sheldon1creates

What makes a quality leader

Well, I have had a very interesting time meeting many new people and learning the benefits of networking and also what a vast amount of knowledge is available to those who actually ask. I was recently asked to name the qualities of a good leader and after giving this much thought, realised that some of the absolutely key attributes are very simple and easy to put into practise. I have been honoured to mix and hear some of the best leaders in the world speak and advise and without a doubt all of them talk about their teams and how much they listen to them. Many of these men and women also base their success on their intuitive ability to select good people and openly admit that they alone could not have or know everything BUT by surrounding themselves with well educated experts and passionate business people, they have been able to focus on pure leadership drive and create inspirational vision which their teams implement superbly. So.... with this in mind here are some tips on been a great leader

1. Listen to your clients, your business and your people

2. Make clear and precise decisions based upon facts not emotion

3. Connect emotionally and passionately to your people - they are the front line and connect to most of your client base

4. Walk the talk - be seen and be seen to act

5. Don't expect everyone to agree or understand BUT ensure you do everything possible to make sure they do

6. Put a good communication plan in place and monitor it to ensure it moves with the business

7. Appreciate your people - they make you successful

8. Don't be afraid to be different or inspirational - just do it

9. Make sure everyone who is 'on the bus' is making it a good trip and contributing the right skills

10. Don't be afraid to admit you don't know and then make sure you have the people who do

11. Make the business goals and vision accessible at all levels

12. Check and review - ensure a trustworthy advisor in place to give you accurate and objective overviews

13. Size doesn't matter when you are a good leader - communicate and connect and use your people skills first and foremost

14. Leading does not always mean you have to be the only one stood at the front all the time - give your people space to grow and impress There is nothing worse than leading from the front only to turn around and find yourself alone!

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YOU are amazing

Be your own champion!

If you’ve been following the Olympics you may of noticed that if Yorkshire were a country we would be seventh in the medals table.

‘Yorkshire folk are wonderful, wonderful people known for their hard work and

sheer Yorkshire grit.’ Dickie Bird

That sure makes me proud to be from such a strong and dedicated county, but you don’t have to be an Olympian gold medallist to have the mind of a champion.
We all have achievements, small or large. Even today I had to teach my daughter how to make fresh coffee, that’s an achievement in my eyes!
To succeed, it does take commitment and hard work, there is no sailing through life, and if there was, there would be no fulfilment, and personally I believe the journey is more important than the end result. Being a champion does not mean winning, it means fighting for your honour and your rights. You have the right to succeed, whether it’s being a dedicated mother, or a cyclist. I know the stresses and strains of both the parental and business environment, and I have no regrets, because the experience you gain is more fulfilling then having millions of pounds in the bank. I can sure say I have more to show for it within myself as a person.
I am very proud of our Yorkshire Olympians, not for winning, but for the dedication they put into their journeys to achieve their goals.
I believe we can all apply this to our own lives and train our minds to get the most from each day. I have always believed that you get out what you put in, and I have raised my children to never give up.
Life is a competition, not with others, but with you own self. Always make a challenge, keep topping your achievements, make your own personal records and you will be your own champion!

 

challenge to change

All Change...or is it?

There has been so much in the news and press circulating about the current economic downturn and the effects on all markets and industries that the general feeling is to take cover and head for the hills......but I challenge this with a call to action for a real innovative battle cry to use this as an opportunity to reassess, regroup and turn the dial for our businesses.

Marketing has historically had it’s bashers and complainers but most of the information we base our strategies on comes from good solid market information. I am a great believer in integrated marketing communications and utilising these tools effectively to fully implement and understand our markets, sectors and output and give us clear measurable information to speed up business decisions and more fool the business that thinks it can rely on cut backs and lowering prices to survive – this is short sighted and definitely not an innovative way to look to the future. We should not presume our products are what our customers want just because we make them – we should invest in knowing what are customer needs and provide them with it at a good profitable price and to the standard expected. We should be analysing the market trends now and the consumers perspective and planning and producing what the industry needs before it knows it needs it – that leads to competitive edge and not price comparison – too many times have we relied on capacity rather than innovative solutions. Everything a company does, says or makes is a potential touchpoint to the consumer and we should utilise this especially in the current climate when there are so many different mediums to use which can be measured for ROI.

The following tips for change may be useful to kick off the thought processes and sense check current strategies

1. Establish a sense of urgency
   - examine market and competitive realities
   - identify and discuss crises, potential crises or major opportunities.
   
    
2. Form a powerful, guiding coalition
   - assemble a group with enough power to lead the change effort
   - encourage the group to work together as a team.
   
    
3. Create a vision
   - create a vision to help direct the change effort
   - develop strategies for achieving that vision.
   
    
4. Communicate the vision
   - use every vehicle possible to communicate the new vision and strategies
   - teach new behaviours by the example of the guiding coalition.
   
    
5. Empower others to act on the vision
   - get rid of obstacles to change
   - change systems or structures that seriously undermine the vision
   - encourage risk taking and non-traditional ideas, activities and actions.
   
    
6. Plan and create short term wins
   - plan for visible performance improvements
   - create those improvements
   - recognise and reward employees involved in the improvements.
   
    
7. Consolidate improvements and produce still more change
   - use increased credibility to change systems, structures and policies that don't fit the vision
   - hire, promote and develop employees who can implement the vision
   - reinvigorate the process with new projects themes and change agents.
   
    
8. Institutionalise new approaches
   - articulate the connections between the new behaviours and corporate success
   - develop the means to ensure leadership development and succession.

 “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Darwin