Treat your people highest

My wife was telling me about her work this morning. It seems that her colleagues just could not jive with her in terms of work. Seems that they just could not listen to her opinion, suggestions and recommendations.

I faced with that problem too when I was serving under a semi-government body. I get lots of disagreement etc etc. Being at an executive level doesn't really help. Well, really, an executive doesn't have to think, he only execute, right? Yes and No. Yes, if you want to remain an executive throughout your career and no, if you want your superiors to notice your capabilities and you want to move up the career ladder.

When faced with that kind of problem, this is what I always do:
Lead by Example.

For instance, you can't get anyone to help you out on a very challenging task. All your colleagues would just say they are too busy. What do you? Bite the bullet, grit your teeth, and just DO IT. Regardless how painful the experience / tasks are.

Everytime, you do this, I can bet, your colleagues will slowly (but surely) will follow suit. You set the trend! Not to mentioned, your superiors will definitely see you as a very capable person. Great if you want to get promote, eh?

There are lots of advantages by using this strategy....I'll discuss one -
a) When you have proven yourself - you hold them by their 'BALLS'. Think about it this way, - only you can handle the task, no one else can (since no one volunteered to help you thus they lose the opportunity to learn). No matter how small and simple that tasks are - only you can do it perfectly!

I'll write more on the advantages later this week....till then CHEERS.

Connect with your people

Many top organisation leaders, somehow too consumed with what they do, sometimes forget the importance of the people below them. The top leaders usually seem have unlimited energy and will not rest and get things done their way, until they fail to make simple human connection between themselves and their people.

Most leaders forget the human element in organisations. Most leaders do not make effort to 'connect' with the workers. Leaders who tends to do only business often end up losing the business AND the people, but leaders who nurture and tend to the people below them usually will build up and develop the people - and the business.

Think about it this way.

Try completing a simple household chore with a child. You know you can complete the chore without the help of a child in seconds! Having a child, you need to supervise, instruct, guide, reorganise, refocus and sometimes motivate to keep the child focused on the chore (depending on the child's age). Tough eh?

Sure, it's tough guiding a child, but in a long run, you develop qualities of the child to be a better person. you need to sacrifice, if you want to see your child learn, grow and reach their potential.

IT IS SIMILAR TO EMPLOYEES/PEOPLE. Sacrifice your time/agenda/meetings to get to know your people. Develop them. Most of the time your people moves a little bit slower than you, It's OK, you can move at their pace. Connect and slow down your pace.

CHEERS!