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by Dave Ferguson

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Crossing the Finish Line

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This time of year, in the busy-ness of the holidays, we are also casting a vision for next year and wrapping up this current year. As a leader, I encourage you to watch this short video and consider HOW you are creating the vision…and where you are crossing the finish line with respect to your team.

It’s a short, but powerful message.

 

Looking for a leadership development program you can use with your team? Check out the Boss or Leader: Lead and Learn Kit. It is affordable, effective, and provides high impact. Be a leader who makes a difference! Click here for details.

Dave FergusonDave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

6 Attributes of Successful Introverted Leaders

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6 Attributes of Successful Introverted Leaders

Featured article by Dave Ferguson in CEOWORLD magazine. Reprinted by permission.

“Introverted” and “successful” are often thought of as antonyms. This is flawed thinking!

Introverts have a unique and strong leadership style, but may not feel like leaders in a culture that rewards charisma and confidence.

As an extroverted person, I am the first to say that there are many things we can learn from introverted leaders. They claim their success with a quiet strength — proving they have resilient qualities to offer the most challenging of corporate work cultures.

Here are 6 attributes that make introverted people successful leaders.

  1. Introverted leaders excel through small teams and one-on-one communication.

Have you ever watched an introverted leader handle a challenging situation? They are steady, unmoved, and consistent. They resolve conflicts in concise, straightforward ways without putting people on the spot or making others feel ostracized.

Because of how they handle these types of interactions, introverted leaders can learn more about those they work with, and they can engage in constructive criticism more productively.

  1. Introverted leaders are exceptionally strong at mentoring because they easily establish deep, genuine connections.

Introverts are driven, goal-oriented, and follow-through on their commitments.

This makes them great role models for others. They are also great listeners and are often naturally empathetic. This sense of putting people before pride is an invaluable characteristic that not every leader possesses.

  1. Introverted leaders are more apt to listen to others and have a greater sense of self-awareness.

Introverted leaders consider what other people are saying more carefully, and reflect on what has been said. This results in a thoughtful, provocative response.

In team meetings, the silence that is created from listening often provokes more ideas to surface. A thoughtful comment can bring focus to an idea or move the team in a new direction.

  1. This self-awareness not only applies to work culture, but translates into knowing how to take the long view; they can focus their energy on the big picture.

Introverted leaders are invested in the 10-year goal. They are drawn to creating deeper connections with those who can contribute to those goals.

Introverted leaders are driven to achieve and like to know what they are working towards. They can also impress this focus on company goals and values to those on their team.

  1. Introverts are less likely to assign blame.

Their reflective nature tends to make them better problem-solvers, so they will focus more on a solution over how a problem was created. They are also less likely to take credit for an idea or solution; because the end goal is their main focus, taking credit for every step made seems redundant and unnecessary.

  1. Introverted leaders are more apt to have a “growth mindset.”

Introverted leaders have had to succeed and make their presence known among a workforce dominantly comprised of confident, vocal, and incredibly social extroverts. They understand deeply that a person can get better at something rather than just accepting a situation as stagnant.

Introverted leaders must work harder at in-person networking than extroverted people. They recognize that they get better at it with practice and by putting themselves in more networking environments.

This growth mindset is a focus on striving to be better — which is inherent to success.

To learn more about working with introverted leaders – or being one – enter your information below for your free Emotional Intelligence Infographic.

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

 

Seven Ways to Ditch Distractions and Increase Productivity

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Seven Ways to Ditch Distractions and Increase Productivity

dave-ferguson-forbes-article Featured article by Dave Ferguson in Forbes Coaches Council. Reprinted by permission.

“How to increase productivity” is one the most common Google searches — and a question I am often asked.

In fact, there is not a single person I encounter who doesn’t want to know how to get more out of their time. Because we all get the same amount of time to work with, there are two options: work smarter or work longer.

Not many people willingly choose the latter.

Productivity is about being deliberate and purposeful with your time.

Here are seven ways to increase your productivity while ditching the distractions holding you back.

  1. Block calendar time.

So simple. So effective. Many of us are guilty of scheduling every minute of our day. This can actually eliminate time to get things accomplished. Think about it: If you are constantly running from board meeting to client meeting to answering emails and “quick questions” from employees, you’ve put yourself in a position prioritizing distractions over productivity.

Running a business is hard. It’s fast-paced. Often, it is essential to keep a strict calendar to organize your appointments. So do yourself a favor and pencil in “work time.” This is a meeting with you; it is an important engagement that requires zero interruptions.

  1. Go off the grid.

We are all guilty of allowing ourselves to be on call. We work, but we keep our email open in another browser and check it every time we look up. We answer text messages on our phone the minute we receive the notification.

Setting blocks of time to check your email allows you to regain control over your schedule and, therefore, your productivity.

