You don’t always get what you want

Following the leader can sometimes be tricky. You ask…why?
Not all leaders are actual leaders. They may have been put in the position of authority for or by various reasons such as: dads’son, looking out for a best friend, a vacancy needs filling asap.
  When looking up to the leader here are a few qualities to keep on mind.
1. Do they have integrity
2. Do they lead by example
3. Are they looking out for you
4. Is there an attitude of pleasure in helping others.

   Look for these and similar traits in your leader, if you’re that leader, do you possess these yourself

#leadership, #consulting, #building dreams, teams, and friends for life

Good morning!

Check out what @jackarnold made with #PicsArt http://go.picsart.com/f1Fc/Sdm3uzavfA

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Leadership…Legacy Extension pt2

Legacy Leadership is the extension of ones self. Leadership is having followers work for you and even with you. LL is having them not only with you but thru you.

They emulate you. Not that’s not to say there is an ego crisis going on here, but the pure, simple truth is that you are looked at with a high regard of respect. They gladly take on the extension of your leadership. They do what you would/will do, whether you’re there or not. If you’re at a meeting down the hall, or visiting a client on the other side of town, they replicate in your absence.

WHY? WHY? WHY? and WHY?

Simply put, your relationship with those you lead are so close so tight, they wouldn’t want it any other way. Take the Navy Seals Teams for instance. They work together for so long so close, training, resting, training, learning, training. They get to know each others next move, almost spontaneously. Like having one body, one mind.

         “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

                                                                                                      John C. Maxwell

Same with the organization you all work for. You want to flow as one organism. The Apostle Paul said it this way, “You know what kind of men we proved ourselves to be among you for YOUR good. And you set yourselves to become imitators of us and through us of the Lord Himself…” Thess: 1:5-6

 NOTICE: Here Paul states that these followers were imitators of himself as he was/is an imitator of the Lord. That they made the mind set to do just that. It was a deliberate act!

Legacy leaders admonish when need be, but not to the point of your follower feeling persecution. Your leadership should always put your followers needs and growth first in front of your own. This display of humility is so strong  on your behalf, that none of these wonderful followers you have to lead will ever, never dispute your judgement.

Great leaders should not be “passive-positives” as what political scientist James David Barber calls it. This is when the manager/supervisor enjoys such title, accolades, and privileges, but has no intention of filling the duties in full. They avoid confrontation, have a hard time confronting difficult issues, and find conversation hard to deal with. They aren’t emotionally engaged in the work process, some find it hard at home as well.

I knew a supervisor who dodged the upper management team for two whole months. When they finally caught up to him he was laid-off. They figured if they didn’t get what they needed from him, and he was getting paid, “Dump him!” was their final word.

As a legacy leader you want to be active, not passive. You want your behavior to be transactional and transformational. By transactional you are identifying performance expectations with utmost clarity, and rewarding when those performances are met. Transformational is meaning that you are fully engaged in passing your knowledge to the other person. Followers emulate their leader!

Also, you as this extraordinary leader that you are, realize that no two people are alike, and you don’t treat them as such. Treat your followers as individuals, reach them on each of their levels. No, they don’t all move at the same pace, so your patience is sometimes highly required.

Food for thought: Some leaders at this point would throw in the towel, and get rid of those types of followers. But patience is the virtue that overrides this perspective to create a great follower in the end.

Check out the first of this series: Admonish, Nurture, A Legacy Leadership

Also:  Want to be a great leader?

Here at Arnold Group, we are “Building dreams, teams, and friends for life, not just clients!”

Admonish, Nurture, A Legacy Leadership

We’ve all talked about Leadership, Servant-Leadership (which is a start), but what about a transparent leader? How about…

 

Being a Legacy Leader!

What is a legacy leader, what does it look like, what does it do?

Well, let’s start with what they are not, and don’t do.

They never lead from behind.

They never ask for anything that CAN’T be done.

They never ask from you what they haven’t done themselves. (Within limits, of course)

They never make rules no one can follow, or not follow themselves.

They never gossip about their followers.

They never condemn nor condone bad actions.

They never play the blame game on others.

What legacy leaders do:

They always lead from the front. They are the point men and women.

They always ask from you what you are capable of.

They always push you into a growth zone.

They always build their followers, working on their strengths.

They always admonish and nurture when things go awry.

They take the heat for their followers when it gets down to it.

They give positive affirmation and praise for a job well done.

Think on these questions

They go with you side by side on any frontier or tread any new waters. Legacy Leaders go above and beyond their call of duty.

                You are asking your followers to, “Do as I say, and do as I do!”

You ask why would they do such a thing, why don’t they just do their time, make sure everyone did what they should have and call it a day? That’s why they are called…

 

“LEGACY LEADERS!”

