Integrity Matters Broadcasts, 2006
November 3, 2006
Making Solid Decisions
Dear Friends:
As you know, leaders are paid to make wise decisions - to
increase productivity. Effective decision-making
requires clarity on priorities and an understanding of
the best ways to utilize talent. One example of
not leveraging talent is described in an essay by the
former CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch and his wife,
Suzy. Sometimes leaders do not take the time to assess
what individual roles can and should do for and with
an organization.
We appreciatively re-present their words from BusinessWeek,
July 17. 2006. Please ignore my underlining.
Bottom-line: leverage each individual's professional
and personal talent around organizational needs; avoiding
the pitfalls often created by drifting into convenient
habits and counter-productive stereo-types.
Before a leader's operational expertise is maximized,
even before their integrity can be observed, their social
interactions must be sound, professional and empathetic. One way to confirm
accessibility and concern for others is to be responsive, beginning with
timeliness – in getting back to colleagues. Responsiveness is a form
of respect and is often seen in how time is managed. In my October 18,
2006, weekly Integrity Matters column, here is my response
to:
How can responsible adults not return phone
calls in a timely way? Arrogant and rude, such insensitive
people irk me. Any suggestions?
Response:
No, because they upset me too! "Closing the loop" via
phone, where possible, is courteous and professional,
whether with family, friends, customers, suppliers, competitors
or investors. It makes good sense, personally and professionally,
to handle issues - positive or negative - thoughtfully,
efficiently and graciously. Dial the number!
Excuses of those who procrastinate:
- Too busy
- Unable to reach consensus with colleagues and refuse
to complicate follow-up communication with partial
or incomplete responses
To learn other lame excuses, click here: No
excuses: Return phone calls
On the subject of effective leadership and
productivity, whether for the boss or any number of
key associates, consider enrolling - yourself and others
from your organization - in our November
7 Education Workshop . Please
register immediately. Because this workshop
is being held on November 7, Election Day, we
are still taking a few more registrations.
MBA Impact: Insights - Finance and Human Resources
Learn principles and applications to more effectively
and efficiently interpret and integrate the complementary
and interdependent disciplines of finance and human resources.
Tuesday, November 7 at Tehama Golf Club.
Our upcoming one-day workshop entitled: MBA
Impact: Insights - Finance and Human Resources
Learn more and register for November 7
Sincerely,
Jim
