Reality Check - Why Your Team Isn't Winning

Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, identifies the five fundamental reasons why teams do not perform well as absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, absence of accountability, and inattention to results. The Golden State Warriors experienced dysfunction but made multiple corrections to become a winning team in June. With a dedicated but frustrated fan base, the Warriors went from a team that changed front office personnel, ownership, and coaching staff to remove the dysfunctions absence of trust and lack of commitment to become an NBA Championship Team within two years.

In order for a team to win, it must be governed by a leader who has the following:

• Clear vision on what it takes to create a championship caliber team
• Commitment to excellence with combined willingness and power to destruct and construct as necessary until the mission is accomplished
• Authority to make bold decisions to put the right people in position who have solid track records and foster change that can bring about the desired results
• Professionalism to admit questionable and unfavorable player deals made with a plan of corrective action to garner great draft picks, trades, and free agent signings
• Insight into how each department can help with earned trust for others to share information
• Respect of subordinates to not undermine decisions and abilities to higher level executives
• Identification and announcement of individuals to be held accountable for missing the mark in any areas of the organization that impacts the team makeup

A breakdown in any of the aforementioned categories screams dysfunction in which a team can barely exist let alone win.  Let's hope the people with the authority for your team have read this blog post to start making changes.

Published August 21, 2015

Photo by Caleb Wellington 

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Posted in: accountability,commitment,conflict,dysfunctional team members,inattention to results,Leaders,NFL Teams,Patrick Lencioni,teambuilding,teamwork,The Five Dysfunctions of A Team,trust

Dispelling the Fairy Tale of Collaboration

When employees depend upon the workplace to be a meeting place to meet new friends, the boundary between career and personal life becomes blurry. While there will be a few individuals that relate on a personal level, there is a level of professionalism required to meet goals, create synergies and eloquently agree to disagree for optimal results. This requires effective communication, negotiation, and fact-finding - not forced collaboration.

Webster defines "collaboration" as the state of having shared interests or efforts. In environments where people are trying to be noticed and get promoted, there is a thin line between collaboration and competition. The collaboration will motivate a person to ask others for help to get what is needed for a joint project. However, competition will drive a person to hide the information he has to use as a bargaining tool for his promotion.

Collaboration cannot be forced with team gatherings.  

If people neither like nor trust each other, there is no exercise or facilitated offsite meeting that can change that. Smart individuals focus on the existing needs and handle the tasks accordingly. Wise individuals don't forget what has been done to others and protect themselves from having it done to them. In an organization that should be based on employing more individuals with wisdom than brilliance, respect of others with regards to work (not character) is all that is necessary to get the optimal results.

People will eventually learn to work with each other organically.  

Closed office doors and private hallway whispers prevent collaboration from happening. Before promoting and directing everyone to collaborate, make sure you have not been the leader who has inadvertently set an example where a disparate lack of cohesiveness and blatant divide is a normal function of the organization.

Photo by Alejandro Escamilla 

Published on August 8, 2015

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Posted in: collaboration,dysfunctional team members,Leaders,leadership,Leadership Skills,teamwork,The Five Dysfunctions of A Team

If You Are Not Doing These Things, You Are Not An Effective Leader

There is a stark difference between a leader and a manager.  

Leaders are expected to set the organization's direction and align people accordingly. Managers plan, staff, and budget and coordinate activities to achieve a goal that moves in the organization's direction. Leaders motivate people; managers control and solve problems. If there is a lack of direction in an organization short-term managerial duties waste time and energy; the leader must take control and identify what information is missing in order to make impactful long-term decisions for the good of the organization.

In order to set a strategy for the organization...

A leader must understand every department that can directly or indirectly affect the success of the company as a whole. Leaders instill cross-departmental trust that motivates individuals to help solve problems by acknowledging weaknesses, exposing vulnerabilities and highlighting strengths. Leaders create an environment which supports sharing data across departments to help others for the common goal of moving towards the company direction.

In a crisis... 

A leader must be able to swiftly investigate, involve the correct resources, solicit information and engage in evidential discussions to make sound well-informed decisions. This can only be done when the people in the organization are onboard with the leader's vision and completely support where he is trying to take the organization. Leaders who handle crisis well set the direction on how the organization will be governed in the future - thereby engaging the right people to ensure the company does not suffer by getting ahead of problems before they become issues.

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Posted in: 9 Things Great Leaders Say Everyday,Leaders,leadership,Leadership Skills

Best Read Friday - 9 Things Great Leaders Say Everyday

IT'S A CHESS MATCH BUT TAKE THE LEAD...

Our focus this past week has been on building great leadership skills or at least acknowledge when they are not being displayed.  Case in point, Monday's post pointed out the 3 Things Leaders Never Say.  Taking the opposite approach today, this week's recommended article is by Inc.'s Bill Murphy Jr. who focuses on the 9 Things Great Leaders Say Everyday.

