Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
EPISODE 195 – Consistency in the Face of Doubt
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
consistency #podcaster #success Go to www.debrakasowski.com for your FREE e-book 21 Habits High-Achievers Kick download when you sign up for our Success Secrets Newsletter. In this video, Debra Kasowski interviews Shawn Anthony from The School’s Over…Now What? podcast on The Millionaire Woman Show.
3 Ways to Visionary Leaders Can Engage Their Teams in Their Vision
Visionary leaders are creatives by nature. You’ll notice that if you are a visionary leader that your mind goes off with ideas like fireworks at the county fair. You can see the vision in your mind, you can feel the excitement of the vision coming together in your body, and you believe it is possible to make your vision a reality. However, not all visionary leaders can get their teams to buy-in to your vision. Have you ever had a leader that had trouble explaining their vision? They can tell you what the final outcome can be but they can’t always explain how to get the destination. Visionary leaders need to engage their teams to fulfill the vision.
Write Out Your Compelling Vision. Get it out of your head and onto paper. You have tons of ideas battling for your attention and focus at any one time. Ideas can be grand but also fleeting so it is important to capture those ideas onto paper as soon as possible. Inking the vision onto paper helps you think about the vision and not miss a detail. Writing out your vision and goals helps you clarify your ideas.
Communicate Your Vision to Your Team. Be descriptive as possible. Remember you can see the vision clearly in your mind. People are not mind readers. Your team all learn in different ways. Some people need to see the vision. Using diagram, images, or models can help describe the vision. Others are auditory so explaining your vision in vivid detail with help them create the picture in their mind. Sensory learners learn by touch and kinesthetic learn by action to reinforce the learning. Most people have a combination of all four. Clearly communicating your vision reveals a roadmap as to where you are heading. It can act as a filter to ensure your team is “paddling” in the same direction versus chasing ideas that are not in aligned with your vision.
“Vision is the art of what is invisible to others.” Jonathan Swift
Engage Your Team by Asking Open-Ended Questions. Discover who the planners and implementers are on your team. These individuals are the ones who can see the vision and know how to make the vision a reality. What do they think about the vision? What would it take to make this vision a reality? What opportunities exist that can be leveraged? Your team members want to be engaged in meaningful and engaging work. What does making this vision a reality do for others? Allow them to be part of your vision and they will be your champions. Ensure that you check in at milestones to celebrate with them and see your vision unfold.
We need visionaries to inspire creative ideas and solutions. Visionaries can struggle from time to time in making the vision become a reality because the can see it in their minds but they have trouble articulating it to others. By writing out the vision, communicating the vision, and engaging your team in the vision, you will gain clarity, new ideas, and buy-in from your team. If any member of your team is paddling in a different direction, you will face resistance and may even head in a different direction should any other team members join them.
Share your compelling vision regularly. Ask questions regularly. Engage the right team members. Ensure they are paddling in the same direction. Lead them to your vision.
DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free e-book download today! www.debrakasowski.com
EPISODE 138 – Make It Difficult to Duplicate with Jerry Bigam
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl-03M1IQY8[/embedyt]
Jerry Bigam
President & CEO Kinnikinnick Foods Inc. www.kinnikinnick.com
Graduated from U of A with BA in economics.
Held senior positions in economic development and planning in both the
Alberta and Saskatchewan governments.
Established economic development consulting firm that owned and managed
a variety of companies including an auto dealership (GMC), trucking
company, graphic arts manufacturing operation, furniture manufacturing,
and an architectural signage company.
Founder, Director and President of Westcan Malting in Alix, Alberta. (now
Rahr Malting) one of the largest maltings in the world
Founder, Director and President of Ceapro Developments – a specialty oat
processing plant with products for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, human and
animal health. Took company public in 1997.
Acquired interest in Kinnikinnick Foods Inc. in 1998 – a local Edmonton
based gluten-free specialty food manufacturer.
Acquired the remainder of Kinnikinnick Foods Inc. in 2005. This business is
one of the largest gluten-free food manufacturers in North America with new
markets developing overseas. The company produces a broad range of bakery
products that are all gluten free, dairy free, sesame free, soy free, peanut free
and tree nut free. The company operates one of the largest “Free From”
food allergy operations in the world from 2 plants in Edmonton totaling
150,000 square feet.
