13 May
Is Trust the Foundation of Leadership, or Just Another Buzzword?
marketang Uncategorized

Is Trust the Foundation of Leadership, or Just Another Buzzword?

Historian and author Jon Meacham says “Building Character Is A Process, Not An Event”.  Does this quote sound familiar? Maybe, because for years we’ve been sharing that “Leadership is a process, not an event”.

Displaying leadership skills and abilities consistently is a must; we must live our lives with the character required to build and maintain meaningful relationships which will position us to help and influence others to flourish in their career (and in their life).

There are many traits that have been identified as “musts” for effective and successful leaders, and we don’t disagree, but feel that one is the most critical:
 
***  Trust ***
Here’s our rationale: 

 

1. To be a leader (successful or otherwise), you must have followers
 
2. You can’t succeed without strong relationships
 
3. Building trust and confidence with direct reports, colleagues and vendors is essential
 
4. Your peers, subordinates and co-workers will work around you if you are perceived as untrustworthy or not living the values you require from them, or they from you
 

5. Trust can be lost (or never obtained) when:

  • You are too direct.  People can be caught off guard and become uncomfortable resulting in your message and intention often misinterpreted
  • Point fingers or are too quick to assess blame
  • Play favorites or only give a “chosen few” opportunities
  • Jump to conclusions
  • Fail to solicit opinions or differing ideas
  • Don’t “walk the talk”
  • Are unable to say no and as a result over commit
  • Don’t treat others respectfully
  • Won’t take a stand (or make one and continually change it)
  • Are disorganized
  • Exhibit inconsistent behaviors and have inconsistent expectations
  • Are non responsive
  • Lack the ability to admit mistakes

Trust produces lasting, positive, and productive relationships and obtains results. Communication lines are open, conflicts are addressed in a healthy manner, collaboration is enhanced, accountability exists, and creativity and new ideas flow.

Just as Leadership Is A Process, Not An Event, the same holds true that Building Character Is A Process, Not An Event.

 

Any disagreement?

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death.
–Eleanor Roosevelt

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

05 May
Are Your Work Relationships Draining Your Energy? Discover the Key Factors for Success!
marketang Uncategorized

Are Your Work Relationships Draining Your Energy? Discover the Key Factors for Success!

When strong work relationships exist, there are increased levels of energy, morale is improved, more is accomplished, and success rates increase.

Do you ever feel that your energy is being sapped right out of you? Last week we talked about the current challenges experienced by leaders and shared that 54% of managers are suffering from work-induced stress and fatigue. Instead of being energized, leaders are being drained.

There’s a need to strive for “Energy Givers”; these create feelings of being refreshed and motivated. What we want to avoid is “Energy Takers”; these are items (or people) that drain our energy and leave us feeling tired and unmotivated.

It’s important to have a work life balance, and that isn’t just about the hours we keep, but also about our lifestyle.

Do you incorporate the following Energy Givers into your life? (And with what frequency?)
  1. Regular exercise
  2. Adequate sleep
  3. Healthy eating
  4. Meditation/Relaxation
  5. Nature

Now for the Energy Takers: (Which are you guilty of?)
  1. Skipping meals
  2. Lack of sleep
  3. Sedentary lifestyle
  4. Negative self-talk
  5. Excessive use of technology (especially at night)

And there are also Energy Vampires; these are people we interact with that may or may not intentionally leave us feeling exhausted and maybe even cause us to have feelings of being over-whelmed and anxious.

It could be a colleague, a strategic partner, a direct report, or even your boss. (Does anyone come to mind?).

  • They may point fingers and thrive on drama
  • They may express that things are never right
  • They may feel they are the victim
  • They may take credit for the work of others
  • They refuse to be accountable for any misdeeds
  • Their style may be to bully or intimidate

It’s important to recognize when and what is draining you. It’s not always possible to remove yourself from the offender, but we can become more self-aware to ensure we are in control of our energy.

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

Per Wikipedia:
An energy vampire never likes to be outdone, and they aren’t keen to share the spotlight. This is one of their many narcissistic tendencies. They struggle to feel genuine happiness for another person. Instead, they prefer to pull energy to feed their emotional demands.

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

25 Apr
Overcoming Leadership Challenges in Today's Stressful Business Environment
marketang Uncategorized

Overcoming Leadership Challenges in Today’s Stressful Business Environment

As a leader, what challenges are you experiencing? The role of a leader has evolved over the years, and while that’s a good thing, today’s leaders are experiencing higher levels of stress with negative impacts for business relationships, effectiveness, and influence.

