Are You “Hitting the Wall”?

June 24, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Entrepreneurship and leadership have two key common features – forging ahead into new horizons. This requires you to face your fears, go where you have not gone before, find solutions to challenges, navigate obstacles and more… all while you deliver on your promise to deliver a high quality product/service with a positive customer experience, while running your business.

The roller-coaster ride can be exhilarating, common-place, mundane or frustrating. There are times when new ideas, opportunities or solutions come flooding in faster than you can deal with them. Other times, the pace of play is just right.

However… there are times when you are taking action, working hard and bam!… you are going nowhere fast! You feel like you are on a hampster wheel. Start questioning yourself. Look to break what used to work but isn’t right now.

There are often four key areas that my clients have found challenging where a breakthrough was needed.

First, getting clear on who is their ideal client, what problems their clients have, and the results clients achieve when they work with them. Alternatively, they are unsure of their purpose, vision and mission… or all of the above!

Second, they are unsure what next steps to take. This is often associated with overwhelm or a lack of focus. When we create the focus and align that with purpose and client wants and needs… bam! The next steps unveil themselves.

Poor time management and inefficient systems are ties holding business leaders back so they are unable to keep moving forward. Adopting new ways of doing things can feel overwhelming when you don’t look at the bigger picture and identify the step-by-step implementation approach.

The other key “wall” is not having enough money to fund the business, the owner and their social impact efforts. Spotlighting top revenue sources, cash leaks and where to take action can turn your biz from red to black.

Does any of these “walls” sound familiar? I think every business owner and leader I have met has hit one wall or another and those that successfully find a way to knock that wall down or go around it, reap the benefit of their efforts. Most reach out to mentors, coaches, boards of advisors, their team or trusted colleagues. In fact, very few of the most successful business leaders, can break through the wall alone.

Our Breakthrough Huddle is a short, 45 minute focused working session where we pull up our sleeves, cut to the chase and create your breakthrough so you can create the action plan to move forward, grow, innovate and crush the obstacle or use it as a launch pad to something new and better.

If you a leader, entrepreneur or business owner who is:

  • feeling frustrated because your efforts are going no where,
  • tired of trying to find a solution on your own,
  • unsure about what next steps to take, or
  • wanting to explore new ideas, create a plan, pivot, reposition or repurpose, and
  • motivated to take action to create a sustainable, profitable future

the Breakthrough Huddle is for you!

If you aren’t ready to end the inertia you’re experiencing so you can experience the thrill of momentum again … the Breakthrough Huddle is not for you.

What is inaction costing you and your business?

Filed Under: 2020, Breakthrough Huddle, Coaching, Goals, June, Leadership, Productivity, Small Business, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Win with a Positive Mindset

February 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Did you have an opportunity to watch the gold medal men’s hockey game on Saturday?  This game had the underdog, Germany, playing the overwhelming favourite, Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR).   Prior to the game, the discussions focused on the amazing feat of the German team to knock out strong medal contenders to get to the gold-medal game.  In fact, the German team didn’t qualify for the Sochi games in 2014 and have not won a medal in men’s hockey since 1976. How would the Germans would perform against the stronger and more experienced OAR team? Would it be a one-sided game?

Well, the game was definitely not one-sided and it was probably one of the best gold medal games since the Canada vs USA game in Vancouver 2010.   The game went into overtime and OAR came out the winner of the gold medal.  The Germans won the Silver medal.  A pretty successful outcome.

If we look at how a definite underdog could dig deep and be a strong contender we can identify one key trait — the Germans believed they could win.   In fact, one team member started a group chat in the Fall of 2017 and called it “the march to gold”.   They say they began to believe they could really be contenders.

Positive Mindset

When we talk about a positive mindset, what do we mean?

Positive thinking is the process of creating thoughts that create and transform energy into reality.

It is amazing how our mind can be the catalyst to inject energy and focus to our efforts.  A positive mindset offers each of us so many benefits

  • more energy to pursue our goals
  • better decision making ability
  • improved resiliency to the ups and downs
  • a strong and positive belief that things can become true – this is reflected in innovation and sales.

 

Be a game changer.  The world has enough followers.

 

Steps You Can Take to Get More of What You Want

One thing we all face in business is the recurring pattern of ups and downs.  Everyone faces them.  In fact, some of the most successful business leaders have faced some catastrophic downs yet they turned their fortunes around.

How can you create a positive mindset if you’re feeling like a failure or are frustrated with the constant ups and downs we can face in business?

