Move Fast!

Our economy is shifting, like it or not things are changing. Arguments continue about the state of the economy in the United States but one factor that appears consistent is that successful businesses and people are changing.

 

I work with business that are doing great, and those who are not doing so great. My informal survey of this sample suggests that those who are doing great are moving fast. They are capitalizing on what works and abandoning what doesn’t. They are planning and calculated, not irresponsible. They are committed to not being satisfied with the status quo.

It seems that successful endeavors, and the people who manage, own, or otherwise operate them, are masters at analyzing the opportunity cost. As individuals we have that same opportunity. Our ability to assess our environment, recognize the opportunity cost, and make fast but calculated changes help us get on the path to success. Things are changing fast, too fast to hesitate.

If you want to improve from the past, be calculated but move fast!

 

- DEG

Growing or Shrinking?

Some people change and grow. They get more mature, have better thoughts, healthier habits, and improved social skills.

Some people change and regress. They go back to poor habits, they lose faith in their ability to achieve, they lose hope, and they get worse as a person.

Are you growing or shrinking? There are three simple steps to keep you focusing on growth, they are:

1. Accurately self-assess
2. Focus on positive past accomplishments and outcomes
3. Be self-disciplined and commit to role modeling positive behaviors

There is a distinct difference between those who achieve more through growth, and those who regress and revert back to poorer performance or regressed habits.

Are you growing?

 

- DEG

Beyond My Control

“It was beyond my control!”

Circumstances may sometimes be beyond our control but our lives should not be driven by circumstances. We should be driving the outcomes and accepting the responsibility for the choices that we make. Blaming others, or blaming “circumstances” for unfavorable outcomes in your life may help ease the sense of discipline, responsibility, and accountability but it will not change future outcomes.

Not every decision or choice may be the best but we have the opportunity to continuously seek new paths or directions as we analyze the outcomes of our choices. Even the smartest and most visionary minds of today sometimes make bad choices. The difference between those who are successful and those who are not is that successful people accept responsibility and make changes. 

Acceptance of responsibility gives us the opportunity for personal growth. It gives us the opportunity to learn from mistakes, and most importantly it gives us the opportunity for another choice, the choice to get it right. 

It’s not beyond your control – it’s waiting for you. Are you going to take this opportunity or leave it “on the table?”

 

- DEG

Always Changing

We get bored with the “same old – same old” so we change. We face a conflict or controversy so we do something different the next time by changing. We learn about a new product or service that peaks our interest and we try it, so we have changed.

High achievers reach for change, they get excited about change, and they do something that others don’t – they find energy and motivation in change. Often bored with the status quo they innovate. They don’t procrastinate or hesitate, instead they get things started by doing something great.

Successful people change, not by force, but by desire.

When was your last change?

- DEG

Risk of No Risk

Everything around us is changing. Would you agree? We live in a world of constant change. Many people grow and adapt but some like the safety of their comfort zone, the safety of the status quo.

Some people cling to their comfort zone as a seemingly unstoppable force to reckon with, they put up a tremendous fight with comments such as:

“We tried that before a couple of years ago, it didn’t work then, it won’t work now.”

“We’ve always done it this way.”

Often priding themselves on their temporary victories they almost bully their co-workers, direct reports, and sometimes even their supervisors into their change resistant ways. They avoid risk at all costs. Change and the risk associated with it is too scary.

Here is the question that everyone should be asking themselves: If everything around us is changing, isn’t the riskiest position to take one of no risk at all? I see reasonable risk as something that reminds us that we are alive. That we have free will. That we control our own destiny.

What do you think?

 

- DEG

Tough Times, Tough Actions!

During an economic slowdown organizations should consider how they can change or adapt to different market conditions. In workshops on change management, innovation, or strategic planning I often discuss the idea of “you cannot just do things differently, you must do different things!” Individuals, departments, or the entire organization need to re-think old behaviors and traditions.

Naturally, we are more predisposed to function in our comfort zones and to rely on our past experiences to guide us. Certainly this is not all bad, and should always be taken into consideration. The heart of this matter lies in the idea of, what are you going to do that is new, innovative, or refreshed? Don’t get caught in the trap of “we tried that before and it didn’t work.” Perhaps it didn’t, and more importantly perhaps it won’t, but don’t be afraid to take some reasonable risk and discover new strategies.

What will you do differently to survive in our “new” economy?

Change Management and Employee Motivation

Poll results are indicating that change management skills and employee motivation are top runners for the most important leadership skills. Take the poll. What are your thoughts? Are there specific skills outside of those listing on the poll that you feel are important for leaders during these tough economic times?