Per a Gartner Report, here are the top 3 leadership challenges:

Goal Conflict

45% of managers are spending more time managing projects than managing people

Stress and Fatigue

54% of managers are suffering from work-induced stress and fatigue

Lack of Confidence

Only 1 in 2 employees is confident in their manager’s ability to lead their team to be successful in the next two years

Employees place an importance on having the support of their leader, yet the leader has to struggle with balancing the “tactical/busy” work they must do with the time required to support their team members and for building and sustaining relationships.

The four key components identified for leadership effectiveness are:
  • Project and work management
  • Performance management and goal alignment
  • Coaching and development
  • Collaboration and building a positive team environment.

When items 2, 3 and 4 are neglected (or the desired time to work on them is lacking), the ability to lead effectively suffers as does morale, goal attainment, and career growth.

Workloads for leaders are impacting their ability to be effective, and 20% of leaders report that they would prefer not being people managers if given a choice.  How sad!

It’s not easy, but as leaders we must make every effort to address the challenges that are impacting our ability to be effective. Why?

Employees who feel they report to effective leaders are:
  • 15 times more likely to be high performers
  • 13 times more engaged
  •  3 times more likely to not change jobs
  • And, their physical and mental well-being is more than 12% higher than those that feel their leaders are ineffective.

What can change?
  • Clarify (or totally reset) leadership role expectations
  • Align priorities
  • Remove processes and procedures that are a burden for leaders (versus a value add)
  • Make people management and development a priority
  • Set realistic expectations of what leadership entails and build a pipeline of future leaders

What changes would make you a more effective leader and reduce your challenges?

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determinations.
— John Seaman Garns

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

21 Apr
How Procrastination in the Workplace Impacts Your Career and Relationships
marketang Uncategorized

How Does Procrastination Impact Your Career and Relationships in the Workplace?

Procrastination in the workplace is real. Joseph Ferrari, PhD, professor of psychology and international researcher in procrastination studies shares that “20 percent of U.S. men and women are chronic procrastinators. They delay at home, work, school and in relationships”.

There are many reasons (excuses?) for procrastinating as well as impacts to the business:

Reasons:
  • Feelings of being over-whelmed
  • A task being too large
  • A task taking too much time
  • A task viewed as unpleasant
  • A task viewed as difficult
  • Unclear expectations
  • Indecisive approaches for completion
  • Fear of not getting the task “right”

Impacts:
  • Relationships
  • Trust
  • Missed deadlines
  • Productivity
  • Promotions
  • Goal attainment
  • Stress!

We all suffer from procrastination at some time or another (some of us more frequently than others). This basically means that we choose to postpone doing a task or action and instead make the decision to ignore priority items and choose to spend our time on tasks that require less time to complete or ones we find more enjoyable.

Tips that help:
  • When procrastinating, the best thing you can do is to admit it 
  • Next, understand the priorities of your business
  • Assess what causes you to put things off
  • Control distractions/disruptions
  • Do the toughest tasks first (or the ones required to attain goals)
  • Break the unpleasant tasks into small pieces
  • Delegate the task to someone who may enjoy doing it
  • Don’t be a perfectionist

Addressing procrastination requires awareness; reflect on your reasons for your delays and create a plan that will move you forward (and don’t hesitate to engage your leader for guidance).  

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

You may delay, but time will not.
–Benjamin Franklin

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

16 Apr
How Does Your Influence Shape Your Leadership? Discover the Power of Everyday Actions!
marketang Uncategorized

How Does Your Influence Shape Your Leadership? Discover the Power of Everyday Actions!

When you read John C. Maxwell’s quote: Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less, did it strike any nerve with you, and did you take a second or two to consider how you influence others?

At PeopleTek, one of our slogans is that “everyone is a leader” (which is not always readily accepted), but our reasoning is that everyone has the ability to influence others, which is a key trait for leadership.

Our behaviors, how we communicate, how we manage differences, and our ability to build relationships are all part of our influencing skillset.  Do you:

  I
        Consistently display and lead with INTEGRITY

  N    
        Identify the developmental NEEDS of your people and organization

  F    
        Reflect on FEEDBACK that is given to you, and provide meaningful
            FEEDBACK to help others grow

  L       
        LEVERAGE differing styles and preferences to obtain goals and desired
            results

  U       
        UNDERSTAND that not everything goes as planned; don’t punish yourself
            (or others), rather learn from what went wrong and consider how it
            could be improved upon

  E      
       ENGAGE others with both similar and opposing views. What have you not
            thought about? What more can be learned?

