Leadership – thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World

Navigating The Choppy Waters Of Disagreements

December 2, 2020/0 Comments/in Business Toolkit, Career, Communications, Leadership /by Ryan Shaw

The how-to’s and don’t-do’s of disagreement, at work, but also in life.

Today’s post is by thoughtLEADERS principal Maureen Metcalf.

As leaders, we continue to face an increasing level of complexity. With political shifts happening across the globe, we are finding more than ever before that we are working with people who have dramatically different views than we have. Many are even violating the time-held rule not to discuss politics or religion at work.

For many, these discussions, along with a barrage of political demonstrations and news coverage, have left us feeling overwhelmed and often concerned about our immediate and long-term future. Many people appear more agitated, and agitated people are less effective employees, family members and friends.

An emerging leader and MBA student, Ben, recently told me that he watched two of his staff members come close to physical blows because of a political disagreement. His department is not directly impacted by the political discussion at hand, yet tempers are still high. The challenge for Ben was restoring a civil and supportive working relationship after people crossed lines that are hard to uncross.

How willing is your organization to walk away from low-margin business?

November 26, 2020/0 Comments/in Balanced Lifestyle, Business Toolkit, Communications, Leadership, Poll /by Ryan Shaw

Our reader poll today asks: How willing is your organization to walk away from low-margin business?

Very — we do it all the time: 29.06%
Somewhat — it has to be really low margin before we consider walking: 41.89%
Rarely — we only walk away in extreme situations: 21.13%
Never — if they’re buying, we’re selling! 7.92%

Is the work worth it? There’s no shortage of “opportunities” to do work at low margins. Unfortunately all too many of you take on work that’s likely not worth it. Even if something is marginal in terms of value, you’re likely losing money on it. The hidden costs of administration, contracting, selling and servicing are rarely factored into the value you’re delivering and how much you’re getting paid for it. Add to that the opportunity cost of not being able to pursue higher-margin work, and you’re definitely in a negative situation.

Sure, there are times to take on low-margin work, like a pilot or trying to land a new customer, but those should be strategic exceptions. If you’re finding a lot of low-margin work on your plate, take the time to do the analysis of the true cost of delivering that work and add to that the opportunity cost of lost higher-margin work. That might help you make a compelling case for walking away from that low-margin project (or at least help you to price it more appropriately).

Do you agree with these poll results? Let us know in the comments below!

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

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Saying Thank You to Your Employees

November 23, 2020/0 Comments/in Business Toolkit, Communications, Guest Blogger, Leadership /by Ryan Shaw

Dr. Cindy McGovern offers five meaningful ways employers can say “thank you” to their staffs during the holidays and throughout the year.

Today’s post is by Dr. Cindy McGovern, author of Every Job is a Sales Job (CLICK HERE to get your copy).

A holiday party for employees is a nice touch as the year winds down, and nobody ever turned down a big bonus as a reward for doing a good job month after month. But the best way a business leader can say “thank you” to valuable employees might not have anything to do with parties, money, or gifts.

The most meaningful way to show a hard-working, loyal staff that you truly value and appreciate them is to listen to them and respond when they have ideas, complaints, and personal struggles.

Here are five ways to show your gratitude to employees this season and all year round.

Solicit their ideas

When former PepsiCo CEO Roger Enrico sent a video to the corporation’s thousands of employees saying they should “take ownership of the company,” janitor Richard Montanez took it seriously. He pitched Enrico an idea for a new product that he created by dusting the company’s popular Cheetos with chili powder instead of cheese powder. The result: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are among the company’s top sellers, and Montanez, who never went to college, is a marketing executive worth millions.

Montanez didn’t set out to create a goldmine snack. In fact, he was just trying to salvage a pile of Cheetos rejects that had come through a malfunctioning machine without any cheese dust so his family could eat them.

But Enrico gave Montanez the same attention and respect he gave to the corporation’s product development team. Now, Montanez is one of the company’s most-enthusiastic ambassadors.

How willing are you to ask for help when you need it?