  1.  Create a vision board.  The visual images you assemble on your vision board make those ideas, dreams and goals in your mind more concrete and achievable.  The purpose is to know exactly what success looks like to you.
    1. Close your eyes and see what it is you want to achieve, how you want to live, or how you want to feel.
    2. Grab a corkboard.
    3. Now, convert those images in your mind into pictures, sayings, or words you can place on your vision board.
    4. Hang the completed vision board where you will see it several times a day.
    5. Everyday, look at your vision board and focus on what actions you must take today to make these images a reality.  Your vision board is a visual representation of your goals and you are reminded about your goals every day.
  2.  Create a vocabulary of positive statements and responses that will help you reprogram your brain.   For example, when someone asks how you are, respond with “I’m great”, “I’m well” rather than “Hanging in there” or “I’ve been better”.   When facing a challenge, tell yourself “I can do this” instead of “It’s impossible”.
  3.  Start each day with a positive affirmation.   An affirmation is a statement that helps you rewire your brain and reset the vibe you will feel all day.
    1. Stand in front of a mirror (yes, this is important), look at yourself and say something positive.  Use the present tense about what it is you want to have happen.  Examples include ‘Today will be a great day”, “I am confident as I take new steps to push outside my comfort zone” etc.
    2.  Download our deck of positive affirmations that you can draw upon to help you reprogram your thinking.   Add some of your own too!

 

Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.                Jack Canfield

Filed Under: 2018, February, Productivity, Small Business, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

When Teams are Fractured

February 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

This past week has been an interesting case study on the impact of team dynamics on the ability of that team’s ability to achieve optimum outcomes.

I was speaking with a potential client on the challenges they are facing.  What bubbled to the surface was high turnover, poor communication, and a lack of perceived value in what they do.  From the outside, this group offers amazing value that has the potential to have a significant impact throughout the organization and beyond yet internally they lack the culture to clearly recognize and reveal their value.  This results in fractures between the team.

Later in the week I heard a discussion on the radio in response to two statements made by members of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team.  When some players dedicate themselves to a solid preparation routine and others don’t, performance suffers and cracks show.

What do you think?   Is there a real connection  between the ability of a team to work toward a common goal and preparation, communication and perceived value?

My response to this question is definitely YES.

Preparation is a critical component to long term success.  In the case of athletes, they create routines for practice days as well as competition/game days.  These routines prepare them to be in top condition, to have the right mindset and to dig deep and deliver their best when it counts.  In the business world, preparation can include having the right mindset, knowing the subject matter, having the right tools to do the job when called upon, or showing up prepared to work.

Teams, whether in sport or in business, have the challenge of pulling together several individuals into one cohesive unit.  When team members change, fail to get the job done as planned, or when communication breaks down, the team can experience setbacks, lost productivity, lost confidence and in some instances, a loss of trust.

The ultimate goal is to be a high performance team where each member of the team is valued and trusted to do what it takes to bring their best to the job.  They know their role, and are committed to contributing to the goal.  Leadership is more fluid – shifting as needed to drive results.  Productivity is high and the culture is strong and cohesive.

What steps can you take with your team to build a strong culture where every team member is valued equally and results reflect the great environment?

 

Ignite Leadership is committed to turning dysfunctional or challenged workplaces into one that is built on trust, strong leadership, effective communication, good processes and systems and positive team dynamics.   How can we assist you and your team?   Book a call to explore options.

 

Filed Under: 2018, Communication, February, Productivity, Team Dynamics Tagged With: , ,

The Challenge of Delegating

October 30, 2016 By Leave a Comment

In the book, The Winning Way, co-authored with Brian Tracy, I described three key attributes for good leaders — Communicate, Calculate and Delegate.  It is interesting that this week I was faced with situations where clients were experiencing challenges all related delegation-400x275to letting go and allowing their team take on the responsibility and ability to get the job done.

Delegation — the act of passing a task or responsibility along to others, most commonly to people who are below you on the totem pole.

Delegation isn’t just a top down action.  In fact, delegation happens in all directions.  for example, my clients delegate projects and responsibility to me as their consultant (external delegation), a committee may delegate action items to specific departments or positions within an organization. Delegation happens between colleagues and collaborating departments too. When teams, from the leader on down, are engaged and share in the goals and vision of an organization, delegation is a fundamental component and can be a “make-it or break-it” facet of the results achieved.

