All leadership skills are important to a small business owner but if we had to rank them, one would be right at the top of the list— effective communication skills! Why? Because there are more consequences from poor communication than any of the others combined. Misdirection and misinterpretation are common, leading to time spent resolving […]
“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” Zig Ziglar Having worked with leaders of all types in the United States and countries around the world, I have yet to meet a single leader that did not want to improve their time management skills. Even those that […]
Coaching is a skill I have been perfecting for more years than I am willing to admit. Here is what I promise you, as a business leader . . . coaching will change your life and the lives of those you share it with. The better you are at coaching, the more everyone benefits. The […]
Feedback is information one person gives another person about how their actions and behavior impact performance or outcome of a project or practice. While it requires time, careful communication, and sometimes researching possible solutions, feedback is not optional. It is a responsibility for both leaders and managers. Not all feedback is positive, but whether it […]
A role model is a person who serves as an example by influencing others. In business, the most important role model is the “boss.” Employees look up to a variety of role models to help shape how they behave and, at work, that person is typically their manager or the business owner. They watch and listen and formulate a […]
While the direct manager of any person has a great impact on not only their performance but their development and their satisfaction, the foundation for effective people management begins with the values, attitude, and willingness to invest from the highest levels of leadership. In simple terms, effective management of people begins at the top. In […]
It’s Monday morning. You are running late. You have a standing staff meeting at 9:00 and today, like so many Mondays, you just do not have time. To cancel or not to cancel? Do you really have anything to say? Does it really matter if you miss one meeting? Yes, it matters! Meetings fill an […]
Delegation and empowerment are two of the most important skills any business owner can practice to build a team and a business for the future. Staff members that will play a role in future years must be ready to grow with the business and that means the sooner they are tested the sooner any gaps […]
Summer is just around the corner! For many small business owners, it is a time when they add staff to fill a seasonal need. Recruiting, hiring, and onboarding is critical for new staff to be productive as quickly as possible. Onboarding refers to the way new employee acquire the knowledge, training, and behavior they need […]
Staff members who are empowered are more likely to be engaged in promoting the mission, vision, and values of your business. Empowering others means you will provide the knowledge, clear instruction, training, and opportunity for others to perform. This includes giving them permission to devise their own approach and act on it as long as […]
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