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.

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.

15 Feb
Revolutionizing Leadership: Mastering Self-Leadership with 'First Lead Yourself Revisited
marketang Uncategorized

Revolutionizing Leadership: Mastering Self-Leadership with ‘First Lead Yourself Revisited

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
– Aristotle

We’ve shared this before but feel it’s worth sharing again.

In the early 2000’s we started having discussions and giving speeches about “FLY – First Lead Yourself, Then Lead Others”. It turns out that we were not alone in this concept so we’ll share what it means to us.

Basically:

  • As leaders we must first understand and develop effective leadership skills and behaviors and apply them in our daily interactions.
  • We must invest the time to develop and maintain strong relationships; without them trust will be lacking and success will be more difficult to obtain.
  • We need to commit to continually hone our skills and recognize that “Leadership is a process, not an event!”.
We also believe the most impactful leaders act on the following:

  1. They work on self-awareness and learn how to best engage others
  2. They understand and leverage their “Magic Dust” and that of others
  3. Their Vision, Mission, Goals and Measures have been communicated and are fully supported by their behaviors (VMGM=B)
  4. They communicate with others in each person’s preferred style
  5. They have clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and desired results     
  6. They not only hold themselves accountable, they encourage others to do the same
  7. They Honor & Embrace Conflict as it can spark innovation and be inspirational
  8. They Influence Others through their interactions and behaviors
  9. They build and nurture Authentic, Lasting Relationships
  10. They provide timely and meaningful feedback, and regularly solicit feedback
  11. They make others feel valued and Inspire others to learn more and do more  
  12. They support career growth
Have you developed essential leadership skills and are you equipped to lead others and help them lead themselves? If yes, you FLY!

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

 Mastering others is strength; mastering oneself is true power.
– Lao Tsu

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.

01 Feb
Reviving the Detroit Lions: Coach Dan Campbell's Remarkable Leadership Journey
marketang Uncategorized

Coach Dan Campbell’s Inspiring Leadership: Transforming the Detroit Lions into NFL Contenders

Building relationships + truly caring is a formula for success

Whether or not you’re an NFL fan you’ll probably like this story.

Despite being one of the oldest NFL franchises (2023 was their 94th season), the Detroit Lions have never played in the Superbowl but came one game away from that honor this past week-end. They had some championship wins in the 50s, but most ensuing seasons have been lack-luster, yet they still had a loyal fan base.

Things started to turnaround when Coach Dan Campbell came onboard in 2021. He’s been credited with changing the team culture by inspiring his players and by building trusting relationships.

Coach Campbell has been known to make speeches that are passionate, sincere, and unifying. He’ll say things like:

  • “Rely on the man next to you”
  • “Trust me as the head coach“
  • “Do you understand what you’re doing right now? What we’re capable of?”
  • “All I think about is you guys”

He also understands the “magic dust”® of his players. Here are some excerpts from an article written by Somnath Mukherjee that talk about what led to the Lions’ successes:

  • Offensively, Campbell has implemented a strategic game plan that maximizes the strengths of key players
  • Campbell’s focus on player development has seen noticeable improvements in individual performances, contributing to the overall success of the team
  • Campbell has instilled a renewed sense of determination in the team
  • Campbell’s motivational tactics have fostered a sense of unity among the defensive unit, resulting in a more cohesive and effective playing style
   
And what we view as the biggest differentiator:

Campbell’s leadership off the field cannot be overlooked. His ability to cultivate a positive team culture and foster strong player-coach relationships has created a winning mentality within the organization.

Now that’s a winning formula (and that’s leadership!)

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

—Robert Collier

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.

26 Jan
Building Strong Boss-Direct Report Relationships: Key Elements for Workplace Success
marketang Uncategorized

Building Strong Boss-Direct Report Relationships: Key Elements for Workplace Success

Master the 3 Cs — Competency, Caring and Consistent values
– Karen Dee

Good Boss Relationship
 

Relationships drive success and we know having strong relationships with colleagues, clients, strategic partners, and vendors is crucial, but what about the boss/direct report relationship?

Below is a basic list of elements required for healthy boss/direct reports relationships:

  • Mutual respect
  • 2 way feedback (give and receive, well intended, and meaningful)
  • Hold each other accountable
  • Clear expectations
  • Open lines of communication
  • Ability to have healthy conflict
  • Listen to understand
  • Trust one another
  • Desire to achieve mutual goals

Karen Dee, in a Forbes article, shares that leaders must invest the time to get to know each team member and that there are 3 C’s that create trusting relationships, grow productivity, and increase morale. They are:

  1. Competence
  2. Caring
  3. Consistent Values
Excerpts:

Competence
 
A leader must show that they are competent, can add value to their stakeholders, they possess the skills necessary to do the job, demonstrate competency for clear and sincere communication, hold people accountable, and manage conflict.

