I recently heard Jay, and Wendy, Papasan interviewed on the Entreleadership Podcast. In the podcast, Jay delivered this #TuesdayT on goals:
“Most people know how to set goals, they just don’t know how to have relationships with them.”
Let that sink in this week.
And take your goals out for a date while you’re at it.
I believe in giving people I lead autonomy. I fear micromanagement. I trust people to perform, especially those that I know can.
That said, like everything else in life, too much of something is a bad thing.
In the written portion of my 360 review, completed in November, were these competing lines:
“Alex does not micromanage.”
“He needs to hold people more accountable at times.”
Welcome to the Dichotomy of Leadership.
Looks like I need to become a better leader!
As the authors argue in the book mentioned above, too much autonomy leads to all sorts of problems in an organization: Too many leaders, or people who feel like they can set the direction, poor execution (hence, the autonomy criticism), and silos (people so “free” that they don’t feel the need to consult with other groups).
(Note, micromanaging leads to several problems as well. So, it is by no means the answer).
My failure was not clearly outlining what the mission was. Sure, direct reports knew what I expected to a degree. But they had latitude. They had freedom to focus on several initiatives, rather than clarity on the mission the COMPANY needed them to execute.
Worst, they had the freedom to delay.
To counteract this, and to create the organizational clarity, I am spending time writing KRAs (Key Result Areas) that outline (bluntly), what the focus should be, and when things must be accomplished.
As the leader, it is my job to construct the game-plan and ensure that the team is focused, and executing it. What distinguishes this kind of leadership from micromanagement is that it still empowers the individual the to execute the mission in a way that aligns to their strengths.
With clarity on the mission, it is also easier to hold people accountable.
The fact that things were, to a certain extent, “murky,” last year, is one of the reasons I received the criticism stated above.
Lesson learned.
Onward.
The Problem with Autonomy Read More »
Earlier today I met my accountability partner at Starbucks, like we do every two weeks. As followers of Jesus, we aim to live according to Scripture. We both believe that Scripture is pretty clear that we are NOT saved by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Still, out of love for Jesus, we want to live according to his word. Further, we know that our faith is dead without works (James 2:14).
So, what do we do in our accountability meeting?
For starters, we talk about our lives. We confess any problem areas. As men, we always talk about our sexual purity. This might sound surprising, but look at last year’s news. Leaders (both Christians and non-Christians) fall because of sexual impurity. So, we have given each other 100% permission to be all-up-in-each-other’s business. No question is off limits. And as Christians, any temptation to “fake it” is thrown out the window.
Call us crazy, but we believe God hears every word and sees every deed.
Of course, we also talk about our pride, our unhealthy desire for success, our idolatry of our kids’ health, our love of money (that we are often in denial over), and COUNTLESS other topics…
In short, we just get real with one another.
Why would anyone sign up for this?
Because the other person is sitting there not in judgment, but in love.
Mutually, we encourage each other. Pray for each other. Ask God’s forgiveness for what we have screwed up. We text each other during the week for encouragement. We check in on each other. We make sure that the other is cared for.
Look. Setting goals is great—but who’s asking if you’ve accomplished them? Recognizing your own areas for character development is helpful—but who’s able to tell you whether or not they actually see a change?
We all need help.
We all need community.
I challenge you to find an accountability partner in 2019.
I am a better leader, and man, because I have one.
#TheoThursday – Accountability Read More »
“Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.” Proverbs 11:7
While watching George W. Bush’s touching eulogy of his father last week, I was struck by the visual of all the former U.S. Presidents sitting in the front row. At the risk of sounding trite, these “former” leaders look aged, tired, and a shadow of their former selves. While they all worked tirelessly during their time to lead the country towards a better future, that time simply came and went. And like the man they were there to pay respect to, their final hour is approaching.
So is ours.
Merry Christmas?
Merry Christmas!
Since the dawn of time, mankind has been putting its hope in man to usher in the change our hearts long for. Deep down, we know something is not right.
Peace on earth? Not when someone cowardly goes into a public place and guns down innocent bystanders, an occurrence that repeats itself too frequently anymore.
