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The Bottom Line on Leadership with Holiday Spirit

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“Why can’t every day be like Christmas?” Elvis Presley recorded the classic in 1966 and every year I hear at least one person ask the question. I celebrate Christmas but regardless of your holiday faith tradition, all share common themes which if woven into the fabric of your business profit your soul as well as your bottom line.

Sharing Peace and Goodwill

How can we show we care all year long? During the holidays, there is a prevailing positive mindset, we see more smiles and everyone reaches out to their friends, family and the community spreading joy and encouragement all around us. We are all a better version of ourselves, giving and sharing our blessings with others.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to keep the feelings of goodwill alive in your business. There are free or inexpensive ways to spread goodwill to employees, customers, and fellow entrepreneurs. A positive word of appreciation or an encouraging offer of support can be priceless for an employee. Writing a positive review on social sites, introducing colleagues to potential clients, sharing an article that can help their business – there are countless ways to help other businesses which don’t cost a dime.
As we’ve written before, the act of giving is good for your personal health as well as the health of your business.

Voicing Faith

As we celebrate our spiritual traditions, we are all more likely to proudly and publicly share our beliefs in a positive way. Our beliefs may be challenged as public debates rage during this time of year regarding the “appropriate and legal” place for religious expression in schools, businesses and other public venues. We engage in dialogue about our faith, re-evaluate why we believe what we believe and re-commit to the principles that steer our lives. In our businesses we are steered by Core Values, the beliefs and principles that do not change regardless of circumstances, the environment, and the products we sell – they ground us with strength and inspire our brand promise and our culture.

How do we keep that spirit alive all year long? I guarantee if you run a small business, your beliefs are built in to your mission, vision and core values. As you go through the coming year, find ways to keep the dialogue about your core values alive and vibrant. Those core values come to life in every customer interaction, every employee interaction, every team conflict, every project and goal. Businesses who actively demonstrate core values and deliver customer experience consistent with those values earn customer goodwill and loyalty in return – a definite competitive advantage. Know your core values, document them, and keep them alive to foster a better experience for customers and employees.

Expressing Hope

Most faith and spiritual traditions have been built upon stories and history with an underlying theme of the rewards of hope. We re-tell stories of how obstacles are overcome by hope, inspiring us with positive anticipation for the good to come. Optimism is on full display and our enthusiasm for the days ahead is infectious. As we review the past year, regardless of past level of achievement, we look to the New Year with hope for better days for our businesses and our personal lives.

Feelings and expressions of hope are good for business all year long. Shane Lopez PhD, a Senior Gallup Scientist who wrote Making Hope Happen has researched and measured the value of hope to businesses and other organizations. He defines hopeful thinking as “that the future will be better and that you have a role in making it so.” Further Lopez says, “Hope is worth a day a week at work” and notes how that translates, for example, to a salesperson with hope achieving 6 days of sales results in 5 days – let that thought settle in for a minute and then imagine those possibilities for your business.

Lopez states how hope causes us to invest psychologically in goals therefore we are more likely to achieve them. Leaders who inspire their employees with hope have employees more invested in business goals. As an entrepreneur and business leader, you can learn tactics and strategies to inspire others with hope. If you haven’t been leading from a place of hope in the past, make a commitment to yourself and your business to develop the skills of hope. I suggest starting with Making Hope Happen.

Small Steps to a Better than Ever Business…

Take a look at your plans for the coming year. What adjustments can you make to infuse your business with the vitality of hope, faith, and the spirit of goodwill? Take one small action today and make it happen.

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Planning for the New Year?

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The New Year is almost upon us. Many small businesses are wrapping up their year as they wrap Christmas and Hanukah gifts. Some entrepreneurs are feeling a sense of achievement along with the goodwill and peace this time of year evokes. Others are feeling a combination of relief and hope as they close out a tough year while anticipating how to make next year better than this one. We are setting goals and resolutions for the New Year, our fresh new calendars are out and we’re marking deadlines for new goals.

