Dave Guerra (the official blog): January 2015

26 January 2015

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #12

Fishing Off The Company Pier

Fishing rods, Eastbourne Pier by Gerald Massey

This past weekend I was working on what is I hope one of the last revisions to "GREAT TO FOLLOW" (book 2 in the Walking Leader Trilogy) and I ran across something I wrote and feel strongly about.

Therefore, I want to share with you what in Chapter 15 (Know Your Co-Workers) I write.

"Pick your "at work" relationships wisely. You will encounter problems and successes along the way. When you encounter the bad times you will have to roll with the punches but also learn from them. Otherwise, you will repeat the bad over and over.

There is an old saying, “never fish off the company pier”. Guess what? This is very sound advice. Some people have taken that advice while others completely disregard that advice at the cost of the relationship and employment. Don't say I did not warn you."

Sure sometimes people can get lucky but in reality all the odds are against anyone in an relationship that goes beyond the 9 to 5. Whether it is romantic or otherwise there will be trouble. ALL relationships have problems it is how the individuals react and how it affects their situation at work that will determine how long they remain in the workplace.

While everyone wants the fairy tale ending that just doesn't happen when it comes to workplace based relationships. Someone gets a promotion over the other, other co-workers pay extra attention to the other member of the relationship, or some other reason that creates dissent, mistrust, or resentment.

Any organization worth its mission and vision in serving their customers or clients will have a policy in place regarding extra-workplace relationships that addresses, without pulling punches, exactly what will happen to the employees. Why? Because in this economy and age of transparency all organization have "got no time for that"!

What are your thoughts on "Fishing Off The Company Pier"?

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Workplace Romance • Fishing Off The Company Pier • No Fairy Tales • Yes to Real Life • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

19 January 2015

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #11

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #11

In case you missed it this weekend, here are ETIQUETTE WEEKEND links I shared.

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND is a Twitter (@daveguerra), Facebook (facebook.com/thedavidguerra), Google+ (plus.google.com/+DaveGuerra) project where I post and share links to websites and online articles that are all about Etiquette (Business, Interpersonal, Professional and Personal).

1. 3 Tips to Good Business Etiquette
http://usjobadvantage.com/3-tips-to-good-business-etiquette/

2. 2 Fast 2 Furious: Four Tips On Messaging Etiquette At Work
http://www.business2community.com/communications/2-fast-2-furious-four-tips-messaging-etiquette-work-0996618

3. Etiquette Training New Children’s Course Reveals How Teaching Kids Good Manners Helps Classes & School
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2179806

4. [slideshare] Disability Etiquette
http://www.slideshare.net/mgsimmons/disability-etiquette-38888111

5. How’s your office etiquette?
http://www.360communication.ca/hows-your-office-etiquette/

6. 6 Business Etiquette Tips That Will Help You Nail a Job Interview
http://kristenhadeed.com/6-business-etiquette-tips-that-will-help-you-nail-a-job-interview/

7. Business etiquette consultant teaches personal connection
http://charlotte.floridaweekly.com/news/2014-09-11/Top_News/Business_etiquette_consultant_teaches_personal_con.html

8. How to Use a Cell Phone at Work
http://drmsriram.blogspot.com/2014/09/personal-etiquette-special-how-to-use.html

9. Don’t Steal Sandwiches, and Other Office-Kitchen Etiquette Tips
http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2014/09/dont-steal-sandwiches-and-other-office-kitchen-etiquette-tips/?oc=linkback

10. Mobile Phone Etiquette
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-lauren/mobile-phone-etiquette_b_5798402.html

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Etiquette • Etiquette Weekend • Personal Etiquette • Professional Etiquette • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

ABOUT INSIDERS!

People like a brand more when that brand makes them feel like insiders. People like other people more when those people make them feel like insiders.

What are you doing to make your customers/clients feel like insiders?

Email newsletters, Giveaways, Loyalty Programs, Frequent Flyer benefits, buy 10 get 1 free, and so on are a few ways to quickly create insiders. However, the number one way to make people feel like insiders is to LISTEN to them. Actively LISTEN!

You create insiders because you give them something after they have given you a lot. You listened to them. They made a connection with you and you connected with them. You communicated, together.

The more you communicate, the more they want to come back. This applies to your customers, clients, vendors, contractors, the guy that is selling you a newspaper. It most certainly applies to your employees just like it applies to your friends and family.

As a leader, you have to communicate with those that follow you. The more you communicate the more they become insiders. Those followers become your loyal customers because they believe in you and what you stand for.

Make everyone an Insider. Bring them inside by communicating with them. Start a dialogue and maintain that dialogue, at all costs.

Once they are in, it is your job to keep them in for all the days that you want. However, the moment you slack off is the moment you do not want to keep the insiders in.

Unless you want to start from scratch, never, ever slack off. They want to be on the inside but once you shut that door in their face you might as well hang it up.

Getting them to come back and want to be on the inside, again, will take a lot more hard work. Why work harder than you have to? Don't slack off and keep them on the inside, always.

What do you think?

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Insiders • Communication • Dialogue • Put in the hard work • No Slack • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

13 January 2015

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #10

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #10

After taking a well needed Holiday Break it's good to be back. If you have been following me on Twitter (@daveguerra), Facebook (facebook.com/thedavidguerra), Google+ (plus.google.com/+DaveGuerra) then you know I have been posting links to websites and online articles that are all about Etiquette: Business, Interpersonal, Professional and Personal.

Here is this first ETIQUETTE WEEKEND of 2015 collection (01/10-01/11/15).

