The Focus Group
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Pete Tosh, Founder
The Focus Group provides a full range of consulting and training services within four core business areas: 
  • Strategic Planning
  • Enhancing Leadership Effectiveness
  • Improving Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty
  • Implementing Strategic HR Initiatives

If you'd like more information about our training and consulting services, please get in touch for an initial free consultation. 

 

About Our Services

                    Connecting through Humility                                                                       
Businesses failing to perform to their potential frequently do so:
  • not because the leaders don't know how to run the business
  • but often because some leaders fail to fully appreciate what their teams need from them in order to perform to their capabilities
High performing teams are, in part, a result of their leaders purposely taking the time to connect with their team members on an individual level.
 
A recent research study involving 1,000 employees found that employees' performance is negatively impacted when their leaders fail to:
  • spend time with them individually
  • give clear directions
  • recognize their achievements
  • admit their weaknesses & mistakes as leaders
Leaders enhance teams' performance by utilizing their daily employee touch points to connect.
 
Leaders of high performing teams are intentional about creating connections by:
  • providing daily coaching & counseling in an environment that is open to healthy feedback. Giving positive feedback as often as possible & constructive feedback when needed - as soon after the behavior as possible
  • continually clarifying their expectations through various forms of communication. The speed of change in organizations today is much too rapid to assume that employees are current as to the expectations of their performance. Leaders gain respect by sharing as much information as they can, as soon as they can
  • making note of employees' individual contributions, telling those employees privately and/or publically that their contributions are appreciated while being specific as to the performance being recognized. Public recognition might involve inclusion in the company newsletter, references during meetings, recognition through plaques, certificates, etc.
  • sharing their knowledge & experience with employees who have less know how & expertise. Most employees have a desire to continually improve their performance - and leaders are ideal enablers of that improvement
  • and - possibly most importantly - displaying humbleness by welcoming suggestions & admitting mistakes. Last year Krispy Kreme purposely sought a humble, servant leader when they employed Tony Thompson as CEO. Krispy Kreme views humility as an important competency for each of their leaders. Before Home Depot's Board promoted Frank Blake to Chairman & CEO, Mr. Blake told the Board he didn't think he was the right person for the job. He said that having spent most of his career with GE, he felt he lacked adequate retail experience. Mr. Blake believes that a leader should always be aware of & open to discussing the areas in which he/she needs to improve. William Lambert, CEO of MSA Safety, had his Executive Coach count the number of times he told his team what to do vs. asking for their input. Mr. Lambert feels that leaders need to have a 'strong ego but not a big ego.'
 It's next to impossible to show employees - or anyone else in our lives - that we care if we aren't continually spending time & connecting with them. And employees who feel a connection to their leader are much more likely to perform to their potential. Connecting is free, available to all leaders who are willing, not difficult to do & well worth a leader's efforts.
 
When a leader has connected with his/her team members, they are much more likely to have a work perspective of wanting to vs. having to.
 
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For More Information
Please give The Focus Group a call if you'd like more information about our services.  There's no risk. The initial consultation is free! Here's our contact information:

 

The Focus Group
577 Mulberry St, Suite 710
Macon, Georgia  31201
478-746-6891
petetosh@thefocusgroup.biz