Something important.

I have not written in some time. The reason? I did not have anything to say.

 

I believe strongly that the only reason to write (and for that matter, speak) is to share something important, something that has the potential to add significant value to the lives of others. Outside of this, as the saying goes, it is hard to improve upon silence.

 

I now have something to say.

 

What I will share is not of my own thinking, but rather, that of others whose work I think is brilliant. Brilliant because it is simple to understand, can be applied immediately and perhaps most importantly, delivers career-advancing results.

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Hurt, Help or Impress?

It has been said that when we communicate with others we are doing one of three things. We are either trying to:

• Hurt
• Help, or
• Impress

Today, pay attention to your communication with others. Notice how often your truest intention in that communication is to either hurt or impress those involved. Also, notice the result when your intention is only to help another.

Caution:

People know when we are genuinely interested in them and their success. They know when our truest intention is to help, and they will always respond by genuinely caring about us and wanting to return the assistance. This is the secret sauce in business.  

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Sales Success: The Right Way Around.

For several years now (seven to be exact) I have been toying with an idea I call the right way around. Let me explain.

Many of us, in our desire to achieve something in business (or in life), drive straight towards our desired target, afraid that if we do not control every aspect of the situation, we will not reach our goal. This is the Type A approach, with which I must say I am intimately familiar.

Whether our goal is to achieve a specific sale or reach an overall business objective, the tendency is to focus on it and direct all our thoughts and efforts toward achieving that exact result.

This method, however, does not necessarily lead to the results we seek, and in my experience, I have often found it to be counterproductive to doing so.  

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Beyond the need to be right. Do what works.

Have you ever been so worked up about a work-related relationship that you were unable to sleep? Have you even found yourself spending time rehearsing your next response (aka retaliation), time you could have enjoyed, only to get angrier with each repetition?

Of course, most of us have. I can’t believe him (her, that team, department, client … fill in the blank)!, we self-righteously say to ourselves.

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Dangerous Conversations – The Leader’s Tool

How often do you engage in the kind of conversation that stimulates changes in performance? Before you answer this question, reflect on the following: How many conversations do you have during an average day? How many of these simply function as social lubricants helping you slide through the day without having to address the real and important issues you face? How many of them really matter?

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