| Has your enterprise dried out? Feel like your staff's energy has been leached? Are you growing or wilting? Whether you are in business, public service, or the nonprofit sector, you MUST be fed. Your organization MUST receive the nutrients to stave off infestation, weeds, and harsh elements. Eventually your enterprise will turn from healthy green to an ugly shade of brown if you do not take regular and proactive steps to fertilize your firm. Like healthy grass, a good leader needs fertilizer, regularly applied. Here are few ideas to keep you and your operations crisp and green: - Apply fertilizer: Once every few weeks, seek out excellent writing, tapes, and seminars and get inspired. Look to industries outside yours to find examples. Think outside the garden. An excellent place to start is www.REACHdevelopment.com. Read articles on leadership, staffing, ethics, and other thoughts and start turning your thinking green again. Look at the books and resources section and get a copy of one of the excellent, thought-provoking, action-inspiring books.
- Mow regularly: Be sure to cut, hack and edit your thinking and strategic planning on a regular basis. By trimming away the extra activities, your focus becomes tighter. Always force yourself to sit on your ideas for at least 24 hours and revisit them even when you think you have a brilliant idea. Good editing, critical thinking, and a good night's sleep results in more crisp and well thought out action plans for you and your team.
- Avoid too much sun: Too much of anything isn't good. Don't overdo it. Take a break. Come back fresh and new after a small rest. Walk around for a bit. Listen to some tunes. Grab a snack. Forced distractions often result in creative bursts. Start early in the morning and ease off during the heat of the day. You'll be more productive and less exhausted.
- Avoid too many additives: It's very popular these days to react to the latest 'best practice' or book or leader 'celebrity' profile, but remember anything that is not 'natural' to you and your firm's culture will alter the balance. The organization's environment is a sensitive thing. Don't overdo the strategies. Don't overdo the metrics. Don't overdo the planning. Don't overdo the outside consultants. Keep a healthy balance between your thinking and the 'experts.'
What are some of the strategies you use to keep your thinking, action, and leadership green? Send and email to Vince@REACHdevelopment.com with your ideas. |