What kind of legacy will you leave to the next generation of managers after you retire or are gone. Would your dream be to be remembered as the “jerk that didn’t care” That wouldn’t last too long. But the guy or gal that went the extra mile, spent that extra minute or hour helping a follower get it right, put her/him on the right path to become perhaps a stellar performer, that’s one of the things a legacy leader does.

AHH, but there’s more!

A Legacy Leader does one giant step greater. That’s to live that legacy in the present, not after they’ve moved on. Followers watch what’s done more than hear what’s said. That old saying, “I can’t hear what you’re saying, because your actions are speaking louder!” Don’t let that be said of you.

You can touch them, speak to them any time, almost hear their heart beat. Why? They get up close and personal with their followers. They’re not afraid to be vulnerable with those they lead. Napoleon was a leader such as that. He knew the names of his soldiers and knew of their families, Gen. Patten, the same.

You are training the next generation to be great leaders as yourself, to take up the gauntlet in your stead.

Jesus when he walked the earth did just that. He was and is the ultimate Legacy Leader of all time. He taught his disciples to be just as himself, and after two millennia, his followers still grow.

Stepping into this kind of leadership is demanding non the doubt, but the rewards are stupendous. Here at Arnold Group, we are “Building dreams, teams, and friends for life, not just clients!”

Culture! Everyone’s Talking Culture

 

Everybody wants to either create a new culture for their organization or do it from scratch. Which of the two do you declare is your venue? Or maybe you haven’t thought of needing one, or more-so never thought of having a culture at all.

But, now that I put it in front of you, you’re thinking, “To have a culture, or not to have?” AHH..the question!

Cultures play different roles in different organizations. No two cultures are alike! Just as no two people are alike. What one type of culture can do for one may not do the same for another; not that its bad, it just doesn’t fit your type of organization.

  “Creating a culture for your company is like picking a suit/dress, or shoes it has to feel, look,  and wear just right or it won’t go far.”

Next question to ask yourself is, “What kind of culture do I want for my organization?” Sophisticated, light, cheerful, fun, debonair (to name a few)? Maybe a mix, such as fun yet sophisticated, light yet debonair.

                                                                  Don’t go for dark or

                                                    gloomy, you’ll chase people away.

Seriously though, you need to think of the atmosphere you want to portray in your company. Think of it as a stimulus. You want it to perpetrate all the persons involved; to be a part of something bigger than themselves to invade their personage (in a good way).

The type of business you run plays a major part in the culture type you need to have in order to be successful for years to come. It’s not a one size fits all, it has to be true to you and the mission you’re on, the end being in mind from the beginning.

What do clients see when they walk into your respective business, especially new clientele? First time impressions mean everything, whether it’s a date, first day at a new career move, a meeting, etc. What does your opening act personify to the client?

How can culture affect employees, 1. they are eager to start their day, or 2. just another day at the office, blah, blah, blah?

Culture is always there, (good or bad) whether we observe it or not.

Your Culture is the very essence of your company, it’s the heart and core values wrapped up in everything you and your company stand for.

  A good introduction is the book Corporate Cultures by Terrence Deal and Allan Kennedy.  A more in-depth examination is the book The Cultures of Work Organizations by Harrison Trice and Janice Beyer. These will help you start your “Cultural journey”. 

Happy culturing! Cheers, Jack

A Recipe For Your Success

 

Here are some simple and practical things to follow when “baking“ up your business. You can add as you see fit to baking up your personal brand, but these should be a stand-out and starting point.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

 

This recipe is for a great Customer/Client relationship. Creating Satisfaction is one of the chief goals you want your client/customer to have. Your first ingredient is a:

Lg dose Great Customer Service. Not just CS but GREAT CS , with no BS. This is the foundation just as flour is to a cake. How does your customer service rate with your clients/customers? 

 

    “Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, That’s real power.” 

Clint Eastwood

 

Having Respect for your clients/customers as well as yourself is very important also. Their needs and yours should be both be met. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, that knowledge will further your relationship before you get blindsided. It blends these next few things that are added to our batter.

Pour in a lot of Honesty & Integrity. These will bring sustenance to the batter holding it together which creates and builds a strong Trust; something that cannot be left out. Without trust your batter will fail; they hold all of these ingredients together.

    “To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.”  George MacDonald  

 

Loyalty: Do you want their loyalty. The one that stays when others come around they will stick with you; because you already have their best interest at hand. A big cup full of this.

                    “Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration,

                        wonderful things can be achieved.”              Mattie Stepanek

   

Commitment. Your commitment and theirs is a two way street. The commitment to one another to grow a fantastic personal and organizational relationship is what you’re looking for. For this lots of sprinkle!

