Swistro Advisors

Management Effectiveness Consulting & Coaching
Lessons from the Field - Spring 2009

winter 07 newsletter photo option 2

Your New Place in the World (Part 2) -
What will you do next?

A message from Chris Swistro

As I mentioned last month, the economic, political and social climate has brought us all to a moment of reflection. For senior leaders, that moment of reflection may feel more like stress, worry and paralysis. Maybe you've been through layoffs AND budget cuts BUT this year's goals remain as ambitious as last year's. Some of your team is gone. So what will you do with the rest? Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." How will you be the change you want to see at work?

Take a breath, get focused, and take action.

Rekindle your "executive presence," and people will follow.
You are as skilled and effective a leader today as you were yesterday, before trouble hit. So act on that belief. In his recent article "Executive Presence: What is it & How to get it," Stephen Long emphasizes the importance of two things: emotional intelligence and authenticity. It's easy for executives to forget the power of these leadership behaviors when the fear of uncertainty and remorse about tough decisions (like layoffs) takes hold. Long paints the picture: be the person who, when you walk into a room, people think, "Now something good is going to happen."

Make a plan and take action. What's stopping you? The expense? Don't know who to call? No time?
Clients of mine know that it you can start fast.
~ A few hours is all it takes to pinpoint your essential areas of focus, those places where you will concentrate the efforts of the talented people remaining on your team.
~ A few days is all it takes to flesh out your plan of action, that sequence of high-impact steps you'll take to deliver on your goals for the year. Rest assured - your team members want to help. They're looking for a deeper engagement to ensure the long-term health of the organization. Neutralize their worry and activate their talent. Make a plan to engage them.
~ And 3 months of disciplined attention - one quarter of the year - is all it takes to see results.

Take the next step.

Swistro Advisors offers a structured, lightweight, efficient and highly effective process of action planning followed by tailored implementation support and mentoring to ensure you attain the business outcomes you're looking for. It all starts with a conversation and a brief issues assessment - and that part's free - so why not start today?

Let's talk. To schedule an initial conversation and issues assessment, please call 617-285-0422 or email [email protected].

Recommended Resources
These resources may provide guidance, inspiration and support as you lead your organization through troubled times.

"Executive Presence: What is it & How to get it"
by Stephen Long, PhD, founder of the Institute for Level Six Leadership

"Poised for a Talent Management Breakthrough"
A white paper authored by Christine Swistro for the Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council
Read more about the importance of employee engagement in this white paper excerpt.

About Swistro Advisors
Specialists in organizational transformation, Swistro Advisors collaborates with executive teams to clarify organizational direction, actuate change, and support the mastery of skills and leadership behaviors to ensure enduring productivity gains.
To learn more, please visit the Swistro Advisors website.

Swistro Advisors
...Management change set in motion...
Christine Swistro, President
phone: 617.285.0422
Email Marketing by