A Note from Deborah Chambers Chima

Coach's Corner

Defining Leadership in the New Workplace

Coming Soon!!!

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Question of the month:

I work in a very competitive, intense environment where it seems like everyone (including my boss) is out for themselves. I feel isolated, underappreciated, overworked, and certainly exhausted. I think my peers and team feel the same although no one seems to want to establish an authentic relationship to talk about solutions. What can I do to improve my effectiveness in this type of environment?

Coach’s response:

First of all, thank you for your candor in describing your work environment. It’s really hard when you try to give your all at work and end up feeling like your efforts aren’t valued. I really appreciate the fact that you did not ask me how to get your peers, staff and even your boss to treat you better. You are absolutely on the right track by saying your focus needs to be on how can you remain effective or improve your effectiveness despite the unengaging environment.

Let’s start with the outcome you want to achieve through your improved effectiveness. What do you want? Do you want to feel or experience a work environment where your contributions are recognized? If so, it starts with you first recognizing the contributions of others.

The old adage of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you is applicable. When your peers or team see you being appreciative, they are more likely to return the favor. If you already properly recognize others and you want your boss to give you the same benefit, then you must sit down with your boss to discuss your concern. Clearly articulate the contributions you have made and reach agreement on how you should be recognized.

Yes, you would like to think that the boss should not have to be told to value people, but in today’s competitive workplace, most bosses are just trying to survive themselves so you will need to ask for what you want. In order to create something different or better you must know clearly what you want.

Yes, that’s right. Accept ownership for how things turned out. Whatever thoughts you are having about how unfair this approach is, do whatever it takes to help yourself get over it. Remember, the objective is to turn an adverse situation into an opportunity to continue to focus on meeting your career goals. Reaching your career goals start with achieving an excellent performance rating. You need to decide to take ownership to reverse the situation.

The next step is to define what is stopping you from having the work environment you desire. What are the barriers? We all like to think that the problem lies within others more so than ourselves. Usually others think we are the problem. Take some time to reflect on why things are the way they are at work. Own your part and then strategically approach others who may be standing in the way of your effectiveness. If it is the boss who is the identified barrier, save this conversation for last and give me a call so we can plan your approach. As you have the necessary conversations with your peers and/ or your team to identify and eliminate the barriers, make sure your initial approach is open and conciliatory to hearing their perspective first.

Answering these two questions will help you move forward in creating a more conducive environment. There are other steps to take. This is really a complicated topic that I can’t do justice to in a newsletter, so if you want to improve your effectiveness this year, give me a call to discuss your specific issues.

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Leadership Solutions for Today's Workplace is a monthly newsletter for professionals seeking quick and easy solutions to enhance their leadership skills. Each issue features practical tips and an article based on real world examples that demonstrate leadership in today's competitive work environment.

Can you believe that January has almost gone by in this new year of 2006? If you are anything like me, you are just putting the final touch on the goals that you want to accomplish this year and now you realize it is almost February! If this is an indication of how time is going to fly by, then I am going to have to create a different game plan in order to have a fighting chance at the growth I want to experience in 2006.

Each year at this time, I assess my work from the previous year and implement the changes that will help me reach my next level of performance. To that end, I want to let you know about a new offering which will allow me to talk with you in person about how you can be more effective in the workplace. If you have enjoyed the newsletter, then I am confident you will want to participate in my interactive teleseminars. I hope you will continue to use this monthly newsletter as a valued resource to challenge and support you in reaching your new career goals.

This month, we are exploring the topic of “how to be more effective” as the rules of engagement continue to change in the workplace. Hopefully, it is not a surprise to you that the rules have changed, and will continue to change, as Corporate America struggles to reverse the current market share downward trend. Constant strategies to stave off the fierce competition are being implemented with fewer resources. If you aren’t aware that this dynamic is the main reason for the additional stress in the workplace, give me a call immediately so we can discuss your work environment and implement a plan to get you up to speed. If you are already feeling the impact of the new rules of engagement and want some real world solutions, please keep reading and implement some of the recommendations. Then give me a call and I will be happy to conduct a complimentary coaching call to help you jumpstart your plan. If you are ready to regain your rightful place as an effective leader regardless of the environment, make sure you join me for one or all of the six upcoming teleseminars.

I don’t profess to have all the answers, but what I do know is that despite all of your hard work and efforts in 2005, you are going to have to do more in 2006 just to keep up. Wouldn’t it be great to work your plan versus the organization’s plan as you strive to do more than survive? Thriving through effectiveness is the solution! Are you ready to make something happen in 2006?

Things are moving so fast in today’s workplace. Communication is at a rapid pace and yesterday’s direction is now old news. Restructuring continues to happen and now you don’t know half the people you work with on an intimate basis because of all the transfers and constant reassignments. The "flavor of the month” type of management can sometimes turn into the "flavor of the day” because changes are being made so fast. What you thought you knew about how to be effective in your job no longer seems to be the answers you need. There is so much new information to discern, decipher, and execute.

