Leadership Flagship

Understanding Comes Before Change

November 16, 2016
by Margaret Wood, Editor LeadershipFlagship.com

Making big changes in a new environment can be dangerous for new leaders if they don’t take the time to understand the organizational needs
Today’s organizations are experiencing a shift in thinking, from being “nice to have” to “need to have.” Basically, every new CEO, manager, etc. should consider 3 questions when joining a new company:
1. Who are we?
2. What are we about?
3. How do we do it?
The priority should focus on identity & purpose, then the tactics. While a company may very well benefit from a new leader’s bold moves, the manner in which they’re made can make a world of difference.

New managers arriving on the scene with preconceived ideas about what the company needs can lead to career suicide if not approached in a systematic and diplomatic manner. While change is often good, without a total understanding of a company’s mission and direction, change can be disasterous.

New leaders should spend that first year observing, listening, and being more of an “anthropologist” in their approach, learning about the way things were and they way they are–what they stand to discover is that some areas may need minor tweaking, some methods have been tried and failed and some areas may need a major overhaul. However, in order to strengthen their credibility, new leaders are cautioned to take time to perform their due diligence and not focus on quick wins.

It is not all that uncommon for a new CEO to come in and make bold, strategic moves in their 365 days. Reorganizing management, launching products, mergers and acquisitions are amongst the most common top actions new executives initiate.

For new leaders who looking to make a difference— and hold onto their jobs — this advice can be applied to almost any type of organization. As a new player, leave your office and down to deck -level; learn about your organization! Get to know the organization and its culture through observation and conversation. Meet with staff members and board members — focus on the present! When you develop a sense of trust, people will be more willing to buy-in on the bigger vision.

By influencing people to your way of thinking, you influence their behavior and their thinking as well. When you forge these relationships early on, your supporters will help you reach your goals with less resistance. It’s all about building trust.

New managers can establish trust by delivering integrity, honesty, presenting their absolute best persona whenever possible, not being judgmental, and asking many questions. New leaders need to remain focused and not allow their eagerness to leave their mark cloud their line of sight.

Reflect – as new leaders, this is important. Step back from time to time, assess and evaluate. Some things will go well, while others may need more attention – always look for what was learned.
The Importance of Unplugging

November 15, 2016

by Margwaret Wood, Editor

Leadership Flagship.com

Unplugging – the act of disconnecting from an ultra-connected techno-world

Many studies have been conducted recently extolling the health benefits, both mental and physical, of unplugging from our ultra-connected techno-world on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, the same studies show that the number of people obsessed with their devices are higher than ever, and are starting younger than ever. According to the Pew Research Center, 84% of Americans reported they could not put their devices down for a whole day and over half of all Americans sleep with their phones beside them.

Shutting down regularly is a good practice and here’s why

01. Reduce stress – Reduce Burnout – Improve your Wellbeing

By allowing your body and mind to rest, your brain functions will automatically improve, you will be more alert and more producted. Feeling rested and stress-free will provide you more clarity to perform at your best. Unplugging, eating right and getting enough sleep are critical to your performance and outlook on life.In most instances, allowing yourself to be “available” to your job 24-7 does not equate to dedication. Instead, this leads to high levels of psychological and emotional stress, draining all your energy, causing fatigue, and eventually burnout.

02. Avoid the downward spiral

Leave your office promptly at 5:00! If you don’t dedicated yourself to this concept, other areas will begin to suffer, i.e. your family, friends and “alone time”. Your stress level will diminish your mental acuity and these relationships will suffer. This will create the downward spiral of guilt, and you become conflicted between your loyalty to your job and your family.

Unplug! – company email will still be there in the morning! Play a game with the kids, cook dinner with your significant other, read a bedtime story, grab a glass of your preferred drink, then settle back into some stimulating conversation with your significant other. Maintaining these relationships is important to everyone’s well-being.

03. Multi-tasking – a thing of the past?

By trying to do too many things at one time, you are not providing your undivided attention to any one thing and something, if not everything, will suffer. Your performance will not be at its peak. Time and again, constant multitasking demishes the quality of your work. If your brain is always “on”, something will eventually give – namely, your health.

04. Don’t let negative emotions rule you

According to a University of Maryland study,constant connection may be classified as an addiction. While competition at work has increased and it may be understandable that one may want to “stay connected” so as to be “in the know” at any point in time, staying connected leads to feelings of jealousy, or even anger, and is not conducive to good health.

Exactly how important is it to know what friends and acquaintances are doing at any given moment? Would it make that much of a difference in your life if you didn’t know?

05. Taking care of #1

While it may be difficult at first, it is entirely possible to set aside time to live without our precious derivices. MAKE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF! By setting a cutoff time, you are ensuring that you care and respect yourself.

As discussed earlier, regularly disconnecting from work improves relationships, decreases stress, increases the quality of your work, and maintains emotional and pysicial well-being.

It can wait!
THE INCREDIBLE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS PROGRAMS [INFOGRAPHIC]

November 11, 2016

THE INCREDIBLE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS PROGRAMS [INFOGRAPHIC]

by Sabrina Son on Jul 17, 2016 8:00:00 AM

Nowadays, workplace wellness programs are popping up in organizational cultures left and right. It’s a movement that many CEOs are realizing is crucial to driving employee engagement. From providing workout areas to offering health benefits, these strategies are meant to not only ensure employees stay healthy, but also to improve employee sentiment.

(more…)
Implementing Professional Development on a Budget

November 11, 2016

8 INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO IMPLEMENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

by Chris Rhatigan on Apr 7, 2016 1:00:00 PM

Lack of professional development is a major source of workplace dissatisfaction. Our Employee Engagement Report found that a mere 25% of employees believe they have enough professional-growth opportunities. And development is linked to employee retention. (more…)
Promoting Professional Development Through Conversations

November 11, 2016

HOW TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS THAT PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

by Sabrina Son on Nov 4, 2016 8:00:00 AM

According to Harvard Business Review, one of the most important parts of a manager’s job responsibilities is to help workers develop new skills and grow their careers. If you’re just managing your bottom line — and not your employees’ professional development — you’re not really doing your job. (more…)