Leadership and management are never easy skills. In every organization across Canada and especially around Edmonton, relationships and business have to go together. 2013 is the fastest-paced business environment in history; included in the often filled stress-driven work days are variables like conflict, goal setting, problem- solving, and decision making. These variables can often create frustration and miscommunication among leadership, management, groups and teams.
As leaders and managers, we have to address the individuals who might miss meetings on a regular basis, produce poor results, and operate as mavericks. Goals and objectives are affected when the effort does not exist.
If a business is challenged with these types of organizational problems, how do we fix them? Often the first concern is to focus on performance and attitude and address these issues quickly and efficiently; handling issues right just makes sense when focusing on Carnegie Principles.
Success comes from doing things right. Here are three strategies to consider:
- Being positive is important: In every case, positive communication helps with understanding the what and the why.
- Circumstances and situations: There might very well be valid reasons that have affected performance. Listening is a critical tool. Asking open ended questions will help get the information needed.
- Stuff happens: If something occurs once or twice, see if the behavior continues. Look at the big picture and see if the problem fixes itself. No one is perfect.
How leadership reacts and handles issues can really make the difference when issues of performance need to be addressed.
The three most fundamental techniques in handling people problems are found in “How to Win Friends & Influence People”, the famous Carnegie classic first published in 1936.
- Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.
- Give honest and sincere appreciation.
- Arouse in the other person an eager want.
Leadership is never easy and addressing performance is not simple. But doing things right makes the organization stronger and more focused on success. Common sense is integral to the teachings of Dale Carnegie. Use it every day for greater good.
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