Management Monday!
The time of the week set aside for addressing anything from time management to management roles…
Sometimes it’s fascinating the way simple concepts from our youth can translate into our thoughts and actions during our adulthood. For example, if you ask a child how their day at school was, they might respond “I had a green day.” That means they displayed model behavior. They were on task and worked well with the other kids, and they reap the benefits at the end of the day. On the other hand, “I had a yellow day “means they got a warning because they were not on track, or “I had a red day” would mean that they had not displayed model behavior as highlighted in their teacher-student contract.
The reality is that children with their limited experience of social rules as well as short attention span do mean well, but don’t always go to school with the intention (see power of intention) and motivation to have a “green day”. In other words, part of their growing involves trial and error. However, by the same token, the same guidelines that apply to a child’s self-concept apply to adults. As adults we all want to achieve, and feel happy with our results and outcomes. But unless we hold ourselves accountable and solidify our “wants” by “intending” we can’t expect we will get what we want. So, although the way we go about having a “green day” may be different from a child, it nevertheless has the same relationship to our end goals.
We all wear different hats; we may be employees, bosses, business owners, parents, spouses, and family members. And within all these roles, in order to feel good about ourselves, we have to abide by certain rules, which all fall under social, skill related, and personal values categories. A “Green Day” is on the horizon, when we have met all of the criteria in these three categories as related to our roles. In this series of articles, we will be focusing on some examples of common roles. Feel free to read the ones that are of interest to you:
“Green Day” Tips for the CEO!
- Shared Value – Too many companies have lost sight of shared value. This is the idea that businesses need to focus on bettering society. It involves assessing the intersection between society and company performance. From profit/non-profit collaboration to moving beyond trade-offs, achieving shared value will benefit companies, employers, employees, customers and society as a whole. Be thinking of how this could influence the direction of your day to day decisions.
- Delegating – Your business is like your child in many ways. You produced it and now you’ve held its hand every step of the way. It can be difficult to step back, but it is necessary. Trust your employees with responsibility, because you can’t manage every detail. Developing trusting relationships with your employees will yield success.
- Appreciation – “Intend” to bring positive light to your employees’ lives. No one likes to feel like a workhorse. According to recent studies by Gallup, the Corporate Leadership Council, and Towers Perrin, only 11% of today’s workforce demonstrate a very strong commitment to their organization. As a leader, you are wise to find out how each individual feels appreciated. Once a year bonuses are just for show and annual reviews are just for you. What are you doing for your employees to show them you value them as a person and their work as well?
- Innovation – Discard inhibition because it only holds you back. Be willing to think big; think strange for that matter. Big discoveries and great changes are sure ways to have a “green day.”
- Stakeholder considerations – As a CEO, you know the importance of stakeholders, but do you keep that in mind when it comes to financial gains? Do your decisions reflect the best interests of all stakeholders? There are many perspectives on how to operate in regard to this, so make sure you know where you stand.
- Prioritizing – You are busy. It is as simple as that. You have far too much going and the load can be overwhelming if you let it. The key to a “green day” is the ability to know when to bite the bullet or let it pass by. It isn’t easy, but after a while it becomes more natural. There are things that absolutely must be done, things that can wait and things that need to drop off the list all-together. Learning how to manage your time will really make the stress melt away.
You’re a go-getter. Success is your middle name and making it a “green day” will be a piece of cake for you.
