“I knew you could do it” (motivation)

(part of the Total Quality Leadership (TQL) series)

How an organization achieves world class quality excellence depends on its leaders within the organization, at all levels of the organization.  Whether your organization has just started its quality journey with ISO certification or are ready to apply for the world renowned Deming award, the critical success factor to world class quality excellence…it’s all in the leadership!

The leadership skills that make an environment successful are the same skills that we learned when we were young.  Today, motivation.

When teaching a child to walk, we take both of their hands, stand behind them, and help them take one step at a time.  One step at a time - the learning experience.  Practicing daily.  One day we let go of one hand and the child takes wobbly steps but knows and feels the steady hand of the parent.  One day, the child takes his first steps alone.  They may fall but it's a new experience and the squeals from the delight of the  parents motivates the child to get up and try again.  One day, the child is walking all by themself (and we are now following behind them to make sure they stay out of harm's way).  Each child learns at their own pace.

Coaching associates is how we lead in a team based environment.  We appraise each associate, determine their strengths and weaknesses, and motivate them accordingly.  •To motivate means I have to know what’s important to you; to know that means I have to listen to you; to do that means I have to talk to you: I have to tell you my requirements so that you can tell me yours.

The best coaches understand that different things motivate different people at different times of their lives.   What motivated me twenty years ago has changed.  My "bucket list" has been a factor for that change.  Time has been a factor. 

As coaches we introduce change, explain the change, document the change and parrot the reason for the change until all associates understand the change and can action it themselves.  Some will stumble and others will run with it immediately.  Eventually, one step at a time, the entire team will move to the continuous improvement phase.  The circle will start again - introduce, explain, document and parrot.  Positive reinforcement ('I knew you could do it') will encourage the team to keep moving forward and remind them (and yourself) "experience is the fruit from the tree of errors". 

What three things motivate you in your personal life; in your professional life?

Celebrate Us!

I spoke, via Skype, this morning to a group of over 100 young girls ages 13 - 18.  They hail from over 25 countries  -  Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the UK, the US - just like you.  They attend public, private, and parochial schools.

My topic:  Success is not a “one size fits all” definition.

One of the recurring comments by the audience was there were so few resources for them.  Yes, they know Secretary Clinton, UN Ambassador Rice, IMF President Lagarde but what about the women I spoke about in my presentation. Couldn't I ask them to write their stories?  This prompted my CTA (call to action) to you.

When I hung up, I started thinking about all of you - family, friends, my social media, professional organization and academia colleagues. All of you are successful role models.  Each of you, regardless of race, age, religion, geographic, socioeconomic, demographic, or occupation (and I include the unpaid occupation of homemaker in this group) has a story to tell and lessons learned during your journey to “right now”.  Each of you has a message to contribute.

I would like to ask each of you to write your story, maximum 1000 words and end with 3-5 lessons learned.  Use word.doc format, your name and country on top of page, your title is optional, and a picture would be great.  If you are hesitant to write a story, please include your 3-5 lessons learned.  All pieces will be compiled and published as a motivational resource for young girls globally.

I would like to meet a December 1 deadline.  Return your article via e-mail, the comments section on this blog site, my Entre Nous blog, facebook, or our website. 

Thank you for your help.  I look forward to reading YOUR story and I know the girls will too.