Caring
 
Team members need to know their leader truly cares about them, their family, their passions, and their career aspirations. The leader needs to know what motivates each person, shows appreciation for contributions, and is committed for each person’s professional growth.

Consistent Values

Leaders who are honest, respectful, dependable, and open-minded are easier to follow and more readily obtain buy-in. Listening intently and without judgment invites more trusting relationships, and when peers consistently observe core beliefs being applied for decision making, the relationship is strengthened.

Sincerely,
Mike and Jan
 
Leaders depend on strong working relationships with upper management, peers, and direct reports to succeed professionally. –Irene Zhang

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.

18 Jan
Mastering Active Listening: Enhancing Communication in Business
marketang Uncategorized

Mastering Active Listening: Enhancing Communication in Business

True listening requires effort.

 
Listening is a skill that requires effort and impacts relationships. Any disagreement with that statement?

Listening requires focus and attentiveness and the desire to truly process the message with the intent to understand.  Issues arise when we get distracted or “tune out”.

Here are some tips for improving our listening skills:

  • No interrupting
  • No multi-tasking
  • Be aware of body language, expressions, and tone
  • Listen for underlying meanings
  • Be open to differing views
  • Retain eye contact (this helps with attention levels)
  • Don’t suggest words or finish sentences when a pause occurs
  • Don’t solve or judge
  • Ask probing questions to obtain clarity and recap what you think you’ve heard

We also need to be aware of when and why we “tune out”. Sometimes it’s the timing of the conversation, perhaps the topic, and it can even be the person delivering the message.

Why? We all have filters and baggage that may cause “selective” listening. Think about your business relationships. Are there individuals that you seem to always be fully engaged with and others that you have the inclination to “tune out”? Does the “deliverers” age, skill, gender, title, general demeanor affect your ability (and desire) to be an active listener? What else de-rails your ability to listen? 

The term ‘Active listening’ was coined by psychologists Carl Rogers and Richard Farson in 1957 and they say “Active listening is not an easy skill to acquire. It demands practice. Perhaps more important, it may require changes in our own basic attitudes”.

Awareness is key. Pay attention to your “non” listening behaviors ex. pencil tapping, raised eyebrows, blank stares, “zoning” out, making shopping lists, etc. Also, think about any colleagues you may have a “history” with for losing focus. That’s the kind of relationship that requires that you make a special effort to remain engaged and not tune out.

What changes can you make to truly listen regardless of who’s delivering the message?
 
Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication,
and clear communication is necessary to management success.
–James Cash Penney

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.

11 Jan
Empowering Leadership: How to Boost Team Growth and Success
marketang Uncategorized

Empowering Leadership: How to Boost Team Growth and Success

Leadership requires building relationships, letting go, and enabling others to thrive.

 
Are you helping your team members grow and succeed, or are you getting in their way?

We (leaders) have demanding schedules, execute a variety of roles daily, and frequently spend too much time working in the business instead of on the business.

As leaders we need to step back from the tactical work and spend more time on strategic thinking and innovation, and on coaching and developing others. A part of developing others includes delegating responsibilities, but many of us resist doing that.
 
Why do we resist? We may feel that the job will not get done to our satisfaction, that we’re uncomfortable assigning a task that may be viewed as boring, or we may feel we’re adding to an already heavy workload. These are issues we can work through.

Greg Alexander shared that a good place to start is:

  • allow high-potential employees to take on more ownership
  • figure out who your rock-solid, high-potential employees are
  • start delegating responsibilities for permanent ownership transfer
  • support your efforts with measurable results
  • have a succession plan
  • empower your employees

He also recommends writing down everything you do and identifying revenue-producing items versus non-revenue producing tasks. Anything that doesn’t produce revenue is a good starting point for an item to be delegated (but as your delegation comfort level grows, the assignments can increase in responsibilities with career growth opportunities).

It’s also vital to:
1.    Assess the strengths of your delegate and match assignments accordingly
2.    Provide clear, documented instructions and due dates
3.    Provide the “what and when” and leave the “how” to the individual which is more empowering and motivating
4.    Ensure your delegate has the appropriate resources they need to be successful
5.    Inform staff, co-workers, business partners, etc of the delegated role
6.    Follow-up and monitor the progress, acknowledge the contributions of your delegate, and provide constructive feedback for areas of growth

Don’t be the leader that gets in the way, rather provide enrichment opportunities that allow your employees to grow and succeed in their career.

Sincerely,

Mike and Jan

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

—John Maxwell

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.

1 2 3 4 5 … 9