| Strategies for leadership and management | | | | unproductive work habits, and maintain emotional |
| development can be found in books, articles, on | | | | control. If you find yourself making statements or |
| the internet, and by observing others. I was | | | | asking questions that are about THEM, try asking |
| recently asked by a client to write down the | | | | yourself these questions instead: "What can I do |
| "one-liners" I frequently use to help him stay on | | | | more effectively to resolve this situation?""What |
| track as a leader. Here are the three most | | | | am I doing that is contributing to the challenge?" |
| powerful: | | | | "What can I do that will help me stay in integrity |
| | | | while resolving this situation?" |
| 1. Don't Make Statements, Ask Questions: (Many | | | | 3. Beware of Your "Profit Holes:" (The idea of |
| of the executives we work with are accustomed | | | | "Profit Holes" came about when I was working |
| to giving orders and making directive statements. | | | | with a client who consistently put energy and |
| These can be powerful and memorable. They can | | | | money into projects and people with absolutely no |
| also be a turn off and cause a great deal of | | | | return. The problem was that she didn't see |
| trouble. Practice asking questions FIRST and | | | | where she was losing energy and resources. So, |
| making statements later. Here are some great | | | | we reviewed her Profit and Loss statements and |
| questions that work in management and | | | | there it was in black and white. Her profit and |
| leadership situations. "Where did you get that | | | | financial viability were in trouble. It was time to |
| information?" "Do you know that for sure?" "What | | | | stop chasing losing propositions. After making |
| can I do to help?" | | | | some significant changes with clients, employees, |
| 2. It's Not About Them, It's About YOU!: (When | | | | and herself, she is now profitable, happy, and |
| you experience challenges with employees, clients, | | | | financially healthy. To prevent putting your money |
| shareholders, board members, etc., avoid | | | | and energy into "Profit Holes," ask yourself: "Is |
| over-focusing on what they are doing wrong and | | | | this a good use of my time?" "Could someone |
| or what you would like them to do differently. If | | | | else do this task?" "If I wasn't doing this, what |
| you instead focus on you and what you can | | | | would I do?" "Is what I am doing helping or hurting |
| control, you will reduce your stress level, stop | | | | me or the company? |