 Setting the Bar Isn't Enough
I'm sure we've all heard the expression, "setting the bar" when it comes to
setting expectations and standards of performance. I always think about the competitive pole
vaulter who sets the bar level based on his/her highest jump and then anyone
else looking to win the competition must successfully clear that height. And of course it's not enough to just meet
that height but to exceed it to win the gold medal.
In the business world, we
like to talk about setting the bar as well and we apply this concept to
everything from sales goals to customer service levels, defect rates,
on-time delivery percentages - about anything we can measure. This presumably gives us targets to meet or
exceed that will enable the organization to excel.
But
something's missing here. In the pole
vault competition, competitors must clear a minimum height in order to even
stay in the meet. If they can't, they're
done for the day right there. Organizational
leaders should take the cue that it's not enough to set one bar - they
need to really set two bars: one that sets MINIMUM standards and one that sets
HIGH BAR standards.
Click here to read the full article.
To learn more, please visit my website at www.kodyne.com.
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Minnesota Nice Ain't Nice - Challenging the Accepted Wisdom on Communication
by guest contributor Bob Ryan of About Purpose, Inc.
If you grew up in Minnesota, or even in the Midwest, you probably
were taught "Minnesota Nice." It's a cultural norm in communication
that dictates we talk nicely to one another in the belief that it is
more respectful. In the Midwest, we rarely say what we really mean. We
speak in a way that avoids conflict. We tend to couch our communication
in a bundle of "niceties."
Maybe there's a
fear that if we are too direct, we'll sound like some of those rude
people from the East Coast - which is a misperception people from the
Midwest often have.
In much of my consulting
with companies, I find that Minnesota Nice is the cause of a great deal
of interpersonal problems, conflict, misunderstanding and even
animosity. It is far from "nice." I submit that it is downright
disrespectful and counterproductive to effective relationships and task
accomplishment.
Read through some common communication errors and their remedies. Then have a frank talk with your staff,
your significant other, your children, your friends. I guarantee you
will find it easier and more effective to communicate if you stop being
so "nice" and concentrate on directly communicating what you really
intend.
Bob Ryan is the founder of About Purpose - an organizational training and consulting company focusing on helping you identify, shape, and achieve your purpose. He is also the founder of Swim Starting with Me - promoting business ethics through personal responsibility.
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Success is...?
"Success is simply a matter of luck - Just ask any failure."
Earl Wilson
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From My Clients ......
" At the time I brought Mark in to
help us we had no idea how our budget would be affected by the recession or of
the changes we would face in our senior leadership. Having the plan that Mark helped us to
develop has had a real impact on my organization's ability to navigate during a
very challenging time."
Christopher Bursack
Chair - Strategic Planning Team
Discover Church
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