So how does a leader within an organization manage their time effectively when it comes to people and who do they take the time to see and be with?  Leaders are pulled in all sorts of directions from employees, customers, shareholders, public inquiry, colleagues and more.

Here are a few guidelines you may wish to use in defining your time spent.

Your employees need you.

The foundation of a strong team is the building of strong team relationships.  Get to know them, what drives them, clarify your expectations and ask to know theirs.

Your customers want to know you.

Supporting your customer service team in doing a fantastic job keeps customers coming back time and again.  You don’t have to be the one responding, but you do need a team that will.

Your colleagues can respect your time.

Boundaries can only be set by you.  You define the number of distractions and detours you will respond to and attend.  Burnout happens because we allow it, colleagues respect us more when we are clear about our boundaries up front.

A balance of all of these relationships and the time and energy you put to them will be different for every leader, the secret is in understanding your direction and building the plan to meet your goals.

Patti is a strategic advisor in Leadership Development, Customer Service and Culture through Mergers and Acquisition. You can book her to speak at her Speakers Page.

Need Strategic Sense for your business? – hire us for Leadership Development of individuals & teams, group training and company strategy. Happy Workplaces Succeed, take the path to get there. 403-201-8512

In the last few years I have promoted that one cannot lead well until they have learned first to lead themselves.  This is exceptionally true of an entrepreneur, for if they cannot lead themselves their business suffers.  Good business means income, and for an entrepreneur, time is money.

Every minute of every working day must be led and managed effectively to ensure a steady income.  They are doing business, just like anyone in a typical “job”.  The difference between the misconception and reality is this:

They are flexible, not available

Between the hours of 8am – 5pm they are still working, in fact, they are usually working between the hours of 5pm – 10pm just not as one would typically define “work”.  To best lead self, an entrepreneur will need to be very selective in the activities they agree to take part.  Why?

Because every hour they spend being with, doing for and making themselves available may be an hour they are not busy generating income for their business.

A casual coffee is much like taking an hour-long leave of absence without pay.

Entrepreneurs, to lead yourself well, decide if the activity in which you are being asked to take part will in some way lead to building a better business for you, or if it is precious time you are giving freely as a gift to another.  How many gifts are you able to give, and to whom?

Patti is a strategic adviser in Leadership Development, Customer Service and Culture through Mergers and Acquisition. You can book her to speak at her Speakers Page.

Need Strategic Sense for your business? – hire us for Leadership Development of individuals & teams, group training and company strategy. Happy Workplaces Succeed, take the path to get there. 403-201-8512

image curtesy of Peignier Christian

Have you ever been shopping and some person has parked their jag up on the side-walk next to the building?  The first thing I think when I see that is ‘wow, arrogant’.

I love to see people find success, in fact, it is what I am all about – helping people and companies reach their full potential.  I think when someone works really hard, begins to earn the big bucks and has taken the kind of risks it takes to get to the top of the ladder that is cause for celebration.  But celebrate how? By not having to follow the same rules as everyone else?

I would caution, celebrating with arrogance leads to team disaster.   We see it in leadership positions and companies all the time.  During one of my meetings yesterday we talked about the “Caste System Hierarchy” that exists in some companies.  The ‘peon’ attitude of arrogance; people who make the assumption they do not have to respect those in positions ‘beneath’ theirs.   Thus, their treatment of their peers is significantly more respectful than that of their ‘subordinates’.

Your challenge:  Take the time to look inside yourself and determine if you judge or treat people differently because of what you own or have. (House, car, title, income, education)

All people are equal.  Diversity is key to a well balanced life, organization and relationships.  Everyone is a contributor – people simply offer different opportunities and experiences.  Learn about them, respect them and you will be surprised by how much you learn from those you once judged.

Patti is a strategic adviser in Leadership, Customer Service and Small business. You can book her to speak at her Speakers Page.

Need Strategic Sense for your business? – hire us for Leadership Development of individuals & teams, group training and company strategy. Happy Workplaces Succeed, take the path to get there. 403-201-8512