Communication. Once you’re engaged in real time communicating, you’ll pick up on things in conversation. Almost like finishing the others sentences. You’ll pick on things when they’re going good, or when they’re heading south.

 

    “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”

     Peter Drucker

 

Delight: You want your clients/customers to be extremely delighted in the fact that your commitment to them is in fact genuine. Bring a smile to their face, pour it on!

 

     “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.”

      Sydney J. Harris

What do you Experience while working with your clients/customers, what do they experience when working with you? The whole atmosphere should smell of the aroma of a great experience you and your client/customer share.

Now the icing…

A single mind/motive is having you share this cake with your clients/customers with smiles from ear to ear.Why?

Devotion is holding you all together. Caring for each others business growth and personal growth. When was the last time you celebrated a contractual anniversary with your client/customer. Try it, throw an office party with them, don’t over do it (you may scare them), but show your yourself caring about your commitment to them.

This is brought to you from Arnold Group’s Sphere-Logic Business Thinking.

Thanks for taking the time for this baking class.

Cheers, Jack

Middle Managers Prospectus

As managers, we have come to the conclusion that we have to do it all, ‘get er done’, keep things moving, etc. When in fact (admit it or not) we can not do it all, even in delegation there are times when you are short-handed, low on allotted time on that days’ schedule; and you realize it wont be done today. 

What do we do?

 You put your best on the job for each particular position at hand and hope for the best possible outcome… right? Wrong!! There are things we can do to make life a bit less complicated. This is new for some and just a small reminder for the seasoned manager.

Here are 6 steps to help you ‘get er done’ in some of your most pressing days:

1. Listen! Listen! Listen!

What do you hear the producers saying on the production floor? Does any have a thoughtful strategy? Could be they thought this thru before you; after all, they operate the day to day. Your associates are closest to almost all the situations on the production floor. Feedback is very, very important, listening even more-so.

                               Then you must act on that info!

2. Make each step count.

Consider each step a stepping stone toward the goal. Well thought out moves are done before you make a move, not during, takes place. Are the right people for the job selected? Look ahead for obstacles that can and will arise. Plan an execution for each.

 Cross-training should be an essential part of any manufacturing culture. A/G specializes in group and one on one training methods to ensure production control.

3. It only works if you work it!

Many a good intentional plans have gone to dust because of poor execution or none at all. Try working the scenarios in your head, with a colleague, on paper, etc first; but do it or it won’t get done!

Procrastination is a major production killer for any organization. Thinking things thru is one thing, but letting go, even for a time, is another.

4. Don’t drift!

This happens quite a bit. No one does this deliberately, but you may start out over here doing the right things, someone calls you for one thing or another,

all of a sudden you catch yourself an hour or so later not doing what your main intentions were. You must stick to the point and plan at hand.

5. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself or your team above and beyond!

Growth comes from stretching and building. Muscles don’t grow unless you put pressure against them, same thing here applies. Your associates won’t get mad or angry with you, they will see it as a measure of trust you put on and in them. (If they see it otherwise, they aren’t team members)

Which leads us to:

6. Be immersed in the growth process!

Leaders lead by example, not from the side-lines. Give it your all, they will follow suit. There’s nothing worse than coming up with plans, strategies, and thought processes that never come to fruition.

Arnold Group has been serving businesses, manufacturing companies, career climbing men and women for some time now. “Building dreams, teams, and friends for life, not just clients!”

Planted or Buried?

 

Are we buried or planted? Let’s start with buried.

Buried goes in the ground as doesn’t come back, but decomposes; and hopefully it’ll stay there..if it does run! (A little humor) Buried isn’t coming back, once it’s over, it’s ‘OVER’.

Better run!

When you’ve planted a seed (buried) in the ground it germinates over time and grows. It starts out frail and delicate, but with some watering and plenty of sun that seed that was is growing into a hearty, thriving plant; be it a flower or a tree.

Take notice of the differences: Both went into the ground, but only one is coming out. Also, it’s not coming out the same way it went in.

Jesus talked about the mustered seed, ‘Though it be the smallest of seeds, it’s branches grow big enough to house the birds for food and shelter.’

St. Paul talked about the fruit of the Spirit. Fruit grows on trees, which came from seeds. Psalm 1 says you will be like a tree planted by rivers of living water (growing and thriving through the Spirit of the Living God).

The Word of God is the seed in you (Jesus in me, the hope of glory). Your reading His word is the water to grow that seed in you. The Father gave His SON to shine in and through you so you can be the tree to shade those are in your life to show His love and grace.

