Saturday 21 June 2014

The Leadership Crisis - What you can do.








Todays businesses are experiencing a worrying lack leadership, not only to lead current businesses forward into growth and expansion but to mentor, support and encourage leadership with in the business for the future. Managers will continue to just manage if they do not have positive role models to learn from and aspire to be.

According to a recent report the business world is currently in a leadership crisis. Up and coming managers, those who will be our business leaders of the future do not see examples of inspirational leadership in their work places. Employees long to see a genuine shared vision, real confidence and trust in teams and respect for colleagues, customers and employees. Less than 40% of managers actually see these traits on display in the workplace.

Maintaining the value of leadership was the main reason for writing this article. Only in this way will the future know more about leadership. 

It was at the spur of the moment that we ventured to write something about leadership. Such is the amount of matter that is available on leadership. We were furnished with so many points to include while writing about leadership that we were actually lost as to which to use and which to discard!
life is short. Use it to its maximum by utilizing whatever knowledge it offers for knowledge is important for all walks of life.

Where did all our leaders go? Perhaps we have placed too much emphasis on management of our businesses instead of leadership. I would hazard a guess that more people are comfortable with the thought of becoming a manager than they are with being asked to take the position of leader. Therefore, naturally we have more aspiring managers than leaders but a much bigger percentage of managers are capable of becoming leaders in their fields that are actually stepping up to this role.

Why?

What is leadership? Perhaps we don't have as many leaders as we need because not enough of us understand what leadership is really all about and who can become a leader. Can you take someone who isn't a natural leader and turn them into one? Are we all leaders in our own unique way? What do Leaders do and what skills do they need?

Leadership is about behaviour first, skills second. Good leaders are followed chiefly because people trust and respect them, rather than the skills they possess. Leadership is different to management. Management relies more on planning, organisational and communications skills. Leadership relies on management skills too, but more so on qualities such as integrity, honesty, humility, courage, commitment, sincerity, passion, confidence, positivity, wisdom, determination, compassion and sensitivity. Some people are born more naturally to leadership than others.

Most people don't seek to be a leader. Those who want to be a leader can develop leadership ability. Leadership can be performed with different styles. Some leaders have one style, which is right for certain situations and wrong for others. Some leaders can adapt and use different leadership styles for given situations. Some leaders are big, bold and brash characters, others are quiet, unassuming but determined and visionary. As a leader you must know yourself and know your own strengths and weaknesses, so that you can build the best team around you. Leadership is about finding the best in yourself and giving the best of yourself. Leaders always go first, setting the example, walking the talk, doing not dabbling.

Like to know more about our Leadership solutions for your business?  Visit our website www.leadershipmanagementsolutions.com.au


Saturday 14 June 2014

Business Contingency Planning and Curve balls






Contingency plans are vital for your ongoing business success..  A contingency plan is what will help you deal with the curve balls and unplanned events that arise.  Despite your best research and planning, there will always be surprises or unexpected events.  Markets and market forces are in a constant state of flux.

When you develop contingency plan you need to consider all issues that can think of that will either positively or negatively impact your business. There are a number of things that you should consider for your contingency plan including:

Your market niche - what contingency plan can you put in place if your niche dries up or turns out to be unable to support your business?  Who are your competitors?  How many competitors are in your market niche and how long have they been established in the marketplace?  What is the point of difference with your product/service?
Labor market supply and demand - do you need a contingency plan (Plan B) for a lack of availability of employees or contractors?  Where is your business located geographically?
Your products/services- if clients don't need the services you provide, are you able to move into different service markets?  What is the level of responsiveness of your organisation?

A thorough contingency plan address a wide range of  reasonable possibilities that could affect your ability to remain profitable and commercially viable. Your contingency plan should be revised regularly and thoroughly.  The time spent in contingency planning can determine whether you prosper or perish!


At the end of the day, your company doesn't  want to be caught without a contingency plan.   For assistance with a range of business planning options, please visit our website.

www.leadershipmanagementsolutions.com.au