When you are a parent, you spend so much time coaching . . . coaching the right way to eat with utensils, coaching how to play a particular game, coaching on how to improve playing a particular sport, coaching how to read, coaching on math problems . . . You are a coach, whether you realize it or not.
I was coaching my youngest son who is playing flag football (American style), it is a great feeling to see someone following your direction (i.e., coaching) and being successful, and seeing the wonderful sense of accomplish that was on his face . . . priceless moment. Coaches get more satisfaction in realizing they had an impact in growing someone; leadership is the same. The best leaders receive more satisfaction from the team and seeing improvement in team members from their involvement.
One of the important duties of a leader is coaching. Someone once said “Coaching isn’t an addition to a leader’s job, it’s an integral part of it”. However, I bet you leaders don’t necessarily think you are coaching, but you are . . . and sometimes in ways you might not know, how you act in meetings, how you organize yourself, whether you show up to meetings on time, players look up to coaches (leaders) for guidance, so realize that you are a Coach, so for now on . . . my title is Coach and yours should be as well.
Here are some suggestion to Coach others:
1. Conduct regular one-on-one meetings
2. Offer feedback and ask how you can contribute to their success
3. Avoid overlooking the “middle stars” as there is much upside to coaching these up and comers (we sometimes focus too much on the “super stars” and the “fallen stars”
4. Research Coaching techniques, there is lots of information out there and apply what you feel is your style of coaching (if you look at various coaches, they all have different styles, what is your coaching style? Is it the same for everyone? What is the best style for your group?)
Have you known and seen Bad Coaches . . . I have and they don't end up on a winning team! So, take coaching seriously and begin to improve all and the overall team!
Best of luck and may you Coach a successful winning team!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Personal Announcement
Many of my readers have asked what I am doing . . . so I thought I would let you (my readers) be the first to know (but dont tell anyone, if anyone asks you, please tell them to read the blog).
As of May 1, I have joined RAF Capital LLC as Executive Vice President. Robin Ferracone set up RAF Capital as a portfolio management company focused on owning, developing and leading a collection of HR companies in the areas of HR software, information and consulting. We already have two companies in the portfolio and I have been spending time in transforming and supporting these companies for fast growth in their respective sectors. We are looking to expand this portfolio of firms to help clients drive financial results through their greatest competitive asset, their people. My roles in these portfolio companies will vary from leadership to product strategist to platform strategist.
In addition, to this role, I have also been asked to serve on a Board of Directors for a major database company, this has not been finalized. I am pleased and honored for the opportunity to potentially serve in this capacity for such a distinguished organization with great products, great people, and great shareholders.
I am extremely excited about my new role and feel that I am working with leadership, investors and staff who understand the greatest asset of an organization is their people and if you focus on the people within the organization, clients will be satisfied, and excellent results are achieved. Therefore, I am able to serve in an organization where all people are rewarded based upon the success of the organization and the individual performance.
My leadership and product innovation skills that I have developed over 25 years in HR software, information and consulting are very much aligned with these new roles.
Thanks for being a reader of the Spirit of Brinkmanship Blog!
As of May 1, I have joined RAF Capital LLC as Executive Vice President. Robin Ferracone set up RAF Capital as a portfolio management company focused on owning, developing and leading a collection of HR companies in the areas of HR software, information and consulting. We already have two companies in the portfolio and I have been spending time in transforming and supporting these companies for fast growth in their respective sectors. We are looking to expand this portfolio of firms to help clients drive financial results through their greatest competitive asset, their people. My roles in these portfolio companies will vary from leadership to product strategist to platform strategist.
In addition, to this role, I have also been asked to serve on a Board of Directors for a major database company, this has not been finalized. I am pleased and honored for the opportunity to potentially serve in this capacity for such a distinguished organization with great products, great people, and great shareholders.
I am extremely excited about my new role and feel that I am working with leadership, investors and staff who understand the greatest asset of an organization is their people and if you focus on the people within the organization, clients will be satisfied, and excellent results are achieved. Therefore, I am able to serve in an organization where all people are rewarded based upon the success of the organization and the individual performance.
My leadership and product innovation skills that I have developed over 25 years in HR software, information and consulting are very much aligned with these new roles.
