| Attention Coaches! Did you know there are over seven million privately owned companies in North America? Connect with the universe of family owned companies who need your services as a coach who speaks their language! Add your profile to our directory of professionals right now. |
|
Putting Out Fires-stop, Drop, And Role
By Kevin Eikenberry
I’ve worked with well-meaning, highly-principled leaders for years. When the topic of coaching and developing their employees comes up I often hear that they know coaching is important, they want to coach more, but they don’t have time because they are too busy “putting out fires”.
As children we learn that if we are ever in a fire, and our clothing catches on fire, we should “stop, drop and roll.” By dropping to the floor and rolling around we snuff out the flames and solve the immediate problem.
The more I hear the phrase “putting out fires” from managers and leaders, the more I think this simple firefighting advice applies to leaders too.
The Fires
No one I’ve ever talked to admitted to liking the fires at work. They put urgency and stress into our days. They put us in a position of solving a problem that in many cases we didn’t even know existed. And because of the urgency, often the problems are averted (or minimized), but the root cause never is addressed – meaning you fight the same fire over and over again!
And while no one admits to liking firefighting, I believe that at least unconsciously some people actually do like the firefighting – it provides an adrenalin rush and perhaps even provides more short term job satisfaction as well.
Stop, Drop and Role
Assuming that you really don’t want to deal with the fires (if you secretly like that work, perhaps you should re-consider carefully your role as a leader – read on as a part of that reflection), there are three steps that will help you fight the fires and find more time to coach and develop your team
Our articles continue...
|
– which was the initial concern! Those steps closely reflect the firefighter’s mantra: stop, drop and role. Stop – You must stop fighting all the fires. Recognize that as a leader the fires don’t all belong to you and with some coaching and development the fires can be owned by others. Then you will have time to work with your team members to do fire prevention. Start considering fires as an opportunity for coaching and development. Does this mean you will never roll up your sleeves and help? Not necessarily. What it does mean is that if you are dealing with all of the fires, you can’t do the work you are truly paid to do. Stop! Drop – You must drop the fire and hand it off to someone else. In the moment you might have to help, but your help should be done consultatively, so that as you are helping fight the fire, you are preparing someone else to fight (or prevent it) next time. If you do find yourself enjoying firefighting, think about dropping the energy and enjoyment you get from these situations and refocusing your energy to coaching and development. Drop! Role – You must remember your role. As a leader, your role is to develop others. As you invest this time, you are providing others the opportunity to put out the fires. You are developing their skills to manage their work more effectively. And by investing the time to coach, you are creating more time to do it more frequently and more effectively in the future. Remember your role! If you find yourself putting out fires that are keeping you from doing the less urgent but more important things like coaching and training, consider the advice of firemen – who know fires best after all. Stop, drop, and role! Potential Principle – As a leader we must focus on important things like developing our people, not just the urgent things that pop up each day. Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting and speaking services. To receive your free special report on Unleashing Your Potential go to www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/index.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.
Here are some more family business coaching articles...
Business Coaching And Training: Why It Is So Important To Make Your Business A Winner
By Michael Gultz-5845
It has been talked about lot in recent years but it has taking a step further from just being talked about to being valued by many corporations and their leaders. An organization is made of Read more...
|
Life Coaching Career Advice – Finding The Career For You
By Sean McPheat
How do you find an ideal career that is just right for you?Many times, people tend to drift into careers that probably their parents decide for them. As long as it is what you can do better Read more...
|
The Laws Of Attraction Part 2
By Gemma Bailey
Dream big! What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? Really stretch yourself! One of the challenges that I had initially with practicing the Law of Attraction, was that the dream was so Read more...
|
The 7 C’s Of Coaching
By Eric Garner
If you want to turn your training and coaching events into memorable, life-changing moments for your trainees, then you need to practise the 7 C’s of Coaching.1. Climate. Studies show Read more...
|
How Much to Spend on Advertising?
The quandary is that a business cannot survive without a fresh flow of incoming customers. But, a business can seldom generate a fresh stream of customers without spending money to get the word out about their business.
Discover "No Results, No Pay" Radio Advertising and Generate New WebSite Traffic
Here's a simple way to use "No Results, No Pay" radio
advertising and build traffic for your website.
Misconceptions and Lessons of Advertising Your New Business
When you are starting out in a new home business and no one
knows who you are, one of the greatest challenges you will face
is how to drum up new business.
Is Your Business in Motion?
One of the basic laws of physics is Newton's 1st law. This states that a body at rest will tend to remain at rest, while a body in motion and moving at a constant velocity will tend to remain in motion. The same thing can be said about your business. Is your business in motion, or at rest?
Understanding the Different Methods of Offline Promotion
No business can survive the long run without some form of
consistent advertising. As a result, most business owners will
eventually consider using advertising to promote their business.
How To Go From Under Dog to Top Dog by Unleashing The Power Of a Postcard
How To Go From Under Dog to Top Dog
by Unleashing The Power Of a Postcard
Advertising Your Home Business on a Budget
When you are starting out in a new home business and no one
knows who you are, one of the greatest challenges you will face
is how to drum up new business.
