Leadership - Leading in a Piggly-Wiggly World - News: JFD Performance Solutions

It seems as though every business-related book, blog or speech these days is titled to emphasize the unique economic times that we are experiencing. Titles like: "Selling When the Economy Stinks", "Finding a Job in Turbulent Times", "Marketing in an Upside-Down World", and even "Leading in a Piggly-Wiggly World" (aha, you caught me). Yet these are, of course, special and trying times...I certainly understand and appreciate that. And there are different business methods and actions that are more appropriate now than, say, three or four years ago when the economy was riding high. On the other hand, an awful lot of what is effective and relevant these days also works in any economic environment.

If someone were to ask you to take MORE time to do something, you'd think they were crazy. You don't have enough time as it is, right? And that wouldn't be very efficient, right? Well, good managers DO take more time to do certain things: those things that have a positive impact on their employees and their performance. So, think about how much time you take doing the items on the following list and, if it's not enough, then take more!

Leadership. Most people think of leading others when they hear or read the word, but self-leadership is even more important. How can you effectively lead others (whether on the job or at home) if you are not effectively living your own life? As I work with clients on leadership development, a large part of those efforts is focused on understanding what they are best at and then leveraging those strengths to perform at a higher level by being authentic to themselves. Let's look at this more closely.

1. Inadequate or no management system. An overall system to operate the business is essential. Flying by the seat of your pants is no way to optimize results and get the most out of your people.

2. Lack of purpose, vision and mission. It's like trying to put a puzzle together in a completely dark room or driving at night with no headlights.

Intrigued by the title for some time, this book came highly recommended by my colleague Pete Cracovaner of Pinnacle Resource Group. The only leadership book that I am aware of with this particular focus, the authors write that self-deception "determines one's experience in every aspect of life"...quite a contention.