Kit Prendergast, PCC
Kit brings you a wealth of expertise and experience as well as a wonderful spirit, energy, and a gift for inspiring you to create the life you truly want for yourself.Kit's Tips & Books
Kits Tag Cloud
Brain Science business Career change coaching communication cross-cultural Emotional Intelligence energy engagement entrepreneurship Global Volunteerism happiness inspiration Leadership learning management millenials motivation Multigenerational Networking optimism Positive Psychology Relationships resiliency social media strengths success Talent Development teams training transition VisioningKit's Favorite Resources
-
Blog Archive
- October 2016
- September 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
Tag Archives: Career
To Delegate or Not? A Struggle for Leaders
To delegate or not? Delegation is one of biggest challenges for a leader in today’s work world. With work loads increasing, more complex problems to solve and fewer staff to cover the bases it’s no surprise that anyone in a leadership role (managers, supervisors, team leads etc.) struggle with the who, what, when, why and how of delegating wisely.
Why is it so hard?
As a executive coach, this is what I hear from both experienced leaders and emerging leaders in both corporate, government and non-profit business environments.
- It takes too much time for me to explain it.
- I’m not sure it will be done right.
- I could do it faster, easier, cheaper etc.
- If someone else does it – maybe I’m not needed as much.
- I don’t want to bother people – they’re already working hard enough.
- I don’t want to be self-important. (Jimmy Carter carrying his own suitcase)
Getting In Our Own Way
So the bottom line is that we often get in our own way. Are we a perfectionist? No one else can do it as well as me. Or do we delegate too much to one person that we trust but then others don’t get a chance. Are we concerned that if the other person does a great job that maybe – just maybe – we will be working our way out of a job. Or maybe it’s simply the rush we get from being that “go-to” person all the time even if it means working 24/7.
Those are important questions to ask ourselves. Are we actually the biggest obstacle to ourselves because we can’t get out of our own way?
What does a good role model look like?
Interesting, leaders often mention that they haven’t had a good role model in delegating over the years either from parents, colleagues or bosses. So in a great round robin discussion these 7 qualities were identified by experienced leaders as critical for a “ideal delegator”.
- They create a “culture of delegation”.
- They create a “culture of mutual trust”.
- They plan ahead so they aren’t “dumping” tasks on others.
- They delegate “results” not just “activities”.
- They delegate both important and maintenance tasks as well.
- They have confidence in their staff and want to utilize their staff’s strengths.
- They are truly committed to growing & developing their staff.
So how do you measure up? Are you willing to get out of the way and let others grow, develop and succeed? If so, you will be delightfully surprised how it will help you be more productive, manage your time and energy better and ultimately provide greater benefits to your own company. And the icing on the cake is less stressLet me know how you are doing!
Using “We” For Sense of Ownership
It’s such a simple word “We”. It’s easy to forget the emotional connection this simple word has the power to create.
Savvy leaders know this and they wisely use “we” in their communication with their functional and project teams. They know that this word shifts people’s mindset from an “I” or “me” mentality to a shared vision and commitment.
Suddenly, there is a sense of ownership. It’s subtle but the feeling is that we are in this all together – sink or swim – we are connected together and will all share in the success or failure of our efforts.
That’s very powerful. And it’s simply a shift in language. But it must be authentic. The leader must be genuine in their belief that the synergy of highly motivated and committed people is through a sense of ownership. As we know it truly “takes a village”.
Power of Branding on SouthWest Airlines
Even though it’s crowded and a bit chaotic, I still am a loyal SouthWest Airlines customer. I fly back and forth to the East Coast frequently with two college kids in New York and my twin sister, Diane, in Boston. And I always fly SouthWest if I can. Why? Because they are more personal, they don’t give me a hard time, and those peanuts taste pretty good after the 5th hour in the air.
So I never really thought about the SouthWest corporate brand until a recent trip when I overheard two young boys talking to their Dad in the row behind me. “So Daddy, why do you always fly Southwest?” It didn’t take Dad long to respond . . . “Because the fares are cheaper. They allow two bags for free. And they are more fun.”
Wow, that’s really what powerful branding is all about. People asking each other why they do business with certain companies. SouthWest figured this out years ago . . . create customer loyalty through personal connection and proven unique promise of value. This is their personal corporate brand and it’s authentic, consistent and incredibly successful. And the yearly ratings of all the airlines always have SouthWest at the top – just like the customers are talking about. Now that is business success!
So what can we learn from SouthWest Airlines both personally and professionally? A lot. It starts with looking carefully at who we really are & how we want to be know (first impressions, reputation & legacy); the unique value we want to bring to others; who we want to be engaged with and then finally being able to communicate that value to them. The overall result is an authentic personal brand profile that is in alignment with you in this time of your life
Dogs Sit in the Front Row of Life
I had to look twice! It was early evening on a beautiful warm night in Greece. And here are two doggie pals sitting together on the tin roof of a house along the main street of Amadaoli, Crete. Would they slide off? Nope.
They were perfectly content to watch the action down below on the street and when something really exciting happened (like their Greek Orthodox priest owner coming home) they would dash down to the first floor barking wildly to greet him. After taking care of that task, they would scurry back up to the roof to take their front row seat again and resume watching the tourists, party-goers and Global Volunteers (that’s us) returning home from our day of work. It was the best seat in the house – they didn’t miss anything and were right in the middle of the action. Why don’t we all do that?
It’s Simply a Habit – Hiding in the Back Row
Every evening they were there . . . and I had to think they certainly had the right idea. They were positioning themselves to be right in on the action. Sitting in the front seat of life not hiding in the back row. How often do we figuratively sit in the back and avoid being front and center. We find lots of reasons to do that . . . it’s our personality; the situation isn’t right; it’s too risky, etc. But it’s actually simply habit. We simply go to that comfort zone and default to pushing the “No, I don’t think so” button over and over again.
But what does that get us? Not very far and probably a bit bored. Yes, it’s comfortable and there are no surprises. And that’s the problem . . . it’s very, very comfortable and there are no changes, challenges or opportunities to stretch our wings.
How’s It Working For You?
Sitting in the back row of life may have worked just fine for you over these last few years. But is it working now? Is it getting you to where you want to be next? For many of us, that answer would probably be no. So I encourage you to move up a row or two – stretch that comfort zone until you’re sitting in the front seat of life like the doggie pals sitting on the roof. And I bet they are still there too!
The Big Enough Company
The Big Enough Company: Creating a Business That Works for You, by Adelaide Lancaster & Amy Abrams, Penguin Group, 2011. www.ingoodcompany.com.
I am fascinated with the message in this brand new book – to build your own company to a size that fits you. Sounds simple but with the uptake in our economy there is a great deal of pressure to expand continuously: to strive for more influence & power with the final goal of steadily increasing profitability.
But what gets lost when we embrace that kind of thinking? Lancaster and Abrams challenge you as an entrepreneur to buck popular “wisdom” and peer pressure to create a business that genuinely fits your needs at this time in your life. Pick it up if you are either starting your own business or have been in business for years as I have been. A new and powerful perspective!