  N 
       Invest in both NEW and tenured leaders and commit to continual learning

  C       
       Genuinely CARE about how others think and feel

  E
        EFFECTIVE leaders build and maintain authentic, lasting, relationships

How did you score? Any area(s) you can improve upon?

As leaders, use your influencing skills to align team members to achieve goals, to have open and healthy feedback, to strengthen relationships, and to grow.

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

Never mistake the power of influence.
–Jim Rohn

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

08 Apr
Boost Leadership with Strong Relationships - Learn How
marketang Uncategorized

How Can Strong Relationships Elevate Your Leadership?

Not only do strong leaders invest in their interactions and business relationships with others, they also help others understand why it’s important to do so.

Here’s how to enhance interactions and relationships:

  • Truly care about others and their career
  • Make others feel valued
  • Listen to new and perhaps opposing ideas
  • Be respectful and mindful of the needs of others
  • Live your life with integrity and without hidden agendas
  • Do not portray a sense of self-importance or superiority
  • Provide meaningful feedback to help others grow and improve
  • Accept feedback for your own growth and improvement 
  • Be a role model and set the stage! Others learn from us and will emulate the actions and behaviors they see in us (and like).

As leaders one of our main goals is to help others grow in their career, and building strong relationships is a great way to start.

Sincerely,

 

Mike and Jan

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more,
do more and become more, you are a leader.
–John Quincy Adams

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

02 Apr
Understanding Workplace Biases for Better Leadership
marketang Uncategorized

Breaking Down Biases: A Guide to Fairer Workplaces

. . . and we all have biases

Like it or not we all have biases and they impact our relationships, our interactions, our work culture, and our life. What’s key is understanding what they are and how to manage them.

Per NeuroLeadership:

Simply put, bias is what happens in our own brains, while feelings of inclusion or exclusion are what happens in other people’s brains.

Unconscious bias, or implicit bias, is an assumption or belief you have in favor of or against a person or a group of people. These prejudices are unintentional; they happen outside of your awareness.

Common Workplace biases include:

 

1.    Ability
2.    Affinity
3.    Age
4.    Appearance (weight/grooming)
5.    Authority
6.    Confirmation
7.    Conformity
8.    Gender
9.    Race/heritage/accents
10. Religion

When you look at our COMPASS you can see that all the components have the potential to be impacted by biases, and these components are critical for effective leadership and career growth.

Biases can lead to: unfair assumptions, preferential treatment (by the boss and others), discrimination, harassment and bullying, and exclusionary behavior. They can also stifle a person’s ability to leverage their “magic dust”® (their special talents). As leaders we need to recognize that everyone excels in a variety of things, and that although some colleagues may excel at certain tasks, others will be more effective in other roles and actions.

How can we improve? We can start with expanding our competencies by learning more about others that are different from ourselves, supplemented with the intent to appreciate those differences.

What biases have you observed in the workplace? Have you ever felt stifled because of biases?

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

Recognizing that you have a bias and blind spots is essential to personal growth.
― Mikaela Kiner

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

23 Mar
Effective Change Management: Kotter's 8 Steps Explained
marketang Uncategorized

Mastering Change: A Leader’s Guide to Navigating Organizational Transformation

Change and the unknown often go hand in hand.

Change is often resisted. Why?  Comfort levels no longer exist, impacts may or may not be known, and job security is often a factor.

When communicating change, our message must be clear as to:

  • Why the change is occurring
  • The anticipated benefits
  • Who will be impacted, and how
  • The timeline for implementation
  • How results will be measured
  • Why the change supports the vision of the organization

Dr. John Kotter, Harvard professor, author, and leadership consultant, shares that as leaders we must motivate our teams by communicating our strategy and vision for all changes, and he provides an 8 Step process for implementing change:

1. Create a sense of urgency
Present an opportunity that helps the team see the need for change

2. Build a guiding coalition
Get a group of diverse, early adopters that will help communicate and guide the change

3. Form a strategic vision and initiatives
Provide a visual of what the change will look like and the direction you’re headed

4. Enlist volunteers
Continually obtain buy-in to keep the momentum and purpose moving forward

5. Enable action by removing barriers
Keep apprised of the challenges being faced and ensure strong communication and new processes are in place

6. Generate short-term wins
Reward and recognize successes as they occur

7. Sustain acceleration
Use the successes as a springboard to continually move forward

8. Institute change
Share how the changes, processes, and initiatives contribute to the organization’s overall success

It’s up to us as leaders to minimize the fear of change by communicating the value of each change, ultimately reducing resistance and obtaining success.