While you have that calendar out, try adding a few of the following items to grow your business while strengthening your personal health and vitality.

1. Vacation: Not only is it important to schedule breaks away from your business but studies have shown that just the act of planning a vacation brings happiness from the anticipation. As an entrepreneur the year will fly by regardless and if you don’t mark your calendar in advance, “something will come up” preventing you from following through. Can’t afford long exotic vacations? Book a few long weekends to your schedule.

2. Reflection : It’s not enough to simply measure your year by dates and projects achieved. Quiet time to reflect on your personal and business growth, acknowledge your achievements, and refresh your soul provide perspective and an energetic strength you need for the next leg of your business journey. I personally need a few days of quiet reflection every few months but suggest you start with a day or two every quarter or six months. Once you get started, you’ll be addicted to how good you feel during and after.

3. Personal Care: My guess is the perennial favorites of exercise and healthy eating are already on your list of goals for the coming year – they are on my list! How about scheduling some other activities to take care of your body and soul? Schedule spa appointments for the next few months. If you find a massage relaxing, make the call and schedule a standing appointment for the year.

4. Relationships: As you look back on this year, are there some people you wish you’d made more time for in your life? Whether personal or professional relationships, we often put those to the back burner while building a business. Choose one day a week to lunch with colleagues. Pick one weekend a month to dinner with old friend…it’s a start and may lead to new traditions.

5. Giving back Time. Every year you talk about volunteering and then don’t have time when the opportunities present themselves. Start with one day. Pick a cause. Pick up the phone and offer your help.

6. Fun: When was the last time you indulged your hobby? Hobbies have been proven to relieve stress and entrepreneurs certainly need that! You love to fish but haven’t been in a few seasons? Or you love the theatre and concerts? Check out the schedule for your local area and mark your calendar in advance. Or perhaps it’s time to pursue a new hobby? Schedule a class or pick up a book on the topic. Gardening is a great stress reliving activity for me and I enjoy planning for the coming year as much as I enjoy harvesting the cutting garden and eating fresh vegetables.

7. Big Picture Time: It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day details and looming deadlines, losing sight of our long-term vision. Schedule time to review your long-term business vision and your life vision. Spending time with your vision leads to clarity of purpose. Clarity feeds confidence and passion, two critical components of success.

8. Personal Development: Think about the skills you want to develop in the coming year. Look to the list above along with your goals for the coming year to identify some ideas. With all the training options available these days whether online or in a traditional classroom, there is an option for every schedule and no excuse for not investing in your own personal learning.

9. Team Building Activities: Some of the above activities can be combined with team-building activities as a way to strengthen bonds and improve overall team performance. Invest in a facilitator to enable you to be an active participant with the team and to encourage open dialogue for best results. Schedule a team party or team picnic. Plan a community volunteer day.
Some may resist the items on this list, perceiving the list as unproductive or “soft skills” – expect resistance from those who are focused on goals alone. But these softer skills and activities essential to running a business all contribute to your health, a clear mind, reduced stress and the positive mindset needed to run a business.

Small steps to a Better than Ever Business…

Grab your calendar and start with 2-3 items from the above list. Just the simple act of scheduling an activity increases the odds of your success. Does it make you feel enthusiastic about the coming year? If these items are a challenge for you or you feel resistance, invest in a coach or join a mastermind team to keep you accountable in the coming year. This time next year, you’ll look back with gratitude because you built habits of vitality and passion into your calendar. Cheers!

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Indispensible or Dangerous?

iStock_000049939328LargeWho is the most dangerous person in your business? If I suggest you start by looking at your “indispensable” employee as dangerous, would you be shocked? In fact, it’s not unusual to find most career experts include advice to “make yourself indispensable” among their recommendations. So what’s the problem? Let me make a distinction – there’s a difference between what I call the indispensable heroes and the indispensable martyrs. The savvy business owner knows how to encourage heroes, recognize and eliminate martyrs.