November 19, 2020/1 Comment/in Balanced Lifestyle, Communications, Leadership, Poll /by Ryan Shaw

Our reader poll today asks: How willing are you to ask for help when you need it?

Extremely: I ask for help all the time without hesitation: 15.21%
Very: I’ll ask for help when the need gets pressing: 35.71%
Somewhat: I have a hard time with it unless the situation is extreme: 35.87%
Not very: It’s pretty rare that I ask no matter how much I need it: 10.74%
Not at all: I always go it alone even though I know I should ask: 2.47%

Ask for help when needed. You’re not alone. While 50% of you seem to freely ask for help as needed, the other half of you struggle with doing so. Ask yourself why. Is it a pride thing? Or is it that you don’t want to inconvenience others? Maybe you believe it’s a display of weakness? Whatever the reason, get to the root of it and ask if that perception is true as well as if it’s outweighed by the benefits of asking for help. If you’re overwhelmed, stressed out, and not getting your work done or delivering on commitments, perhaps it’s time to swallow your pride or get over your hang-ups. You’d be surprised by how many people are more than willing to help a friend or colleague. Think about how you handle such requests. Give people the benefit of the doubt and create the opportunity for them to be helpful. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised with the result.

Do you agree with these poll results? Let us know in the comments below!

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

Did you enjoy this post? If so, I highly encourage you to take about 30 seconds to become a regular subscriber to this blog. It’s free, fun, practical, and only a few emails a week (I promise!). SIGN UP HERE to get the thoughtLEADERS blog conveniently delivered right to your inbox!

Veterans: Please Don’t Leave Your Military Values Behind

November 11, 2020/0 Comments/in Business Toolkit, Career, Communications, Guest Blogger, Leadership /by Ryan Shaw

The military focuses on a unique set of standards and values. Transitioning military personnel advice are advised to focus on values for a successful military-to-civilian transition and career, and personal success in the civilian sector.

Today’s post is by Lida Citroën, author of Success after Service (CLICK HERE to get your copy).

In the 10 years I’ve been working with transitioning military service members and veterans, I’ve learned a great deal about the differing cultures between the civilian sector (where I come from) and The United States Armed Forces. The differences make for wonderful conversation and opportunities to learn and grow.

Most civilians grow up in households, communities, regions and areas where, as young adults, we’re encouraged to think independently, to serve ourselves (first) and others (also), while also getting educated, culturally socialized, and politically savvy.

Contrast the civilian environment – where most of the 98% of Americans who’ve not served in the uniform of our country grow up – with the military culture (1-2% of the U.S. population). I’ve been fortunate to have coached, mentored, helped, and collaborated with thousands of veterans, and they tell me that the military culture features standards, processes, clear expectations, and rules. Lots of rules.

How Learning Dance Makes You a Better Leader

November 9, 2020/0 Comments/in Business Toolkit, Career, Communications, Guest Blogger, Leadership /by Ryan Shaw

How dance makes you a better leader with interviews with CEOs and leaders of industry.

Today’s post is by Megan Taylor Morrison, author of Dance Adventures(CLICK HERE to get your copy).

Boardrooms and bachata? Lindy hop and LinkedIn? Merengue and meetings? Business and dance seem like uncomfortable bedfellows, but dancing can inform leadership, making your interactions with clients, employees or business partners more effective and fulfilling.

I’ve experienced this crossover firsthand. I’m a business and leadership coach and former professional dancer who has used the wisdom I’ve gained from overcoming challenges on stage -from breaking a heel while dancing in front of hundreds of people to having to perform outdoors in the pouring rain – to support my professional growth.

I’ve also brought these ideas to my private and corporate clients. Whether I’m introducing the idea that leaders also need to know how to follow during a corporate retreat, or watching a type-A CEO’s journey learning to release control in her first tango classes, I’ve seen methodologies from dance have a significant impact on people’s leadership.

In my book, Dance Adventures, authors from around the world share incredible stories about how dancing abroad catalyzed their personal and professional growth. Here are a few of the lessons that authors and leaders from around the globe took away.