1. SIGN POST: New etiquette in order for selfies and groufies

2. Commission Sales Etiquette
http://etiquette.about.com/od/Professional-Etiquette/fl/Commission-Sales-Etiquette.htm

3. NEWS: AIRPLANE ETIQUETTE: ARE YOU A 'RECLINER' OR 'LEGROOMER'?

4. Ask the Etiquette Expert: How Should I Prepare for My First International Business Trip?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-gottsman/ask-the-etiquette-expert-_3_b_5762228.html?utm_hp_ref=business&ir=Business

5. 11 Email Etiquette Rules Every Professional Should Know

6. Business Office Tips
http://machineoffice.com/business-office-tips/

7. Small Talk & Etiquette
http://majesticallyrare.com/small-talk-etiquette

8. Etiquette advice: Employers should set rules on visible tattoos
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140905/LIVING/308299998/1008/ARTSMUSIC

9. Monday Business Tips: 15 Business Telephone Etiquette Tips

10. Business Etiquette: Why You Need an Exit Strategy
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-gottsman/business-etiquette-why-yo_b_5783846.html

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Etiquette • Etiquette Weekend • Personal Etiquette • Professional Etiquette • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

12 January 2015

Effortless Leadership?

Effortless Leadership

I knew the title of this post would get your attention. However, there is NOTHING effortless about leadership. Just like anything worth doing, there is nothing effortless about doing something worth your while.

You will have to put in the long hours. You will have to work hard and work smart.

There is nothing effortless when it comes to real leadership. There can never by. There never will be.

Even after you have made it you have to commit to putting in the effort. See, once you are at the top of your game you have to do even more to stay on top.

Slack off and you know what happens. You have to start all over again with renewed effort and who wants to start all over?

Not you, not I, no one wants to start over.

Therefore, to avoid doing just that everyone must put in the effort, especially when it comes to leadership. There are NO SHORTCUTS to this.

There never have been shortcuts and no matter how much we want there never will be shortcuts.

Thank you,
Dave Guerra

P.S. I do invite you to join the conversation and tell me what you think about this post and all the others here on my blog.

As always you can read this blog post in its original location at http://daveguerra.blogspot.com

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Effortless Leadership • No Shortcuts • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

09 January 2015

The Leadership Minute #11: Be Courageous

The Leadership Minute #11: Leadership Trait: Be Courageous

There are things in life that are downright dangerous. That danger should not stop you but it should inspire to move beyond the fear.

Do the best that you can. No one is just going to give anything to you, especially success. You are the one that has to step up (put fear aside) and be courageous enough to do something about it.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • The Leadership Minute • video series • video • vlog • Courage • Be Courageous • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

08 January 2015

About New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!

Make any resolutions?

How good are you at keeping New Year's Resolutions? You know the kind of resolutions I am taking about, don't you?

Sure you do. We've all made them. This year I promise to lose fifty pounds, this year I promise to work out, this year I promise to not drink so much, and so on and so on.

They all sound pretty awesome as we declare what we will do as Auld Lang Syne plays in the background as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's morning.

Pretty cool...until you sober up in the morning and ask yourself "did I really say I was going to do that?" You decide "what the heck" and try to make it happen.

You start off great. All of us start off great. However, for the majority of us it doesn't last very long. Sometime close to Burns Supper (January 25th) all those resolutions fly right out the window and are never brought to mind until the day after next Christmas.

So why do we bother?

We bother because we know the new year is upon us and there is not a thing we can do to about it. We know the calendar is going to change and we expect that calendar change to bring us plenty of good.

We ride that wave of upcoming change by adding on some of the things we would like to change about ourselves.

But why do most people not see those resolutions to the end? Your guess is as good as mine.

Seriously, everyone has their unique reason. That's alright by me. However, the one thing that I see that gives everyone hope for a great year is that they recognize change happens and change will continue to happen.

Change happens for everyone and they can either ride that change to its inevitable conclusion, more changes or they can fight it but who can fight time.

Happy New Year.
David Guerra
I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Coming Soon: Great To Follow

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • New Year's Resolutions • Changes • You can't fight change • Ride the wave of change • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

06 January 2015

The Leadership Minute #10: Be Diverse

The Leadership Minute #10: Be Diverse

Being a diverse individual shows everyone that you are open to new and different ideas, concepts, and most importantly new and different people.

You are also open to new and different ways of doing things. New and different ways of thinking. For a leader it is a mandatory requirement that you tell everyone and expect everyone to bring you something new, something exciting, something different and something innovative.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • The Leadership Minute • video series • video • vlog • Diversity • Be Diverse • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

05 January 2015

To Succeed Never Gossip

This one. This one is one that gets all of us. I stand here guilty of having done this. Learning the hard way is really the only way to stop gossiping. Trust me I learned the hard way. Usually, getting burned on that gossip is enough for most people but there are always someone who doesn't get it. Trust me I've been burned one too many times.

Yeah, the gossipers are the knuckleheads you want to avoid. See, those are the people that are going to drag you down with them. Then they will blame you that way they come out smelling like a rose and you get nothing.

Stay away from the gossip and most of all stay away from the gossipers.

Yeah, being a gossip is certainly not the way for anyone to gain your trust. Why? No one likes a gossip. Really.

To succeed try not gossiping. If you are doing it now, try stopping, now! If you can't stop gossiping guess what? You get nothing! Good Day!

NOTEWORTHY: When someone comes to you with the latest gossip about someone else usually that person is going to the person they just talked to you about to talk about you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Never Gossip • Don't do it • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

02 January 2015

To Succeed Never Be Afraid To Do The Things That Matter

If it matters then DO IT!

If it matters but is unpopular, DO IT!

If it matters but you "think" you need to ask permission to do it, DO IT!

What matters most is what must be done. No asking for permission, no second guessing, no doubts!

DO IT!

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Things that matter • Do It • If it's important • Don't Ask • Things that matter • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero