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"Employee of the Week/Month programs no longer add value." There...I said it. There are other ways to recognize your illustrious employees.
Leadership is not easy. Be consistent! Have consistent values. Also...treat each employee as an individual. They all have different wants and needs. You CAN do both.
I went in looking to share a leadership lesson about a severed arm from a 13th century saint. I came out with a simple message of calm and peace.
Leaders, don't go through life with your blinders on. You need to look up, look around, and be on the "lookout" for ways to improve your co-workers, your organization, and yourself.
Just about everyone knows how much I loved (and learned) in my 13 years working in Disney Theme Parks and Resorts. One of my main takeaways is the value of the Disney "Show." While hard to quantify, you know it when you see it.
All leaders should want to "elevate" their leadership. Perhaps...you want to get that next promotion. Perchance...you want to lead your current team to greatness. Or maybe...you just want to be a better person. Regardless, there are two simple things you need to do to "elevate" your leadership.
What does driving in the left lane on the interstate have to do with leadership? You'd be surprised what we can learn from going fast!
Companies must differentiate themselves from their competition. One way to do this is by thinking of new and creative ideas to be involved in your community.
Protection.
Leaders need to always be thinking about protecting others and themselves!
What are the most important things to protect?
Recording 300 episodes of Pete's Points is hard. However, doing something of value for 300 seconds is easy. What can do you today in 300 seconds that adds value to yourself or someone else in your life?
Leaders need to be preservationists. That's the message in Volume 299 of Pete's Points.
Focus on the good, not on the bad. That's the simple message in Volume 298 of Pete's Points.
Size matters. It's a marketing tagline that makes you stop and think. It's also a reminder to take a look at the "size" of your employee base. How are you attacking your current job openings? Are you focused more on recruiting new employees, or trying to retain the ones you have?
Own your leadership style. Don't leave it up for interpretation. That's the message in Volume 296 of Pete's Points.
You don't have to be a Pulitzer Prize winner from the University of Maryland to make a positive impact with your words. All you have to do is use email in a positive way.
Pete's Points Volume 294 is all about using your time wisely. Your time plan can be an important part of your daily strategic plan. Use your time wisely...especially on a Disney vacation!
Leaders, you need to have some barriers in place to protect you...from yourself! I call these positive barriers.
Peter Drucker, management guru, has a quote about culture eating strategy for breakfast. It goes something like this. "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." How is your organizational culture?
What leadership phrases are becoming extinct? Do you use any of these leadership phrases? If so, be aware...that these types of leadership messages may soon be extinct.
According to the Gallup organization, employee engagement levels are at an 11-year low. So what can you do about it? Make some time to "talk" to your unengaged or actively disengaged employees to see what you can do.
"Change is good...if you make good changes" says my buddy Brian Vagi. I also think change is good... if you accept it, embrace it, and lead it.
"Pass it down."
That statement is usually heard at the dinner table and is reserved for salt, pepper, or extra barbeque sauce. But have you ever thought about what else you, as a leader, should be passing down?
Leadership does not happen in a vacuum. Leaders cannot get better by themselves. Truly great leaders have a partner to help them along the way. Who is your "leadership partner?"
If you have a new product, new offering, or new employee process in your organization, you need to create a "buzz" around it. How do you do that?
Leaders, do not ignore the elephant in the room. It is there. Everyone is talking about it before the meeting and after the meeting. Go ahead, be a leader, and address that elephant.
What is your AI strategy for your organization? Don't have one? You are not alone. It seems like its the Wild Wild West when it comes to AI. Get to work on an AI strategy ASAP!
Walk. Take a walk. Leaders should walk. Walking is good. Please walk. Walk when you can.
While you should never try to be just like anyone else, there are certain leaders who have certain skills that you should try to replicate.
What is your X-Factor? What is the "one" thing that allows you to stand out as a leader?
Leaders become great by focusing on their people, their processes, and their physical property (office space, customer facing areas, etc.)
Here is the simple secret of leadership success. Don't make it about you. Make it about them. Focus on others first.
Does it feel like your life is spinning out of control, and you are helpless to stop it? Maybe you need to put something in place in the front, and some "speed bumps" in place at the end in order to help stop the spin.
Is there really a need for a heated ski lift? Reasons against it include... I am dressed warmly, so it may not be a big deal to me.
It will cost a more money to create vs. a non-heated ski lift.
People are going to ski here regardless of whether there is a heated lift or not.
But a heated ski lift plusses it up!
Where do you stand on the idea of a leader having an "open-door" policy? Cy Wakeman has a book we are using titled 'No Ego' where she debunks the concept of open doors. I have always been a proponent of the open-door policy, but now she has me thinking otherwise...
Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, led with vision, innovation, and philanthropy. If you are setting up some leadership goals for yourself in 2024, these three concepts are a good place to start.
It may be possible that your kids, your grandkids, your teenagers, your high school students, your junior workers, or anyone younger than you may have a really good idea! Don't discount good ideas because they come from someone younger than you.
Looking for a mantra for 2024? How about "stop barking?"
What do Coon Dogs and hard working employees have in common? They both need recognition...and we should not wait until they are "gone" before we thank them and recognize them.
Leaders are told to be many things - Mentor / Coach / Supervisor. But have you ever thought about the role of a leader as a "connector?"
Leaders, it will be difficult to be successful if you are floundering in the wind. You need a firm foundation in order to be successful. Concrete is a good foundation for roads.. What makes up your leadership foundation?