  1. Quiet your workspace.

For many people, noise equals distractions. To increase your productivity, do what you can to quiet your workspace. Shut the door. Go to another part of the building.

If you are the type of person who needs a certain amount of ambient noise, take control over it.

Purchase an ambient sound machine or play instrumental music. Finding quality ambient sound is also a way to tune out other loud distractions if leaving your workspace for another is not an option.

  1. Set small, manageable goals.

When tasks feel overwhelming, we can be unsure of where to begin — and so we don’t. Don’t let this be you. By breaking up large tasks into smaller, more manageable goals, you take the pressure off yourself.

After time has passed, be sure to check up on your goals to understand which objectives you have reached and which are left. Then create a plan for meeting them.

  1. Call for “standing” meetings.

Meetings are essential for communicating with your team, but they are also productivity’s No. 1 enemy. These time-suckers can quickly halt momentum.

Try holding “standing” meetings. Yes, they are just what they sound like: Everyone stands the whole time. While this tactic may not work for every agenda, you will quickly find that people cut straight to the point during these meetings and are less likely to stray off topic.

This saves valuable time for you to reallocate to your own tasks. Standing meetings have also been shown to increase team morale and improve group performance.

  1. Take it one task at a time.

Quit multitasking. Seriously. Trying to handle multiple things at one time has actually been shown to decrease productivity.

Look at it strategically. When you multitask, no one thing gets your focused attention. You end up taking more time to complete each task. Fully throw yourself into one specific project and watch the progress happen.

  1. Take predetermined breaks.

Don’t forget to give yourself a break. Performing long tasks without allowing yourself to rest will lead to burnout: Your productivity will slow down because your brain is tired.

Think of taking a 10-minute break every two hours as refueling your mental fortitude. You can’t expect to produce quality work if your brain is running on empty.

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

Equip Yourself with Effective Organization Skills

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Equip Yourself with Effective Organization Skills

As a leader, you have constant demands on your time. Where there was once just an inbox and a telephone, with the advent of technology, there are now multiple inboxes, multiple phones, text messages, and more meetings – in person, by teleconference, and by video conference.

This level of demand makes it more important than ever to have a well-organized approach to your work and personal life. Taking time to organize both areas will ensure you have the energy and focus you need to lead effectively.

Here are some actions you can take to protect your time:

  • Your Calendar

Take some time to review everything that currently requires your time. Cancel all unnecessary meetings and appointments, and prioritize the rest. Delegate the clutter of tasks you don’t need to complete personally, and remove those which do not need to be done at all. I recommend use of a time blocking system, whereby you block out time for certain activities. The key here is to make no exceptions during those times. I work with executives through this process often, and the results are great. Without realizing it, many have gotten caught in the practice of responding to everything immediately. A good rule to follow:  If the tasks don’t point toward your personal or business vision, why complete them?

  • Your Physical Space

To maximize daily productivity, it is important that your workspace be organized. As a busy leader, you are well acquainted with the amount of paperwork that ends up on your desk each day. Do you have a system to keep it moving? Is your desk piled high with documents to do and review, combined with sticky notes to remind you to do them?

You are not alone.

This is where an organized support staff can help you immensely. Work with your assistant to develop a system to keep the paperwork off your desk. The first step is to clear the clutter. Random contact notes and business cards? Enter them into a database. To do lists – capture them in one place and place relevant documents in a file folder or scan them into an electronic holding file. Information for meetings – have a folder for each meeting. Books should be on bookshelves, not on your desk. Documents to be filed should not be taking up residence on your desktop. Companies spend millions of dollars each year on records storage for records that are not needed for legal or documentation purposes. Regularly ask yourself if the documents you are keeping need to be retained, or if you are just putting off making a decision on them.

For ultimate focus, the only items on your desk should be those items you use daily and those documents which pertain to what you are working on each day. Clutter is a distractor. Clearing your desk helps clear your mind.

You might even benefit from re-arranging your office so things flow better. What comes in, and where does it land? How and where do you process it? How do you move it on to the next steps (the proverbial out box)? Your desk is not an out box. And who is responsible for clearing that outbox daily?

  • Your Computer

After your physical space is arranged, it is time to clean up your electronic space. This means your e-mail, computer desktop, electronic documents, and your contact list. How you choose to store your electronic files is up to you, but it is important that your electronic space is organized in a way that is easy to use.

In the online world, cleaning up your contact list frequently is not only advisable, it is essential. There is a cost associated with the number of contacts on your mailing list – and if those emails are being bounced or otherwise not delivered, you are paying for contacts who are not getting your communications.

Cleaning up your electronic files may seem like a waste of time…until you spend hours searching for something that you could have found in seconds if your system was organized.

