To achieve your desired results, clarify what you expect from your relationships, your business, your employees, even your personal relationships. As Brian Tracy says in The Psychology of Achievement, you must 1) tell people what to expect, and 2) follow through on those expectations. See many of us make the deadly mistake of assuming that people know!
That makes sense, right? If you ask employees to arrive by a certain time each morning, and someone shows up late without consequences, your staff assumes your timeliness standard isn’t important. Without follow through, more and more employees will arrive late. Why? Because when you do not follow through, you send a message that it is no big deal. Same true in your business. If you say to someone that you meet at a networking meeting you will call them and then do not, you send a message what it was “no big deal.” And that is deadly as a small business owner.
Over my 15 years of coaching leaders and business owners, I’ve added two of my own key steps to Brian Tracy’s advice. The first is to know what you expect. Think about how you, as a leader, view flex time, paid time off, and other policies, and come up with your own standards. That way, you’ll know exactly what to tell your employees. This will increase your odds of being consistent.
The next piece is to communicate assertively. Otherwise, your staff will be frustrated. Want an easy way to achieve assertive communication? When you make a request, stop sticking that big, old “but” into things!
Seriously, look at the difference one word can make:
“I know you’re busy now, but I need you to comment on this report.”
“I know you’re busy now, and I need five minutes to discuss this report in the next hour.”
“That’s a really great idea, but that’s not what we’re talking about right now.”
“That’s a really great idea. I’d like to add it to our agenda for next time, will you email me a reminder to do so?”
Notice how the second sentences present clear, respectful expectations.
Next Post: Leadership Style!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