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.
–Winston Churchill

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

16 Mar
Workplace Integrity: Key for Success & Teamwork
marketang Uncategorized

Discover the Power of Integrity at Work: Does Your Team Measure Up?

It is true integrity alone would not make you a good leader,
but without integrity, you never will be.
– Zig Ziglar

Workplace Integrity: Key for Success & Teamwork

Is integrity a key value in your workplace? Are business relationships healthy and does your company address behaviors and actions that are not aligned with “working and leading” with integrity?

When integrity is truly embraced, you will find a work environment where employees are accountable, are more engaged, and where there’s a desire to help achieve organizational success. You’ll find respectful interactions regardless of differing opinions, and you’ll find transparency about owning accomplishments as well as mistakes.

As leaders it’s up to us to set the stage.  We need to demonstrate that we value integrity and that our actions are aligned with our expectations. How can we do this?

  • Model the behaviors we expect from others
  • Follow through on our commitments
  • Dispel rumors
  • Address negativity
  • Be trustworthy and build relationships of trust
  • Do not compromise our ethics
  • Encourage kindness, respect, and graciousness
  • Admit our mistakes
  • Commit to helping others succeed

Below are a few questions that help measure integrity:

1.    I always act with positive intent
2.    I do not avoid answering questions truthfully, even when the issue is difficult
3.    I treat others fairly and respectfully regardless of position/title
4.    I call others out when the work values are not supported
5.    I am not easily influenced by those more senior to me when things seem “off” and have the confidence to be true to myself

Ask your team to answer these questions and discuss what they view as team strengths and needs.

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking.
–C.S. Lewis

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

09 Mar
Listening Matters: Unveiling the Truth About Being Heard at Work
marketang Uncategorized

Listening Matters: Unveiling the Truth About Being Heard at Work

Listening Is A Differentiator?

We all want to be heard; we want to not only share our thoughts and opinions, but we want the recipient(s) to actually process what we’re saying.

Based on a global survey conducted by The Workforce Institute@UKG, there is a need for improvement. Over 4,000 employees, managers, and business leaders across 11 countries were asked if they felt heard in the workplace.  The results were that 81% felt they were heard, and 19% felt they were not. Results by several countries include:

Country           Felt Heard
Canada               73%
U.K.                    77%
U.S.                    80%
India                   87%

A few more interesting findings:
  • Men reported feeling listened to 84% of the time versus 79% for women
  • Extraverts felt listened to 86% of the time compared to 79% for introverts
  • Those feeling most listened to (85%) were in the age brackets of 18-24, as well as those 65 and older (interesting age variance)
  • 40% do not feel their input is acted upon or leads to any type of change

Items of special significance to leadership:
  • 63% feel their manager or employer has ignored their voice
  • 43% are more likely to tell their manager what they want to hear
  • 34% don’t feel their manager takes their ideas or feedback seriously
  • 35% don’t feel their manager cares about them as a person
  • 39% don’t feel their manager proactively seeks out ideas or feedback

Being heard does not imply that everything one says is agreed with; it simply means that one is not being discounted and that the feedback or input provided is being acknowledged and considered.

Can we improve as leaders? Probably. We can start by building relationships, we must be aware of and remove distractions, and we must truly focus on the person.

Let every person know they’ve been heard, and when required, follow up on all suggestions and feedback.

Would your team feel that they’ve been heard?  What can you improve upon?

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say. –Bryant H. McGill

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

02 Mar
Find Your Best Leadership Style: A Simple Guide to Gallup's Four Domains
peopletek Uncategorized

Find Your Best Leadership Style: A Simple Guide to Gallup’s Four Domains

Leadership Styles Vary – What’s Yours?