Be sure to check the posts and videos by Temeko Richardson for more detailed information about doing business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and smart professionalism tips.
Blog:  blog.therlcgroup.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TemekoRichardson
Twitter: @temekoruns

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Posted in: 3 Things Leaders Never Say,9 Things Great Leaders Say Everyday,Bill Murphy Jr.,Inc.,Leaders,leadership,Leadership Skills,Temeko Richardson

Three Things Leaders Never Say

DON"T SAY IT...

There are leaders, managers, and supervisors and there is a difference between all three.  Leaders position and encourage others to do well.  Managers oversee administrative tasks and status of projects.  Supervisors normally micromanage and check every deadline and whereabouts of the employees.  Leaders are visionary and are not normally as detailed-oriented or overly anal as supervisors.  

But there can be success as a manager who thinks like a leader if 3 things are not said to the masses.

1)  It's always been this way.  But that does not make it right or even fair.  If people are complaining about an antiquated rule that was put in place because someone took advantage of prior managers, be empowered to change it.  Leaders listen and identify with people by putting themselves in their shoes.  A little shake-up to the status quo increases the trust of the leader.

2)  That's not what is really happening.  Managers who take the hands-off approach normally have no clue what is going on with their subordinates.  They believe they have "made it" because they have been assigned the bigger cubicle or office.  Perception is reality and if more than one person in the office is complaining about it, it is a problem that needs to be addressed.  Leaders don't take aggregated complaints lightly.  They handle them.

3)  It will work itself out.  Wrong again.  No it won't.  If the language barrier, work ethic, interpersonal, communication, finance, morale issue was not taken care of when it was small or affected less people, letting it continue will morph into bigger problems like missed deadlines, decreased customer satisfaction or support, jeopardized bottom line and employee turnover.  Leaders face the problem and come up with a plan to fix it.

Trusted leaders have dedicated teams because they accept when it is time to change and do what is necessary to make a positive impact for the group.  Leaders know exactly what to say.

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Posted in: 3 Things Leaders Never Say,employment,employment stress,Get A Clue,Leaders,leadership,Leadership Skills,management consulting,program management,Temeko Richardson

Best Read Friday - Lean In but Who's Listening?

Is Anyone Listening?

 Sheryl Sandberg's book, Lean In, has ignited some enthusiasm among women but has also reinforced the corporate responsibility of company executives to reward employees that "lean in" to advance their careers.   Company leaders must listen to the employees that have either explicitly expressed or inherently demonstrated the desire to climb the corporate ladder or change career paths.

This article talks about the need for companies to listen to their employees that work diligently for both their personal and employers' success.  Check it out here:  http://bit.ly/149ALeL

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Posted in: employment,Leaders,Leadership Skills,Lean In,management consulting,Sheryl Sandberg,Temeko Richardson

Video Series - The Not so Permanent Employee

HIRING THE BEST...

Management and entrepreneurs face budget decisions frequently that require them to identify the type of resource they will bring aboard to solve a problem, perform a task, or handle a specific project. Long gone are the days of employment being permanent.  Here today and gone tomorrow as many people have experienced after being loyal to a company for decades.

So what should be considered?  This short video is an eye-opener on what to look for in today's market. http://youtu.be/jOLN6e-rVAc

Be sure to check out more clues like this in the book, Get A Clue, on Amazon.com  
http://amzn.to/10Somc1

And subscribe to the YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/Vtzm2s

 

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Posted in: 4 Hour Work Week,business expert,consulting,contract work,employment,Leaders,Leadership Skills,New Employment,New Job,permanent employees,Temeko Richardson

Contract Negotiations for Beginners

Inking The Deal.  

You are a budding professional in your industry and more interest has piqued for your expertise. This is a great sign that you have turned your knowledge into a profitable business. But don't count on word of mouth or a friendly handshake as a guarantee to be paid. On the other hand, you will have to pay for some services as a leader. Since you are not the procurement or legal guru in either case, you must know the basics of negotiating deals.  Even the smallest business deal should involve a basic contract when monies are exchanged with a few clarifications.

Since there is no reason to pay dearly for ignorance, here are a few clauses that must be in your contract for your benefit:

1). Duration - Regardless if you are providing or paying for a service or a product, be clear about the cost for the specified timeframe. A new contract or cost should begin at the end of the allotted duration.

2). Compensation - Be succinct and straightforward about expected compensation, upfront fees, and anticipated payment schedules.   If the company or person is not well-known or past experiences have been shaky, establish payment schedules that minimize financial losses.  For instance if monies are due net 45 days and a payment is missed, you are stuck with 90 days of non-payment and employees and bills that still have to be paid. 

