Welcome to the May 2007 issue of Rise & Shine
Your Leadership Solutions and Resource Newsletter!
Bright Lights (Tips/Solutions)
For the next several months, Rise & Shine will continue to highlight tips and suggestions from
The 10 Keys of Effective Supervision™:
- Support Growth
- Unite With Your Team
- Praise Others
- Expect Excellence
- Require Accountability
- Verify Potential
- Instill Independence
- Share Continuously
- Optimize Ownership
- Reinforce Relationships
This month's focus is on the ninth Key – Optimize Ownership:
According to the Rising Sun model, "Optimize Ownership" is defined as: "Creating opportunities for employees to contribute to and feel a part of the organization."
At Rising Sun Consultants, we believe strongly that it is critical that employees are made to feel a part of the organizational community, rather than part of an administration versus worker environment. This characteristic sets servant leadership apart from past leadership styles, in that instead of dictating to staff members the decisions that are made, buy-in is obtained by the leader setting the stage simply through open communication. Some examples of strategies a leader or supervisor can use to optimize ownership include:
- Participatory Strategic Planning Sessions
- Encouraging Risk Taking
- Empowering Employees with New Projects
- Capitalize on Talents
- Include Employees in Major Decision Making
- Utilize Collaborative Decision Making.
Oh yes, don't forget, one more important strategy -Think Profit Sharing!
Shining Stars (Best Practices)
Drayer Physical Therapy Institute is this month's Organization of Excellence. Founded in 2002, this organization has already grown to 600 employees. A servant leadership approach has helped this partner-led company to develop a culture of trust and accountability…the kind of place where people enjoy working. In fact, this company earned the honor of being one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania in both 2004 and 2005 in the medium-size company category. Here are a few of the strategies this organization has promoted to create a place where people look forward to spending their days:
- A commitment to put the needs of the patients above all else. Decisions about patient care are based on patient needs, and not based on their own schedules, billing policies or insurance payments.
- A concerted effort to develop mutual loyalty with employees. To promote this environment, the leadership has made a choice to help and support their employees to the extreme.
- A strong core value system provides guidelines that help people to "do the right thing" (i.e., to make ethical, moral decisions).
- A mindset that what they do is not just work. It is a "calling to be good stewards of the blessings they've been given and bringing to each day a sense of noble purpose."
- A strong desire to invest in the employees. For example, they give close to 25% of the bottom line back to employees in bonuses, and they spend a significant amount of money on employee professional development.
The administrators of this organization strive to lead with "bold humility," which is a key characteristic of high level leadership. When daily actions are governed by integrity, honesty, loyalty and self-discipline, it is no wonder that this organization is doing so well so young. We thank Luke Drayer, Chief Executive Officer, for meeting with us to talk about this organization. For more information about Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, call them at (717) 220-2100.
World Views (In the News)
Teach Your Customers Something New
By incorporating fresh ideas into your pitches, you're more likely to capture your audience's imagination—and land their business
During a discussion on the topic of leadership communications, a prominent venture capitalist mentioned that one of the things he looks for in a pitch is whether the speaker teaches him something he never knew before. He explained that he wants to invest in people who are smarter than he is. Another venture capitalist said the same thing: If an entrepreneur can teach him something new, it's a surefire way to capture his imagination—and perhaps his backing.
Teach your listeners something new. It's especially important when pitching new customers or selling new services and products to existing customers. Your customers want to know that you're on the cutting edge, that you're "smarter" than they are in a given area. It gives them confidence in you. The more confident they are in your leadership, the more likely you are to land and keep their business.
Never Use the Same Story Twice
You can only offer new lessons if you continue to learn—and you cannot continue to learn unless you're curious. Captivating business leaders are curious about the world in which they live and the world in which they do business. But they take it one step further: Leaders who are magnificent communicators incorporate what they learn into their conversations, presentations, and pitches. Be curious. Learn something new and transmit that information to your audiences. It will you help stand out.
Financial guru Suze Orman keeps conversations topical by never using the same story twice. "Money is fluid," Orman said. "If I use a story, it happened a few minutes before or it comes up spontaneously. When one has a stable of stories, it takes you back to the past rather than keeping you in the moment, where you need to be. I try to keep my mind clear and have the faith that when I need something, it will be there. Otherwise, I have to think back to a story. It takes me out of the moment. If I lose my audience for one second, I've lost them. I never, ever use the same story twice."
Orman is one of the most successful financial planners in the world for a reason. She communicates complex financial topics in simple language. But more importantly, she makes the information interesting.
Break Out of the Mold
What contemporary references can you include in your next presentation? Think about popular movies, events, or music. When's the last time you shared new management strategies, insights, or book recommendations with your colleagues, customers, or employees? What can you share with them to improve the way they do business? Do you read the same newspapers and magazines every week? If so, break out of the mold and read something completely out of character. You will be surprised at how much fresh material you will be able to incorporate into your speeches, pitches, and presentations by climbing out of your shell.
Think back to your last pitch or presentation. Did you incorporate anything that happened that day or that week? Make it a point to learn something new and to bring that information into your conversations as it applies to your company and your client. If you learn something at a conference, from a newspaper or magazine article, or from a book, share that information with your customers. You don't need to be an expert in each topic you mention, but by incorporating fresh ideas into your pitches, you will be far more engaging and likely to land their business.
(Adapted from Carmine Gallo, BuisnessWeek.com, May 10, 2007)
Rays of Hope (Stories/Parables)
Proverbs
9: 7-9
He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself.
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. |
Thank You
On behalf of all of us at Rising Sun Consultants, we want to thank you for reviewing the May edition of our Rise & Shine Newsletter. As always, we invite you to visit our website (www.risingsunconsultants.com).
Until next month: Always Keep Your Eyes on the New Horizon! |