Thanks for being a reader of the Spirit of Brinkmanship Blog!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Crisis Leadership
Most people who drive a car have probably at one time or another starting skidding whether due to rain, snow, ice, etc. Our initial reaction is to turn the wheel in the direction that you want to go . . . when in fact the opposite is true, you want to steer into the skid because you will regain control faster of the car. Well, I had this happen about 15 years ago to me, and I "managed the crisis" in the wrong way, by immediately reacting by turning the steering wheel to where I was going . . . oops, because I made the skid worse and ended up hitting a snow bank and crashing my BMW 325 Sports Coupe (gosh that was a nice car, black exterior, grey interior, six speed, there is nothing like the sound of a BMW engine, okay, ferrari probably is better, but like I will ever have one of those).
Crisis leadership is similar. Remember "A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure" "Under Pressure" . . . my goodness another Queen song . . .
Here are some thoughts on crisis leadership.
1. Even though you are in a crisis, assess the situation as fast and best you can but dont just jump into a crisis thinking you know all, information makes for better decision making!
2. Approach crises as a team. Allow everyone to "own a piece" of the problem. Capitalize on individual strengths and give everyone the opportunity to contribute to the solution.
3. Critically assess your behavior and request feedback from others on how you handle crisis situations. Realize that others will assume it's okay to respond to a crisis the same way you do.
4. Overcommunicate to keep others informed and grind down the rumor mill.
5. Finally, conclude each crisis with a debriefing and a celebration. Understand the reasons for what happened, identify learnings that can be applied to the future . . . and make sure you also reward you and your team for a job well done!
One of the hardest things to do as a leader is to come in to a crisis after it has started and turn something "not so good" into something "good', however, if you do achieve this, it is a sign of an excellent leader. Some might say, it is the easiest because expectations are low for a positive outcome, but after you take the lead within a short amount of time, you become the owner of crisis! And remember, real leaders lead from the front!
Crisis leadership is similar. Remember "A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure" "Under Pressure" . . . my goodness another Queen song . . .
Here are some thoughts on crisis leadership.
1. Even though you are in a crisis, assess the situation as fast and best you can but dont just jump into a crisis thinking you know all, information makes for better decision making!
2. Approach crises as a team. Allow everyone to "own a piece" of the problem. Capitalize on individual strengths and give everyone the opportunity to contribute to the solution.
3. Critically assess your behavior and request feedback from others on how you handle crisis situations. Realize that others will assume it's okay to respond to a crisis the same way you do.
4. Overcommunicate to keep others informed and grind down the rumor mill.
5. Finally, conclude each crisis with a debriefing and a celebration. Understand the reasons for what happened, identify learnings that can be applied to the future . . . and make sure you also reward you and your team for a job well done!
One of the hardest things to do as a leader is to come in to a crisis after it has started and turn something "not so good" into something "good', however, if you do achieve this, it is a sign of an excellent leader. Some might say, it is the easiest because expectations are low for a positive outcome, but after you take the lead within a short amount of time, you become the owner of crisis! And remember, real leaders lead from the front!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Making Great from just Good
Someone mentioned to me that one area of this blog that they like was the summary and recommendations for business books, namely leadership ones, so I thought I would post another one (again, any suggestions on what to post about is welcome).
Another excellent reading is "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. Required reading for anyone who is or plans to be a leader.
I would like to summary one of the books' comments on leadership.
1. First Who . . . Then What?
His and his team's research shows that those companies who went from good to great, focused on getting the "right people on the bus" and then figured out where to drive it. If found that People are not your most important asset BUT the RIGHT PEOPLE are!!!! oh, and make sure they get in the right seats as well.
2. Confront the Brutal Facts
"You muyst maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, ANd at the same time have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current realit, whatever they might be." Remember, I have spoken about "the Will to Win Cannot be Beat!" here you go.
3. A Culture of Discipline
"All Companies have a culture, some companies have discipline, but few companies have culture of discipline. When you have disciplined people, you don't need hierarchy. When you have disciplined thought, you don't need bureaucracy. When you have disciplined action, you don't need excessive controls. When you combine a culture of discipline with an ethic of enterpreneurship, you get the mgical alchemy of great performance." if you are in a hierarchal environment or one that has bureaucracy, or ones that pose abusive controls, the company could be good but will NEVER be GREAT! Because it does not have trust the staff to do the right thing and therefore clients ultimately get burned because of slow service, no innovation, and a substantial turnover from the people are are top performers (why would they want to be in that environment).
