A tremendous amount of discussion, books and articles has been devoted to coaching others, not just in sports but also in the business world. Coaching has become a buzzword. Rather than supervising, managing, training, counseling or mentoring subordinates you have become a coach.
It is interesting that as our society becomes less personalized and more technical our language is being modified to lessen the impact of words. Supervisor, manager, leader and mentor now become coach. Are we really evolving into a more participative style of leadership or simply becoming politically correct to soften authoritative words? I am not sure, but I know I don’t like it. My issue with being a coach in the business world is that the executive or managerial coach does not participate in the game, does not go in harm’s way, does not take the risks the players do. He or she is confined to the sidelines, watching, not exposed to the danger, failure or mistakes.
I believe coaching is a wonderful educational method but ineffective as a training experience. I define training as the process of teaching the required skills and knowledge for the staff member’s current job. The best way to train staff based on that definition is as a guide.
A guide’s purpose is to safely navigate the terrain with you from point A to point B. Along the way the guide identifies dominant features of the landscape, hazards, safety precautions, alternate routes, how to protect yourself from the weather, rest stops, how to read a map or compass, where to find food and water, the basics of first aid, how to pack your gear and the best vistas to view and enjoy. He or she trains you to navigate the terrain on your own in the future rather than talking you through your journey in the cabin and then sending you on your way.
The guide differs from the coach in this way. At the end of the journey the guide will have transferred knowledge and hands on practice that will enable the student to understand and experience the following: The student will know what is to be accomplished, why the journey is important, when the task is to be accomplished, where the task is to be performed and how to do the task based on knowledge gained from the guide and practical experience.
As you guide staff through the journey they are drawing their own conclusions, making mental notes and planning their next journey, using the guide’s knowledge and experience as a foundation. The guide is creating an environment where a staff member can come and practice his or her job. A guide draws out of his or her student three key learning styles, visual, audio and kinesthetic: seeing, hearing and doing. Adults learn best by doing.
The guide ensures that there are programmed, confidence building exercises and decision-making points for the student along the journey. The goal is that towards the end of the journey the student becomes the guide ready for his or her own adventures.
Confucius said it best:
What I hear I forget
What I see I remember
What I do I understand
If you are experiencing fear about deciding to be a leader, laugh your fears away by following this simple plan. Kenneth E. Strong, Jr. can help you eliminate those fears and give you the confidence to lead.
Download you copy of “Leadership Is A Choice” today at http://www.decidingtolead.com
Feel free to use this article, in your publications, newsletters, blogs, e-zines and web sites in its entirety provided you include the following: Copyright 2008 All rights reserved. Kenneth E Strong, Jr. http://www.decidingtolead.com Front Row Connections, LLC, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
By: Kenneth Strong
One of the key areas in which the leader must focus is the nurturing and development of future and current leaders. Your focus must be on the areas that are by their very nature difficult and uncertain. You must be comfortable and confident with your own company. Because others will shy away from, if they think your assignment may fail. Sometimes you will be a majority of one. Even when all around you doubt you and think you’re crazy for taking such a big risk. As a leader, you must go into the areas where there is the greatest risk of failure or the greatest need for success. Embrace your fears and move forward. Lead from the front and others will follow.
As a point to begin a discussion these are my thoughts on Leadership, which can best be described using an acronyms.
Vision: Seeing the big picture, knowing where you are going, why you are going there, and how you’ll get there is essential. Reasons come first answers come second. Let nothing that doesn’t violate a law or your character keep you from your goal.
Optimism: Having a sense that everything will work out and exhibiting that to staff is essential. Looking for the good and doable in every situation is reassuring to staff. All eyes are on the leader when things are difficult. You are both guide and cheerleader.
Trust: It is difficult at best to earn the trust of staff and once lost it can never be regained. Without the trust of your staff you have nothing and are ineffectual as an
effective leader. Trust is an all or nothing proposition. People must know what you stand for. Trust must be earned.
Expedite: Doing things when they need to be done is important, regardless of their pleasantness or unpleasantness. You must act quickly and not wait for all the data to come in. Go with seventy percent of the information needed.
In many ways the leader of the future will be a kin to the ancient Samurai, skilled with weapons music, painting, poetry, and a master at reading the environment that surrounds him/her. Miyamoto Musashi, in his classic guide to strategy “The Five Rings” offers the following guidelines for leadership.
