Skip to main content

Which Direction

It used to be that if you were planning a trip you would get a map and figure out a route. Everyone had a road map in their car and would pull it out if they were lost or needed to know how to get to the next town. You would have to have a state map and a local map and sometimes multiple states if you were traveling across the country. Now days if you want to get somewhere you can check Mapquest, Google Maps or if you have a GPS you can use that. This will give you precise directions on how to get to your location. So what does all this have to do with leadership?

As a leader you have to give directions to those around you. Just like finding your way to a destination in your car has changed giving directions to the people you lead has also changed. People learn differently so as you give direction you need to make sure everyone understands exactly what is expected of them.

Training people do do their job is a role you as the leader must play. It is important that you train them to be quality employees. The directions need to be stated clearly and accurately. Here are some steps to take to ensure you are giving adequate directions.

  • State them clearly and accurately.
  • Tell them exactly what you expect of them.
  • If the task is open to independent thinking allow them to create some processes of their own. Guide them in this process without micromangaing.
  • Check for understanding
  • Re-train using a different approach if necessary.

Before leaving them to do their work make sure they absolutely know what they are doing and always leave yourself open to questions. Make sure they know to come to you with as many questions until they understand.

Successful directions create successful employees.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Where Have I Been?

 The title of this article is apropos since I haven't blogged in almost 12 years. I plan to start this blog up again and try to blog on a consistent basis. I will also be broadening the topics that I write about. Be sure to subscribe so you can get notifications about when I post. So what have I been up to since that October day in 2013 when I made my last blog? Let me recap for you. When that post happened I was in the middle of my Toastmaster journey and I'm happy to say that I crossed the Toastmaster finish line by earning my DTM. I didn't continue in Toastmasters after that since I changed jobs and took my leadership skills to Mathnasium and started running a Mathnasium in Blaine MN in 2016. I got the opportunity to blend my education degree with my MBA and use it as the Director of the Mathnasium in Blaine. I also had the opportunity to be the director at one in St Louis Park and one in  Andover. I ran these until 2023 when I decided to go back into the classroom and t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Team of Rivals

 Today I'm going to give you a book review. My favorite books to read are non-fiction books about baseball seasons, baseball players, presidents, or history. The book I'm currently reading and almost done with is "Team Of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin published in 2005. This book is 754 pages and I have 23 pages left so I think I can give you a good indication about the book. This book is really a retelling of the political career and presidency of Abraham Lincoln as told through extensive research into diaries and memoirs of those who worked closely with Lincoln. I have really enjoyed this book and the writing of Kearns. She is able to piece together all of her information about Lincoln's presidency and life during that time. She gives us up close narratives of the behind the scenes at the White House and his cabinet especially during the civil war. More often than not Presidents will give cabinet spots to friends. This book shows that Lincoln surrounded himsel...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Audience

Any time you give a presentation it is not only the presentation that is important but the audience may be just as important. It is the audience that you are selling your idea to and presenting the information to as well. It is important to make sure you are meeting the needs of your audience. In that regard you need to understand the types of people that could make up your audience. We are looking at the concept of SOW and REAP. The SOW portion was the presentation itself and it included Substance, Ownership and WOW Factor. The REAP is the audience, starting Monday I will address what the R stands for. First lets look at the principle of sowing and reaping. The idea is that whatever you sow that you will also reap. If you plant corn you should reap corn. In our little scenario if you plant a quality presentation with great ideas you should be able to reap success. If you present a bland and boring presentation your will probably put your audience to sleep and your idea and present...
Post a Comment
Read more