Harry S Truman once said "You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who get the credt." Have you been in a situation, where someone else takes credit? I am sure you have . . . think about. . . where is that person now . . . probably not very different from where they were . . . because ultimately people find out who should get credit . . .
In "Good to Great", there are five levels of leadership, with the top level for driving a good to great organization as being called Level 5 Executive, who builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend o fpersonal humility and professional will. These leaders channel their ego needs away from themelves and into the larger goal of building a great company (bottom line: it's NOT about them, but the Company). It's not that Level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious -- but their ambition is FIRST and FOREMOST for the INSTITUTION not THEMSELVES. Think about that now . . . how do your most senior leaders feel? It is about them or the company? Are they making decisions or doing things to better themselves or the organization. People have and will leave over this . . . why would anyone want to work in an organization where the most senior staff are "in it for themselves" because this is not a long term solution and ultimately they are discovered and removed.
"good to great" is a excellent book, easy reading, you can pick it up and read a chapter here and there and still be able to take something away.
Another excellent reading is "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. Required reading for anyone who is or plans to be a leader.
I would like to summary one of the books' comments on leadership.
1. First Who . . . Then What?
His and his team's research shows that those companies who went from good to great, focused on getting the "right people on the bus" and then figured out where to drive it. If found that People are not your most important asset BUT the RIGHT PEOPLE are!!!! oh, and make sure they get in the right seats as well.
2. Confront the Brutal Facts
"You muyst maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, ANd at the same time have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current realit, whatever they might be." Remember, I have spoken about "the Will to Win Cannot be Beat!" here you go.
3. A Culture of Discipline
"All Companies have a culture, some companies have discipline, but few companies have culture of discipline. When you have disciplined people, you don't need hierarchy. When you have disciplined thought, you don't need bureaucracy. When you have disciplined action, you don't need excessive controls. When you combine a culture of discipline with an ethic of enterpreneurship, you get the mgical alchemy of great performance." if you are in a hierarchal environment or one that has bureaucracy, or ones that pose abusive controls, the company could be good but will NEVER be GREAT! Because it does not have trust the staff to do the right thing and therefore clients ultimately get burned because of slow service, no innovation, and a substantial turnover from the people are are top performers (why would they want to be in that environment).
Harry S Truman once said "You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who get the credt." Have you been in a situation, where someone else takes credit? I am sure you have . . . think about. . . where is that person now . . . probably not very different from where they were . . . because ultimately people find out who should get credit . . .
In "Good to Great", there are five levels of leadership, with the top level for driving a good to great organization as being called Level 5 Executive, who builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend o fpersonal humility and professional will. These leaders channel their ego needs away from themelves and into the larger goal of building a great company (bottom line: it's NOT about them, but the Company). It's not that Level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious -- but their ambition is FIRST and FOREMOST for the INSTITUTION not THEMSELVES. Think about that now . . . how do your most senior leaders feel? It is about them or the company? Are they making decisions or doing things to better themselves or the organization. People have and will leave over this . . . why would anyone want to work in an organization where the most senior staff are "in it for themselves" because this is not a long term solution and ultimately they are discovered and removed.
"good to great" is a excellent book, easy reading, you can pick it up and read a chapter here and there and still be able to take something away.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Joke of the Weekend II
I thought you all would get a kick out of this one . . .
Just in case you think you are TC (technologically challenged). The following is an excerpt taken from a Wall Street Journal article (from awhile back):
1.Compaq is considering changing the command "Press Any Key" to "Press Return Key" because of the flood of calls asking where the "Any" key is.
2.AST technical support had a caller complaining that her mouse was hard to control with the dust cover on. The cover turned out to be the plastic bag the mouse was packaged in.
3.Another Compaq technician received a call from a man complaining that the system wouldn't read word processing files from his old diskettes. After trouble-shooting for magnets and heat failed to diagnose the problem, it was found that the customer had labeled the diskettes, then rolled them into the typewriter to type the labels.
4.Another AST customer was asked to send a copy of her defective diskettes. A few days later a letter arrived from the customer along with photocopies of the floppies.
5.A Dell technician advised his customer to put his troubled floppy back in the drive and close the door. The customer asked the tech to hold on, and was heard putting the phone down, getting up and crossing the room to close the door to his room.
6.Another Dell customer called to say he couldn't get his computer to fax anything. After 40 minutes of trouble-shooting, the technician discovered the man was trying to fax a piece of paper by holding it in front of the monitor screen and hitting the "send" key.