Peace on earth? Sex abuse. Poverty. Anti-Semitism. People being divided into sub-groups: pro this, anti that. The list goes on at nauseum.
Divided we stand.
“Hopes placed in mortals die with them.”
Two thousand years ago a little baby boy was born in a manger. Three decades later, he would die a violent, brutal, and unfair death.
But the grave could not contain him. And the God made man changed everything.
Deep within us all, a flame of hope still burns.
Because of Jesus, the only real hope, we know that one day things will be made right.
And peace on earth will become reality.
Forever.
#TheoThursday – Hope Read More »
As cliché as the expression has become, it is amazing that another year has flown by. Today not only marks my last post of 2018, but it also is my last post on the current webpage. Besides working this week, I will begin transitioning the website!
Don’t worry, you can find me starting on January 2, 2019, at the same place as always: baldinbusiness.com. (Reading this message via email? PLEASE re-subscribe on the new site on January 2nd. Again, you have to go to the new website to sign back up).
I know that Mark, one of my most supportive readers, is going to want to know what to do this week without the #TuesdayT (challenging truths for life and leadership), and #TheoThursday (theological thoughts about the workplace) posts, so here are some ideas to close the year out:
1. Finish making your 2019 goals before leaving work on 12/21.
2. Journal on the most impactful lesson learned in 2018. (For example, in writing the blog, I learned that the reader wants post 300 words or less. Expect that in ’19).
3. Write a letter of encouragement to a co-worker! Write a thank you card to a customer! 4. Create a private YouTube video for your team (nothing creepy, just positive encouragement)
5. Set an outlook reminder to check baldinbusiness.com on 1/2/19!Join the B.I.B. Facebook page to see new site updates there!
6. Answer LinkedIn messages.
7. Leave work early.
8.Finalize your 2019 vacation plans and block the dates.
9. Begin reading a leadership book.
10. Buy your favorite blogger some wine for his cellar!
11. Share that wine instead with your spouse over the holiday!
I wish everyone reading these words a safe, happy, and restful holiday.
Merry Christmas!
See you on January 2nd.
Another Year Complete Read More »
Growing up, I feared losing my hair.
Combine the constant advertisements about hair replacement with the internal self-doubts about my own appearance, and I was convinced that I would never be accepted.
As I have grown, I have come to realize that living “bald” is perhaps even more frightening than being “bald.” Living “bald” means being uncovered, barren, or exposed. It means being vulnerable, and bold, about who you are.
Like the first time shaving my head, this is scary. Will people accept me?
But boldly persisting, anyway, is what this blog is about.
Nothing is more important to my identify than my faith in Jesus. Thus, I cannot be bald in business without exploring that reality in my daily business walk. Still, and important to note, this blog will forever be a safe place of exploration.
It is simply a place for all people, and all faiths.
I learn from you, and I hope you can learn from me.
Together, I hope we develop the courage to embrace bald, and stay bold.
So, what’s to come?
Each Monday, I will post about leadership or personal growth.
Most Tuesdays will be the #TuesdayT: “challenging truths for life and leadership.”
And every Thursday will be #TheoThursday: “Theological thoughts about the workplace.”
In short, I intend to explore how my faith is changing, and hopefully improving, my personal leadership, all the while encouraging, and challenging, the reader to improve theirs.
Each post will be 300 words or less.
Your time is valuable, and life is better lived.
So, live it boldly.
Embrace bald, and stay bold.
Stay in the loop, subscribe below!
Embrace Bald, Stay Bold Read More »
The file is green. I suppose it is somewhere inside my desk. As for its contents? Well, I have never looked.
I received the file from a team member leaving the company. One of their direct reports wasn’t going to make it. Or, at least that is what they believed. Taking the file, I thanked them, and placed it inside my desk.
There, several years later, it sits collecting dust.
“Keeping an open mind” is easier said than done, but doing so should be one of the tenets of leadership. While I trusted this person’s opinion to a point, I did not have much personal experience with their direct report. Therefore, it was up to me to get to know this person. After all, they were going to report to me now.