While there are many styles of leadership, Gallup has studied over one million teams and 20,000+ senior leaders and have identified four domains and associated styles of leadership:

Domain                                       Leadership Style
Relationship Building                    People-Oriented Leader
Executing                                     Process-Oriented Leader
Strategic Thinking                         Thought-Oriented Leader
Influencing                                   Impact-Oriented Leader

They feel that results will be obtained when the leader utilizes their unique and natural strengths and styles (what we call magic dust™), and that it’s essential for us to:

  • Know our leadership style
  • Deploy and develop our leadership style
  • Be aware of our leadership weaknesses and have strategies to mitigate them

In Jim Clifton and Jim Harber’s book It’s the Manager: Moving From Boss to Coach, they highlight what they view as the six biggest challenges in our current work culture from the perspective of Millennials and Gen Zers:

1.    they don’t just work for a paycheck, they want a purpose
2.    they are no longer simply looking for job satisfaction, they are pursuing development
3.    they don’t want bosses, they want coaches
4.    they don’t want annual reviews, they want ongoing conversations
5.    they don’t want a manager that fixates on their weaknesses
6.    they don’t view their job as just a job, they view it as their life

They also discuss the 34 Clifton Strengths which are linked to the domains listed above. These Strengths identify our focus, attention, and energy, and not the outcomes that may be achieved.  

DOMAIN RECAPS:

Relationship Building

The People Oriented leader is the glue that holds teams together, creates a culture of inclusiveness, builds trust, and genuinely cares.

Executing

This style of leader sets the pace for the team, digs in when needed, creates efficient systems and processes, and provides clarity.

Strategic Thinking

This leadership style listens to others, makes them feel their opinions count, sees the big picture, is a deep thinker and seeks root causes, and are open to new ideas.

Influencing

With this style, the leader inspires others to follow their and the organization’s purpose, vision, and goals, while seeking new levels of excellence.

Remember, all domains/styles add value. What’s important is the willingness to keep our natural strengths strong, and the commitment to continually develop the areas that don’t feel as natural.

Which leadership style sounds most like you? What are you doing to keep it strong?

Mike and Jan

 Self-awareness is the companion of good leadership.
–Merida Johns

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

23 Feb
Delta's Unprecedented $1.4 Billion Employee Bonus: Redefining Workplace Gratitude
marketang Uncategorized

Delta’s Billion-Dollar Thank You: A Masterclass in Employee Appreciation and Gratitude

How Do You Show Gratitude?

It’s not unusual for us to talk about the need to have a desirable work culture, the need to build and sustain relationships, and the need for rewards and recognition for a job well done.

Showing gratitude can vary greatly; from a simple “thank-you” effort, to a prime parking spot, theatre tickets, team building events, travel perks, and of course pay raises and bonuses, but Delta has done something extraordinary this year: They have paid their employees over $1 billion dollars in profit sharing. (A reported $1.4 billion to be exact).

More than 100,000 Delta employees received a one-time bonus of roughly 10% of their annual salary, and although this is certainly special, it’s the seventh time Delta has paid more than $1 billion in profit sharing. Now that’s gratitude!

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said “rewarding our people is fundamental to who we are at Delta. It’s always my No. 1 priority to take care of the Delta team“. A lot of companies make claims that their people are their #1 priority, but this action truly does show gratitude for the contributions and efforts of their dedicated workforce.

As leaders we most likely don’t have the opportunity to show gratitude to this magnitude, but we can ensure our team feels appreciated. We can show our employees that they are valued as much as our clients and shareholders, and we can make efforts to provide an enjoyable workplace.  And, when in doubt, we can always ask our team how they feel about our work culture.

How do you show your gratitude? Do your employees feel it’s sufficient?
 

Mike and Jan

 Take time to appreciate employees and they will reciprocate in a thousand ways.
–Dr. Bob Nelson

At PeopleTek Coaching, our expertise lies in guiding IT visionaries, propelling them to the zenith of their capabilities. With a potent combination of bespoke coaching sessions, forward-thinking methodologies, and deep-rooted insights from the tech sector, we empower both individual tech mavens and cohesive teams to thrive in the dynamic world of IT.

Our state-of-the-art coaching model hones leadership skills and bolsters team unity, aligning them with a shared technological mission. This steadfast dedication to fostering teamwork has cemented our standing, making us the go-to consultancy for myriad tech corporations over our distinguished 20-year journey.

Beyond just business achievements, our aspiration is to mold IT spaces that resonate with positivity, creativity, and mutual respect. We champion environments that catalyze individual advancement and heighten productivity. This visionary approach forms the cornerstone of PeopleTek’s ethos.

At PeopleTek, we invite you to reshape your IT leadership path and lead with unmatched accuracy and enthusiasm. Delve into the nuances of our tailored approach by visiting PeopleTekCoaching.com. Boasting a comprehensive array of tech-focused services, we are primed to refresh your ascent to tech leadership excellence and collaborative success.

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