It’s that time of year when we review our accomplishments, and plan for what we’ll need for 2022 and how we’ll make the many decisions we’ll need to throughout the year;
Tools, Training, Teachings…and Treasures!
1. Tools: The latest technology for good communications and doing tasks efficiently and effectively. Think of farming without GPS, or any business without the IT we’ve come to depend on.
2. Training: Education – before a career, on the job, and coaching and mentoring you’ve had or provided.
3. Teachings: What you’ve taught a colleague, client or customer, or what you’ve learned from them. I like to reflect on experiences over decades of many different roles.
And I like to consider my kids and how they’ve played a role in important decision making. They’re the “treasure” component. Having children can be a great business asset. They definitely are in life generally, although it’s also true from a business perspective.
Just think about it…
If something seems a bit wrong, you’re uneasy about a pending decision and not sure what to do, ask yourself, “What would I not want my child to do in this situation?” They can be a great proxy for a customer, colleague, shareholder or partner.
If having to deliver a difficult message, and you know it’s for the good of the individual (or team), think of your child’s manager in that situation. You’d want them to do it extremely well, with it well thought through and delivered tactfully.
If there’s a training opportunity – and there always is – would you as a manager take the time to coach, teach, explore alternative solutions with a peer or report, rather than rush onto the next task?
If there’s an ethical or morale dilemma, considering how your children would interpret your decisions can help cut through the noise in your head.
You get the point. Treat your staff, peers, and your own managers with your children in mind and you’ll likely do okay.
And if you’re not blessed to have children, a niece, nephew, friend, friend’s child, or someone you mentor can work as well. Just be sure to thank them for helping you be a better business person.
Norm Dreger
Principal
