the latecomers. Then talk to them after the meeting it creates great pressure on the offenders.

FINAL POINT: Most managers think [if not say] that they spend too much time in unproductive time wasting… stupid bloody meetings… pardon my profanity.

SO NOW…ARE ALL THE MEETINGS IN YOUR DIARY… R-E-A-L-L-Y… NECESSARY…?

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

Tired of attending lousy waste of time meetings, time to change jobs, need a new resume… take a look at the free blank resume form!

Leadership is about inspiring others to follow:

Old style leadership anagram

Despotic Anagram (old thinking)

Dictatorial & commanding
Evaluates rather than values
Suspicious and cynical
Power seeking & taking
Oppresses differences
Total control seeker
Intrustive & instructive
Cold and calculating

Nothing too inspiring about despots!

“THE WORLD THAT WE HAVE MADE AS A RESULT OF THE LEVEL OF THINKING WE HAVE DONE THUS FAR CREATES PROBLEMS THAT WE CANNOT SOLVE AT THE SAME LEVEL AT WHICH WE CREATED THEM” – Albert Einstein

So what we need is great teams leveraging on each others ideas and talents inspired by great leaders.

Leadership Anagram (new thinking)

Love of followers is demonstrated
Empathetic with individuals at all levels
Able to create vision & achieve the mission
Democratic decisions & communicates
Empowers & encourages others
Resilient, overcomes setbacks
Sharing, provides for followers needs
Hopeful, positive & future driven
Intelligent, uses the head and heart
Persistent, sticks to the task, never gives up

SO WHICH ONE IS MORE LIKE YOU? – (ACCORDING TO THE STAFF?)

The short wall sign you should put up in your office if you want to learn the formula to becoming a great leader!

A personal oath you can make to yourself if you want to become a great leader:

I will take a long term view, conceive and communicate a well thought out and positive vision that is tested and supported by an appropriate set of values

I will always be innovative and take care to effectively decide what is important and what is just clutter and I will actively promote that which is important.

I will readily elicit and accept help and will stay close and constantly listen to and consider the suggestions made by my key players.

I will strive with passion to build a team (rather than a group) where reward is linked to outcomes and continuous learning is the norm.

I will take care to see, recognize and celebrate the best that followers contribute and allow others to shine and share in the spotlight.

I will actively remember that now is the only time we ever have will always live in the present

I will ungrudgingly be willing to make personal sacrifices to actively ensure the best outcomes for my followers.

So do you really want a leadership role?

**Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form!

Leadership takes competence and confidence so remember:  “The most important words you will ever hear are those that you say to yourself about yourself when you are by yourself.” source unkown.

Ric (orglearn)

This CNBC video of a town hall meeting at Columbia University with Bill Gates and Warren Buffet is a valuable resource for all of us and particularly those looking for some sound career and business advice.

Some of the assets we need as individuals seeking success:

Gates: ‘continuing to learn from those that live the topic’
Buffet: ‘developing our communication skills’

What Buffet admires about Gates: His charity to others and his commitment of energy, skill and money
What Gates admires about Buffet: His integrity and willingness to share his knowledge and experience

This is a must watch video for any aspiring and positive human being looking for something to form the pillars of their career.

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form then do your resume and perhaps you can ensure that it contains and communicates examples of how you represent a person of integrity, passion, charity with a willingness to be a continuous learner!

WHAT ARE SPIN-DOCTORS AND WHAT IS SPIN?

Spin-Doctor is a term that has spread from US politics. Spin-doctors are similar to (and as some complain often confused with) ‘REAL’ public relations or public affairs individuals. Professional Spin-Doctors are used to create ‘spin’ for everything from charities, entertainers, sports people, businesses and politicians.

Spin is usually a biased or at least a limited interpretation what has happened. The ‘doctors’ analyse the matter for us and tell us what we need to understand, how to interpret information about an event and what perspective or context we should have when considering what has happened. Spin-doctors ‘advise’ us… usually they take the approach that it’s never a matter of what actually happened, it’s always how we look at it, or that it is only their ‘true’ perspective that counts. Spin is not about reality or consequences its more a matter of understanding why something happened.

Why are these people called spin-doctors? The majority of us develop an attitude or belief about an event by the manner that event is presented to us. So if we want to manipulate people’s perception, we need to alter their perspective by the way we present the information to them. To do this effectively we must put the right “spin” or ‘bent’ on the facts to influence perception in order to manipulate interpretations. The payoff is that if we put the right “spin” on the information we may be able to lead people to the interpretation and perception that we want.

“YOU CAN FOOL MOST OF THE PEOPLE MOST OF THE TIME”

WHY DO SO MANY GROUPS USE SPIN-DOCTORS?

Spin-Doctors exist because facts, figures, events and words, all have different meanings to different people. As an example the phrase, when talking to a builder, ‘you work like lightening’ can be interpreted as FAST. If the builder, is knocking nails in it can mean, INEPT, as he keeps missing the nailhead because “lightening never strikes the same place twice”. The presentation and interpretation of information is often the key to success for those pushing their version of the truth. Careers, businesses, whole communities can be made or broken through the power of public opinion. The media moulds public opinion and the media in particular can be manipulated by spin.

