Porch Views

In the morning on a clear day, as I stand on my front porch, I have a view that allows me to see a beautiful sunrise. In the evening, as I sit back relaxing on my back porch, on the right day and at the right time, I can enjoy a breathtaking view of an awesome sunset. Two very different views.

Over the years, great leaders have run their perspective businesses or departments from many different viewpoints. In fact, you could argue that in order to be successful, it is imperative for a leader to manage from many different views.

I have talked to many different leaders over the past thirty months and most of them have had to redefine their game plan just to remain profitable. A couple of the viewpoints or thought processes are below.

The president of a manufacturing business was forced to change his view when sales dropped over 75%. In this particular case, after laying off valuable people, he thought he had solved his problem. Unfortunately, it got even tougher. The next decision was made to have everyone that was left take an unpaid week off each month for almost a year. During this period, they were forced to discover new processes that allowed them to run the business with this skeleton staff. Today, their sales are up. But the biggest surprise to the president and his staff was during their lean time, with the newly discovered processes, they not only ran the business, but ran it successfully with the smaller staff, without hiring additional personnel.

Another leader made the decision to offer a million dollars to his branch leaders for the best innovative idea to grow sales internally. This bold decision came on the heels of declining sales and gross profit.

These are managing from different perspectives or views. Laying off personnel and taking a 25% pay cut is my definition of "leading through survival". I would define the second leadership viewpoint as "strategic risk taking" - believing in your team while planning for strategic growth.

Neither was is right or wrong. As a good friend told me, "Any time your business is never on idle, it is either moving forward or falling behind."

To sum it all up, whether the leader is sitting on the back porch, watching a sunset, or on the front porch enjoying the sunrise, the views may be different, but ultimately it's about leadership and believing in yourself and the team that believes in you.

Which porch do you lead from?

Where Do You Want To Be? On the Sidelines or In the Game?

Let's Walk Into the Stadium

If you are a sports fan, then this is the time of year that offers you many options to satisfy your hobby. We are right in the midst of the baseball playoffs, in full swing of the NFL and college football seasons, and right around the corner, hockey season begins, along with college and NBA basketball.

Now, Let's Step Into Your Workplace

As a child, most of us growing up were on the sidelines and someone was assigned captain to pick the teams before the start of the game.

After high school, we had the choice of our careers and what arena we wanted to play in.

The question is, are you on the sidelines, following the leaders, movers and shakers of the profession you've chosen, or are you participating in the game?

Your Defining Moment

The truth is, we are in the game. We all participate and add value to our organization with our own unique skills and expertise. The challenge is whether or not you add value every day.

Do you look at different ways of adding value to your organization? When was the last time you added significant value that made a real difference to the bottom line?

As you look back over your career, write down three (3) accomplishments that were defining moments in your life and then start planning for the next one.

You're a winner - just keep proving it!

Is Time A Mystery?

Let's Start the Clock Ticking

• I just ran out of time
• I can't believe what time it is
• Time is of the essence

Or, a personal favorite,

• If only there was more time in the day

Imagine if we could add just two (2) hours to each day. How would you use that additional time?

Work longer in the office, play more golf, volunteer more time to your community, sleep longer, or spend more quality time with your family and friends?

Let's Hit the Pause Button on the Stop Watch for a Second!

One thing for sure, our days and nights seem to go by faster than ever. With so many demands for work and family, it allows little time for what all of us would like to do for fun and relaxation.

Technology today for most of us demands even more energy to keep up with the news, finances and our customers; not to mention all the cool stuff we have access to and can explore via the Internet and our handheld devices.

Time Heals All Wounds

One thought to consider is how can I change my life style so I have more quality time?

If I make this change, what will happen?

Will that change dramatically impact my life as well as others that I love and care for?

As you reflect on and ponder these questions, don't search too long for these answers or seek advice from others.

The two hours you would love for your special time are right in front of you.

In fact, there's only one person that can change it - and that's you!

Time is not a mystery, but you need to make your time here on earth special in everything you do, because in a blink of an eye it will be gone before you know it.