Could and should are different.

When you have a business with a team and some resources, lots of things become possible.

But just because you could, doesn’t mean you should.

Saying yes is fun for an afternoon, but it is a lot of work and it can be expensive.  

It can also take attention away from your core mission.

You could, yes.  But should you?

Discounts come out of net profit

Revenue – direct costs = gross profit – indirect costs = net profit.

If you give a discount, your revenue goes down, but your direct and indirect costs stay the same.

The discount comes right out of net profit.

Discounting is not a good way to get new business.

Double down or change course?

If an idea doesn’t work, don’t necessarily double down to make it work.

Maybe it was a bad/dumb/wrong idea in the first place.

Leaders need to recognize the best course of action.

What is not working in your business or life right now?

Ask and listen – what a concept!

Leaders are used to fielding questions.  It’s easy to get the idea that you are supposed to have all the answers – or that you do – or that your answers are the best ones.

You have a team who knows a lot about the problems.  

Ask them – How do you see this problem?  Listen.

What do you think should or can be done about it?

How would you approach it?  Who else knows a lot about this?

Hopefully and finally, “Would you take responsibility for getting that fixed for us?”

You don’t have to go along with their idea exactly or at all – but you will learn something in any case.  

Who, not how. 

Ask the right people the right questions, and listen.

Are you a good leader?

Leadership is bringing out the best in others while accomplishing the goals of the organization.

Are you accomplishing the goals of the organization?

Are you bringing out the best in people while doing it?  Or are people upset, feeling mistreated, and disengaged?

How can you align what your team wants with what the organization wants?  

How can you bring out the best in people?

Are you a good leader?