3). Rights - If you are creating a product that can be used for multiple clients, be sure you don't give up your right to license it or use it elsewhere. These are some sneaky clauses because they tend to try to include works completed prior to being brought aboard. 

4). Termination - Always have an out for both parties.  Protect yourself if the situation does not work well with a timeframe of which written notice must be given. This clause must also clearly state that services rendered or products provided up until the end of the relationship should be be paid in full. 

5). Arbitration - No one wants legal fees unnecessarily.  It would be a shame if there were issues that could not be resolved.  It is to all parties' benefit to agree to arbitration because it is less costly and can prevent time spent on lawsuits. It also usually leaves both parties winning in the end.

6). Expectations - This is a relationship and both parties should be on the same page. Make it clear what will be provided and stick to this. Anything outside of this should require an amendment or another contract.

Of course, I would always advise getting a lawyer to review all contracts but some things you should check on your own.  The handshake or oral agreement does not hold up in any court of law.  It is better to prevent losses rather than try to recover from them.

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Posted in: Entrepreneurship,Get A Clue,Leaders,Leadership Skills,management consulting,negotiation skills,project management,teamwork

Best Read Friday - The SBA - A Mixed Signal for their Purpose

Businesses Not on Either Street?   

Most people start a business with their own funds or personally secured financially backing.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been a forward-thinking group in the past to help small businesses stay up and running when they can't secure capital from Wall Street and they are not branded enough to be located on Main Street.  However, there are mixed feelings about the organization given the economy and the lesser likelihood of banks financing startups or existing bank relationships extended lines of credit.

This article identifies the contrasting views of the assistance the SBA provides based on the needs of the company.  Does it really benefit the majority of business owners?  Time has already told but listening has to initiate action.

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Posted in: Entrepreneurship,Leaders,Leadership Skills,Small Business Administration

Responsibility Just Begins After Success

Extend The Olive Branch.   

I am sure you have heard the adage "It takes a village to raise a child."  The purpose was to encourage accountability from anyone in the child's life to protect his/her well-being.  This should also apply in the world of business where there are new leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives frequently on the rise.  What a solid economical future the world would have if our successful business people would reach out and give pointers to the future generations.

Oftentimes it is a misnomer when you get to the top to believe there is no responsibility to give back the knowledge to help others. I am not talking about helping the competition be better than you. Nor am I implying you invest money and resources. I do, however, mean mentoring bright newcomers to take the initiative to spark an interest in a new sport, launch a new product, transition into a new career, or start a business.

A little time goes a long way. Take the time to be humble and speak to others in common settings during travels, church attendance, and workouts.  You never know who you can encourage to be the next great athlete, producer, engineer, personal trainer, filmmaker, financial investor, or CEO.  Success comes with a rewarding responsibility - that of giving instead of receiving.  

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For clues on how to empower through Executive leadership, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
Amazon - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  

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Posted in: career change,Get A Clue,helping others,Leaders,Leadership Skills

Words that No Longer Empower

The Scribe

Entrepreneurs and corporate employers like when teams pull together to achieve a common goal. Sports franchise owners and coaches love when a team gel well on the field, ice, or court to win a game, and even better, a Championship. But there are times when overusing key words to empower people becomes routine and matter-of-fact.  In fact, listeners become immune to two of them because of their common usage. 

Collaboration is oftentimes confused with teamwork and togetherness.  These words are not the same because great teamwork does not mean that people need to be around each other frequently or require peer oversight.  In fact, great teamwork is based on recognizing people's strengths and allowing them to act accordingly. It is based on giving people the proper space to think things through and prepare mentally before returning to the group to discuss the intellectual endeavor.  Instead of using this word, encourage people to contribute information as appropriate based on their role and assignment.  
 

Thinking out-of-the-box has been so misused over the past years.  I recently heard it coined by the youth to secretly describe their, well, bad habits. YES!  While it used to encourage people to be different and not think of things in the norm, anything as small as eating dinner before 8pm is considered to be thinking out-of-the-box.  Instead of using this catchy phrase, encourage people to plan how to improve existing processes by starting with the total opposite of the norm and work their way to a list where a change will cause the advantages to substantially outweigh the drawbacks. 

Stop using the overused words - collaboration and think outside of the box. No one likes a broken record and there are definitely no DJ mixes or scratches on these words that can entice a worker to be more productive.

