30 May 2015

The Leadership Minute #33: Initiative

The Leadership Minute #33
Character Traits of a Leader: Initiative



Initiative is the “opportunity to do something before others do”.  The ability to step up and say “I’m going to do it.”

In any organization, that’s how you find who the true leaders are. Remember, a leader does not have to be a manager and a manager is NOT automatically a leader.

It is easy to identify who the true leaders are in an organization. They are the ones who step up when it comes time to do something that must be done and others feel it is beneath them. This is especially so of those things that are unpopular or dirty but must be done.

Your organization top tier leaders like individuals that are not afraid to step up and successfully take the initiative. Most of all, they like individuals that can take the initiative and tell the Emperor his is not wearing any close.

BE THAT PERSON!


Thank you,
David Guerra

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

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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27 May 2015

The Leadership Minute #32: Tact

The Leadership Minute #32
Character Traits of a Leader: Tact




TACT is the "sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense." (Merriam-Webster)

As a leader, you are going to be the person your followers will go to when time are tough but they are also going to turn to you when a situation needs to be resolved or settled.

When individuals come up with nonsense that you know is nonsense and others know is nonsense. Most of all, they themselves know is nonsense, yet the are going to come to you and you are going to have to deal with it.

No matter what you do to deal with it you have got to be tactful. You do not them thinking you are picking on them or harassing them. Harassing them is the last thing you want to do as a leader. However, you have to make certain you get your point across. Ensure they understand what's going on, why it is happening and why it is important to get this resolved.

As a leader, you must maintain TACT 100% of the time. It will be difficult but you must do it. In order to come across as fair, impartial and being a just leader, you must be tactful. That's non-negotiable.


Thank you,
David Guerra

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

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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25 May 2015

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #26

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. Facebook Etiquette for Business Pages
http://globalprocessservers.com/business/facebook-etiquette-for-business-pages/

2. Business Card Etiquette 102
http://www.houseofmarbury.com/business-card-etiquette-102/

3. Social Media Etiquette for Business Professionals
http://www.the-o-company.com/social-media-etiquette-business-professionals/

4. 15 Business Etiquette Rules By Business Insider
https://daneahenke.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/15-business-etiquette-rules-by-business-insider/

5. Business Etiquette in a Casual World
http://www.lbmcstaffing.com/business-etiquette-in-a-casual-world/

6. Newport Manners & Etiquette: Dating A Friend’s Ex-Boyfriend
http://www.golocalworcester.com/lifestyle/newport-manners-etiquette-dating-a-friends-ex-boyfriend

7. How to Help Low-Income Students Cross the Finish Line From College to Career
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-pliska/how-to-help-lowincome-stu_b_6100596.html?utm_hp_ref=education&ir=Education

8. St. Louis to spend $50,000 on recruiting minorities to public safety jobs
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-to-spend-on-recruiting-minorities-to-public-safety/article_b6d4ffee-540c-501f-844d-d7f8dff91100.html

9. Baby Etiquette: What Not to Say to a New Mom
http://dianegottsman.com/2014/11/baby-etiquette-what-not-to-say-to-a-new-mom/

10. When Tragedy Strikes: The Social Media Etiquette Guide
http://www.margaretpage.com/social-media-etiquette-tragedy/

11. 5 Simple Social Media Etiquette Tips to Live By [Bobby Borg]
http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2014/11/5-simple-social-media-etiquette-tips-to-live-by-bobby-borg.html

12. Improving employee performance the easy way
http://www.ibamag.com/news/improving-employee-performance-the-easy-way-20108.aspx

13. E-mail Etiquette For A Total Executive Presence
http://www.businessinsider.in/Careers/E-mail-Etiquette-For-A-Total-Executive-Presence/articleshow/45066270.cms

14. RSVP Etiquette
http://www.chicagonow.com/masking-suburban-mom/2014/11/rsvp-etiquette/

Until next time, I 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 LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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24 May 2015

The Leadership Minute #31: Endurance


The Leadership Minute #31
Character Traits of a Leader: Endurance




Turning to the old Merriam Webster dictionary we find the definition of endurance as “the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially :  the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.”

As a leader, you will encounter numerous hardships and adversity. You had better be ready to deal with them head on and deal with them to the end. There is no such thing as shortcut because you are in it for the long haul.

To manage and overcome the hardship and adversity of being a leader that means three things you have stay: physically, mentally, and morally fit.

One of my favorite quotes of all time is by US Army General George S. Patton, “"A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood." To me that means a leader must train harder now because tomorrow you don’t know just how hard the battle will be.

