The question is: When is it right to say No? The answer is: Anytime.
Anytime that you cannot do something either because you have committed to something else or you don’t feel right doing it, just say No. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying No. As a professional, you will hear the No throughout your business career. You might even have to say it a few times. While having to say No is expected, when someone tells you that they cannot do something, it is no reason to hold it against them. Remember, there will come a time when you have to say NO and you will not want them to hold it against you. So don’t start now.
Then on the flip side of things, if you say YES, you better well be ready to deliver on that YES. If you know you cannot accomplish what is asked of you then please never say that you would do it. Just say NO and be honest about it.
Remember you have more to gain by saying No and being truthful as to why you cannot complete what you are asked to do than you will ever gain by saying you will do it but fail to deliver on that commitment. That just makes you look untrustworthy. Once you are labeled as untrustworthy, rest assured it will be a long, long time before you can get that trust back (if you can get it back at all). Being labeled as untrustworthy will quickly end your career as a leader and that is not a good thing.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Say Yes • Say No • Keep your word • Respect • Honesty • Be real • Be Truthful • Be Trustworthy • Be Respected • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
20 August 2009
12 August 2009
Building Trust (part 2)
Let’s briefly revisit Trust and building that trust, especially among those you must lead and manage.
Building trust is a great way to ensure that the people you lead will follow you unconditionally. Once you have people following you based on trust, your organization stands to benefit greatly from the leadership and guidance you are providing your followers (no matter if you directly supervise them or not).
For this revisit I want to refer back to the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. If you have not had the honor and privilege to be part of the Seven Habits training I highly recommend it. There is a quote from Stephen R. Covey that I really like, “One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present.”
How does this happen? This is quite simple, as they recognize that you are not one to talk bad about those that are not present and they feel comfortable knowing you won’t talk about them behind their back. Those that are not present may or may not know that you remain loyal to them. That’s OK because the ones present will know.
Once you have gained their trust you must remain consistent and do nothing that can break that trust. Remember that the work you put in to building that trust is not something that comes easy. It takes time and it takes effort, genuine effort.
A word of warning: If you ever slip and break their trust, as a leader you are through. Whether they know it or not, you know what you did and once its out there you can’t take it back. You have violated the trust you worked so hard to gain.
Don’t hesitate, don’t compromise, just don’t do it, stay true to yourself and they will stay true to you. Isn’t Staying True what Trust is all about?
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Trust • Building Trust • Stay True • Be Genuine • authenticity • People respect you if they believe in you • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Building trust is a great way to ensure that the people you lead will follow you unconditionally. Once you have people following you based on trust, your organization stands to benefit greatly from the leadership and guidance you are providing your followers (no matter if you directly supervise them or not).
For this revisit I want to refer back to the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. If you have not had the honor and privilege to be part of the Seven Habits training I highly recommend it. There is a quote from Stephen R. Covey that I really like, “One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present.”
How does this happen? This is quite simple, as they recognize that you are not one to talk bad about those that are not present and they feel comfortable knowing you won’t talk about them behind their back. Those that are not present may or may not know that you remain loyal to them. That’s OK because the ones present will know.
Once you have gained their trust you must remain consistent and do nothing that can break that trust. Remember that the work you put in to building that trust is not something that comes easy. It takes time and it takes effort, genuine effort.
A word of warning: If you ever slip and break their trust, as a leader you are through. Whether they know it or not, you know what you did and once its out there you can’t take it back. You have violated the trust you worked so hard to gain.
Don’t hesitate, don’t compromise, just don’t do it, stay true to yourself and they will stay true to you. Isn’t Staying True what Trust is all about?
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Trust • Building Trust • Stay True • Be Genuine • authenticity • People respect you if they believe in you • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
10 August 2009
Don't Give Up
There is an old school belief that as a leader you are expected to change the way you live, act, and behave. Guess what? That belief remains true even in 2009. Changing the way you live, act, and behave is a good thing but you should only change to the point that you remain authentic and genuine to who you are, anything more will make you seem like you are out of your element, anything less will seem like you have no clue as to what is going on, and neither are a good thing, trust me on this one.
Change does not mean you have to give up everything for the sake of giving something up and instantly you are changed. It means adjusting who you are, it means growing into the person you want to be and not what someone else wants you to be or expects you to be. You are your own person and at one point in your life only you will know what is best for you.
