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    Monthly E-Tip                                                                                                           February 2009
This Month
You Have to Have Guts
Upcoming Events
Recommended Reading
Is This What You Call Guts?
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Greetings!
 
The uncertain future we face is challenging us to see the world in a whole new way. Professionally, socially, economically, and politically, the world around us is shifting. Lately you may have been forced to try new things or consider new paths, whether you like it or not. Those who prosper through challenging times are those who are not afraid. They attempt new things, explore newmailing list 2009 paths, and jump in with everything they've got. This month's e-tip is dedicated to those of you who are resisting the inevitable changes you and your organization may be facing. I encourage you to have the courage to do the things you need to do. As usual, I'd love to hear from you.
You Have to Have Guts   
                                                                                                        
Conversations                   
 
As a manager you've probably faced some tough employee situations. Many of those "tough" situations often involve an employee not doing what you expect them to do or not delivering on what they were hired to produce. These situations are tough because they require you to have a conversation to address the issue. And, in these tight economic times, you and your organization cannot afford poor performance. Yet, many managers would rather avoid the conversation, waiting to see if the issue will resolve itself. Are you one of those who avoid the tough conversations?

Lesson #1: Employee performance problems rarely, if ever, resolve themselves!

Let's face it. Having performance-related conversations comes with the job of being a leader. If you don't address issues that impact productivity and morale, who will? One of your many roles as a manager must be to have the "tough" conversations when necessary so that the work group and the organization can function effectively. The first step is to own this responsibility and stop putting off the hard work. Management takes courage. It takes guts.

This month you are probably setting goals for your work group, your employees and maybe for yourself. One of those personal goals might be to have the tough conversations that you've been putting off. Think about the impact you can have on individuals, as well as the team, if you just begin the conversation. In the months ahead, I'll offer more ideas for having those painless performance conversations. For now, have the guts to get started.


Click here to view last month's performance conversation tip. 
Upcoming Events
 
  
women's boot camp

2009 Women Entrepreneurs' Small Business Boot Camp
February 7th, 2009
7:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Chaparral Suites Resort
Scottsdale, AZ

This Saturday, don't miss the annual Women Entrepreneurs' Small Business Boot Camp. Grow your business, expand your expertise, explore new opportunities, build a band of resources and mingle with your peers. Join us for an exciting day of education and motivation that will energize, synergize and maximize your success. Marnie's speaking on Painless Performance Conversations: Tools for Having the Tough Talks.

Women Entrepreneurs' Small Business Boot Camp: http://www.womensbusinessbootcamp.com/
 
 
 
AZ IPMA-HR

AZ IPMA-HR Spring Conference
March 18th, 2009
Black Canyon Conference Center
Phoenix, AZ

Join Arizona's leading public sector human resources experts at this year's annual conference. This year's theme, Weathering the Storm, tells us that the program will be full of practical solutions for leading your organization through these tough fiscal times. Featured speakers include MEG friends and colleagues Amy Lieberman, Michael Wade, and Chris Hunsiker. The conference is a great deal, too. The cost to attend this one-day event is only $69. Don't miss it!

For more information visit: IPMA-HR Arizona Chapter
 
OutliersRecommended Reading
 
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Whether you've read his other best-sellers, The Tipping Point and Blink, you'll find his latest hit a fun and intriguing book. In his newest book, Malcolm Gladwell poses another provocative question in Outliers: why do some people succeed, living remarkably productive and impactful lives, while so many more never reach their potential? Examining the lives of outliers from Mozart to Bill Gates, he builds a convincing case for how successful people rise on a tide of advantages, "some deserved, some not, some earned, some just plain lucky." From this book you may begin to question what "success" really is and whether you have done everything you need to do to be truly "successful." Amazon called this their "Best of the Month" for November 2008. Check it out.
SnakeIs This What You Call Guts? 

Some of you might enjoy seeing this picture of me in the Amazon rainforest with a new friend, an Anaconda. We spent the holidays on a family cruise with a stop in Manaus, Brazil. When faced with the challenge (or was it an opportunity?) to pose with the giant reptile, I just couldn't back down. This is my way of illustrating this month's tip: Have the Guts! We love to hear from you.
 
 
Sincerely,

Marnie Green
Management Education Group, Inc.