Those that will turn to you in those times of trouble will be turning to you solely to get them through it. If you are not ready they will drop you like a bad habit and find someone who can.

Don’t be that guy.


Thank you,
David Guerra

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

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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18 May 2015

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #25

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. Top 5 suitcase etiquette tips
http://roadwarriorette.boardingarea.com/2014/10/31/top-5-suitcase-etiquette-tips/

2. 9 ways to handle a wardrobe malfunction like a pro
http://upstart.bizjournals.com/resources/executive-forum/2014/10/31/9-ways-to-handle-a-wardrobe-malfunction-like-a-pro.html

3. People buy people, not products
http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/1DtuqyI57qCYlpHHFeFOJP/People-buy-people-not-products.html

4. 20 Basic Email Etiquette Tips Everyone Should Follow
http://www.fustany.com/en/lifestyle/living/20-basic-email-etiquette-tips-everyone-should-follow

5. How to Master the Gift-giving Etiquette
http://www.careeraddict.com/en/13760/how-to-master-the-gift-giving-etiquette

6. Etiquette Rules! The art of kindness
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/life/family/etiquette-rules-the-art-of-kindness/article_a015ab15-e2d2-5dfd-8518-1849aff41b62.html

7. Reforming concert etiquette
http://www.themanitoban.com/2014/11/reforming-concert-etiquette/21351/

8. Wine in Business : Dress Shoes, Stud earrings, Elaborate adjectives
http://www.harbus.org/2014/wine-in-business-dress-shoes-stud-earrings-elaborate-adjectives/

9. Save-the-date card etiquette
http://www.kearneyhub.com/younes-ultimate-wedding/articles/save-the-date-card-etiquette/article_0e9cbcb2-607c-11e4-9d32-3f5d8a3c8a92.html

10. The Mobile Etiquette Violations Guide: How Gross Are We?
https://www.mainstreet.com/article/the-mobile-etiquette-violations-guide-how-gross-are-we

11. Etiquette Training - Lessons in Chivalry from the Life of a Gentleman
http://ww.itimes.com/video/etiquette-training-lessons-in-chivalry-from-the-life-of-a-gentleman

12. [#Business] Why the etiquette of college basketball hiring and firing has changed
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2014/11/04/college-basketball-coaching-etiquette/17659685/

13. 15 Business Etiquette Rules By Business Insider
https://daneahenke.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/15-business-etiquette-rules-by-business-insider/

14. Is business etiquette dead?
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/11/01/14/business-etiquette-dead


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 LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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16 May 2015

Q & A #DareToBe Tweet Chat: Be Spontaneous (Tuesday, May 12, 2015)

At 8PM Eastern, every Tuesday, the #DareToBe tweetchat takes place on Twitter. The #DareToBe tweetchat is hosted by Andrea Sanchez (@asanchez16), an Editor, Writer & Communications Executive and according to her Twitter profile, from Houston, Texas.

Every week a different topic. On the evening of May 12, 2015, the topic was Be Spontaneous. I could not capture all the twitter based answers to the 11 questions asked by @ASanchez16. However, I present the questions and  my answers (with a bit of amplification). Please enjoy and if you can, please joins us. Look for the #DareToBe hashtag every Tuesday evening.

Be Spontaneous

If someone is spontaneous, they are _______________.
If someone is spontaneous they are in the moment and taking action in that moment. Ideally, the action being taken is unplanned or at the most part of multiple options that can be taken depending on the situation.

Can a perfectionist be spontaneous? Explain.
I do believe a perfectionist can be spontaneous in that there are times the perfectionist needs to just let things happen thus allowing things to develop in their own manner. Once developed, the "perfectionist" can then go to work from that point forward.

What prevents people from being spontaneous?
The biggest fear, that I have encountered, that prevents people from being spontaneous is what others may think of the individual. Thus, they become paralyzed with fear and stop themselves from being spontaneous.

What is the relationship between spontaneity and innovation?
When it comes to proving a concept based on innovative ideas it means taking that leap and being spontaneous when it comes to being the "test pilot" for something that has never been created or tried before is critical for the innovation (idea or product) to move forward. Thus you cannot have one without the other. It is almost as if they are synonymous.

Give an example of a time you were spontaneous. How did it make you feel?
I prefer not to say what and where I was spontaneous but it did make me feel more alive than I ever have before. It was one of those #DareToBe alive moment.

What are the benefits of being spontaneous?
A benefit of being spontaneous is getting an opportunity to supercharge your batteries. The rush that comes from doing something spontaneous is what gives you that supercharge. Then you will want to do something spontaneous again. You get a hunger to be more spontaneous.

