Your word & Righteous compliments – my two point hot list for timeless traits

 The article will begin below this paragraph

soupornuts is moving!!! In order to have more control over my blog (how it looks, plugins, etc.) I have decided to move soupornuts.wordpress.com to soupornuts.com. When you come to soupornuts.com, you will see my new postings along with updated and edited versions of most of my old articles. Don’t panic if the site looks different the first couple of times you visit. I am trying different themes to see which I prefer.

Today’s world in general and the internet specifically is all about what’s hot, new and exciting. What is the “next big thing?” Who’s on top? What’s popular? Who’s in the news? Did you Diggit or Buryit? It is exciting to not only be the first to see the latest, breaking news story, but to also be involved in it’s proliferation.

However, regardless of of popular opinion, there are some things that in and of themselves mean something. They stand alone. They do not need the seal of approval of society, popular opinion or any one else. This is my two point “hot list” of inherently valuable principles.

1. YOUR WORD

If you say that you are going to do something, then do it and do it in a timely fashion without anyone having to remind you that you said you would do it. There is no value/principle that is more important to you personally than the trust that others place in you because they know “you’ll get it done.”

Like most trends, it’s popular to say, “I’ll get right on it”, “I’ll get in done”, “It’s a done deal”, or the classic “The check’s in the mail.” But in order for your word and thus you to be valuable, your word must be carried out. It must be fulfilled. Every time. Every, single time.

This gives the people who surround you, whether in a personal, business or social setting, confidence. Confidence in you and your integrity. Confidence in you and your ability to come through – to get the job done. You become the “go to guy/gal” because you always get it done, regardless of the obstacles.

When you always get the job done, people will begin to seek you and your services/abilities out. Your value increases and you can begin to demand greater compensation because “you always get it done.” This is all a result of the fact that when you say you will do something, you do it. You have created your power because you live up to your word.

2. RIGHTEOUS COMPLIMENTS

Everyone likes to feel good. Everyone wants to feel good. You have the power to fulfill this need and desire. Stop for just a moment and consider the pride you feel when someone notices your work or your effort. You step livelier. You hold your head higher. You try even harder because it feels good to be appreciated.

It is basic human nature to need to be appreciated. I have personally seen more bad work attitudes develop in industry simply because workers did not feel appreciated, nor were they shown any appreciation by management. This is simply a bad, bad business practice.

The cost of a “thanks”, “nice job” or any acknowledgment of appreciation by management is minimal if anything. But the value is incalculable because you cannot put a dollar value on a good attitude. It is priceless, overlooked and could be had with a simple “thank you”.

Do you want to increase your bottom line? Your company’s value? Invest in saying “thanks”, “nice job” and “I appreciate your effort”. A righteous compliment is a small investment with a potentially priceless return. Use them to your advantage.

Tags: integrity, honor, motivation

Your Power’s of Influence

The article will begin below this paragraph

soupornuts is moving!!! In order to have more control over my blog (how it looks, plugins, etc.) I have decided to move soupornuts.wordpress.com to soupornuts.com. When you come to soupornuts.com, you will see my new postings along with updated and edited versions of most of my old articles. Don’t panic if the site looks different the first couple of times you visit. I am trying different themes to see which I prefer.

I am constantly awed and humbled by the things that my daughters notice, whether it’s something seen or heard. The fact that they’ve noticed these things is often revealed to me in either a quiet one on one conversation or while observing the two of them playing together. Here’s a news flash. They see and hear everything I do or say, they adapt it to whatever it is they are doing and then over time, if allowed to go unchecked, they adopt it into their lives. I’m sure that if you have children, at some point, your child repeated a word, phrase, idea or thought that took you a little while to realize where it came from.

The eye-opener is that I understand my influence only because I am constantly exposed to my daughters. I make it a point to talk with them and treat them as intelligent, partially grown human beings. They respond by eagerly developing into two smart and inventive little girls.

I realize the effect of my influence on my daughters only because of my continual exposure to them. This made me begin to wonder, “How many people to we influence that we don’t know about and how do we influence them?” I’ve decided to call these ways “our Powers”.

1. THE POWER TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE

When others see us attempt and then accomplish a task, meet a deadline, overcome an obstacle, go back to school, learn a new skill or go beyond what is the status quo, they realize that “it” can be done. They are inspired to “do more” and “go beyond”. By our attitudes, character and actions we have the power to move others. We have the power to motivate them to pursue their goals because we show them that a worthwhile goal can be achieved.

2. THE POWER TO LEAD

Some individuals are natural born leaders while others have the role of leader thrust upon them. Who looks to you for leadership? Your friends, co-workers, children, spouse, others? You would be surprised. We may not see ourselves as leaders, but the odds are the someone looks up to us as their leader. Are we exhibiting good leadership qualities? Do we demonstrate integrity, a solid work ethic, preparedness or a host of other qualities that we expect our leaders to have? Remember, never expect more from others than you are willing to give. It is a sobering thought to know that someone is watching and emulating what we say, what we do, what we think, how we act and the attitudes we portray.

3. THE POWER TO TEACH

You have skills. You know things. Perhaps you:

a. know a shortcut for doing a particular job

b. know a tip or technique for doing a task more efficiently, quicker or more economically

c. know who to contact to get that “certain something” done

d. have devised a system that others are unaware of

e. know where to go for the answers

Tell someone about your unheralded skills. It will make you feel good to share plus you will help someone else become more productive. Rest assured, 99% of the time, they will give you the credit for developing their skills.

