Sometimes you may just have to be forced to comply. Occasionally when a company wants its employees to comply and do something new, whether it's a new process or using a new software program they may just have to force you to comply. If your company does force you to comply by giving your entire company, region or office a deadline to complete a task, realize that it is what it is and don't take it personally. Sometimes being forced to comply and being pushed through a challenging task is just really a great opportunity to learn. You may not understand why compliance to the task is so important and sometimes it may be years before you ever get it. It's the same with parenting when you need your children to comply they may just need to be forced to comply. Force can be applied either at work or at home by having a deadline and having consequences. Be open to learning and realize even being forced to comply with a process or new software can be a positive experience. It's all how you choose to look at it. Choose your attitude in these situations and model the way for those around, those that look up to you, and those that love you. It's the right thing to do.
Customers can see the energy that you are putting or giving out. If you're not prepared, if you appear frantic, nervous or not confident it does not help when you make a presentation to a potential customer or customer because they can see that as a sign of weakness or doubt and they usually do not buy what you're selling. It's the same way with raising children. Be conscious of the energy you are putting out. If you appear frantic or are not confident your children will pick up on that energy and respond accordingly. In the next situation with a customer or your children, try using calm assertive energy. You'll be surprised at the out come. It's another way show your employees, customers, family and children how to work through stressful times or situations and to model the way. When asked to focus on a specific task at work, focus on it. It may be easy to get distracted or there might be other things you would rather be doing, but showing that you can focus on something your manager tells you to shows your commitment to both your manager and your job. Good leaders are effective at managing up and down, meaning managing their managers and their employees. There is usually a bigger picture in play that that you may or may not need to know. But know this, in today's tight corporate environment not focusing on specific tasks could have a bigger impact than you realize. Many companies "right-size" their companies meaning they add or subtract the number of employees needed to run their business profitably. Focusing and delivering on the specific tasks many times are designed to prevent right-sizing. Following your manager's direction shows you can put someone else's priorities above your own and that your company doesn't revolve around you. Humilty and the ability to follow direction...what a great example to set for your children and family. Get uncomfortable. I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone. If you are right handed, for the next month try doing everything with your left hand. If you're left handed, use your right. By forcing yourself to get uncomfortable you can learn to do things different consistently to the point where it becomes natural, except maybe writing which will take much long to get it smooth. I switched over about a month ago just to get out of my comfort zone and have been amazed how smooth I have become eating left handed. By getting uncomfortable, you realize that sometimes God challenges you to get out of your comfort zone. Whether it's a manager pushing you to change behaviors, a new lifestyle change, a new diet, a new job, or maybe moving to a new city. Being open to change will allow you to do things differently. Getting uncomfortable is where true growth happens and you can become better than you were. Are you ready to get uncomfortable today and see what God has in store for you ? When visiting with my cousin rcently, I learned a little more about my deceased father that didn't know. He organized his business leads and contacts by city and not by name in his Rolodex. That way when he was in that city, he would call to meet or drop in to see all the businesses in that city. He realized that if you are not in front of a customer or potential customer then you're not making money. Maximizing your time by geography is key to maximize both your schedule and your earnings. As my cousin said, he was a true salesman, and I couldn't agree more. How do you sort your leads and appointments? "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly:..." Proverbs 18:24a "Managing and leading people is just like raising children. If you set expectations and don't follow up, you are worse off than if you set no expectation at all." - Tony Evans, Louisville, KY Recently my manager Tony and I have been discussing mediocrity versus excellence. Tony brought up a great point that I believe is accurate. There are a lot of people competing for mediocrity and very few people are competing for excellence. There seems to be a shift in American society that people are just happy being mediocre, so when someone comes across your path that is competing for excellence they stand out. There are less people competing for excellence so go compete with those striving for excellence. Model the way for others that there is a more challenging character building place to land, in the circle of excellence. Are you currently doing what you believe you are called to do based on how God wired you? If not why not? Getting a job is one thing, but if you can get into the line of work or the position where God wants you to be, you and others can see it and it can make a huge difference. You can then blossom in the position and have a big impact on others. Be open to where God would have you be. You might be surprised, but speaking from experience my entire life changed when I left everything I knew in Florida where I was born and raised and moved to Kentucky 13 years ago...all part of God's plan for me. Following God's plan for you is another way to model the way by relying on God and showing you and your family that God has plans for you, greater than you could even imagine. Where is God calling you? Keep a calendar and follow it. Keeping a calendar helps you stay on-task and it helps you remember what you're supposed to do and when you're supposed to do it. Committing to something or meeting with someone and following through helps you be a person of your word and helps to buiild trust. On the other hand, if you have an appointment or something to do that you don't put on your calendar and you miss an appointment or deadline, then you come across disrespectful and selfish because you're wasting other people's time. Others then view you as not being a person of your word, because you didn't do what you said you would do. If you are a top producing employee, but don't follow up or follow through you may end up doing more damage to the company than good. Be a person of your word. It's one more way to model the way by being a person of integrity by doing what you commit you will do. |
"Modeling the Way" BlogMark A. Watkins is a Region Sales Manager in the Midwest with Rollins, Inc. and strives to Model the Way as a Sales Leader, Teacher, Visionary, Innovator, Problem Solver, Coach and Mentor. Archives
August 2018
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