Most reasonable individuals, one would hope, will take the view that although spin can help, what really matters is how people (we) BEHAVE! If you ‘suck’ (as they say in the classics), all the spin in the world won’t help. For companies, successful spin means we need to be seen as ‘good’ corporate citizens and take account of HOW OUR ACTIONS effect those with a stake in our organization.

Wisdom dictates that we understand that spin-doctors come disguised as news commentators, political analysts, PR consultants, HR directors, financial controllers, ‘in the know’ mates at the office, ‘independent’ personal financial advisors or even friends and family. (Some even come disguised as educators. The difference is that a true educator informs to allow us to learn how to think, a spin-doctor informs to control our thinking.) Beware of the spin-doctors in your organization for they can blur your vision, destroy your mission and disrupt your well-laid plans.

IN AUSTRALIA THEY USE A TERM, “BULLSHIT BAFFLES BRAINS” AND TODAY IT SEEMS TRUER THAN EVER! (Pardon my language however it says it clearly)

SPIN ON THE NET

Lets face it today there is so much rubbish on the net and the tide of spin is rising, so many marketers trying to sell get rich schemes to the gullible. I have been on the net for over ten years, I make a little money, however the get rich stuff just doesn’t do it for me at all. Sure I’ve found a couple of systems that work for me, in fact one earns me and 18% return however it takes constant work and effort to get that return, just as it does with any business. Lots of internet marking activitiy I can tell you is boring, mundane and you need persistance and commitment! So don’t throw your hard eaned cash into some thing that some slick spin doctor is telling you. Best remember the old adage “if it sounds too good to be true it probably is”.

PS If you really want an online/net activity to make a few of dollars, that’s free to try and cheap to get into, take a look at this.

If you do like the media ownership idea and need any help you can Skype me at rictownsend

I’m also in another small marketing group that is very helpful and has taught me lots of good stuff that you could take a look at. Although I haven’t personally made a lot of money from it, I have made friends and learned not what to get into. This one is a bit like a marketing social group mainly older guys and girls and the friendship value itself has made it worthwhile let alone the knowledge I’ve gained. This one is Ric’s RML Friends

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

Want to ’spin’ yourself to an employer? While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form!

A few thought starters to help us function more effectively as leaders and mangers:

HABIT 1: Delegate don’t abdicate… when giving tasks to ‘subordinate’ staff, we need to maintain responsibility for the result (the thing many of us want the least), whilst giving away our authority (the thing many of us want the most). In other words, effective managers don’t ‘forget’ about the task, they follow up to see the desired result is achieved.

HABIT 2: When instructing others confirm understanding by soliciting feedback… the worst three words ever spoken at work are, ‘DO YOU UNDERSTAND’, 99% of the time to save face the person will answer yes. We should ask the person being instructed to repeat the instructions in their own words to ensure our meaning has been understood.

HABIT 3: The 80/20 principle, 80% of business usually comes from 20% of our customers… wisdom suggests sales staff should be coached to focus 80% of their (and our) attention on the top 20% of the company’s customers.

WE DO ALL THIS DON’T WE… OF COURSE… AND SO DO OUR MANAGERS…

HABIT 4: Before answering staff questions, ask them to suggest a solution to the problem… if staff are encouraged to offer their suggestions true mentoring/coaching can begin, plus it’s a good way to find new approaches to solving old problems.

HABIT 5: Allow staff to make and learn from mistakes, (within reason)… by allowing mistakes and then coaching to improve performance, ‘subordinates’ will be more willing to take responsibility. A common tendency to ridicule or ‘hit’ those who make mistakes is a major reason for the failure of many empowerment programs.

HABIT 6: Manage the in-tray using the “three pile” method, 1 ‘must do now’, 2 ‘not urgent but important’ and 3 ‘l will get to it next week’. Then assume there is no: 2 and place contents into 1 or 3… then bin / trash the 3 pile, (or have it filed… if you must). Immediately take at least one positive step on each task in the 1 pile… respond, instruct, seek clarification, or delegate.

HABIT 7: The 20/80 principle, 20% of our staff will produce 80% of our results… we should try to avoid the natural tendency to spend the bulk of our time ‘fixing’ our poor producers. Time is better spent supporting the top producers, who, because of their competence, are often left to their own devices (and can then feel unnoticed and unappreciated).

HABIT 8: View traditional company procedures as ‘a guide for the wise and as rules for fools’ In the current complex and fluid climate being flexible and adaptable, rather than rigidly following ‘the system’, means we may well benefit if we are prepared to modify ‘the rules’ and take a different course to the norm, (easily said but hard to do).

HMMM… NOW WHERE DID I LEAVE THAT COMPANY PROCEDURES MANUAL…

HABIT 9: When delegating agree (rather than set) deadlines… if we don’t agree a deadline we run the risk of getting a, ‘I haven’t had time yet’. By agreeing a deadline the other party has to be up front about their current workload and will have little or no excuse for not performing the task allotted.