You may ask yourself when is that one point in your life? I don't know when that time will come for you but you will certainly not know when that time will come until you have lived through it. I will not bother you with the details but I can tell you there been several points in my life, that I have lived through, that were the catalyst for change. Each time, it has involved a life or death situation. One time was in the Army, the next was just after I left the Army, and the last two times were the birth of my children.
Those changes have shaped me into the person I am today. Those major life changes along with the changes I experience every day continue my evolution, future events and experiences will bring about more changes in me and in those around me.
Whether you want to admit it or not you are changing and evolving everyday. Sometimes it may take a little longer to realize you have changed. That’s OK, so long as you do not give up who you are. Those you will lead will respect you for not trading in who you are for what you are expected to be by others.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • • Personal Growth • Be all that you can be • Continue to grow • Evolve • Don't Give Up • Never Give Up • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Change does not mean you have to give up everything for the sake of giving something up and instantly you are changed. It means adjusting who you are, it means growing into the person you want to be and not what someone else wants you to be or expects you to be. You are your own person and at one point in your life only you will know what is best for you.
You may ask yourself when is that one point in your life? I don't know when that time will come for you but you will certainly not know when that time will come until you have lived through it. I will not bother you with the details but I can tell you there been several points in my life, that I have lived through, that were the catalyst for change. Each time, it has involved a life or death situation. One time was in the Army, the next was just after I left the Army, and the last two times were the birth of my children.
Those changes have shaped me into the person I am today. Those major life changes along with the changes I experience every day continue my evolution, future events and experiences will bring about more changes in me and in those around me.
Whether you want to admit it or not you are changing and evolving everyday. Sometimes it may take a little longer to realize you have changed. That’s OK, so long as you do not give up who you are. Those you will lead will respect you for not trading in who you are for what you are expected to be by others.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • • Personal Growth • Be all that you can be • Continue to grow • Evolve • Don't Give Up • Never Give Up • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
07 August 2009
If you avoid serving then be prepared
Hello Neighbors, let’s step into the land of not so make believe for a little bit. In the land of not so make believe there is group of professionals that I know. Each and every one of them is a recognized leader in what they do and they are all in situation that has me shocked and perplexed. To me, if the people that recognize them as leaders could see their behavior now, well, they would certainly give them a second thought before considering them leaders again.
I will keep this on the surface as much as possible as I don’t want to give away too much out of respect for their privacy. Here is what I can give you:
They were given an opportunity to be the leader of the group they belong to, to be the top dog, the big cheese and each one of them wanted no part of being the leader. Either it was not in their plan to be the group leader, or it would cut into their free time, or it would force a couple of them to cut back on private revenue generating opportunities. No matter what the excuse was, no one wanted to be the Big Kahuna.
The organization’s executive management needed a manager/leader of this motley crew in place. The group was warned that if no one volunteered an interim manager would be appointed until a permanent manager was found. True to their form, no one stepped up and subsequently someone was appointed. The interim manager was not well liked by the others. The others included the ones that had outside activities that were generating them a quite substantial amount of revenue aside from what the organization was already paying. Of course, the others that valued their free time were also not in favor of the appointee and trouble began. My best guess was that anyone in the position would start enforcing the rules and they were not about to let that happen, especially when free time and revenue generating opportunities were tolerated in the past. Why rock the boat?
The newly appointed interim manager got a raw deal right from the start. The remaining staff did not want him in the position he was appointed to and fought him every step of the way until a new permanent manager was found, hired, and put in place. For over one year, this guy was getting crap from those that didn’t want to step up and be in charge, the funny thing is that at one point the top hater even went as far as calling the interim manager an ‘ineffective leader” obviously he knew what makes a person an ineffective leader. These so-called professionals were behaving like 3rd Graders in the way they were treating the interim manager.
