Archive for July, 2010
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Valueship is not a new concept. Those who are leading successful companies are doing so because they are practicing valueship.
James L. Heskett, former UPS Foundation Professor of Business Logistics at the Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvey University, and Leonard A. Schlesinger, the George Fisher Baker Jr., Professor of Business Administration, senior associate dean and director of external relations for Harvard Business School, have studied the correlation between leadership, behavior, and organizational performance. They found that leaders of the best-performing organizations defined their jobs as:
- Identifying and constantly communicating commonly held values
- Shaping such values to enhance performance
- Ensuring the capability of people around them, and
- Living the commonly held values
Never before has Valueship been more important than today. Role models, athletes, corporate leaders, and government officials are accused and convicted of crimes both small and large. Our daily entertainment consists of television and video games filled with violence, impropriety, and questionable values. Implicit in all of this is a subtle approval of behavior we then verbally condemn. By our actions or our apathy, we are setting the standards and values or lack of them for our employees, our children, and the next generation. The need for Valueship can be seen in every profession, rank, and industry. The important decisions we make in life and in business should be influenced by values.
Valueship is a process of leading people and organizations with as much focus on doing the right things as doing things right. When people, processes and structure are in alignment with the values, vision, and strategy, the individual and the organization is balanced and the actions of each produce positive results for the other. When people feel as if they are an important part of the organizational whole, are committed to the goals and values of the organization, and see the leaders living these goals and values, they will generally be motivated to do good and even exceptional work. The result is a strategic alignment of resources and true organizational cohesion.
Value-based leadership begins with identifying core values. Core values are the basic principles that we have chosen to guide our actions. Core values define beliefs, standards, and acceptable behavior. Once determined and communicated throughout the organization, they guide and govern the decisions and actions of the individuals and the organization. The core values shape the organizational culture the behavior and the actions of all who are associates with the organization. The core values provide the framework for decisions, priorities, and actions.
Many people have given little more than a passing thought to identifying the values that govern their personal behavior, and even fewer organizations have done so. Instead, they accept the values of others or let situations determine the values. In almost all cases in which values are not clearly defined, good decisions are more difficult to make. Without values, people are easily influenced and decisions are subject to frequent change or compromise. Situational values confuse people and create problems and complexity.
Successful leaders make important decisions based on a set of core values and do the right things for the right reasons. In an organization, personal values may differ. A leader will help everyone focus on common values that will engineer a desire for cooperation and teamwork, without invalidating those personal differences. What are your values? Can you easily and specifically identify them? What about people throughout your organization? Are they committed to the organizational values?
“My firm belief is that values are the buoys in the channel of commerce. During the course of your career, you’ve got to make thousands of decisions. You’ve got to react to what happens every day. But if you can’t tie your decisions back to your core values, you get lost. Totally lost.” James R. Houghton, former chairman and CEO of Corning Incorporated.
Tammy A.S. Kohl is President of Resource Associates Corporation. For over 30 years, RAC has specialized in helping businesses achieve sustainable results through management consulting, strategic planning, leadership development, executive coaching and youth leadership. For information on creating a leadership succession plan visit www.resourceassociatescorp.com or contact RAC directly at 800.799.6227.
Tags: Corning, Harvard, Leadership, people, process, RAC, Resource Associates Corporation, strategic alignment, strategy, UPS, Values, valueship
Posted in Values | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
He went to war as a Captain and returned as a Private. Afterward, he failed in business. As a lawyer in Springfield he was too impracticable and temperamental to be a success. As he turned to politics, he was defeated for the legislature in 1832. In 1833, he ventured into the business world again, and again he did not succeed. 1834, he was elected to the state legislature. In 1838, he was defeated for Speaker, in 1840, he was defeated for Elector. In 1844, he lost a race for a congressional seat. In 1846, he gained a seat in Congress, only to lose it in 1848. He ran for the Senate in 1854, but lost. In 1856, he ran for Vice President but lost again. In 1858, he ran for the Senate again and again was defeated. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States.