HABIT 10: Check progress… confirm progress on tasks delegated to staff or assigned to colleagues. A good formula is to seek a report at ‘half time’ and in the ‘final quarter’. Remember though don’t over manage and keep asking “how’s the project going”, give them time to get on with the task and have an open door if they need you, don’t become a nagger.

HABIT 11: Be prompt in your decision-making, don’t cause undue delay to others that negatively affects their work and that delay them or that hampers their effectiveness in fulfilling their obligations to both internal and external customers.

HABIT 12: Show courtesy and respect to colleagues regardless of their position in the company and particularly irrespective of your own mood. Ignorant behaviour has no place at work; peoples dignity needs to be protected.

HABIT 13: Actively seek ways to improve yourself and overcome personal shortcomings rather than just using the excuse of that’s my style, that is an intellectually unsound approach and not worthy of a leader.

HABIT 14: Be on time every time, don’t waste others productivity by thinking your time is more important than that of others. Being late is the ultimate in bad planning (at best) and in ignorance at its worst.

HABIT 15: Handle difficult situations and people openly and as a matter of urgency, don’t avoid problems. If there is a dispute mediate before it becomes a situation where the protagonists start to gather allies to their point of view and spread the poison to others.

HABIT 16: When I don’t know something ask for an explanation rather than trying to bluff your way through. I know the old saying “sometimes it’s better to say nothing and appear fool than to open your mouth and leave no doubt’, however this bluffing can become a bad habit, best get the reputation of being an enquiring mind than a disinterested non thinker.

HABIT 17: Tell the truth at all times, avoid putting a secret agenda or spin on what your are reporting or saying and leave the sarcasm out of your communications. Facts, facts, facts, leave the smug politically driven opinions to someone else.

HABIT 18: If you can’t share information, never say yes I know however I’ve been sworn to secrecy, or say that I can’t talk about whatever it is right now. Don’t half tell things it’s just a silly game of “I know something you don’t know” and it is infantile behaviour. Stay out of the rumour mill altogether.

Habit 19: Offer specific praise publicly to those that deserve it and never stand in the limelight alone whilst ignoring the efforts of those that helped you. Always quote sources of your celebrated wisdom or results and acknowledge the efforts of your team or colleagues.

HABITS ARE LIKE RABBITS… PUT A COUPLE TOGETHER & THE EFFECTS MULTIPLY

Habit 20: Share power and responsibility and rewards with others, walk the talk yourself and if there are any brickbats to be handed out do it now in private and don’t save stuff up for staff review times later on. In other words manage the people in your area not just the processes and “things”.

Habit 21: How about you tell me!!!

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form!

“You might think a lot gets done when you multitask, however a study conducted by Stanford researchers Eyal Ophir, Clifford Nass and Anthony Wagner says it isn’t so.”

“People who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information do not pay attention, control their memory or switch from one job to another as well as those who prefer to complete one task at a time, a group of Stanford researchers has found.” (from Adam Gorlick)

From a BNET report:

Filtering out irrelevant details: Researchers asked participants to ignore certain pieces of data. The non-jugglers had no problem following this instruction, while the multitaskers could not filter out this information and, as a result, performed poorly.

Remembering information: An experiment asking people to remember a sequence of letters, Ophir said in a Stanford press release, “The low multitaskers did great. The high multitaskers were doing worse and worse the further they went along because they kept seeing more letters and had difficulty keeping them sorted in their brains.”

Switching between tasks: Though this is what multitasking is all about, those who do so regularly have trouble focusing on the purpose and information associated with each discreet undertaking. Said Ophir, “They couldn’t help thinking about the task they weren’t doing. They can’t keep things separate in their minds.”

Way back quote: In 2005, the BBC reported on a research study, funded by Hewlett-Packard and conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry at the University of London, that found, “Workers distracted by e-mail and phone calls suffer a fall in IQ more than twice that found in marijuana smokers.” end quote (The New Atlantis Journal)

If you are bedeviled by a Blackberry, masses of irrelevant email and a boss that thinks you should be multitasking, its time to take your life back. Lets be honest you may look impressive in the short term or hip or up to date, cool, “with it”… or what ever the apt description is today, connected perhaps, however that’s just “FORM”. What employers need from you is “SUBSTANCE” or competence if you prefer. So its time to rethink your attitude and work style before your productivity and value to the organization (or lack of it) makes you uneconomic and redundant. Not only that, if the research is correct, you may just save yourself from becoming an unemployable total scatterbrain.

Remember if you need to deal with the boss on this issue you can refer him or her to this post or directly to the research itself. You could I suppose based on the BBC statement go only half way in destroying your IQ and just sit back and relax with a “joint”… not recommended! I wonder if there are any dope smoking multitaskers… what would they work like… come to think of it I think I’ve met a few at work.

Ric (orglearn) *Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts by Ric of www.orglearn.org!

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