Advertising 101 for the Small Business Owner
"The spider looks for a merchant who doesn't advertise so he can spin a web across his door and lead a life of undisturbed peace." --- Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Although Samuel L. Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, lived in a time when there was no radio broadcasting or television, he was no fool. His gift for the written word influenced generations of Americans --- and his sharp wit and wisdom exposed the truth’s of life, so much so that his words still ring true today.
How to Win the Advertising and Promotion Game
I am certain that, as a business owner, you have often
entertained the question as to how much to spend and where to
spend your advertising dollars. For most small business owners,
these questions can add to the headaches suffered in the course
of normal everyday operations of their business.
Cable Ads 5 Bucks!
Cable has grown from 13 houses connected together
in 1948 to coverage of nearly 70% of all
households in the U.S. With dozens, even hundreds
of channels, Cable is now a major player for local
advertising dollars, some for less than 5 bucks.
15 Tips for Better Yellow Page Ads
Yellow Pages advertising is one of the most
popular forms of advertising in the country today.
Here are 15 ways to make their yellow pages more
effective.
What the Newspaper Ad Person Won't Tell You
You should understand the newspaper's weaknesses and learn
to avoid them whenever possible.
Get More Sales When You Advertise
Here are 3 powerful marketing tactics you can use to get
more sales the next time you advertise. All 3 work for any
business. And you can use them effectively on the Internet
or in traditional media.
Taser International dismissed from Georgia lawsuit
Taser International Inc. was dismissed from a U.S. District Court lawsuit in Georgia. (TASR)
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=nFkfHt"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=nFkfHt" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=YxhrO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=YxhrO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=bYBSo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=bYBSo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=3xhGo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=3xhGo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=fqnAO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=fqnAO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
ON Semiconductor to make $11M on note repurchase
ON Semiconductor Corp. will make about $11 million in the fourth quarter on repurchasing some convertible notes. (ONNN)
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=xffWQT"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=xffWQT" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=ElcaO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=ElcaO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=mmgTo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=mmgTo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=T8VYo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=T8VYo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=eZHYO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=eZHYO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
New layoff wave hits Arizona Republic
A new round of layoffs began Wednesday at the <em>Arizona Republic</em> as the newspaper’s parent company Gannett Inc. looks to trim 10 percent from its daily newspapers across the U.S.
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=639VQN"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=639VQN" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=eTNkO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=eTNkO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=Q3V2o"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=Q3V2o" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=mo7yo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=mo7yo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=TlJCO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=TlJCO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
Failure to disclose deals with Wolfswinkels, developers part of supervisor?s indictment
The indictment of Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley includes some counts involving Stapley’s business and real estate deals with some notable real estate developers.
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=kjHL2L"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=kjHL2L" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=R7fWO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=R7fWO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=Dagjo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=Dagjo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=H1Aho"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=H1Aho" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=DH6iO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=DH6iO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
U.S. troops may be deployed in Arizona, Southwest U.S.
U.S. Defense Department plans to deploy as many 20,000 U.S. troops within the U.S. for homeland security and anti-terrorism efforts could result in a significant number being placed or having some kind of presence in Arizona and the Southwest, according to security experts.
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=tvk6cl"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=tvk6cl" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=E6eYO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=E6eYO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=YhOro"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=YhOro" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=dOP7o"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=dOP7o" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=SHUpO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=SHUpO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
Jeff Flake opposes bailout for U.S. automakers
Mesa congressman Jeff Flake disagrees with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s assessment that the federal government should not let the Big 3 U.S. automakers fall into bankruptcy.
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=vX0lNl"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=vX0lNl" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=DtrrO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=DtrrO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=STHro"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=STHro" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=vppXo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=vppXo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=67I6O"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=67I6O" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
Van Velsor Wolf to chair American Cancer Society board
A Phoenix enviromental law expert will be instrumental in shaping the direction of the American Cancer Society, following the group’s election of Van Velsor Wolf as chairman of its national board of directors.
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=XVBlKw"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=XVBlKw" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=eYH0O"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=eYH0O" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=gT3jo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=gT3jo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=IpEdo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=IpEdo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=RiwDO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=RiwDO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
California, Arizona take different approaches to fix mortgage mess
Arizona and California are in the same sinking ship when it comes to the rise in foreclosures and the subprime mortgage mess. But the two states are oceans apart in how they are dealing with those distressed mortgages.
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=irY9Lp"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=irY9Lp" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=H85mO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=H85mO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=rxHqo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=rxHqo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=RpV4o"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=RpV4o" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=hhgHO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=hhgHO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
Nation?s service sector shows November decline
New research from a Tempe economic group shows that the nation’s service sector contracted sharply in November.
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=HFms9u"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=HFms9u" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=m0DVO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=m0DVO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=ptDao"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=ptDao" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=l51so"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=l51so" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=OXdMO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=OXdMO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
Lower mortgage rates fuel increase in applications
Lower interest rates and a steady stream of government bailouts helped to create a surge in mortgage applications last week.
<p><a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?a=VtDNG4"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~a/bizj_phoenix?i=VtDNG4" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=jiGSO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=jiGSO" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=5RNVo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=5RNVo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=v5fuo"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=v5fuo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?a=G1lqO"><img src="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~f/bizj_phoenix?i=G1lqO" border="0"></img></a>
</div>
|