 ‘You are dead (seed buried) in Christ, yet you live (grow and have your being)…you live unto Christ!’

 “Look at the lilies of the field, they neither sow nor toil, yet Solomon in ALL his glory didn’t compare.” He did not have the Spirit of Christ living in him, BUT you do!

What can and will kill the good seed is jealousy, anger, bitterness, UNFORGIVENESS. This is detrimental ground to be in. [Giving forgiveness releases your pain not theirs, they may not even know of your pain and anger.]

When Jesus came to the fig tree and saw it had no (good) fruit, He commanded it to wither. Heaven forbid He would have to say that to us today for not abiding in Him.

“To Be or Not To Be? That Is The Question”                                                               

                                                             Hamlet

So, we ask ourselves again, are we planted (growing, thriving, baring fruit) or buried (dead in anger, bitterness, unforgiveness)? A little fertilizer of thought for today.

Getting Serious About Change

 

The higher the Altitude the better your perspective.

In my writings I like to take to the different view rather than follow the same-ole-same-ole. Be it for the challenge of your mind to think in different quantum’s? I suppose so! Otherwise, wouldn’t it be hum-drum to read the same story with a different title? SO, let’s do the twist!

  Whether you can agree with me or not, don’t you like a challenge of thought processes now and again? Just as Sphere-Logic Business Thinking drove some up the wall a few years back, but now everyone has jumped my

bandwagon of destroying the “BOX” mentality! Unfortunately, for some, the box has held them captive to this date and time. The box was fine back in the day; thinking outside it was the next move; BUT it’s time to roll on!

Getting rid of the box was/is great, but now they’re outside the box wandering around scratching their heads, “Now what?”. [There are a few companies out here getting on the “Sphere” thinking mentality. Check out a couple my earlier writings on the subject.]

Everyone talks about change, they’ll tell you change is good and they would like to; but no one does anything to change what it is to make that change in the first place.

You first have to have a change in mind. Without a new mind-set, it’s not going to happen. You need a vision (dream) along with motivation, inspiration, and even perspiration if need be.

  Before we go any farther, let’s ask “WHY” do we want change? WHAT is it we want to change, others, things, circumstances?  Right off the bat, good luck trying to change others; inanimates will be more easy to change, and self will take on much more of a discipline; but that’s exactly where we need to go. “SELF”

Attitude is center on the sphere of things to change — to change that mindset. Your attitude will reflect your persona for the day or your general personality for life.  Know the cliche’, “misery loves company”, well, you will find it if it doesn’t knock you over first.

I always say, “Good Attitude is High Altitude!” I won’t explain that thought, I want you to think on it. The moment your feet touch the floor in the morning your first thoughts should be that of a positive nature.

Thankful for a new day, a new beginning, the shot at making this one better than the last.

                CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE – CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

If you’re waking up thinking ‘here we go again’, or ‘in 9 more hours it’ll all be over’, you’re starting your day defeated before you even start. Some of you might like

1. only your job,

2. only your coworkers, or

3. may not like your boss,

4. your direct reports or subordinates,

5. a few may not like anything but the paycheck at weeks end.

 Real Life sample: 

  Coaching a production manager just a few short months ago, she had an altitude problem. She couldn’t see the whole picture, she only saw what she wanted. Her personal agenda, self preservation, and a slight ego got in the way. I was hired by the president by the company to help bring her along before the inevitable would take place. (So you see, I wasn’t on her team so to speak, and her team was that of ONE.)

  It took a couple months to raise her altitude in order to correct attitude.  Direct reports had ideas, if she liked them she made them hers and if she didn’t she would blast them out the door. As far as associates on the production floor, not even the time of day. She had a mission, to get to the top no matter who gets hurt. Unfortunately, she didn’t realize she was heading for the door without knowing it.  That is, until the day of our first meeting.

  The President  thought she was a great production manager; the work got done with aggravated effort, but she needed much refining in the team-working -social arena. Some times it takes a little more work to correct the path we’re on.

Which of these above areas are you in ? I may be talking to Exec’s as well. Life may have gotten out of control  a degree or two. You have got to change your attitude in order to change your life! In the case of our PM above, she’s coming along.

We don’t have to agree all the time on everything, but we should all still get along and respect each others thoughts and perspectives.

There are times you have to let go of something in order to hold onto something else. That takes change, an attitude adjustment, to let go of the old and grasp the new. Are you ready for change in this new year? You can start today, tell yourself one thing you want to change out loud. Come on, you can do it, you talk to everyone else, you mumble to self (negatively). It’s time to speak aloud the changes you want/need to make, and follow thru one step at a time.

Arnold Group has been

“Building dreams, teams, and friends for life, not just clients!”

since 2002