This course developed me in all facets of my character and supplementing the roles that I undertake in my daily life. The course material...
Leaders are dealers in game plans!
This month we start with the first of a series of articles entitled, Leaders are Dealers, and in this blog we are going to look at how we misuse our equivalent of a scoreboard…and get our just deserts as a result!!
Ever reminded a member of your team that they haven’t hit their target this month, or for a few months, and it’s time that they did, or words to that effect? Or been asked by your boss to have a look at the management accounts for your division or team and to ensure that they improve by the next set?
The point? Well, in my experience we focus on trying to manage a scoreboard too much. We effectively say: “Look at the scoreboard. We are losing. Now, go out there and win!”
But here’s the thing. We can’t manage a scoreboard. The scoreboard is a consequence of what happens on the field, an output. We can monitor the scoreboard – sure – but we can only manage the players on the field. Simple? Well, it is when we think about it!
Let’s take it a little further. When a team is losing at half-time, it doesn’t do much good for the coach to tell them that and walk out of the dressing room. What does help? Well, if the coach helps the team come up with a better game plan or strategy for the second half - that would surely help. And wouldn’t it be even better if the coach helped the team design that game plan because then they would be more able to think on their feet (sorry, just had to get that in!) and change or evolve the plan on the field when things didn’t go as, well, planned!
In other words, our job as managers is to spend more time helping our team members come up with a variety of different options or inputs that are likely to impact positively on the scoreboard.
Leaders are dealers in game plans . Game, set and match!
I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts – select this link to start or join the conversation
I would like to take this opportunity of again wishing all my clients and readers and successful and prosperous 2012 - may all our expectations be comfortably exceeded.