Certainly, Lincoln’s life was a bit unusual. Not many of us are born in a log cabin and rise to be the leader of one of the greatest nations in the world. But there are lessons to be learned from Lincoln’s journey to success. The road to outstanding goal achievement is filled with adversity. If you expect your road to success to be a smooth highway, you will be frustrated and disappointed. The journey is a process of trying, failing, adjusting, and choosing to continually move forward. Along the way you will make mistakes, but without mistakes there is never progress.
Often people fear making mistakes, but fear of mistakes inhibits your personal development. Rather than risk making another mistake, you might tend to play it safe. Fear of failure breeds mediocrity and the accomplishment of very little.
If you suffer from a fear of mistakes, you can conquer it by changing your attitude. Recognize that past errors, mistakes, and negative experiences do not inhibit your development. In fact, they contribute to the learning process. Use them as feedback for personal and professional growth. If you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it, adjust your thinking, and redirect the necessary efforts toward your goal. Focus on the positive. Consciously forget the error and dwell upon the successful aspects of the attempt. No one likes to make mistakes, but the fact is everybody does. You can choose to view a mistake either as a failure or as a lesson learned. If you continue to criticize yourself for past errors, you will perpetuate the very behavior you want to change. The moment you change your mindset and stop giving power to past mistakes, you will be released from the power that past mistakes have over you.
Errors are road signs to direct you on your journey to personal success and achievement. They are necessary steps in the learning process, but they are a means not an end. When they have served their purpose for learning, move past them. You are responsible for your own success. Take responsibility for your mistakes and failures and don’t try to shift blame to other people or circumstances. Remember, by taking responsibility in life you will also gain power and influence.
“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can’t find them, make them.” George Bernard Shaw
Tammy A.S. Kohl is President of Resource Associates Corporation. For over 30 years, RAC has specialized in helping businesses and individuals achieve high levels of excellence and success. Learn how at www.resourceassociatescorp.com or contact RAC directly at 800.799.6227.
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, accomplishment, failure, George Bernard Shaw, learning process, mistakes, RAC, Resource Associates Corporation, Success
Posted in Personal Development | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Based on the current business environment it really has become an employer’s market.
Employees are much less likely to change roles or companies based on fewer job opportunities and fear of the unknown. Many employees have made the decision that there is more security staying in their current role even if their company made some cutbacks. Employers currently have the upper hand but that won’t last for long. As the business environment continues to achieve positive traction and new opportunities present themselves, disengaged employees will begin looking elsewhere. How many employees in your company have mentally quit and are just waiting for the right opportunity to present itself? We would recommend looking at three important issues: What is employee disengagement costing you today? Can your company afford an exodus of employees when the job market opens up? AND, what can you do to repair the disengagement?
What does employee engagement mean? “Engagement means that the employee is on board with the goals, mission, and values. Engaged employees are ready to serve customers in a manner that exceeds customers’ expectations. An engaged employee is excited about their functional role in the business, and is ready to give extra for the good of the business. An engaged employee has the training and resources to perform their job with pride and excellence.” (Excerpt taken from an unauthored article entitled Are Your Employees Engaged? A Guideline For Business Management)
Having engaged employees within your organization is essential in building a loyal customer base, which ultimately drives successful business results. Without customers there are no results. Therefore, if a percentage of your employee population is disengaged, what is it costing your business? A ‘point of connection’ is created every time your employees interact with a customer. Engaged employees are committed to ensure every ‘point of connection’ exceeds a customer’s expectation. Exceeding customers’ expectations creates loyalty and loyal customers create results. Our research shows that the financial difference between creating loyal customers as opposed to satisfied customers can be as much as an 87% to 99% increase in revenue over the life of a loyal customer. Disengaged employees may not even be helping your organization maintain satisfied customers.
A recent survey conducted by Kelton Research indicated five key areas besides compensation employees are searching for in this employer’s market. The survey asked the question “Aside from compensation, what would motivate you to stay in your current position?”