Sometimes, we HAVE to imitate others. Imitation, used in the right way, is not a sign of mediocrity. Instead, it is a sign of critical thinking and business savvy.
When I worked at Disney, "art" was a huge part of the "Disney Show" in the theme parks. What you see, feel, smell, taste, and touch while at a Disney theme park includes a lot of "art." Tampa International Airport uses art as well, but they call her Phoebe!
While conference sessions are amazing, I always gain just as much knowledge from the table conversations and networking events...sort of my own version of ChatGPT.
While it is important to rest and relax while you are visiting the "coast," it is even more important that you refrain from "coasting" when you are at work.
Are your best employees hiding under a rock? Do your best employees have some skills that you did not know about because they are hiding those skills under a rock? As leaders, sometimes what we need is right in front of us, and all we have to do is look under the rock!
Disney Guest Service Guideline #6 was "Preserve the Magical Guest Experience." That always made sense to me...and when I was at Disney, there was a lot of "magic" to protect and preserve. But how does that concept translate into other organizations? It all comes down to the sausage (preferably Conecuh sausage)!
Are you a "lone palm leader?" Are you out there by yourself on an island, or are there a bunch of other palm trees following your lead? And...does your point of view matter?
Average is just average. Above average is just a smidge better than average. Excellence is the way to go! Why are you and your employees not striving for "excellent" every day?
We will always be searching for the best uses of both our time and our money.
Professional athletes know how important it is to warm-up before going to work. We as leaders need to warm-up before leading each and every day.
Leaders, what do you do when a project you are working on is delayed? It could be delayed for a year, a month, a day, or even a few hours. Stop complaining, stop blaming, and if possible, use that time to go exploring!
Leaders, can you show two different leadership styles at work? Of course, as long as you don't come across as inconsistent or erratic!
Step 1 - Have a plan and stick to it. Step 2 - Be wary of untested shortcuts. Step 3 - Try not to eat your team members.
Leaders, is there an overarching sense of "gloom and doom" in your organization, and what can you do to prevent it?
Leaders, instead of saying "no" right away, have you considering sharing a "provisional" yes? That would be a "Yes, if..."
A "provisional" yes by the International Olympic Committee – IOC is what turned a sleepy mountain town near Lake Tahoe, CA into the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Your best days are ahead of you! I truly believe that for myself, and I also believe it for all of us. This message from Disney Springs in Orlando helps to reinforce that message.
Back in the day, the "wild, wild west" was full of land grabbers, survival of the fittest, and a 'me-first' mentality. I am fairly confident that model will not work today for small business owners and organizational leaders.
In order for your vision, mission and values to work in your organization, they must be CLEAR to everyone.
If you don't "toot your own horn," who will? The Little Waldorf Saloon in Reno, NV reminds us to toot the horn of the University of Nevada Athletic teams.
As you go through your daily role as a leader, ask yourself this question: What three words do you want others to remember you by when you are gone?
It is so important for leaders to have a story to tell about their organization. If you have a blimp tower, that helps a lot!
Leaders, what are you doing to go above and beyond for your loyal customers and your loyal employees?
Walt Disney used a "weenie" to drive interest in his theme parks. What type of weenie can you create in your organization?
Why settle for "either / or" when you might be able to have "both / and?" Be on the lookout for possible partnerships!
Successful leaders are the "impetus" for positive change in their organizations. How can you create an impetus in your company?
Successful leaders find a way to give back to others, both with their time and with their finances.
If you have a success at work, you should definitely try and 'repeat' that success. All champions want to repeat!
The "welcome' is an essential part of the Guest Experience Cycle. Make sure both your people and your property create a welcoming atmosphere!
Emails, texts, and Slack messages are convenient. But there is amazing power in this talking device called a "telephone.!"
It is up to you to build your team. There are many ways to do this...but I recommend creating a "sunshine team" and buying a "conference bike."
"Walk a Mile in my Shoes..."
When we hear that, do we dismiss it...or do we do it? Empathy is a core component of Emotional Intelligence, and is a skill/trait where all of us (including me) can improve.
You don't always get down time at work. Not all of us have a "slow season." But if you do get some extra time, do NOT waste it. Invest in yourself, your organization, or your team.
When an area is truly deserted, it is easy to be alone with your thoughts. When you are alone with your thoughts, you can come up with some really good ideas, goals, and plans.
There is lots of discussion these days about salary transparency. Would a company or organization benefit by being more transparent with their salary schedules?
Stop looking all over the world for the perfect employee and instead look inside your company. You might be surprised at what you find!
Words and phrases and great for goals and resolutions, but numbers may be more fun! Why not use a number this year when setting your goals?
If you want to be a great leader, you need to be sure you are a great trainer as well.
Here are three great tips on leadership that you can learn from Orville and Wilbur Wright!
Miss something once...that's OK. Miss something two or three times and it can go sideways. Here are my tips to help prevent you from falling 'behind.'
What do you keep in your "employee files," and do your employees know what is in there? If they do, it will make the annual review so much easier!
There are hundreds of leadership words that start with "R" that may apply to your leadership journey. I chose Read, Reflect, and Relationships for this edition of Pete's Points.
Being a lifelong learner is a non-negotiable for anyone who claims to be a leader. The Library of Congress in Washington D.C. reminded me that we all need to keep reading to keep learning.
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