7.Yet another Dell customer called to complain that his keyboard no longer worked. He had cleaned it by filling up his tub with soap and water and soaking the keyboard for a day, then removing all the keys and washing them individually.
8.A Dell technician received a call from a customer who was enraged because his computer had told him he was "bad and an invalid". The tech explained that the computer's "bad command" and "invalid" responses shouldn't be taken personally.
9.A confused caller to IBM was having troubles printing documents. He told the technician that the computer had said it "couldn't find printer". The user had also tried turning the computer screen to face the printer - but that his computer still couldn't "see" the printer.
10.An exasperated caller to Dell Computer Tech Support couldn't get her new Dell Computer to turn on. After ensuring the computer was plugged in, the technician asked her what happened when she pushed the power button. Her response, "I pushed and pushed on this foot pedal and nothing happens." The "foot pedal" turned out to be the computer's mouse.
11.Another customer called Compaq tech support to say her brand-new computer wouldn't work. She said she unpacked the unit, plugged it in and sat there for 20 minutes waiting for something to happen. When asked what happened when she pressed the power switch, she asked "What power switch?"
12.True story from a Novell NetWire SysOp:
Caller: "Hello, is this Tech Support?"
Tech: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?"
Caller: "The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?"
Tech: "I'm sorry, but did you say a cup holder?"
Caller: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer."
Tech: "Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped, It's because I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotional, at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? Does it have any trademark on it?"
Caller: "It came with my computer, I don't know anything about a promotional. It just has '4X' on it."
At this point the Tech Rep had to mute the caller, because he couldn't stand it. He was laughing too hard. The caller had been using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder, and snapped it off the drive!
13.Another IBM customer had troubles installing software and rang for support. "I put in the first disk, and that was OK. It said to put in the second disk, and had some problems with the disk. When it said to put in the third disk - I couldn't even fit it in..." The user hadn't realized that "Insert Disk 2" meant to remove Disk 1 first.
14.In a similar incident, a customer had followed the instructions for installing software. The instructions said to remove the disk from it's cover and insert into the drive. The user had physically removed the casing of the disk and wondered why there were problems.
As Ripley would say, believe it or not!
Just in case you think you are TC (technologically challenged). The following is an excerpt taken from a Wall Street Journal article (from awhile back):
1.Compaq is considering changing the command "Press Any Key" to "Press Return Key" because of the flood of calls asking where the "Any" key is.
2.AST technical support had a caller complaining that her mouse was hard to control with the dust cover on. The cover turned out to be the plastic bag the mouse was packaged in.
3.Another Compaq technician received a call from a man complaining that the system wouldn't read word processing files from his old diskettes. After trouble-shooting for magnets and heat failed to diagnose the problem, it was found that the customer had labeled the diskettes, then rolled them into the typewriter to type the labels.
4.Another AST customer was asked to send a copy of her defective diskettes. A few days later a letter arrived from the customer along with photocopies of the floppies.
5.A Dell technician advised his customer to put his troubled floppy back in the drive and close the door. The customer asked the tech to hold on, and was heard putting the phone down, getting up and crossing the room to close the door to his room.
6.Another Dell customer called to say he couldn't get his computer to fax anything. After 40 minutes of trouble-shooting, the technician discovered the man was trying to fax a piece of paper by holding it in front of the monitor screen and hitting the "send" key.
7.Yet another Dell customer called to complain that his keyboard no longer worked. He had cleaned it by filling up his tub with soap and water and soaking the keyboard for a day, then removing all the keys and washing them individually.
8.A Dell technician received a call from a customer who was enraged because his computer had told him he was "bad and an invalid". The tech explained that the computer's "bad command" and "invalid" responses shouldn't be taken personally.
9.A confused caller to IBM was having troubles printing documents. He told the technician that the computer had said it "couldn't find printer". The user had also tried turning the computer screen to face the printer - but that his computer still couldn't "see" the printer.
10.An exasperated caller to Dell Computer Tech Support couldn't get her new Dell Computer to turn on. After ensuring the computer was plugged in, the technician asked her what happened when she pushed the power button. Her response, "I pushed and pushed on this foot pedal and nothing happens." The "foot pedal" turned out to be the computer's mouse.
11.Another customer called Compaq tech support to say her brand-new computer wouldn't work. She said she unpacked the unit, plugged it in and sat there for 20 minutes waiting for something to happen. When asked what happened when she pressed the power switch, she asked "What power switch?"