- 56% said: Being appreciated
- 51% said: A good manager I enjoy working with
- 46% said: Liking and respecting my co-workers
- 46% said: The opportunity to advance my career
- 45% said: The opportunity to learn and develop my skills
Not every solution requires money. Investing time, effort, and energy in your employees will make a significant difference in their level of engagement. Being appreciated and working with a good manager are no cost/low cost solutions that will make a significant impact on business results. Take time to recognize employee contributions, ask for input and ideas, include them in new projects, and be accessible. You may be forced to put out the daily fire but while you are dousing the fire your employees may be slipping away. This will jeopardize your relationships with your customers that your organization cannot afford to lose!
Tammy A.S. Kohl is President of Resource Associates Corporation. For over 30 years, RAC has specialized in helping businesses improve customer loyalty and eliminate employee disengagement. Learn how at www.resourceassociatescorp.com or contact RAC directly at 800.799.6227.
Posted in Customer Loyalty, Workforce | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
 Often when succumbing to frustration, businesses and individuals find success to be a fleeting proposition. There is no question that success is a journey, but it can become a very manageable and measurable journey focused on desired outcomes and results. There is a significant difference between wishing for success and accomplishing success. And, that difference makes all the difference in the world!
Successful businesses and successful people have a long list of attributes that contribute to and foster their accomplishments. However, the objective of this article is to focus on five foundational attributes that apply to both personal as well as business success. Understanding and committing to these five core attributes will definitely propel you to a higher level of success.
Perspective: For the last three summers the Food Network has run the show “Who The Next Food Network Star.” Within the first several weeks of the season the judges inquire as to each contestant’s culinary point of view. What is his/her unique perspective on food, cooking, and the potential audience he/she may be in front of with this individual’s own show? Why would the audience at home want to watch their show and learn these recipes and techniques? Differentiation is critical as with your business and you. What is your business’s unique point of view? How does your business’ perspective differ from the competition? What are your unique set of beliefs to business and your life, and how can YOU capitalize on those?
Conviction: Having a strong belief in yourself and your business goes hand in hand with your unique perspective. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest) rate your belief in yourself and your belief in your business. Are your ratings where you want them to be? If not, why not? What you accomplished yesterday is a great measurement of the success of past decisions. However, your conviction or belief in yourself and in your business is a huge predictor of your future success.
Vision: Where do you want to go? What do you want to become? Why? Just like an organization’s vision your personal vision should be a short, succinct, and an inspiring statement of what you intend to become and achieve at some point in the future. Vision refers intentions that are broad, all-inclusive and forward thinking. It is the image that a business must have of its goals before it sets out to reach them. It describes aspirations for the future, without specifying the means that will be used to achieve those desired ends. Warren Bennis, a noted writer on leadership says: “To choose a direction, an individual (an organization) must have developed a mental image of the possible and desirable future state.”
Experience: Every individual and every business represents a unique set of skills and knowledge. How can you leverage those talents?
Attitude: “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.” This quote by Charles Swindoll states that attitude is more important than many things. The remarkable thing about attitude is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past, and we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is control our attitude and stay focused. Your attitude is your greatest tool!
Your challenge is to review these five attributes and conduct an honest assessment of where you stand as it relates to your perspective, conviction, vision, experience, and attitude. Are these five attributes propelling you to success, or are they hindering your desired outcome? Based on your answer to the last question what additional steps do you need to take or what do you need do differently? Your outcomes are directly connected to your choices—so choose wisely.
Tammy A.S. Kohl is President of Resource Associates Corporation. For over 30 years, RAC has specialized in helping businesses and individuals achieve high levels of excellence and success. Learn how at www.resourceassociatescorp.com or contact RAC directly at 800.799.6227.
Tags: attitude, Attitudes, Bennis, conviction, perspective, RAC, resource associates, results, Swindoll, Vision
Posted in Attitudes | No Comments »
|
