Coaching for Leaders

David Sparks: MacSparky Author of Email* and Paperless Co-Host of the Mac Power Users podcast David and I speak about his new book Email and how we can use more effective workflows and planning to take control of email. You'll find his perspective helpful for considering actions you can take with your email. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

I’ve been getting asked a lot in the past few weeks: OK, how do I delegate effectively? On today’s show, how to delegate work and the seven steps you should follow if you want to get the best results for your team and the organization. I spoke about the broad framework for empowering others back in Episode #53: Get Results From People With Three Simple Steps Broadly, three areas we need to consider in delegation: Planning/expectation setting (what this show and the seven steps below are about) Regular check-in/accountability Consequences The Seven Steps of Delegation: 1. What does success look like? Time = define the deadline and major milestones Cost = staff time, budget, and resources Quality = what the customer (internal or external) expects the work to produce 2. Who is the right person? Who is the best person for the job? What kind of resources do they have? Who do you need to develop? Think succession planning. 3. Communicate expectations Speak in detail to the three areas from step one: Time, cost, and quality. Put it in writing, especially if someone is new or doesn’t have lots of experience. The amount of visibility and complexity of the project indicates how much time you’ll spend here. Error on the side of too much communication, when in doubt. 4. Staff member plans project They need to have ownership over their work. Autonomy is key for engagement. See Daniel Pink's book Drive* for background on why this is critical for engagement. If there’s a way it has to be done, get them the training on how that is done. If not, let them come to you with the plan. 5. Review the project plan Review to see if it meets the three outcomes you established in step #1 and communicated in step #3. If there are major gaps, address those. If there are minor issues, resist the temptation to make the plan better, unless asked. 6. Establish milestones What’s going to make you comfortable as a manager? Factors you will want to consider: size, scope, visibility, and experience level of the person. Your goal is to hit the sweet spot between micro-management and county-club management. No feedback is worse than negative feedback. See episode #79 for a detailed explanation from Michelle Smith from O.C. Tanner on why this is the case. 7. Provide access to resources What budget do they need? Who do they need to be connected with? What internal politics do you need to help them navigate? What equipment, rooms, resources, and lab time are necessary? At the very least, make them aware of gaps, even if you can't address or fund every resource. Download: The Seven Steps You Follow To Delegate Work Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Tony Stubblebine: CEO and Founder of Coach.me Article mentioned by Tony early in the show: Do You Suffer From Decision Fatigue by John Tierney Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

We all want to be right, but of course we are sometimes wrong. The advice from Dale Carnegie almost a century ago is as good today as its ever been. I welcome back Bonni Stachowiak to explore why when you are wrong, you should admit it quickly and emphatically. Guest: Bonni Stachowiak Dale Carnegie said almost 100 years ago in How To Win Friends and Influence People, “When you’re wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.” Four truths: My truth Your truth Our shared truth The actual truth Three benefits you get from admitting you are wrong: You advance immediate progress on organizational goals You drive future innovation and creativity You inspire people to move forward The best marriages are not without conflict. The best teams and leaders and not without error. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Tom Henschel: The Look & Sound of Leadership Many of us are told time and time again in our careers that we should be asking for feedback from the people we work with and manage. However, a lot of us mess it up. On today’s show, 3 steps to soliciting feedback from Tom Henschel, executive coach and host of The Look & Sound of Leadership podcast. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

John Corcoran: How To Create Your Personal Networking Plan Key Points You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Identify 50 people you want to build relationships with. The most meaningful relationships get beyond industry talking points and connect with someone at a personal level. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Dave Stachowiak: Coaching for Leaders In Greek mythology, Mentor was a friend of Odysseus and was placed in charge of his son Telemachus when Odysseus left for war. Merriam-Webster's dictionary calls a mentor, "A trusted counselor or guide." What do you want to get from mentoring? Probably what you aren’t good at (or at least not yet) Plus, it's something that's important for you to get better at Advance planning Who do you know who's good at that? Are there multiple people? You don't have to know them today Your greatest mentors will never expect anything Identify specifically how someone can help and begin there Make a mind map of the people who could help Create a board of directors Getting Started Start off with a specific question Know that not everyone will respond or won’t be willing to help Wait on asking someone to “be a mentor” Everyone has a different context for this It could seem like a huge commitment It's awkward if they don't want to make that committment Find a way to connect regularly This is where proximity and formal programs can help Make a point to connect regularly It’s great to be influenced by those that you don’t speak with regularly, but find people you will see Be willing to ask for help Get out of the “asking for help is a weakness” mentality What’s something in front of you right now that a new perspective would be helpful with? My challenge to you is to go out and identify a person and approach them with a specific question and ask advice. Remember, you don’t have to take the advice. If they don’t respond, identify a second person. Past shows that might also be helpful to you on the topic of mentoring: Episode #61: How to Start A Mentoring Program with guest Stella Cowan Episode #63: Practical Advice for Mentoring with guest Kurt Allebach Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Olivia Klaus: Sin By Silence Inside the California Institution for Women, the first inmate initiated and led group in U.S. prison history, shatters the misconceptions of domestic violence. Convicted Women Against Abuse (CWAA) was created in 1989 to help women inside prison break the silence about abuse and learn more about what they needed to do to help others stop the cycle of violence. Director Olivia Klaus joins me to discuss how she influenced social change throughout the State of California through her film, Sin by Silence. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Donna Schilder: Executive & Career Coach Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Is it up to date? Do you get any benefit from it? If not, on today’s show you’ll learn how to get the most from LinkedIn to help you network, build your brand, and influence the world. I welcome back Donna Schilder to share her expertise on LinkedIn to help us maximize the use of this network. Reach out to Donna and her coaching team directly at (562) 685-5032. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

One of the most common times that we seek to reinvent ourselves in during a time of great change. While we all like to control change, we also know that sometimes big change comes when we least expect it. Today I welcome colleague and friend Nancy Santarelli from Dale Carnegie of Southern Los Angeles to share her she has navigating major changes in her career in the past decade. Guest: Nancy Santarelli Vice President, Dale Carnegie of Southern Los Angeles Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.