Are you leading?

If there were a hidden camera watching you during the day, would observers say you were the (a) leader, or just working there?

Busy does not equal progress

Everyone is “busy”.  Unsuccessful people are busy – thier time filled with tasks and things to do.

Successful people are busy doing the right things to move the needle, working on task that ultimately leverage their time and create or unlock value for many others.

What are you “busy” doing today?

What's #1?

What is the most important thing that needs to be done that will have the biggest positive impact on your business going forward?

At the end of this day, will someone who looks at how you spent your time today know that?

What should my price be?

Should I raise my prices?  Can I? 

Your ability to price your product or service depends on your ability to sell it.

Marketing, your message and brand, your sales effort/people, how you build value, how you communicate, your reputation….it all affects your ability to sell.

So if you can’t sell it, you’ll have to lower your prices until you can.  If you can sell it, for these and any other reason like demand, then you can raise your prices.

What's scary?

Asking a superstar to work for you? Committing to that bigger marketing budget?  Lay off your friend who works for you because they are hurting you?

Running a business is not for sissies.

You got this.

Tell us what is scary for you in the comments!

Fixing it takes guts

Running a continually sucky business is a cop out – a failure of leadership. 

It’s uncourageous.

The leader needs to do what he/she is afraid to do to fix it.

The Great Suppression

Your a businessperson trying to provide a product or service people need and want, and striving to do well.  Your whole life is tied up in this business.  Then the government scares all your customers and shuts you down.

Not your fault.  Re-imagine.  Re-group.  Make a new plan, as “drastic” as it may be to your old identity.  

Remember, the root goal was NOT to make THIS business work – it was to be happy, and there are lots of ways to do that.

Right?

Comment with the orange button.

Corny is the new cool

Legendary coach John Wooden used to tell his players on day one how to put their socks on properly.

What do you need to tell your people? 

How to smile when you hand the order to the customer over the counter?

How to say thank you?  

How to dress?

How to wipe the tables?

What?

Put your desk in the middle of the floor

What if you put your desk in the middle of the bullpen floor? 

(Or sat at a table in the middle of a department for a few days?)

Sure, at first they will freak out.  But you can earn their trust and show you are there to help.  Take an interest in what they are doing, ask questions, and try to be of service.

You can hear what is going on.  You can see and notice the dynamics of the team that works there.  You can notice the processes they use and how.  You can support them and get them what they need to do their jobs better.

This power is free

Words, from you, the leader.

Your words are especially empowering and especially cutting.

Use them to build people up, and be careful not to tear them down.