Execution

You can do all the planning, preparation, goal setting, strategic meetings and mission statement writing you want but at the end of the day it comes down to execution and getting something done. The Random House Dictionary defines the word "execute" as: "to carry out" or "to perform or do."

It seems a lot of the time that it isn’t the planning and preparation that gets in the way but all the distractions that keep us from being able to "do" our plan. Amelia Earhart said, The most effective way to do it, is to do it. Wow, that seems pretty simple. "Just do it." What a great slogan Nike!

The Needs of Your Performers

Melissa Raffoni is President of Raffoni CEO Consulting. In a blog at hbr.com she highlights the 8 things employees want from their leaders (ringmaster in Juggling Elephants terms). They are:

• Tell me my role, tell me what to do, and give me the rules.
• Discipline my coworker who is out of line.
• Get me excited.
• Don't forget to praise me.
• Don't scare me.
• Impress me.
• Give me some autonomy.
• Set me up to win.

What a powerful list! If all of us who have people who report to us reviewed these 8 items before starting our day of managing others-what a difference it would make. Would you add anything else to this list?

What’s A Linchpin?

A dictionary definition of a linchpin is "something that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together." Seth Godin (I am one of his biggest fans) just published a book entitled, "Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?" He presents the case that we can just go with the flow or we can see ourselves as someone who can make a difference and really matter-a linchpin.
The choice is ours to be the ringmaster of our circus. It truly is a decision that we must make... that we will make-one way or the other. Not being a linchpin/ringmaster is the easier decision. We can then just be reactive or be acted upon. Being a linchpin means that we have to determine our purpose, be creative, decide what we want to be and do, and then execute on our plans. Sometimes, we even make mistakes and fail. Being a linchpin is truly the road less travelled.

I would highly recommend Seth Godin’s new book, "Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?" He teaches how to add emotion and passion back into your work and your life, thus making a difference.

Quote for A Monday

We don't see things as they are... we see them as we are.

-Anais Nin

What's your perspective today? Is it to get (and give) standing ovations today? Or is it to simply stay busy today and hope things work out for the best?

Quote about Confidence

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

While I do meet many ringmasters who have a solid sense of passion and purpose, I also meet a significant number of people who are less than excited about the direction of their circus. It's frustrating because they have so much to offer their company, their family and others around them.

Sadly, the root cause is often a lack of confidence. They haven't had enough individuals in their circus clapping and cheering them on in their performance. They haven't been reminded of how important they are to an organization, family or community. They have allowed the perceptions and callousness of others to diminish their determination, purpose and success.

If you are one of those people, remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt. If you know some individuals suffering with an inferiority complex, make this the day you encourage them and remind them how important they and their talents and skills are to you, your organization and in the circus of others.