I recently hired a new virtual assistant and I have been in the process of letting go of tasks I’ve been doing over the past few months.  This involves a change of thinking and planning.  My VA is eager to take on whatever I’ll send her way.  She’s also eager to assume role that offers me more value, and saves me time and effort.  What’s stopping me … bad habits!  Yes, its true.  I’m so used to just doing it all that I forget to delegate.

This week was a pivot point for us. My failure to effectively delegate was stopping both of us from being successful!  A great conversation where we shared, clarified and planned our next steps opened new doors.  My “aha” including the realization that I wasn’t  afraid my V.A. couldn’t do the job correctly.  Instead,  it was a failure to communicate what was in my head when I realized something needed to be done.

Do you delegate what and when you should, or do you fall prey to the common trap of “if I do it myself it will be done right”  or only delegate tasks you don’t like doing?

Delegation, when done right will enhance morale, build trust and facilitate success for yourself, your team and your organization.

 

Ignite Leadership has many solutions to develop stronger leadership and better teams.  Contact us to explore how our solutions may help you improve delegation, communication, leadership and team dynamics.

 

 

Filed Under: 2016, Business Success, Communication, Leadership, October, Productivity, Team Dynamics Tagged With: , , ,

Building Team Focus

July 18, 2016 By Leave a Comment

I’ve written before about how important it is for a team to have a common focus in order to be successful.  This is one area where diversity of though is not good.

 The way a team plays as a whole determines its success.  You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.  — Babe Ruth

Once a team culture is created it can be a challenge to change, yet it is possible to improve it.  In their book, The Discipline of Teams, Katzenback and Smith stated, “teams have four elements—common commitment and purpose, performance goals, complementary skills, and mutual accountability.”

Does your team have a common commitment and purpose?  If not, you have a group of individuals not a team.   Teams are link jigsaw puzzles, they fit together and interlock to create the bigger picture.  One broken or missing piece leaves aConnected team-StuartMiles_ID-100146283 gap.

High performance teams adopt the four elements of a team.  They come together for a common purpose, remain focused on that purpose as a collective.   As a leader of a team, your role is to help every team member identify the
key purpose and operating principles of the team.

  • Why is the team together?
  • What is the purpose of the team?
  • Who is responsible for what tasks and actions?
  • How will the collective results create a positive impact on the organization?

 

Aim higher. Stay focused.  — Brandon Adams

The vision and operating principles are created by the group as a first step in achieving a common focus and commitment from each member of the team.

Secondly, high performing teams revisit their operating principles regularly.  Are they still applicable.  What, if any, changes are needed and why?   When changes are needed, its important to understand why the changes are needed.

Lastly, it is important for each member of the team to be held accountable to the operating principles.  As discussed in the post “One Bad Apple – Can One Person Impact a Team” when a team member goes rogue, the focus and productivity of the entire team can be negatively impacted.

A point for Team Leads

If your team cannot see how their efforts are helping the entire organization and how working together is good for each individual as well as the team, there is work to be done to build a high performance team.  Consider a dedicated meeting to address the differences, gaps and challenges, identify solutions and celebrate what’s working well.  Team leader trust and transparency can make all the difference in this process.  You must also demonstrate you are on the same page with your team, supportive and willing to pitch in.  Remember, great leaders lead by example.

Is your team focus waivering?  We can help you be a better leader, build trust and engagement through focused conversations, leadership coaching and training.  Ask us how one of our solutions could benefit your team. 

Filed Under: 2016, Business Success, July, Productivity, Team Dynamics Tagged With: , ,

End the Roller Coaster of Business

June 9, 2015 By Leave a Comment

One thing I have learned over the years in business is there will always be some ups and downs.  Some are small, others more of a roller coaster ride!  When ups and downs happen, as the leader, you know how important it is to stay the course rather than make major changes.

Now, staying the course does not equal no change.  Instead, it involves connecting with your vision, understanding the market place and evaluating your systems.  Are they in alignment?  For example, as we enter summer, business may slow down as more of your customers take holidays and are away from work.  If your customer base is primarily business, the rotating holiday schedule may delay the decision making process, even when a sale appeared imminent just prior.  In this situation, you won’t make drastic changes, but may have to adjust your business operations or attract new clients who are open for business.

Regardless of which approach you choose, it is important to have a clear vision and strong systems in place so you can make subtle shifts effectively.  Recently I have experienced a series of ups and downs in my business.

The Spark in all of this was a major setback when a client backed out at the last minute.  Do you Is your biz on a roller coaster-Is it (2)believe in coincidences?  As I write this post, I have a smile on my face… realizing that coincidences do happen!  When one door shuts another opens.  You just have to be looking!