How do you distinguish the indispensable martyr? Generally, it starts out innocently enough…she is the go-to gal! She gets things done! She creates the procedures and organizes your systems. And she is rewarded for all the above so she continues to amass more authority and responsibility. You cannot imagine your business without her and there’s not a decision or a project that this person doesn’t have a hand in. Sounds harmless…and it is in the beginning. Imperceptibly, a line is quietly crossed and this person goes from being the hero of your business to a martyr and it’s time to take action.

How do you know the line has been crossed? A martyr is generally defined as someone who suffers or dies for a cause – in this case, the cause is your business. There are a few warning signs. The indispensable martyr has an astounding amount of knowledge but is ungenerous about sharing it. Hoarding knowledge to maintain their power and position is common. She works long hours, rarely takes a vacation and when she does, some projects and responsibilities come to a hold until her return. Or worse, work must be redone when she returns because no one knows how to do it “right.” She’s known for being too busy to train anyone to relieve her workload. Team members simultaneously in awe and intimidated by this her – her authority is unquestioned. Systems and procedures designed to help grow the business may automate the martyr’s authority rather than deliver on strategic efficiency initiatives. Ultimately your business growth will be inhibited because systems and procedures won’t scale under the control of one person.

Fire the martyrs, even if it’s you. OK…firing is a strong action. But your business future depends upon taking swift action to minimize the risk of dependence on any single individual. And the truth is the martyr can be your greatest partner in making the transition if you proceed with care.

It all starts with you! Be the hero of your own business by modelling behaviors based upon your Core Values. If you value “innovation,” encourage a questioning culture unafraid to fail. If you value “empowerment,” model cross-training and reward delegation and resourcefulness. If you value “efficiency,” reward those who recommend and implement streamlined processes and systems. If you value “teamwork,” foster a culture that celebrates team successes. If your goal is growth, involve all employees in designing personal performance goals and rewards tied directly to your mission and strategic initiatives.

If you’ve unintentionally rewarded martyr behavior in the past, these changes may initially be difficult for the indispensable employee. Bring her on board early and encourage her participation in fostering a new culture which rewards heroes. The truth is a martyr simply wants to contribute and feel valued for her contribution. Appeal to her need for validation and she may become your biggest business hero. Recognize this person may not have the organizational credibility and trust necessary to lead the transition– that’s your job – but she can help you champion cultural changes rather than see them as a threat.

Small steps to a Better than Ever Business…
Spend a few minutes imagining the culture you want to create and brainstorm ways you can transform your martyr into an indispensable hero.

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Leave a Legacy…Now!

243376_258121450984159_761728046_oDoes the word legacy conjure visions of billionaires with large foundations or bring to mind the eulogies of famous people? Often when we think of legacy, we think of money or property passed down upon someone’s death. Your business may not be large enough to have a formal philanthropy program. Yet, each of us has the capacity to give in small ways which leaves a legacy in the hearts and minds of our communities, our families, and the world at large. Don’t wait until you die to build a legacy. In fact, creating a legacy now is not only beneficial for your community, it benefits your well-being and your business.

For a small business, volunteering in your community is an opportunity to bring your core values to life! Certainly, there is no shortage of local causes which would appreciate your check. Most schools and town halls have a list of ways you can sponsor non-profits. Trade and newspapers often list large events and organizations in need of sponsors.
But, your contribution doesn’t have to be financial. There are many ways to begin legacy that won’t cost you anything but time and effort. Perhaps you’re not ready to adopt a specific cause for your business but you want to help the community. How about allowing your employees to choose their own cause and providing paid volunteer days? Organizations such as volunteermatch.org and createthegood.org provide online communities, training and resources designed to match individual and business volunteers with the organizations needing help.

