“Don’t mistake movement for achievement. It’s easy to get faked out by being busy. The question is, busy doing what?” Jim Rohn, author and motivational speaker.
Archive for the ‘Lessons from Leaders’ Category
Building Social Capital with Employees
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
My last post highlighted the research findings of Harvard School of Business Professor Sadun that affirmed success of what I call the “People first; Paper later.” philosophy of management. I have been coaching Executives about the importance of this concept for years and now it is official: Building social capital in your organization is Job #1 for increased financial success.
As a manager and leader you know that it is important to make deposits into each employee’s social capital bank account, but how do you do that? You feel swamped already with your own job responsibilities and aren’t looking for more things to add to your plate. (Picture a boo-boo face here!)
Try this simple “Building Social Capital” tip: When you arrive at the office tomorrow morning go to the desk of each person that you supervise one at a time, smile and say a big “Good Morning!” Don’t worry about interrupting their work. They will appreciate that you took the time to check in with them. If they happen to be on the phone, just smile, wave and go on to the next desk.
I call this practice “The Morning Rounds”. It is simple, easy, takes just a few minutes and makes huge deposits. Just as doctors check in with all of their patients in the hospital each morning to offer supportive compassion and comfort, as a leader you can check in with your employees to help them feel like a valued member of the team.
So, go ahead and begin building social capital on your team tomorrow with a quick morning check in. And watch the success of your team grow with all of that Social Capital fertilizing it!
Lead Well, Live Well, Do Well!
Helping leaders, managers embrace and achieve success.
Leadership expert. Author. Success consultant. Speaker. Trainer.
515.577.5666
email: Rita@Ritaperea.com
Leadership expert. Author. Success consultant. Speaker. Trainer.
515.577.5666
email: Rita@Ritaperea.com
website and blog: www.RitaPerea.com
Contributing Author of:
Leader VS Manager, part 2
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011“The manager has his eye on the bottom line; the leader has his eye on the horizon.” – Warren Bennis, Author
Most people leave a position because of a bad “boss”. In the new economy, a knowledge worker expects something different from a manager. They expect not to be “bossed” but to be “led”, to be respected, inspired and motivated.
In his 1989 book “On Becoming a Leader,” Warren Bennis composed a list of the differences between managers and leaders:
- The manager administers; the leader innovates.
- The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
- The manager maintains; the leader develops.
- The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
- The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
- The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
- The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
- The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader’s eye is on the horizon.
- The manager imitates; the leader originates.
- The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
- The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
- The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.
Perhaps there was a time when the calling of the manager and that of the leader could be separated. Today’s new economy requires a new set of behaviors. A balance between being a leader and a manager. I call that “Balanced Leadership.”
As a leader, which behaviors do you really use the most?
Which behaviors do you need to change or use more to be a better leader for your knowledge workers?