What if I like to plan? Is not being spontaneous such a bad thing?
Planning is excellent. It gives you an outline by which one can be spontaneous. By this I mean, a plan is guide of what you anticipate happening. However, any and every plan is EXCELLENT until the moment comes to put it into action! Once in action, the plan is at the mercy of all the outside forces that are foreseen and unforeseen. This is when being spontaneous is not only essential but critical!

How can one learn to be more spontaneous?
You learn to be more spontaneous by just being more spontaneous. Take the first step at being spontaneous before you know it you will be more spontaneous. Take that step!

When is being spontaneous not an option?
At a funeral, at your trial, and most definitely when you are being questioned by the police. There is a time and place for everything. Pick your moments of being spontaneous wisely.

How can spontaneity be integrated into the workplace?
As the leader, you must take the lead and be spontaneous. Once you have spontaneity under control then can you encourage others to do so. However, you must set the standard and lead by example.

Tomorrow, I will #DareToBe spontaneous by ____________________.
Tomorrow (and every day), I will #DareToBe spontaneous by being randomly spontaneous.



Thank you,
David Guerra

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

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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15 May 2015

The Leadership Minute #30: Justice

The Leadership Minute #30
Character Traits of a Leader: Justice



Justice is being fair. Be fair to the people you follow. Be fair to the people that follow you. Be fair to everyone. You have to be as a leader.

Give everyone a fair shot. Don’t play favorites.

Of course, you are going to head your department, section, or company and you will always claim that they are the best. However, within the organization, department or section you need to not play favorites. Everybody had to be the best and to be the best, you have to show them that you are not playing favorites.

Being fair and not playing favorites means you hear both sides of the story before you make a decision. There can be no bias as a leader. Well the only bias you can show is the bias you have for your team.

People are going to look to you because they want individuals that are fair and will treat them fair. Everyone deserves a leader that is fair and just.

Thank you,
David Guerra

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

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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13 May 2015

The Leadership Minute #29: Decisiveness


The Leadership Minute #29
Character Traits of a Leader: Decisiveness



The definitions of Decisiveness is“having the power or quality of deciding. resolute. unmistakable, unquestionable.”

Simply, it is knowing and making decisions that are right ones to make because you have taken the time to gather information (in a timely manner). Through your experience you know what you have to do and you know what has to be done.

The people that follow you demand that you ability to make sound and timely decisions. That the decisions you make are the right ones because your followers expect that from 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 Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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12 May 2015

Q & A #DareToBe Tweet Chat: Empowerment (Tuesday, May 5, 2015)

At 8PM Eastern, every Tuesday, the #DareToBe tweetchat takes place and hosted by Andrea Sanchez (@asanchez16), an Editor, Writer & Communications Executive and according to her Twitter profile, from Houston, Texas.

Every week is a different topic. On the evening of May 5, 2015, the topic was EMPOWERMENT. I could not capture all the twitter based answers to the 11 questions asked by @ASanchez16. However, I present the questions and  my answers (with a bit of amplification). Please enjoy and if you can, please joins us. Look for the #DareToBe hashtag every Tuesday evening.

EMPOWERMENT


What is empowerment?
Empowerment is the ability to give power or authority to someone else, hopefully for good or the good of others. Take caution when empowering others to ensure it is for the right reasons (when they are ready) and not for the sake of just empowering others. 

Empowered individuals are most likely to ______________.
Empowered individuals are most likely to make good things happen, because they don't want to let down the one giving power.When empowered, individuals are eager to make good on the power given to them. This is typical of first timers.

What is the difference between empowerment and delegation?
Empowerment means do it but do it your way. Delegation means just do it. Empowerment calls on the individual to work a problem or issue to its inevitable conclusion or solution. Delegation is handed out like a Las Vegas dealer at Black Jack table, tossing the cards to whomever happens to be sitting around. There is no certainty that the job will be done by the individual delegated the task.

Example of when you felt or witnessed empowered behavior?
When my staff goes out of their way to go the extra mile to help a customer. At first it was an expectation now it's the standard (a great standard). When the employees believe that what they are empowered to do matters they will go out of their way to do it, do it right.

What comes to mind when you think of an empowered employee?
An empowered employee is one that knows that all levels up and across the organization has his/her back.
Knowing that, the empowered employee can then thrive and excel.

“It’s not empowerment unless you trust people.” Agree/disagree? Explain.
Disagree. Someone has to trust first. Be the leader that does trust first by empowering his employees. Then it is up to the individual employee to make it happen or not. This is a great way to ensure that loyalties are fostered, especially among the new hires.

