Meetings, meetings and, oops, another meeting

Stephen Lynch from Results.com has a great strategy he uses to ensure when he is meeting with a team member, its a productive discussion:

As a leader, you want to encourage your people to think though the issues first, and make good decisions themselves.  Alternatively, if it is a situation where they really do need your input or sign off – you want them to present all the options along with their thoughtful recommendation as to what the right decision should be.

I recommend training your people to use GROW framework to think through the issues – and even have them present issues to you in this manner.

G = Goal

What is the goal?  What is the outcome we want to achieve here?

R = Reality

What is the current reality?  What is happening and why?

O = Options

What options do we have?  What are the implications of each option?

W = Will

What WILL we do?  Here is my recommendation

Yes, things may take longer to resolve initially – but you must be disciplined if you want to stop getting sucked into “reverse delegation.” Push back, and tell your people to go away and present their issues to you in this manner until it becomes their new default behavior.

In effect, you are now learning to delegate more effectively.  You GROW your people by making these situations a valuable coaching opportunity – with the intent to teach your team how to problem solve and make great decisions without you needing to be there all the time.

Simple, but you can see how it would be effective.

Till next time.

Morning Tea Threatens Waistlines

Waistlines are constantly under threat at Campbell Tyson Cooper White. Due to the culinary expertise of many of our staff events such as the recently held International Food Day have resulted in sumptuous feasts being prepared for morning tea. Such was the enthusiasm of the staff involved, lunch and afternoon tea were also catered for. Our active Social Club organise regular events, which combined with the usual birthday party shouts and length of service celebrations result in some pretty amazing morning teas.

As the impact of this wonderful food has become all too obvious for some of our staff (including the writer) other initiatives have been thrown into full drive by our staff. Our recent session with John Shackleton has resulted with more than 50% of the staff deciding upon “body shape” goals and the birth of dieting and exercise clubs amongst staff. We are in the process of organising our Round the Lake relay team for February next year as well as other fitness events. We also have budding half iron men, although this should be referred to as iron women as we are yet to have a man take up the challenge!

Needless to say, our staff are incredibly active, be this working with our clients, on the social scene, or involved in personal development.

Catch you next week.

Lincoln

Goal Setting and Personal Achievement

Goal Setting and Personal Achievement.

At CTCW there is a strong emphasis on staff development. We provide comprehensive in-house training, ensure the staff attend courses put on by the Accountant’s Institute, IceHouse and other organisations that specialise in developing the right knowledge for your staff. We also like to help our staff develop personally. We recently had John Shackleton (http://www.johnshack.com.au/profile.asp) speak to our staff about Goal Setting and Personal Achievement. Everyone came away with a buzz from an afternoon session that had every single person there thinking about what they want and how they can get it. It was an infectious environment, with people setting goals, putting in place rewards (for achieving the goal) and consequences (for not achieving), and even supporting each other in pursuing the goals.

Not one single bean was counted in the entire afternoon. This was an opportunity for our staff to develop themselves as individuals, not accountants. And they loved it! We will be getting John back again on the 24 March 2010, although this time it will be for our clients and their friends. The skills and techniques that John passes on assist not only with clearly defining what is important, but promote the drive and ability to achieve them. We would love to help you and your colleagues get the same buzz that we did at an inspirational event.

If you would like to be part of the Health Wealth and Happiness event please get in touch with me and I will make sure there is a spot for you. John is a superb speaker, being voted 2007 Speaker of the Year by NSANZ, and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Catch you next week

Lincoln