In this New Year of 2021, many companies are trying to figure out how to sail their business into a brighter future. Unfortunately, most businesses simply ride the tide of the prevailing economy and rise or drop depending on that wave. They simply float along with the current and put little effort into changing their direction when they are off course. Yet many leaders who recognize that they need to change, fail to understand how to make the necessary changes in turbulent times.
Play to Win: Often times as leaders we feel too tired to do anything other than be in the game. However, if we want to succeed, we need to change our mindset. Playing to win, is a mental concept then enables us to survive tough times. Sometimes we need something to fight for, to strive for, to achieve. Setting goals that we are going to accomplish with our team gives us something to motivate and rally our team around. If we have nothing to strive for as people, we become bored. If you want to improve your business, pick some targets and get your people visualizing what it will be like when that happens. A team that has something to play for usually works harder than a team that is just coming out to play.
90 Day Planning: It is said that as much can happen in 12 weeks as can happen in 12 months if you have a group of motivated people. I have observed this in my businesses and with many of my clients. Having two or three goals to accomplish in 12 weeks and working on a plan to accomplish them can be significant. When your team is engaged and working together, there is less pressure on leadership to get the desired results. 12-week planning can be the ticket that gives spark and direction to organizations when properly managed. This type of planning is often much better than long range strategic planning for employees because they are able to see results in a short period of time.
Change it up: Lets face it, what worked for us in the past usually doesn’t give the same results in today’s ever changing economic and technological landscape. While we need to be cognisant of the reasons for our past successes, we must adapt to enable our organizations to achieve a bright future. Loggers transitioned from axes to chainsaws to feller-bunchers, and farmers from horses and plows to tractors. We too must recognize that there are places and times for the basic tools of our trade. However, in order to keep up with the times our technology must advance or we will be left behind. You will find that there are people in your organization that will resist change, however as a leader, it is your job when necessary, to convince them that change will be good for their future.
There is no better time than now to figure out how we can take our organization to the next level. The times may be changing. Are you ready?
Dave Fuller, MBA, is an Award Winning Certified Professional Business Coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Need Less Stress and Better Outcomes? Email dave@pivotleader.com