As I mentioned, I was speaking with a potential client who was indecisive on taking next steps. Long story short, we’d been doing the “sell-dance” and ended when they decided not to move forward on their project.  They loved what I could bring to the table and wanted to work with me because they could clearly see where I could lead the transitions they want to make … yet they decided to put everything on hold.

Ok, I must admit that this is not the first time I’ve experienced this same scenario, but it’s still frustrating!  I’m sure you can relate.

When facing this situation, I have found two key questions can help potential clients to make a decision.  “What specifically will motivate you to make a decision?” and “Is money the major obstacle?”

This gentle roller coaster ride resulted in some amazing business opportunities to appear because I was prepared and open for business.  After receiving the news that I wouldn’t be starting this major project, I had to redirect my focus.  Fortunately I had not put all my eggs in one basket and had kept looking, talking and making business proposals.  I also found the process I underwent with that client forced me to really shift my mindset and let go of the result and just go with the flow.

I don’t know which of these items were the positive influence, but I do know that one or all of them worked!   I was offered a new project by a former client which starts shortly, received several referrals, identified two new potential clients and projects where I could really help add value, and I create a new way to grow my business.

Your take away….

1.  Think Big — opportunities abound when you keep your eyes open to possibilities

2.  Stay Positive — one set back or two isn’t enough when you have a strong will to succeed

3.  Be willing to Exert some Effort in the process — we all want instant results but a little elbow grease always helps

4.  Focus on the Future —  Just because one potential client keeps telling you positive responses, until they put money in your hands, they are only a prospect.  Don’t let any other prospects or leads pass you by!

5.  Don’t Give Up! — Persistence, consistency and communicating your value in your prospect/customer’s language is key!

 

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.

When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

Buddha

 

Filed Under: 2015, Business Strategy, June, Leadership, Productivity, Small Business Tagged With: , , , ,

Create Great Action Plans to Drive Results

May 12, 2015 By Leave a Comment

How often have we been told that you must visualize what you want or you will never get there?  One of the 7 habits by Stephen Covey in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was

“Start with the end in mind.”

If you want to make a change, you have to know what it is you want to do.  (Your Vision) To create a clear vision it’s important to step up and have an open mind for new opportunities and ways of doing things.  This may take some time and energy but its time well spent!

I have been working with my clients to create action plans so they can complete their project goals in a very tight timeline.  The planning process has gone exceptionally well but sometimes it can be very challenging.  This is where time spent gaining clarity in what you want to accomplish is so important.  If you aren’t specific with the outcome, how can you plan the steps to get you there?

I love the Deming Cycle as a tool for planning and executing projects. This management tool has four key phases… “Plan Do Check Act“.  PDCA, also known as PDSA (Plan Do Study Act), offers businesses a proven method to control and manage the processes and systems within their organization for continuous quality improvement (CQI).  Who doesn’t want to continually be more productive (get more done), be more efficient (use people and other resources better) and improve results (make more money)?

Here is a breakdown of the steps in the PDCA cycle (as outlined in wikipedia)

“PLAN

Establish the objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the expected output (the target or goals). By establishing output expectations, the completeness and accuracy of the specification is also a part of the targeted improvement. When possible start on a small scale to test possible effects.

DO

Implement the plan, execute the process, make the product. Collect data for charting and analysis in the following “CHECK” and “ACT” steps.Every time you create something new you want to test it.  This is the purpose of this step.  Test your new system, new program or product.  Identify what’s working, what needs tweeking, what’s not working and needs to be fixed.

CHECK (STUDY)

Study the actual results (measured and collected in “DO” above) and compare against the expected results (targets or goals from the “PLAN”) to ascertain any differences. Look for deviation in implementation from the plan and also look for the appropriateness and completeness of the plan to enable the execution, i.e., “Do”. Charting data can make this much easier to see trends over several PDCA cycles and in order to convert the collected data into information. Information is what you need for the next step “ACT”.

ACT

Request corrective actions on significant differences between actual and planned results. Analyse the differences to determine their root causes. Determine where to apply changes that will include improvement of the process or product. When a pass through these four steps does not result in the need to improve, the scope to which PDCA is applied may be refined to plan and improve with more detail in the next iteration of the cycle, or attention needs to be placed in a different stage of the process.”

 

When you’ve been good at something one way its hard to change — Get uncomfortable, push outward and fulfill your full potential.  To be competitive in the marketplace, or to fulfill the strategic plan for your business, it is important for you to lead yourself and your team through a clear process to achieve the results in the most efficient and productive way.  Planning is often under performed.