Before you burn yourself out or get frustrated and just check out, let’s spend some time discussing how you can continue to be an effective leader despite all the chaos. I would like to provide you with the following five recommendations:

• Create and commit to a challenging work plan. In an ideal world you should already know the direction you are expected to take this year. Meet with your boss to establish the top three priorities that must get accomplished in 2006 no matter what new direction may take place. Make sure you identify and agree upon the resources you will need to accomplish the plan. Meet with any individual who has an impact on whether you meet your goals and establish agreement on communication updates and responsibilities. Next, determine two areas or projects that if you were to deliver the results would put you and the department in the high performance category.

  Include time to address these areas periodically each month into your plan. If you are thinking that just getting your three priority goals accomplished will be enough to help you reach your career goals, you will be sadly disappointed. Reaching your goals is what is expected. Exceeding the plan is what is going to make you stand out. Make sure you have a contingency plan ready to implement if the direction changes even after you get direction.

• Be an effective decision maker and take risks. Everyone is sitting around bemoaning how tough things are today. Don’t get caught up in the "woe is me" syndrome. Constant change is the new rule of engagement. Strive to be ahead of the game by staying abreast of the trends and implementing actions that will provide solutions. Sitting still trying to determine which way the wind is blowing today, will get you caught up in ineffectiveness. Boldly take steps to reach your agreed upon goals. Empower yourself to not take or make excuses.

  Trust me, if the boss sees you going down the wrong path, you will be told. If that happens, explain what you were trying to accomplish and get feedback on how you should proceed. Don’t wait to be told what to do. In today’s competitive environment, those who are willing to make well thought out decisions that ensure success will be rewarded. Eliminate the potential to be wishy-washy and go for it.

• Strive to be on the leading edge in all conversations. You must do your homework to ensure your communication is strategic and visionary. As you put your work plan together, make sure you plan time to read the latest industry journals and the latest business best seller that can add value to your goals.

  I am currently reading, “The World is Flat” by Thomas Freidman, which explores the global market barriers. Why this book you may ask? One of my long term goals is to leverage my previous international work experience into my business so I keep a journal of tips on this topic.

  If you don’t have time to read a big book then subscribe to online periodicals such as Business Week to get the latest information in a timely manner. The point is to include resources in your goals that will help you be current and knowledgeable about what is going on in the business world. You then apply the information you glean to your work environment and communicate in a manner that is compelling and motivating to others. You will know you have arrived as a valued resource when people begin to ask your opinion on the latest organizational problem.

• Work on your flexibility. On any given day you are subject to encounter an experience where you receive conflicting direction. Top management really doesn’t mean to be confusing. They really don’t. Conflicting messages are occurring due to the speed of change that is happening in most organizations. Competition is fierce. As a result, what seemed like the best approach last week may now seem like the second best approach due to additional data. As you strive to be a better decision maker and take more risks in getting results, you must still be prepared that your boss will change his or her mind after just agreeing to the approach you want to take.

  Pick your battles. It is imperative that you be viewed as a team player at the same time that you are working on distinguishing yourself from your peers. Watch your initial response when you get bad news. Strive to get all the facts and then take the time to determine how the new information can be best used to reach your goals. If the new direction will dramatically change your plans, use your network to determine how hard you should push back. If you still feel strongly about the approach you want to take, make a pitch to the boss that includes pros and cons. If you still get a no, let it go, and get on board with the new direction.

• Get a coach. If you want to ensure your career goals in 2006, engage with a coach that you can brainstorm and create success with. Give me a call today.

Imagine reaching your professional goals by December 2006. What will it take? Can you get there alone?

Are you seeking proven techniques to improve your leadership effectiveness?

Are you interested in meeting other professionals discussing topics such as Effectively Communicating, Leveraging Diverse Relationships and Team Building?

Do you enjoy reading the "Leadership Solutions for Today’s Competitive Workplace" newsletter and wish you had a way to discuss the topics in more depth?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you will want to participate in the February 23, 2006 teleseminar conducted by Deborah Chambers Chima. Our topic of discussion will be “Effectively Communicating in Today’s Competitive Workplace- Part 1”

During this teleseminar you will learn to:

• Identify the barriers to effective communication in the workplace
• Address peer communication issues effectively
• Create strategies to consistently communicate effectively with your boss
• Incorporate communication actions you can take to build better work relationships with your boss, team, department and peers

Upon registration you will be given an opportunity to submit your questions about effective communication in advance of the class to ensure you get the answers you are seeking on this ever-evolving topic. You can choose to attend an afternoon or evening class or both.

To register for the February 23 seminar, click on the time you prefer: 3:00 pm or 7:00 pm (Central Time). This initial seminar is available for a special one-time introductory price of $29!!