12.True story from a Novell NetWire SysOp:
Caller: "Hello, is this Tech Support?"
Tech: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?"
Caller: "The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?"
Tech: "I'm sorry, but did you say a cup holder?"
Caller: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer."
Tech: "Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped, It's because I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotional, at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? Does it have any trademark on it?"
Caller: "It came with my computer, I don't know anything about a promotional. It just has '4X' on it."
At this point the Tech Rep had to mute the caller, because he couldn't stand it. He was laughing too hard. The caller had been using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder, and snapped it off the drive!
13.Another IBM customer had troubles installing software and rang for support. "I put in the first disk, and that was OK. It said to put in the second disk, and had some problems with the disk. When it said to put in the third disk - I couldn't even fit it in..." The user hadn't realized that "Insert Disk 2" meant to remove Disk 1 first.
14.In a similar incident, a customer had followed the instructions for installing software. The instructions said to remove the disk from it's cover and insert into the drive. The user had physically removed the casing of the disk and wondered why there were problems.
As Ripley would say, believe it or not!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Run for the Roses
The Kentucky Derby happens this Saturday. One of the nicknames for the race is the Run for the Roses since the winner is drapped with a blanket of red roses. For the past few weeks, Louisville Kentucky has held many festivals and events (including the largest fireworks show in the USA) to celebrate the most important two minutes in the world of sports (yes, only two minutes, but it is an intense two minutes). Almost 200,000 people attend this live event with millions others watching on TV for a two minute race. Amazing! Why is this important? Well, I have many friends in Louisville and this week they are all having fun and few are working (or even reading my blog, shame on them).
For the Kentucky Derby, you can’t understand it, unless you have attended, which I have been able to attend three times (and loved it each time).
-Drinking a Mint Julep (try it some time at your local bar or pub and you will understand better)
-Wearing a Funny hat
- Getting dressed up for a sports event that last only two minutes
- Seeing lots of famous people
- Betting (legally) on who will win the race
If you get a chance, you must attend at least once (this is a paid announcement from the Louisville Tourist Bureau). Every community, city or country has a special event that is similar so just thought I would share this one with you all (well, those outside of Kentucky).
So, what event (does not have to be a sports event) in the world would you want to attend in person? My answer is the Mens’ Tennis Championship at Wimbledon (lots of action, close surroundings, and I love strawberries). Please comment (oh, changed the commenting now so you don’t have to register).
For the Kentucky Derby, you can’t understand it, unless you have attended, which I have been able to attend three times (and loved it each time).
-Drinking a Mint Julep (try it some time at your local bar or pub and you will understand better)
-Wearing a Funny hat
- Getting dressed up for a sports event that last only two minutes
- Seeing lots of famous people
- Betting (legally) on who will win the race
If you get a chance, you must attend at least once (this is a paid announcement from the Louisville Tourist Bureau). Every community, city or country has a special event that is similar so just thought I would share this one with you all (well, those outside of Kentucky).
So, what event (does not have to be a sports event) in the world would you want to attend in person? My answer is the Mens’ Tennis Championship at Wimbledon (lots of action, close surroundings, and I love strawberries). Please comment (oh, changed the commenting now so you don’t have to register).
May 1st is Here! Happy May Day!
Many celebrate May Day, so Happy May Day to you!
Short posting today, got in really late . . . and had a 5:30am flight (which meant had to get up at 3:45am), so was not able to do my full posting . . .
It’s May 1st. And today is my first day in my new role (I am excited and nervous, who wouldn't be, I am getting a paycheck again, WOOOHOOO!). There have been many rumors on what I am going to be doing (one was particularly funny). So thought I would allow some guesses first via comments before I post on the blog what I will be doing? That is if anyone cares? Oh, to provide a comment you do not have to register any more!
Stay tuned to this station for the official announcement!
Short posting today, got in really late . . . and had a 5:30am flight (which meant had to get up at 3:45am), so was not able to do my full posting . . .
It’s May 1st. And today is my first day in my new role (I am excited and nervous, who wouldn't be, I am getting a paycheck again, WOOOHOOO!). There have been many rumors on what I am going to be doing (one was particularly funny). So thought I would allow some guesses first via comments before I post on the blog what I will be doing? That is if anyone cares? Oh, to provide a comment you do not have to register any more!
Stay tuned to this station for the official announcement!
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