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June 2008 What Do You Think?G'day again! Peter Thurin writing, with such an important question to ask this month that I put it in the subject line of this newsletter. "What do you think?" I've been so busy conferencing since I last wrote - in Sydney, Queensland, Dubbo, the Yarra Valley and more - and everywhere I go to support and grow businesses large and small, I'm confronted with many of the same questions, from both management and from 'on-the-floor' teams. And they're always about productivity. How can we make our business more productive in today's market, more competitive, more efficient, more profitable? I hope that some of my thoughts on this vital topic are helpful for you this month. As always, I want you to be able to apply some of the learnings from my newsletters to create a better you, a higher performing team, a greater outcome for everyone.
In this issue:Popping the question
So, "what do you think?" That's the important question I want to put in front of you this month. Especially if you're the principal of a company. This should become your mantra! Many bosses, many staff, think that if they could just become more efficient, more organised, get more done, their businesses would prosper. So many books have been written on time management that lots of people think it's the panacea to solve all of business's problems. But could I just say this to you? Yes, it's important to manage the things in your business, and time management is the key to doing that effectively. But business - especially YOUR business - is not about things. It's about people. YOUR people. And your people are the key to your company's success. So if you're a leader in your company, start by listening to your people. And the way to listen to them is to ask them questions. And the best question you can ask your people is "what do you think?" That question has the power to totally transform your company. Do you remember from a couple of newsletters back, that survey of 10,000 employees, asking them to rank the most important factors in their jobs? Way above money (No. 5), way above job security (No. 4), was the Number ONE thing most important to workers: appreciation of their work. Bosses take close note - that means more to your staff than ANYTHING! And 2nd most important was: feeling in on things. So, a powerful way to make your staff feel "in on things" and the way to make them feel "appreciated" is to consult them, to work with them to create a better company, to say to them all: "WHAT DO YOU THINK?" I guarantee that if you start asking your people what they think, and then start actively listening to their answers, you will absolutely transform your company. My bet is that just about everybody in your organisation has got some drop-dead fantastic ideas on how to do things better. So ask them! And then engage with their responses! Leverage off each other! Great bosses don't go around barking orders. Great bosses encourage people to think and to act. They take away the roadblocks that hold talent back. And the first and best thing to do to make that happen, is to say those simple words. All short. One syllable each. Only four of them. "What do you think?"
Here's that metaphor again!
So many - dare I say, all - of the principles of success apply not only to business, but to sport, indeed to life itself. This is something I've written about extensively in my book "be the best you can be". But the "sport as a metaphor for life" aphorism keeps on popping up! I talked about it last newsletter - the kid who got some much needed encouragement from his Dad and, after being constantly overlooked by a string of coaches, finally developed into a marvellous young footballer. It's the same in your workplace as it is in the locker room. Or at the family breakfast table. Believe in your people. Encourage them. Respect them. Consult with them. Hey, if you're on my team and you've made a choice to be on my team, I owe you respect. OK, so not everyone's gonna get it right the first time, but if they're on the right track, work with them to give them a chance to shine. Is there someone like that in your family? In a sporting team you know (or coach)? In your company? Who do you need to give the opportunity to shine? In football, as in business, as in life, people determine whether you win or lose. In the footy league I'm involved with, we've got a number of young kids whose playing time in junior football has recently come to an end and we've got them coaching the younger kids now. Some of these boys are barely 20 years old themselves, but a few of them have been absolute heroes to the up and coming youngsters they're now coaching, so how powerful is their example going to be? And we all have to remember that not only are they teaching, but they're also learning themselves, as they take on these new responsibilities. They themselves have to learn to become the Alex Ferguson or the Phil Jackson or the Kevin Sheedy or the Vince Lombardi super coaches, and they're not going to get it perfectly right every time. But it's about continual improvement. It's one step at a time! You don't get your black belt on Day 1! Think about this as you go forward with your life. For those of you in a leadership position, invest your time in your people. Hold yourself accountable for people development. Encourage. Support. Create. There is so much opportunity. Your company can truly fly! Your people can shine. You can lead your team all the way to the top. To its blackbelt! Just stay positive, stay determined, stay optimistic. And call me if you need me! A few well chosen wordsI like to end my newsletters with a few quotes from the magnificent teams of people I've been working with. Not to big-note myself, but to acknowledge and pay tribute to what you guys I work with have been able to achieve for yourselves. I've chosen just the one this time. And my thanks to Tim Hicks for writing. Remember, I don't change you. I'm just the catalyst for change. You are the ones who are doing it, who are transforming your workplace or your families. It's very humbling for me to know that some of these success principles I teach have resonated with you so powerfully. "Peter, what a great conference - easily the best I have been involved in, especially in terms of the outcomes achieved... no surprise to me that a high performing team embraces what you have to offer them so wholeheartedly, and with such a degree of ownership. What has surprised me is in the manner by which they so quickly create tangibles from your teachings..." "The single most important tangible that I think that you offer the team & myself, is that whenever we are faced with a decision, we immediately default to your lessons of 'What's Important Now' & what can I add to this decision that will set me apart from my competitors - the one percenter, that will make the decision successful. That to me is pure gold, and extremely powerful." "Great conference Peter, congratulations on tying all our pre-work and individual needs and concerns into each session. I look forward to sharing the successful results with you over the coming months." Sincerely, Tim Hicks Let me know how I can help you to be the best you can be Until next time, have great weeks ahead. Remember, you're welcome to email me 24/7 at comments@blackbeltinexcellence.com.au And if you want to book me for your next conference, workshop, seminar or success training, you can book me here. I'd be happy to talk to you about awe-inspiring ways I can lead you personally and your company forward into the future with confidence, energy and commitment.
And remember, I'm always happy to work one-on-one with you too. blackbelt in excellence specialises in:
To your success. Be the best you can be. Best wishes, Peter Thurin 61 3 407 568 416 |
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