It’s good for your heart!
The great social philosopher Bob Hope once said, “If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” Starting a legacy of giving alone may not heal real heart disease but the physical and psychological benefits of giving have been increasingly documented. According to the Cleveland Clinic, studies have documented a link between giving and the following health benefits: lower blood pressure, increased self-esteem, less depression, lower stress levels, longer life, and greater happiness.

Ultimately, building a living legacy is good for business! The benefits are generated both internally and externally. Internally, employees working together on community projects feel an increased sense of loyalty and dedication to their employers. Allowing your staff time for volunteering provides valuable team-building opportunities. Working on volunteer projects gives employees an opportunity to build relationships within and across organizational lines translating to improved teamwork and performance on internal projects.
Connecting with your customers in the community is an opportunity not only for positive public relations but for strengthening brand loyalty among existing customers. Customers increasingly prefer to do business with companies who give back to worthy causes. Connecting to your community via service projects can also generate new prospective customers.
It is worth repeating the fact that giving is good for your personal well-being. A healthy team of people has more positive energy to invest in creative problem-solving and innovation which ultimately translates to the bottom line!

Small Steps to a Better than Ever Business…
Take a look at your core business values. What immediately strikes you when you review your mission as a way to bring your values to life? Or browse one of the volunteer matching websites for ideas. Start a list of ideas and ask your stakeholders to help you generate some ideas. If your heart is already speaking to you, make the contact and begin the process of volunteering.

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Do you feel a sense of Achievement?

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Do you feel a sense of achievement about your business? Or just busy and overwhelmed? The workday is just as long in either case, but how you feel at the end of the day provides clues to whether your business is on track towards your vision.

Achievement is being built upon a strategic framework when daily work is infused with mission, purpose and a sense of contribution to a vision. Purpose-driven achievement creates a positive daily sense of momentum in a business that leads to a cycle of higher achievement.

Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation. ~ Robert Schuller

If you’re missing the feeling of achievement at the end of the day, ask yourself a few questions to assess if you have the essential elements for an achievement-focused business:

1. Are you mastering the measurable? An achievement oriented business is driven by key performance indicators and critical success factors built upon the mission and goals. Stakeholders know the goals AND know how the business is performing against the indicators. Projects have deadlines and are directly lined up to strategic objectives. Every activity performed during the workday can directly be linked to the strategic mission and objectives of your business.

2. Have you made “systems” your friend (and technology your B***h)? What are the key systems required to deliver on your company mission? If you serve consumers, do you have a customer experience system? Is there an ideal set of processes, procedures, schedules, software applications, and so forth that efficiently move product to the hands of the customer? Technology is critical to automate systems and processes but is ineffective unless you’ve first defined HOW the process should work from the customers’ viewpoint.

3. Is business being hurt by an indispensable employee? Perhaps it’s time to get rid of the martyr mindset, starting with yourself. Busyness does not equal business and often the “indispensable” employee can become a bottleneck. If your business cannot function without the day-to-day work of any single individual, time to re-evaluate what and how that person can contribute to the business in a more innovative fashion. A culture of achievement is fostered in an environment of employee empowerment and one in which everyone feels essential but not critical to the company mission.

4. Are communication and team conflict issues slowing progress? Cultivate a high-achievement culture by establishing team norms. Norms are acceptable standards of behavior in a team – teams who define and operate according to agreed-upon norms generally perform at higher levels than those without norms. When team members understand norms and expectations, they are more empowered to resolve communication, conflict and decision-making issues – rising together to higher levels of achievement.
Keep in mind, all four elements of an achievement oriented organization are built upon the foundation of strategic goals, mission, vision, and core values AND are best continually nurtured, modelled, and communicated by the organization’s leadership team.

Small steps to a Better than Ever Business…
Awareness is the first best step. Take a look at your answers to the above questions. Which area is causing you the greatest pain, preventing achievement of your goals? Now choose one action item you can complete which moves you closer to mastering the habits of achievement. Share your experiences here.

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