4. THE POWER TO LEARN

If you want a new skill, then learn it. It doesn’t matter whether is is becoming proficient with a new software package or learning how to use a handplane (a woodworking tool), you can learn. Your mind is like a muscle, it never loses it’s ability to increase it’s functions. You can develop new skills and abilities through hearing, observation, imitation and deduction. The only realistic limitations we have are the ones that we place on ourselves.

5. THE POWER TO ENCOURAGE

It is truly amazing when you stop to realize how much affect a few words of encouragement can have. A simple “good job” or “nice try” lets others know that we see and value their efforts and accomplishments. One of the largest complaints that I hear in my position is, “no one respects or appreciates what I do”. Studies have shown that workers in general are more likely to perform better, quicker and more efficiently if their efforts are noticed. Continual improvement is more reliant on this than even financial gain.

Stop to encourage others with a word of appreciation or a smile. The benefits will be long lasting.

Tags: thepowertoinfluence, influence

Create your destiny through effective time management

Time is the one commodity that we are all given but it is a perishable commodity.  Regardless of what you hear, you will never save any time.  You may do a task in a more efficient manner and be able to move on to something else, but you will never have any more time than your allotted 24 hours in each day.

However, by the effective management of our time today, we can create the future that we desire.  As the old saying goes, “If you don’t manage your time, your time will manage you.”  There must be a commitment to the development of a plan for effective time management.  You do not manage your time by accident.  It is only done through a definite, systematic plan. 

Many people have deluded themselves into thinking that they are committed to managing their time, but they seldom exhibit this by their lives.  Conversations with these people often have the comments like “there just isn’t enough time in the day”, “I don’t have enough time”, or “I am too busy”, sprinkled though out the dialogue.  Perhaps there is a misunderstanding of “commitment”.  Here is a short example that helps me remember what commitment is.

Two men, Bob and Tom were traveling down a small river in a canoe.  It was a nice, simple trip.  Just a lazy day drifting.  But on this particular day Bob and Tom each shifted in the canoe at the same time, in the same direction, which resulted in the canoe capsizing.

Bob, being an excellent swimmer, came up and slowly considered the temperature of the water and how refreshing it made him feel, then slowly began swimming to the side of the river.  Bob was interested in getting out of the water.

Tom did not know how to swim.  When he surfaced, he did not care how refreshing the water felt or what it’s temperature was.  He simply gasped for air and began to fight for something to hold onto.  He pushed, pulled and struggled to breathe.  Tom could see the side and he desperately wanted out of the river.  Tom was going to do whatever necessary to get to the side.  For Tom, getting out of the river was not just a “good idea” or “an excellent theory”.  It was the key to his survival.  Tom was committed to doing whatever is necessary to survive.

Like Bob, most people are interested in time management.  The highly effective, successful few are like Tom.  They realize that their survival, their future, depends on their commitment to a systematic plan of time management.  They are as committed to time management as they are to breathing.

Napoleonic delusions never result in managerial effectiveness

There doesn’t seem to be a clear-cut pathway to becoming a manager.  I don’t think any child dreams of one day being in middle management. However, colleges and universities still offer management curricula, so someone must aspire to managing.  My guess is that most managers have the position “thrust” upon them, an essential rung in the corporate ladder, with little or no choice in the matter.

In my professional career, I’ve both managed and been managed.  I’ve seen some great managers and some who couldn’t manage to come in out of the rain.  The quality that seems to divide these two extremes is “attitude”.

Being a great manager is no accident.  It takes effort, time, dedication, continuing education and a high degree of commitment to developing the skills which lead to greatness.  The first step in achieving excellent or even adequate management skills is the desire to be a better manager.  Recognition of the need for personal growth and the development of necessary managerial skills is paramount.

Regardless of what you may have heard or believe, very few (an infinitesimally small number of) people are natural-born leaders!  It is amazing to witness the apparent arrogance of those who believe that possession of a degree or title makes them competent managers.  In any field of endeavor, excellence requires commitment to development.  There are no craftsmen that I know of, who believes or would dare to even joke that “I am a natural-born carpenter”, or ” I am a natural-born welder”.  It just won’t happen.  The humility of hard work, study and long hours of practice in their craft strip away the false bravado.  It has taken them years to develop and hone their skills.  Becoming an excellent manager is no less strenuous.

After realizing that being an excellent manager requires diligent effort, a potential manager must decide what he is going to manage.  Someone will say that because of my background, education or previous training, that “I will manage the accounting department”, or “I will manage receiving”, or “I will manage production”.  The managers that think these thoughts have missed the boat and are doomed to failure, because what managers manage is people!  P E O P L E ! (yes, I know that all caps is shouting on the web — it’s that important)

So, if you desire to be a manager and you recognize that managers manage people, then you are beginning to realize that only “your people” can demonstrate to others how effective your management skills are.  It stands to reason then, that you must develop your people skills.

How you treat “your people” can make or break you and will directly impact your effectiveness.  If you want “them” to respect you and your management philosophy, then you will have to show your respect for them, show your respect for their ideas and show your respect for their needs.

Smile and greet the “little” people, talk to them, acknowledge their existence, question their methods, explore their expertise, get to know them.  Remember, you manage people not reports, not meetings and not conference calls.  In most cases they will reciprocate and be more productive.

Without a doubt, the ultimate manager is the military leader who can motivate his troops and convince them to follow him into armed conflict.  It is imperitive then that the leader make sure that every soldier in his or her command knows of their importance to him.  This leader’s success literally lives and dies with “his” people. 

But in reality, doesn’t every manager’s success live or die with “his” people?