A good plan should:

  • Be written down
  • Have goals attached so you know what you want to achieve
  • Include specific action steps  or tasks so you know if it was completed or not
  • Have a specific person assigned to each task (for accountability)
  • Have a timeline attached (so there are deadlines and a continual focus on moving forward)
  • Be reviewed regularly
  • Recognize accomplishments  (don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments)

Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you ready or not, to put this plan into action.
Napoleon Hill 

A Coach or mentor is a valuable resource to help you become clear on what you want to achieve, understanding all the steps you must take to get there, and to identify which resources are needed.   A Coach can also support you when things are challenging, and better yet, celebrate with you when you are successful!!  They can be your confident, sounding board, resource and help you remain focused on your goal.  We offer a “done for you” and a “done with you” option to fit your specific needs.

It’s been said that of all people
who say they’re ready
for change,
only 20% of them
are ready for action.
Are You Ready?


Do you want to include our article in your blog or newsletter?
I’m happy for you to share the content from this newsletter with one condition… you must include the following blurb as part of your post, with a link to our website.

Catherine Rocheleau, Founder & CEO of Ignite Leadership International ® helps business leaders and entrepreneurs build leadership, engage teams and enhance systems so they keep more of what they are making!  Our coaching, consulting and masterminds focus on your goals and the systems that drive your results!   Book a complimentary Ignite Your Business Session to explore your next steps (http://bit.ly/NextSteps4U)

Filed Under: 2015, May, Planning, Productivity, Systems Tagged With: , , ,

Happiness Matters

March 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment

There is much written about the impact of an organization’s culture and employee contentment on productivity and quality.  Entrepreneurs are more successful when they are passionate about what they do.  The long hard hours don’t feel like work when you love what you do.

“Over 40 percent of the companies listed in the top 100 of Fortune magazine’s “America’s Best Companies to Work For” also appear on the Fortune 500.”

As many of my regular followers know, I am an avid Vancouver Canucks fan.  Last year, the team was struggling and it was clear the players were not enjoying the game they love.  The Coach also didn’t seem happy and his frustration erupted at one point in the season, and he was suspended.  Wind the clock forward to today where TV commentators are talking about the changes they are seeing in the Canucks.  They are performing, scoring, and playing more like a team.  Commentators cite the change in coach and the fact that the guys love coming to work as fundamental factors for this change.

What is the atmosphere like in your business?  

Are your employees happy and engaged?  

Do they like coming to work?  

Executive Leadership Coaching has been identified as an effective method for organizations to enhance employee engagement and improve productivity.  The rollover effect is improved customer satisfaction.  Each of these outcomes are good for your bottom line.

Coaching is utilized by organizations to enhance leadership, performance and to develop employee skill.  I have hyena reality| freedigitalphotos.networked with many business owners and managers for this exact purpose.  In each situation, the goals of the organization and those of the individual manager have been explored and directs our time together.

Coaching offers a non-judgmental supportive environment for each manager to grow and stretch.  When we confront challenges, short-comings and strengths, we are also able to focus on solutions and next steps.  This vulnerable point of coaching offers the most growth potential and is essential for shifts to occur. I am always so impressed with the shifts that occur as we work together.   Coaching really does bring out the best in you and builds on your skills and interests and self confidence grows in a positive way.

Contact me to discuss how Ignite Leadership can help you and your organization improve leadership, employee engagement and your organizational culture.

Filed Under: 2015, Coaching, March, Productivity Tagged With: , ,

The Q Decision Making Tool Explained [video]

April 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment

In this video I share a very short live presentation on a valuable business decision making tool I use and share with my clients.

If you would like a copy of this tool, download your copy using the request box to the right.

 

Filed Under: Productivity, Systems Tagged With: ,

Will Change Hurt or Help?

May 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In my work, I am always dealing with change.  It may be helping clients to implement new systems, facing behaviours that are not working for them, creating new products/services, starting a new business or switching jobs (or careers).  No matter how we look at it, change is a constant.  There are many commonalities in how business owners, leaders, organizations and industries are dealing with this reality but there are also many differences.  Some organizations are internalizing the changes (looking inward and identifying ways to restructure, identify efficiencies, and plan for the future), while other organizations are looking outward for support and ideas in addition to looking inward.  It doesn’t matter if the organization is large or small, there are examples of both approaches in each category. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Change, May 2012, Productivity Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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