This meant I had to be curious and ask several questions: What direction did they need? Did any aspect of their role need clarifying? Did they know what winning looks like in their role? In other words, was there a specific Key Result Area (KRA) that they, and their manager, had signed off on? Were there performance goals that they had set? Preferably with feedback from their manager? And assuming all of this was clear, how was this person performing to those standards?
A few days after receiving the file, I met with this individual and clarified what I was going to be looking for in the position. Moreover, I clarified what I thought a win would look like, and made sure this person understood. Not only did they understand, they seemed to gain more energy the more we talked. As we departed, I was optimistic about the future. But before leaving, I did one last thing. I looked this individual in the eyes and told them that today was the beginning of a new relationship.
The slate had been wiped clean.
That conversation took place several years ago.
And because of it, I have never had reason to look at the file.
I Never Looked, nor Should You Read More »
I had to cancel lunch with a friend of mine last week. Her response was enlightening:
“Give yourself the time back. Even if you just take it for yourself.”
Today’s truth: Leaders rest.
It is that simple.
Find time to rest this holiday season.
I will do the same.
#TuesdayT – Leaders Rest Read More »
I recently went to my old gym because it is closer to my house and the roads were awful due to a November blizzard. While the gym itself is fine, I was quickly reminded why I left:
What this picture communicates is that nobody cares. Not only was there a trash problem, there were 45lb weights thrown onto the floor like they were the discarded legos of our five-year-old. I’d like to dismiss all this and say that the gym was just having a “bad day.” The problem is that this kind of behavior went on for MONTHS prior to me leaving, and apparently still exists!
It was so bad that I ended up joining a gym further away from my house, that costs MUCH more.
And is awesome….
I fear this may sound judgmental, but it is not intended to be. So, here is what goes through my mind when I see something like this:
What small things am I not paying attention to?
What small things is Hoffer Plastics not paying attention to?
Do we value our customers? Really?
Do I value my kids? Am I willing to help pick their crap up, even when they should be picking their crap up?
Am I willing to help Sarah clean the kitchen up? Especially when work has been mentally and physically taxing?
If everyone treated Christ Community Church the way I do, would the Church be healthy?
Do I ever forget to put weights away at my new gym?
Or, more personal…Do I let people I love hear that I love them?
Do I hug my wife enough?
My mom would want me to hug her more.
Noted.
I could go on.
The small things –even trash — matter.
The Small Things, Even Trash, Matter. Read More »
Theological thoughts from a non-theologian.
Unashamedly, I believe everyone should read the Bible because everyone has an opinion about the Bible.
Sadly, many people – Christians in particular – do not understand the Bible. Given that another New Year is around the corner, I’m using today’s post to share some resources and get you thinking about making the most life-changing resolution you could make for the coming year. Here we go:
The Bible is 66 books in one. It encompasses many literary genres (poetry, narrative, and letters to name a few). Therefore, I recommend this book, or this book to understand the writing as it was intended.
Next, everyone should have a reading plan. I invite you to download this app, and follow the Bible Savvy reading plan. It takes one through the Bible in 5 years. (Yes, 5 years). The pace is manageable, and allows one to dig deep into what they are reading.
Finally, I recommend using the “COMA” method of note-taking in order to “get something” out of your reading each day.
What’s “COMA?”
C–Context of the book you’re reading. For starters, what kind of book is this (genre?). When was it written? Etc. Besides an NIV Study Bible introduction, I recommend the videos on the Bible Project to help you understand the context.
O–Observations of the passage you’re reading. What’s the theme? What is striking? What other observations can you make?
M—Message of the passage you’re reading. What’s the main point?
A—Application for you. What did you get out of it? What are you going to do with it?
I invite you to spend 15 minutes every day reading the Bible.
Friendly reminder for subscribers to sign back up on January 2, 2019, when Bald in Business re-launches. Also, “like” the Bald in Business Facebook page to see some previews of what’s to come.
#TheoThursday – Getting into the Word Read More »