Board Member of Alberta Food processors since 1999
Board Member of Edmonton Agricultural CEO Club
Board Member Food Processors Logistics
Chairman of the Alberta Food Processors from 2005 to 2009
Recipient of Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal
EPISODE 137 – Build Your People to Build Your Business
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
“Whatever good things we build end up building us.” – Jim Rohn
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF81ZRxPavg[/embedyt]
Chances are you started your business to provide a solution to the marketplace and make money. As your business grows, you learn quickly that you cannot be all things to all people. You may hire or contract people to provide a service for you. No matter how much you strategize you need to know that to build your business you must focus on building your people. As your people grow so will your company.
One of the greatest challenges and opportunities is people building. What I love the most is being able to witness to the transformation and growth of people – doing things they never thought possible for them.
Identify Areas of Strengths and Potential
Do not assume that your employees know their strengths. They may be aware of some of their strengths and not aware of others. You have heard the phrase, “can’t see the forest through the trees.” It is a phrase that explains that if you look too closely at the details you can miss the big picture. Those strengths are the ones that occur so naturally that they do not even see them as strengths; it is a part of who they are. When you can speak to what they are capable of doing, you start to plan seeds of encouragement. Who they have yet to become should have some focus NOT just what they do for you. By speaking to their potential and offering support, you increase their self-confidence, motivation, and loyalty. You may be one of the few people who has ever believed in them or took the time to be interested in their goals and what they want.
Provide Meaningful Feedback
Research shows that most people leave positions because they do not feel valued or appreciated for the skills and abilities they bring to the workplace. It does not mean you douse them with praise because doing so will come off as insincere. They may begin to wonder if you want something from them instead of being interested in them for who they are as a person.
There is a way to deliver feedback with impact. No one wants unsolicited advice so ask for permission to share your observations or input. People are less defensive if you ask first as now the conversation is two-way which feedback can be shared both ways. Feedback needs to be thoughtfully delivered to ensure the person you are giving feedback to remains in tact as a person. They need to be able to trust that you have their best interests at heart.
According to Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen’s book, Thanks for the Feedback, there are 3 forms of feedback: Appreciation, Coaching, and Evaluation. You need to ensure that the person you are providing feedback to understands which feedback you are delivering. You need to provide more praise than criticism for people to have a rapport with you. When correcting or providing feedback, avoid the use of “Why did you…” or “How come you…”. These statements come across as accusatory and put people on the defensive. They become more upset with you that the feedback you are delivering. You are better to ask open-ended questions to learn more about their perspective on the situation and challenge your own assumptions. If they provide feedback to you, all you have to say is, “Thank you I will consider it” and nothing more. There are times when providing feedback can feel uncomfortable. Before reacting, give yourself time to thinking about it so you may respond appropriately. Take time to reflect on the feedback and see if it something you find useful or not. If you found it helpful, great – integrate it into your practice. If not, don’t take it personally and move on.
Focus on the Positive
When one of your employees or customers starts to complain or vent, hear them out. Thank them for them for expressing themselves – reframe the conversation. Ask for them to explain what the ideal situation would be. Use this as a learning opportunity. There may even be some quick action steps that you could take from the recommendations and they will feel as if someone heard them and valued their insight. They will feel more empowered to take actions toward the common goals.
Offer Learning Opportunities
There are many ways for your employees to learn new things. You can hire a coach, gift a book, or send them to a course or let them attend a workshop or conference. Investing in your people is important. They can build their network and share some of the golden nuggets that they have learned.
Provide Opportunity to Stretch and Advance their Skills
As new opportunities come up, see if you can involve or delegate some tasks to your employees so that they can grow and learn new skill sets. When people are learning and growing, they look forward to their roles and start thinking about how to integrate what they already know to the role.
Building people is one of the most valuable investments you can make. As you work with them to grow and change, you help change the world – even if it is your world and your bottom line. The ripple effect will extend to all who interact with them.
How do you build your people?
Special Announcement – New Book and Podcast Schedule.
We would love to have you subscribe to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get my just release FREE e-book about the 21 Habits High Achievers Kick to Achieve Success. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!
DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free e-book download today! www.debrakasowski.com