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For clues on how to empower through Executive leadership, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
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Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  

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Posted in: Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,Get A Clue,Leaders,Leadership Skills,negotiation skills,Richardson.com,Seconds to Impress,Temeko Richardson

Video Series - Holding On To Dead Weight

LET GO OF DEAD WEIGHT

Most leaders and entrepreneurs have a tendency to be kindhearted by employing a friend or family member who neither has the right skills, determination, nor solid work ethic to help make the business a success.  Well, it is time to let go of these people who require micromanagement, extra encouragement, and nonstop guidance.   Don't know how?  Check out this video.  http://youtu.be/j6b0lRMrgIM



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Purchase Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ on Amazon.  http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca

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Posted in: Delegate,Employees,Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,Get A Clue,Growth Opportunity,Leaders,Leadership Skills,Temeko Richardson

Best Read Friday - Social Changes to Increase Corporate Bottom Line

The Internet is A Braintrust 

Social media, community involvement, and the brain-trusts of the new and innovative are major factors in the revolution of the bottom line.  This article defines how we can use social innovation to increase corporate revenue.  http://onforb.es/WfCoDq




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Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/execgetaclue

For more guidance on successfully thriving a business, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
Amazon - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  

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Posted in: Entrepreneurship,Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,Leaders,Social Media and Business,technology,Temeko Richardson

Video Series - How Well Liked Are You?

Being Liked is more than Facebook

If you have not been delivered from other people's opinions of you, chances are you strive to be liked to "blend in" with the crowd.  What are the key characteristics to a likeable person?  View this video on some tips to not rub people the wrong way - be likeable!   

http://youtu.be/3Bf2pgmj-V8



Follow on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/temekoruns
Like on Facebook: http://facebook.com/execgetaclue

Understand why it is important to be likeable when reaching towards a corporate vision in the book, Get A Clue.  Purchase today on Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca

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Posted in: Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,Impressing People,Leaders,Leadership Skills,negotiation skills,New Employment,Seconds to Impress

Best Read Friday - Creep Quickly Up the Corporate Ladder

The Multiple Views of You

Just when you thought promotions were about hard work, a newfound way to climb the corporate ladder appears.  This list will sure to make you think twice about how you currently interact with both management and peers.   I will warn you to keep your morals intact while you read this the article.

http://onforb.es/X1h1JY



Follow on twitter: http://twitter.com/temekoruns
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To gain more insightful wisdom on business and entrepreneurship, download the e-book from Amazon.com  http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca

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Posted in: career change,Entrepreneurship,Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,Leaders,promotion,Temeko Richardson

Video Series - Delegate w/o Losing Control

Temeko Richardson

Remove the control freak in you and learn to delegate.  It not only frees up your time but also your mind to concentrate on new and exciting ventures.  Watch this short video to learn how to start the delegation process. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drjrvhod3Ds

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For more clues to be a better business person or entrepreneur, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
Amazon - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  
 

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Posted in: Delegate,Employees,Impressing People,Leaders,Leadership Skills,Temeko Richardson,Time management

Best Read Friday - What Quentin Tarantino can Teach Leaders

Image Credit: Kill Bill

Yes the violence and vulgarity are a big part of Quentin Tarantino films but there are some valuable business lessons that can be learned.  Read this article to use the non-violent themes to increase your business savvy.
http://bit.ly/11GoK3Z






Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/temekoruns
Like on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/execgetaclue 

For more business lessons through an executive mind, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
Amazon - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  

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Posted in: Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,Get A Clue,Leaders,Leadership Skills,teamwork,Temeko Richardson

Video Series - Manager or Leader?

There is a difference between managing and leading.  Leaders have influence and drive ambition through example.   In this video, you will see what characteristics distinguish a manager from a leader.
http://bit.ly/Y6AfJA


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For more tips on leadership, pick up the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ, on Amazon.com.  http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
 

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Posted in: Get A Clue,Leaders,Leadership Skills,management consulting,Richardson.com,Temeko Richardson

Best Read - Superbowl Coach Breaks Leadership Rules

Which Harbaugh Broke the Rules?

While the San Francisco 49ers are still wondering how destiny overpowered their attempted comeback in Sunday's Superbowl, leaders are looking at how Jim Harbaugh broke leadership rules. But do those same rules really apply in championship games? Read  this article http://onforb.es/V3dWb4

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For more guidance on starting a business or maneuvering through work with an executive mind, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
Amazon - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  

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Posted in: Exec Get a Clue,Leaders,Leadership Skills,management consulting

Best Read - There is an I in Team

Teamwork Makes Dreams Work

The best way to build unity and accomplish goals toward a strategy is to have a great group of people who can be trusted to take charge and get things done. 

While you may be a great individual contributor and there are alway slackers in teams, here is an article on the way to find and empower good teammates that are about winning.  http://onforb.es/10LdkKB




Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/temekoruns
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/execgetaclue


For more guidance on starting a business or maneuvering through work with an executive mind, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
Amazon - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  

Read more »

Posted in: Exec Get a Clue,Get A Clue,Leaders,Leadership Skills,management consulting,productivity,program management,project management,teamwork,Temeko Richardson