High Performance Leadership

What are your top five goals? You might have more than five, but how many can you work on at any given time? I have a calendar-planner (paper, yes I still keep one of those) that has a space for five objectives for each day. That's all. And, it also has a column for priority, and honestly most of the time they are all "A" priorities. That's because I can focus on five. Any more than that, and the "B" priorities don't really hit the list. Because if they do, they aren't getting done anyway. Oh, I do a LOT more than five things each day. But I start with a focus on five goals that I know I need to do. Some are big, some are small; all get done. High performance leaders show the courage to focus on five top goals.  Work those goals. -- doug smith

Have you ever said anything that you regretted? That expression "put your foot in your mouth" resonates a bit more when you wear size 13's. I do. And yes, I have sometimes said things that I regretted. Because you know what? When you say something that hurts someone do you know when they'll forget it?  Never. They will never forget it. The damage is done, and just keeps on echoing through the years. That's why I've learned (well, OK, I'm working on it) to pause before saying something with an edge, something with anger, something even passive aggressive. The payoff is bad, and lasts forever. Words meant to hurt are better left unsaid. 'nuff said. -- doug smith

Miscommunication reverberates a long time. Do your best to get it right the first time.

What kind of feedback do you request? Are you getting feedback on your own perceptions? We see things differently, day to day. We might even distort what we're looking at. When we distort our mission or our goals it leads us astray. When we distort our performance ("I'm doing great! Sure I am! Everything is wonderful!") we risk falling off track. Things can get sketchy. When you look in the mirror, remember that mirrors reverse everything. What you see is not what you see. Similarly, when you look at yourself, could you be revering things? Could you be getting it just a bit backwards? Get feedback from others. Creatively check other perspectives. Because our mirror lies, and we need help seeing ourselves. -- Doug Smith

Sometimes I get confused. What should I be working on RIGHT NOW? In many of the workshops that I lead, participants struggle with setting priorities. To achieve our goals, we must know our priorities, work those priorities, and somehow -- SOMEHOW -- make peace with those tasks that are NOT our priorities and left undone. It doesn't make everyone happy. That's not our job. Our job is to figure out our goals, work THEM, and achieve the goals that matter. Easier said than done, certainly, but no reason to surrender. Here's what I tell myself: figure out your goals -- then work your butt off. -- Doug Smith

We don't have to solve every problem to be successful, but it's hard to be successful without solving some problems. -- Doug Smith

Centered leaders do not judge people for being imperfect. -- Doug Smith

I don't need absolute certainty to be absolutely certain. -- Doug Smith

Do you negotiate fairly? Dozens of books teach how to take advantage of other people. Is that what you really want to do? Or, do you want to create conversations and negotiations that develop your relationships? If you know a piece of information that could effect your bargainer's position...what if you shared it? If you know about a technological change that will dramatically impact the price of the thing you're negotiating on -- what if you shared that, too? If your negotiating partner (not opponent!) is clearly making concessions based on a recently weakened position, do you grab all you can get? Unless you negotiate fairly you aren't really negotiating. And only fair negotiations count. Anything else is abuse. -- Doug Smithy

If that problem has been around awhile, if that problem is cagey to the point of making you scratch your head, you might need many solutions. Many ideas. Creative, centered problem solvers stay with the process long enough to develop more solutions that any one problem needs. The gold is deep. Keep digging. -- Doug Smith

What are your outside interests? In addition to working as a trainer and consultant, I'm active in the arts. I'd love it if you'd check out these additional blogs that I write and maybe even subscribe. It's something. douglas brent smith : one of those places I park my poetry, collage, and music. doug smith training : my company originally started out with this name and you shouldn't be too surprised if it goes back to it when I relocate. The focus is also likely to shift to developing communication skills such as better conversations, more productive meetings, and more powerful presentations. centered problem solving : leaders must do two things well or face losing their leadership: solving problems and achieving their goals. this blog focuses on what i call centered problem solving. Thanks! -- doug smith

photo by L. Scott Force For those who are interested, I've gathered much of my artistic side in one place. I would love it if you would follow my art-side blog here: douglas brent smith It includes my work in acting, collage, music, and poetry -- plus whatever artistic, creative endeavors emerge in the middle of my world. Most people know me as a trainer and consultant. Here is a peak into the other sides of me. There are links on how to connect with me on many of the various social media platforms so jump on in if you are so inclined. -- Doug Smith

WHAT IF you could work with a small group of people who would help you to solve your most pressing problems? They wouldn't try to impress you. They wouldn't charge you money. They wouldn't hold back their best advice to keep you coming back for more. All they wanted from you was to help you to solve your problems and achieve your goals, in exchange for cooperation in solving their own problems and achieving their goals. What they would do is speak openly and honestly and with absolute clarity. They would support your goals and offer their expertise unselfishly and without reservation. They would pay careful attention to your problem solving needs and treat your shortcomings and challenges with compassion. They would cooperate. They would spark ideas together that they would probably not realize on their own, and they would have fun doing it. They would help you drop excuses and time wasters to focus instead with your full energy on what you really want. ...