What are some barriers to empowerment in the workplace?
A barrier to the empowerment in the workplace is lack of peer support. This is especially so when the workplace culture does not drive employee empowerment. Leadership must make successful employee empowerment a top priority is mandatory throughout the organization.

In what situations is empowerment perhaps not an option?
Beginnings of crisis response is one situation that empowerment is not an option. As the situation remains fluid the "fog of war" must be waited out until the time is right. Once the picture is clear, then empowering employees must resume in order to assure a successful outcome once a crisis situation is resolved.

How can leaders feel more at ease with empowering their employees?
Be intentional when starting, empower one at a time. Then increase empowering as leaders get comfortable.Taking it at a slow pace ensures that individuals are ready to be empowered.

How does empowerment benefit leaders?
Empowerment benefits leaders by helping create future leaders. Making empowered leaders now means more empowered leaders later. Then as the cycle repeats a Legacy is born.

Tomorrow, I will empower others by ____________________.
Tomorrow, I will empower others by ensuring they know they have the tools to make a difference in what they do.


Thank you,
David Guerra

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

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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11 May 2015

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #24

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

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). Enjoy!


1. An Immigrant’s Take on American Workplace Culture
http://us.india.com/lifestyle/an-immigrants-take-on-american-workplace-culture-183186/

2. Follow Smart Phone Etiquette 101
http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20141030/Teen/310309988/1062/news?Title=Follow-Smart-Phone-Etiquette-101

3. How Emily Post's Heirs Built an Etiquette Monopoly
http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-10-30/etiquette-expert-emily-posts-family-empire

4. Etiquette advice: Embrace your unusual name
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20141031/LIVING/310319999

5. Manly manners: Two Baltimore experts on how being courteous is cool
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bs-lt-manners-for-men-20141028-story.html#page=1

6. [#Halloween] Newport Manners & Etiquette: Trick or Treat Manners +  Much More
http://www.golocalworcester.com/lifestyle/newport-manners-etiquette-trick-or-treat-manners-much-more

7. 5 Golden Rules Of Social Media That Entrepreneurs Should Follow
http://www.businessinsider.in/5-Golden-Rules-Of-Social-Media-That-Entrepreneurs-Should-Follow/articleshow/44981834.cms

8. To Bcc or not to Bcc? Tut, tut, Brits say
http://www.today.com/money/british-etiquette-expert-says-bccs-are-deceptive-1D80255014

9. Workplace Etiquette: Peter Post Answers Your Questions
http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-10-30/workplace-etiquette-peter-post-answers-your-questions

10. Cybersecurity: It's about way more than countering hackers
http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=133185&org=NSF&from=news

11. Social Networking At Work Is Really "Social Not-Working"
http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2014/10/social_networking_at_work_is_r.html

12. Think About It: On Being Thankful
http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/opinion/20141030/think-about-it-on-being-thankful

13. Don't Gamble With Your Company's Success
http://www.thecsuite.co.uk/CEO/index.php/corporate-governance/127-international-credit-and-trade-advice-45435

14. [#Halloween] Ask the Etiquette Expert: Should Teens Trick-or-Treat?
http://dianegottsman.com/2014/10/ask-etiquette-expert-should-teens-trick-or-treat/


Thank you and have a wonderful week,
David Guerra

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

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

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09 May 2015

The Leadership Minute #28: Integrity


The Leadership Minute #28
Character Traits of a Leader: Integrity

Merriam-Webster defines Integrity as the “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.”
Moral Values. Incorruptible. Incorruptibility.

As a leader, you need to have integrity. Those that follow you expect it, no they demand it. They want to follow someone they can trust. They want to follow somebody they know has their back. They want to follow someone who is going to lead them down the right path. That is YOU!

As a leader, you are expected to have integrity. If you don’t have it then don’t bother stepping up to the plate because where are you going to go? Where are you going to end up? Where are you going to take your people? If they follow someone who has no integrity then they are going to get what they get.

However, if people blindly follow a leader who has no integrity well they get what they deserve.

What your followers do deserve is a leader that has integrity.

A leader that is not afraid to step up to the plate, take the lead and that is YOU! Have courage and integrity and that is why people will follow 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 Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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06 May 2015

The Leadership Minute #27: Courage


The Leadership Minute #27
Character Traits of a Leader: Courage

The popular definition is “the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous.”

The Merriam-Webster type definition is the “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty.” I like that one better.