1. Do not think dishonestly. (good character)
2. The Way (success) is in Training.
3. Become acquainted with every art. (organizational skills)
4. Know the Ways of all professionals (working knowledge of all departments in your organization.)
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters (data).
6. Develop intuitive judgment (trust your gut feeling) and understanding for everything
7. Perceive those things which cannot be seen (trust your senses).
8. Pay attention even to trifles. (small details)
9. Do nothing which is of no use (keeps you from your goal).
Cross training is critical to your success. If you are a generalist find a specialty, if you are a specialist become more of a generalist. Everything you have learned in life you will draw upon as a leader.
It you are experiencing fear about deciding to be a leader, laugh your fears away by following this simple plan. Kenneth E. Strong, Jr, and Professor John DiCicco can help you eliminate those fears and give you the confidence to lead.
Download you copy of “Leadership Is A Choice” today at http://www.decidingtolead.com
Feel free to use this article, in your publications, newsletters, blogs, e-zines and web sites in its entirety provided you include the following: Copyright 2008 All rights reserved. Kenneth E Strong, Jr. http://www.decidingtolead.com Front Row Connections, LLC, Virginia beach, Virginia.
By: Kenneth Strong
It’s not enough to declare that your selected candidate for promotion to supervisor is now a “leader.” You must provide him or her with three essential building blocks. And by the way, if you are the one being asked to take on the additional responsibility of leadership you should insist on having the same three building blocks:
Authority
After this time I surpassed all others in authority, but I had no more power than the others who were also my colleagues in office. – Augustus Caesar
Authority includes the personnel, money and materials that go beyond the title supervisor or manager. Your authority includes the sole determination of how the above assets are utilized or expended conducting the business of your department, section, area of responsibility or company. Your staff must be absolutely certain that you are in charge and your decisions won’t be reversed by your supervisor, within reason, baring anything unlawful or immoral.
If you aren’t given the decision making authority, don’t take the job. Having the authority to complete a job is very satisfying. Remember that your authority also means taking responsibility when things go wrong.
You are given the authority to perform your duties and responsibilities because of your supervisor’s confidence and trust in your abilities.
Responsibility
While an open mind is priceless, it is priceless only when its owner has the courage to make a final decision that closes the mind for action after the process of viewing all sides of the question has been completed. Failure to make a decision after due consideration of all the facts will quickly brand a man as unfit for a position of responsibility. Not all of your decisions will be correct. None of us is perfect. But if you get into the habit of making decisions, experience will develop your judgment to a point where more and more of your decisions will be right. After all, it is better to be right 51% of the time and get something done, than it is to get nothing done because you fear to reach a decision.
- H. W. Andrews
This is the lonely part of leadership; every decision you make you make alone. While you want to have input from staff members and others as may be necessary but you will evaluate all the data and advice and ultimately make the decision alone. Leaders are responsible for making the hard decisions no one else wants to make or can make. Once you implement your decision everyone suddenly knows the correct answer. You have now opened yourself to criticism from every possible direction. You may even begin to second guess yourself-don’t. The decision you made was based on available information and in the best interests of the organization.
You always have the option of adjusting the decision as its consequences develop. As a leader you make decisions knowing that they may be wrong but you take that risk where others won’t. You and you alone have the responsibility for making the decision. So make your decision with confidence and above all, trust yourself.
Accountability
The major way of doing anything with one’s self is to own one’s self. This means to take full responsibility and accountability for whatever I am doing at any moment, with anybody. It means, among other things, that I get rid of all the extra fingers that I point at people and situations to explain my behavior. When a person says “He made me mad” that is not accurate. It is “I made me mad.” When I permit myself the luxury of taking that full responsibility, then I’m on first base, at least, because then I can do something about it.
- W. W. Broadbent, MD, PhD
Accountability simply put means you own it. The military teaches this concept better that any organization I know. It works like this. You are assigned a task; there are two possible outcomes, you succeed or fail. If you succeed, congratulations and move on. If you fail there is no excuse for failing, you just didn’t get it done. This short conversation sounds like this; Yes, Sir, No, Sir and No Excuse, Sir. The young leader learns very quickly that he or she is totally accountable for everything his or her unit does or fails to do.
I guarantee you will only make an excuse once.
Your reputation as a leader will be determined by how accountable you are in your daily business practices. By holding yourself accountable for all your actions and those of your department you will be way ahead of your contemporaries. It is an easy way to get noticed in a positive way.
