WorkMatters Tips Issue #31 – October 16, 2007
Publisher: Gayle Lantz mailto:lantz@workmatters.com
https://workmatters.com
WorkMatters, Inc.
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A quick tip to help leaders and executives who need to motivate their teams and themselves, and catapult their business.
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Be Specific
As a leader you’ve got to keep the "big picture" in sight. Good leaders want to make sure everyone sees and understands where their team, department or organization is trying to go.
At the same time, employees are hungry for specific expectations. They want to know what they personally are expected to do by when, and what the consequences will be. Some will ask for clarification. Others will make their own assumptions.
Some leaders get frustrated when others show evidence that they’re not getting the message. To prevent this kind of frustration, try any of the following:
* Be specific from the start.
Be as specific as possible when introducing a new project, program or initiative, especially in terms of "what" you want to accomplish. Some people will also need a little more guidance on the "how" part. The more specific you can be about how things should be operating or how people should be working together, the better.
* Share specific examples that illustrate success.
(e.g., "When we met with the customer, John helped build their confidence in us when he outlined our action plan and emphasized our commitment to securing additional resources. That’s the kind of initiative we need to see.")
* Play the movie.
When communicating your vision or strategy, include specific examples and details as though you’re playing a movie. Describe what’s happening in the future. Paint a vivid scene.
* Ask for feedback on the process.
Don’t trust that just because you communicated a message, others get it. Ask them to share their understanding from their own perspective. Establish checkpoints to evaluate progress and revisit the overall strategy or vision.
While tempting to tell other people what to do, it is more beneficial to help them learn how to make good decisions — how to think through situations more effectively to achieve best results.
Think out loud. This can feel strange to some leaders, but the reality is that you’re likely making many decisions intuitively. Others need to know how you think to help them develop their own leadership skills. Understanding the specific thoughts, concerns and expectations going on in your mind can help them improve their own performance.
P.S. If I can help you or your team achieve better results, let me know.
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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
All my life I’ve wanted to be somebody; I realize now I should have been more specific.
~Lily Tomlin
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Reprinted from "WorkMatters Tips," a free ezine produced by Gayle Lantz featuring tips for leaders and executives who want to grow themselves, their team and their business. Subscribe at
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