Yesterday, there was a luncheon in honor of the outgoing interim manager. The newly hired leader was in attendance. Those staff members that wanted nothing to do with being in the leadership position are already sinking their fangs into the new guy. They are making snide comments, talking bad about him to other internal staff members, and to make matters worse, they are talking bad to those outside the organizational unit. This is something that is expected of those 3rd Graders with their “you’re not my friend” attitude better yet, it is expected of a bunch of High School kids who will only accept you if you are part of the clique otherwise you either “conform or be cast out”
Is there any excuse for them or their behavior? Not at all! It excuses nobody. All are just as equally guilty. Those that speak ill of the people in the position they wanted no part of, those that listen to them and do nothing, and especially those that are in a position of authority to do something about it and choose to ignore it.
Folks, it is real easy: If you don’t want to be in charge then you better learn to live, real fast, with the decisions that are made for you. This whole situation reminds me of voting. If you didn’t vote in the last election and now you don’t like the way the guy who won the election is doing things, you really don’t need to be saying or doing anything just to stir the pot.
Remember, if you do not want to be part of the solution, then you are part of the problem, plain and simple. Therefore, don’t be so surprised when you get what you least expect and I guarantee you will get it.
Another word or two of advice: Talking bad about others will make you look like a child that is throwing a tantrum (aka hissy fit) and when was the last time you saw a child throw a tantrum and win?
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Do not reward bad behavior • lack of respect • ineffective leaders • tantrum throwing • childish behavior • not acceptable • Step up and be a professional and an adult • • Don't take cheap shots they only make you look bad • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
I will keep this on the surface as much as possible as I don’t want to give away too much out of respect for their privacy. Here is what I can give you:
They were given an opportunity to be the leader of the group they belong to, to be the top dog, the big cheese and each one of them wanted no part of being the leader. Either it was not in their plan to be the group leader, or it would cut into their free time, or it would force a couple of them to cut back on private revenue generating opportunities. No matter what the excuse was, no one wanted to be the Big Kahuna.
The organization’s executive management needed a manager/leader of this motley crew in place. The group was warned that if no one volunteered an interim manager would be appointed until a permanent manager was found. True to their form, no one stepped up and subsequently someone was appointed. The interim manager was not well liked by the others. The others included the ones that had outside activities that were generating them a quite substantial amount of revenue aside from what the organization was already paying. Of course, the others that valued their free time were also not in favor of the appointee and trouble began. My best guess was that anyone in the position would start enforcing the rules and they were not about to let that happen, especially when free time and revenue generating opportunities were tolerated in the past. Why rock the boat?
The newly appointed interim manager got a raw deal right from the start. The remaining staff did not want him in the position he was appointed to and fought him every step of the way until a new permanent manager was found, hired, and put in place. For over one year, this guy was getting crap from those that didn’t want to step up and be in charge, the funny thing is that at one point the top hater even went as far as calling the interim manager an ‘ineffective leader” obviously he knew what makes a person an ineffective leader. These so-called professionals were behaving like 3rd Graders in the way they were treating the interim manager.
Yesterday, there was a luncheon in honor of the outgoing interim manager. The newly hired leader was in attendance. Those staff members that wanted nothing to do with being in the leadership position are already sinking their fangs into the new guy. They are making snide comments, talking bad about him to other internal staff members, and to make matters worse, they are talking bad to those outside the organizational unit. This is something that is expected of those 3rd Graders with their “you’re not my friend” attitude better yet, it is expected of a bunch of High School kids who will only accept you if you are part of the clique otherwise you either “conform or be cast out”
Is there any excuse for them or their behavior? Not at all! It excuses nobody. All are just as equally guilty. Those that speak ill of the people in the position they wanted no part of, those that listen to them and do nothing, and especially those that are in a position of authority to do something about it and choose to ignore it.
Folks, it is real easy: If you don’t want to be in charge then you better learn to live, real fast, with the decisions that are made for you. This whole situation reminds me of voting. If you didn’t vote in the last election and now you don’t like the way the guy who won the election is doing things, you really don’t need to be saying or doing anything just to stir the pot.
Remember, if you do not want to be part of the solution, then you are part of the problem, plain and simple. Therefore, don’t be so surprised when you get what you least expect and I guarantee you will get it.
Another word or two of advice: Talking bad about others will make you look like a child that is throwing a tantrum (aka hissy fit) and when was the last time you saw a child throw a tantrum and win?
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Do not reward bad behavior • lack of respect • ineffective leaders • tantrum throwing • childish behavior • not acceptable • Step up and be a professional and an adult • • Don't take cheap shots they only make you look bad • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
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