If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

Stephen Levine

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Many years ago I was at a sales training. At one point the trainer asked:
What is the most important thing for an apple?

The answers were about the size, color, taste and the like of the apple.

Of course, all those answers were wrong.

For an apple growing another apple tree is of the most importance.

Knowing that—what do you consider most important in your life?

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Smart leaders know that to create a passionate and growing followership they have to:

• Earn trust—it can’t be enforced.
• Spread enthusiasm
• Create a demanding yet inspiring and appreciative environment.
• Be fair.
• Show that they understand and care about followers.
• Ensure that the vision and long-term goals are known.
• Enthusiasm and top performance go hand in hand.

With motivation you get your folks to start working.

With inspiration on the other hand you create self starters!

Tags: followers followership inspiration self starters smart leaders spread enthusiasm term goals top performance
 

We all have been there: An important meeting and nothing moves—way too often because of the politics involved.

So, what can you do? It’s rather easy: Start asking questions!

See, if you ask along these lines:

• How would you handle this situation?
• What do you recommend?

then it is not you anymore who drops bricks.

Tags: ask asking bricks meeting politics questions
 

Earlier this week my son went to football orientation.

Kids got called by their name and the coach from another team wasn’t too happy with the feedback he got: “You sound like a girl Joe!”

A grown up man feeling the need to call a not even teen year old boy a girl is a girl himself.

But it so clearly demonstrates what is wrong with too many companies:

• Fix the problems by calling names.
• Fix the problems with pills.
• Fix the problems with family members. (I am sure it doesn’t come as a surprise to you that the coaching team from that very coach have their own kids playing 90% - 100% of the time.)
• Forget leadership—that’s for wuzzies!
• …

Quality, experience and the ability to make it happen don’t count no more.

There is nothing wrong with motivation, but it has to be done properly, wouldn’t you agree?


Would you like to have that coach as your son’s coach?


Or as your boss?

Tags: boss coach coaching team family members orientation pills quality experience surprise
 

No really, are you happy?

When was the last time you have been asked or asked yourself?

Are you happy?

Why?

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Why anybody would even consider that an option is beats me.

Sure, sometimes it is tough to be the bearer of bad news. But isn’t that part of the job? The better pay?

Does anyone really think that a message like:
  “Hey Joe, your mistake just cost us our best customer. But don’t worry, …”
is anything but counterproductive?

Isn’t sugarcoating promoting mediocrity?

PS: Would you agree that most managers that sugarcoat in business don’t do it at home?

Tags: bearer of bad news job mediocrity mistake sugarcoat worry
 

A great many think that mobbing is just a social issue, but far from it—mobbing becomes a problem for the business. But how do you know if you are mobbed ?

The probably best research is done by Heinz Leymann .

Below a few hints that help you to determine if you a mobbing victim or take part in mobbing:

• You are called names
• You are cut off when trying to say something
• You are constantly criticized
• You receive verbal or written threats
• There is a lot of talking about you behind your back
• You are isolated
• Nobody is allowed to talk with you
• You are not getting any work
• You are the only one doing hazardous work
• You are forced to do work that is well below your knowledge level

Tags: hazardous work heinz leymann knowledge level mobbing victim