As a leader you will be tasked, you will be put in situations you do not want to be in. They have got to be addressed, they have got to be taken care of and you are the one that is going to have to do it.

You wanted to be the leader. So guess what you get to do? That’s right, you get to do some of the dirty work. That’s because they are going to look to you to get it done.You are going to have to be out in front. You are going to have to be the one to take that first step. You are going to have to be the “Point Man”. Fail that, you fail them, and you fail yourself.

I invite you to follow me
on TWITTER: @daveguerra
or send me an EMAIL: dave@daveguerra.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 Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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04 May 2015

Q & A #DareToBe Tweet Chat: Tackling Office Politics (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)

At 8PM Eastern, every Tuesday, the #DareToBe tweetchat takes place and hosted by Andrea Sanchez (@asanchez16), an Editor, Writer & Communications Executive and according to her Twitter profile, from Houston, Texas.

Every week is a different topic. On the evening of April 28, 2015, the topic was TACKLING OFFICE POLITICS. I could not capture all the twitter based answers to the 10 questions asked by @ASanchez16. However, I present the questions and  my answers (with a bit of amplification). Please enjoy and if you can, please joins us. Look for the #DareToBe hashtag every Tuesday evening.


TACKLING OFFICE POLITICS

What is office politics?
Office politics is a workplace sub-culture that gets things done or makes things stagnant. It's faction driven Most importantly, whether they want to admit it or not Office Politics is leadership sponsored. The organization's leadership sponsors Office Politics when it does nothing to stop it or prevent it from starting in the first place.

Fill in the blank:  ____________ is a reason people are political in the workplace.
Lack of true and UNBIASED leadership is a reason people are political in the workplace. Some individuals will play politics because they feel that's what the organization's leadership wants. Then again, others will play the office politics game because no one is stopping them. Those are the ones that will push and push until their poison has permeated throughout the entire organization.

Why do most people have a negative connotation around office politics?
Unfortunately, it is the bad apples that are the loudest and get the attention. The negative connotation comes from the growth of the acceptance that Office Politics is just a necessary evil for any workplace.

Are there positive sides to office politics? Explain.
If done right, things that would fall into the abyss of bureaucracy could actually get done, be completed, come to a resolution. When leadership has failed the company and there are is a sub-culture that wants to the organization to succeed their form of politics can make things happen.

Is there a relationship between office politics and status quo thinking? Elaborate.
Status quo thinking does not always have to be part of office politics. While in most cases, the need to fit in is what drives and even feeds the office politics. However, depending on the culture of the organization the Status Quo could being going in the opposite direction than the Office Politics is going.

Share a general example (positive or negative) of workplace politics in action. Let's see who can relate.
The most general and possibly the most popular example of workplace politics is the Annual Christmas Party. Who is in the Christmas Party committee, who is vocal and what decisions are made are usually not indicative of the general consensus. This means those that are in dictate what they want vs. what those they represent want.

Do you need a position of power to have a voice in office politics? Explain.
You do not need to be in a position of power to have a voice in office politics. Just remember who signs the paycheck and stand up for yourself and never back down!

In remembering who signs the paycheck, some might need to be reminded they wanted to work for that company in the first place. Why else apply?

How can you break away from the cycle of letting politics dictate how you should think/act?
You break away from the cycle of letting politics dictate how you should think/act by knowing your job, do it very well, and ensure that your vision of yourself is never clouded by others.

Put yourself in a position that people will want to work with you no matter which side of the office politics the requests come from.

What skills prepare you to most effectively tackle politics in the workplace?
Having a strong work ethic, knowing right from wrong, know your job and the rest will take care of itself when it comes to Office Politics. It does not have to be a difficult fight. Be of strong character and everything will work out. Be of shady or uncertain character and you will get exactly what you deserve.

Tomorrow, I will stand up to office politics by ____________________.
Tomorrow, I will stand up to office politics by reinforcing to my employees that office politics are not condoned and most definitely NOT tolerated at any level. We don't have time for that and most certainly ALL our stakeholders don't have time for any of it.


That's it until next week.

Thank you,
David Guerra

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

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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02 May 2015

The Leadership Minute #26 Confidence




The Leadership Minute #26
Character Traits of a Leader: Confidence

They say that Confidence is best defined as that feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.
                
This means you do what you do because you know you can do it. It does not matter what it is you do what matters is that you do it without reservation or hesitation

You can do this because you have that self-assurance. That self-assurance comes from years of experience, trial and error (mostly error) but most of all it comes from getting up one more time than you have fallen down.

Thank you,
David Guerra

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

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking LeaderAmazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

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