  • Your Mobile Devices

Whether you are a fan of iPhone or android, chances are, you have some type of portable communication device connected to you at all times. Take some time to organize the files, contacts, and applications on your mobile device. If you have applications you no longer need, delete them as a matter of space and security. Consult with your IT expert to optimize your device for syncing of email and contacts. Ask for recommendations on new and better apps to increase efficiency.

Also, take the time to update your phone message, and clean out your voice mailbox. If you are thinking this is not a good use of your time as a leader, consider this: a full voice mailbox often means issues are not being addressed, or important calls are being blocked by a full voice mailbox. Go through your messages, add the contact information to your database, note the actions needed for each, then delete. Make room for new opportunities.

  • Your Habits

Practicing good habits will help you rise in leadership, and sustaining good habits will protect your leadership and reputation.

Take an organizational approach to your habits, both good and bad ones. Whether or not you realize it, your habits have a big impact on your work, your personal life, and on those you lead. When coaching executives one-on-one, we work on these extensively. Making you more effective is always the goal.

If there are bad habits you’d like to break, examine them one at a time, and create a plan for how you’re going to tackle each one. If there are good habits you want to cement, take the same approach. Then, equip yourself with the tools and an accountability partner. Adopt the habits you need to have a more fulfilled, balanced life.

  • Your Personal Life

How many executives do you know who have it all together on the business side, but their personal lives are paying the price? Maybe this is you.

You are not alone.

Part of what we consider in executive coaching and especially in our corporate retreats is the personal side of leadership. You cannot divorce the personal and professional side of you without repercussions.

Set aside some time to examine your personal time. Is it protected? How effective are you in that area? Find someone objective (like a coach) to help you with this. Make sure your schedule allows ample time for family, friends, community involvement, and hobbies.

  • Your Priorities

Clearing the physical and electronic clutter is the first step. But to sustain the organization, you must, going forward, work according to your priorities.

Consider how your priorities align with how you spend your time, at work and at home. Ask yourself the difficult questions. Realize that your life is made up of a limited amount of time. Each activity you invest time into requires a certain opportunity cost. What are the low priority items costing you? This is a powerful question, and you should ask it of yourself daily.

In today’s world, the lines between work and personal life are getting increasingly blurry. I’m happy to tell you that you can regain control of your time by taking these steps. Going through this process will not only give you peace of mind, it also will equip you with the clarity and focus your work and your team deserve.

Take a good, hard look at your priorities, and reorganize your time as needed to create and experience the best possible personal and professional life.

What are you waiting for? Get started today…and have a great week!

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. For help in getting organized as a leader, “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

Attitude vs. Aptitude: Which is Most Important in Leadership?

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Attitude vs. Aptitude: Which is Most Important in Leadership?

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” ~ Zig Ziglar

What is Aptitude?

Aptitude is our potential to learn skills, the abilities we develop and perfect over time. Good leadership skills include communication, delegation, trustworthiness, responsibility, etc. But while it is important, aptitude alone will not make you a good leader. It is your attitude that determines what and how much you can do, and how far you will go.

Attitude is Contagious

A bad attitude, especially from a leader, produces more bad attitudes. If everyone around you has an attitude problem, perhaps you, yourself, are a large part of the problem. Ever consider that? Think about what you might be spreading around your social and professional circles.

Your attitude impacts every aspect of your life. Almost all the “attitude issues” I have dealt with over the years, including my own, are the result of allowing someone or something else to control behavior. That is a big problem. No one else is responsible for your attitude. You are!

Be a Responsible Leader

You might be thinking, “Ha! That’s right, they are responsible for their attitudes. Not me.”

While in part that is true, we are also often a product of our environment. As a leader, it is your responsibility to set the tone for your team—to create a positive environment that generates less stress and produces more positive attitudes. That way you can get the desired results with much less effort.

How to Cultivate a Positive Attitude

Aptitude is something you can learn, but attitude is a lot harder to change and cultivate.

Fortunately, there are habits you can begin to implement every day, including:

  • Refueling by taking care of your body and getting enough sleep
  • Getting some exercise to relieve stress
  • Keeping a gratitude journal and intentionally focusing on the good parts of the day
  • Reframing and embracing challenges as experienced for growth
  • Adopting a more positive vocabulary
  • Getting good at failure and rejection, and not letting it harden you against trying
  • Making someone else smile
  • Not letting your attitude get dragged down by others
  • Ignoring whiners and complainers
  • Listening to or reading something inspirational every morning

I recently read this statement, and it has stuck with me:

“We get what we create and what we allow.”

You are in full control. What are you creating and allowing in your business and in your life? If you feel your team’s overall attitude needs an adjustment, first look in the mirror. Think about your attitude and how it elicits different responses from your team. Lead by example. Accept responsibility for your people and the environment you create based on your attitude.

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. For help in creating a positive team environment that gets results, “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

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