Accountability is not just for the big stuff; it also important for the casual daily things. For example: You tell a colleague that you can’t meet with him at the moment but will call him in an hour. Make sure you call him in an hour. Or you are scheduled to attend a meeting at 10:00 AM. Show up at 9:55 AM not 10:05 AM.
It you are experiencing fear about deciding to be a leader, laugh your fears away by following this simple plan. Kenneth E. Strong, Jr, and Professor John DiCicco can help you eliminate those fears and give you the confidence to lead.
Download you copy of “Leadership Is A Choice” today at http://www.decidingtolead.com
Feel free to use this article, in your publications, newsletters, blogs, e-zines and web sites in its entirety provided you include the following: Copyright 2008 All rights reserved. Kenneth E Strong, Jr. http://www.decidingtolead.com Front Row Connections, LLC, Virginia beach, Virginia.
By: Kenneth Strong
Need to take a court ordered alcohol awareness or minor in possession class online? Finding a trusted and quality program to meet your educational requirements can be difficult because there are many programs to choose from. A quality program should offer several length formats including both a Level 1 and Level 2 program.
Alcohol awareness classes as well as minor in possession or MIC classes can vary greatly. This is mostly due in part to a lack of standardization of program content. It is important for the consumer of these classes to ensure the program they are taking is offered by qualified providers of these courses.
Distance learning education is rather new, but most state courts are open to online programs when the courses can verified by the judge, probation, or other legal official. Good programs should include the same content found in the live counterpart classes. The online system should use a sophisticated yet simple to use online format. Consumers should be able to read through content, watch a video, answer short quiz questions and be tested with a final exam.
Participants should expect to gain skills in a variety of areas including:
Introduction of course Alcohol and Drug Abuse Risk Factors The cost of Abuse and Addiction Understanding Narcotics, Stimulants, Prescriptions, Marijuana, Methamphetamine Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use How Drugs effect the Brain, Central Nervous System and Body Risk Factors for Men and Women Communication Skills as Prevention Skills in Stress Management Consequences and Risks of use with Minors Understanding Use, Abuse, Addiction, Relapse and Prevention
All participants should receive a certificate of completion when they finish the class with a unique identification number on it. There is no need to miss time away from work, or family commitments. Good courses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even if you are required to take an alcohol awareness class, the program should still open your eyes to areas of alcohol use, abuse, or addiction you may never knew or thought about. Get started today!
By: Ari Novick, Ph.D.
There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. I don’t care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause. – George Matthew Adams
There is a great deal written about leadership today. It seems to be the topic that will bring us to the promised land of efficient and effective staff. The questions become: How do I get staff to follow my lead? What training do I need to become a good leader? Much of what leadership has been centered around in the past has been closely associated with ego: position, title, office size or location, having a college education, a parking spot and the key to the executive wash room.
I’m being facetious of course, leadership is serious business. Someone has to take the lead to move a department or company forward. But I don’t think it has to be difficult or a complex process to develop or learn. Anyone who has spent time in the military learns that leaders are not born, they’re made.
A leader has a different attitude than other staff members. It is an attitude of action, inclusion, cheering, encouraging, accountability, continuous learning and passion. He or she has no doubt that all things are possible. Everything will work out. Without the skills and resources of others and goals to be accomplished there is no need for a leader.
Ronald Reagan is credited with saying. “You can accomplish anything you want if you don’t care who gets the credit.” I have a similar view; it is about finding ways to make people famous. Seek out ways to acknowledge, praise, reward positive and exceptional efforts of staff at all levels of the organization. Sometimes it’s hard work making people famous.
Your success as a leader will be judged by the famous people you help to develop in your organization who outshine you. So find ways to publicly celebrate achievements of others. Send them a handwritten note describing the accomplishment. Send the note home, walk up to the person in the employee break room and congratulate him or her. Ask him or her for their autograph.
Make a commitment each day to discover people doing things right and make them famous. I’m making you famous!
If you are experiencing fear about deciding to be a leader, laugh your fears away by following this simple plan. Kenneth E. Strong, Jr, and Professor John DiCicco can help you eliminate those fears and give you the confidence to lead.
Download you copy of “Leadership Is A Choice” today at http://www.decidingtolead.com
Feel free to use this article, in your publications, newsletters, blogs, e-zines and web sites in its entirety provided you include the following: Copyright 2008 All rights reserved. Kenneth E Strong, Jr. http://www.decidingtolead.com Front Row Connections, LLC, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
By: Kenneth Strong