Today’s ezine is all about risk- risk avoidance, risk management and risky discussions. I have found the best leaders are ones who don’t shy away from risky conversations. They don’t believe the conversation is going to make or break them but rather they are committed to the outcome being desired.
Finding that balance that allows you to be strategic, calm and centered is not easy. I thought I would share with you today what are some of the things I do to keep my thinking balanced so it is fair and just rather than biased to my slant.
1. I look at the tough situation from the other person’s perspective BEFORE I allow my brain to build “my” case. I find that when I look at from the other side first it tends to diffuse some of my anger, keeps me grounded and often moves me right to feeling ashamed at how warped my first viewpoint was.
2. I physically and mentally step away. I find when I stand and walk around, swivel to get a new view or just listen to music I can reset my brain and come from a fresh perspective.
3. I bounce it off of others with the caveat that I say “find all the flaws in my thinking”. I don’t want them agreeing with me but rather I want them stretching my thinking.
4. I stay in curiosity to search and around and see what I may be missing or how my thinking is flawed.
Finding that balance is never easy but it is very rewarding. I wish you a joyous June filled with family and fun! For now, Happy Spring!!
Oh, and if you want to hear more, we would love you to join us for one of our 2015 Managing Your Strategic Message Sessions.
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Outcome Thinking® Solution
How to handle a boss that is risk adverse
by Anne Warfield
SITUATION: My executive likes to go by the book and play things safe. This works at times but at other times I feel it actually hinders us. Right now I have a big project for the organization that really should be completed by November in order for us to utilize it for the January meetings.
In order to do that though, I actually need her to approve me to add two additional resources. We have a freeze on hiring so I know she will try and get me to patch it together with what people I have. The problem with that is it will put one other project at risk; I don’t have one of the skill sets in resources that I need; and we would meet a January deadline possibly but no way the November deadline.
Currently the company is asking for it to be completed by January for the meetings but I know they don’t realize that we actually need it completed at least one month prior to the January meetings in order to use it properly. How do I get her to see the light and grant the approval?
OTHER PERSON’S PERSPECTIVE: When you and I talked some more came forward and I will share that in the other person’s perspective for the readers.
Your boss wants to make sure she safe guards the companies mission/vision and goals. To this end she is trying to show the CEO that she takes seriously his mandates.
Your boss wants to be seen as strategic, thoughtful and a good steward for the company.
Currently your CEO has a hiring freeze on and he has a big push on some key projects he feels will make the company more user friendly and drive business. He is a big proponent of these big projects and has his eyes on them. One of these projects is the one you are working on.
HOW TO BEST HANDLE: When a boss is risk adverse I find it is usually due to one of two reasons: 1) she doesn’t want to make a mistake so failure is fearful or 2) she doesn’t like conflict and thus prefers to follow the given guidelines.
So your job is to show this person how hiring two new resources and completing the project in November will do the following:
1. Help the company reach its desired vision/mission (CEO will love this and she will look heroic)
2. Financially make the most sense in terms of time saved, right skill sets, and set the company for success
3. Why completing the project in January will hurt the company and why without the resources it can’t be completed any earlier
4. Show that you have clear understanding of the company’s overall factors including the no hiring policy right now and the current January deadline. They need to know you are not trying to overrun either of these but you are dedicated to the outcome which is to have the project completed correctly and early enough that the January meetings can be successful.
5. Demonstrate your exit plan on the resources so it is not a recurring expense (like using consultants) or if you are really wanting FT employees you need to show how they will be utilized afterwards.
6. Lay out the consequences to BOTH projects with deadlines slipping without the extra resources. Factually lay out what could happen to both projects and the impact to the company.
Now here is what you don’t know but need to find out in order to be seen as strategic:
1. Are the January meeting dates set in stone or could those be moved?
2. Are you completely accurate on HOW they intend to use your new system for the January meeting? They may need only part of it and that part you may be able to complete in November and do the remainder by January with resources.
3. What other things on the executive’s plates are you competing with?
BEST PHRASED USING OUTCOME THINKING®: “Susan I have been thinking about the two key projects I am working on and wanted to take about 20 minutes to share something we could do that would really help the company meet its January goals and objects. As I see it, it would require us hiring two extra resources and I know there is a hiring freeze on right now so I am not sure what Tom would need to see from us to say it was worth doing that. I am hoping we can brainstorm on that together. My goal is to make sure the visibility we all have on these two projects remains at a high strategic level and that we safe guard the company’s ultimate mission/goal so we achieve the success we are all looking for. If I am understanding everything correctly, I see a big hole in one of the projects that could cost us if not handled properly. Would now be a good time to strategize on this or should we schedule something later today or tomorrow?”
Right there you let her know you honored all the things I laid out in the 6 points above. The phrase ” If I am understanding everything correctly” lets her know you have some assumptions you will be sharing or questions you will be asking to make sure you are factually looking at all things correctly. Using the word “brainstorming” let’s her brain not feel panicked or pushed by you and using the word “strategizing’ lets her know you expect to have a positive strategic discussion versus a “talk”.
Deal of the Month!
How to Structure Your Message so They Hear it
Stop trying to build a PowerPoint presentation! How To Structure Your Message So They Hear It, is a compilation of questions and answers that have been put together by Anne Warfield, asked by professionals on how to build a speech or message so your audience hears it.
Anne has included, not only HOW to say it, but actual Scripts that you can use to put together a memorable presentation.
Click here to register for the “Successful Communication, Brain Style Analysis” Virtual Training, a 90 minute training session with a personalized Outcome Thinking® Communication Assessment included, that you can now watch anytime that is convenient for you.
Quoteable Quotes
“A leader takes people where they want to go. A GREAT leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” – Rosalynn Carter
Is Your Audience Ignoring What You Say?
Watch Now…as Anne shares an example of how to get your audience to listen to what you are saying.
Learn 4 non-verbal transistions to use when speaking
Many people don’t realize how important transitions are when speaking. They are what makes good conversation flow and what make many speakers seem eloquent.
“In the past when I presented my thoughts came across as scattered…
…and people would ask me a question before I got to that content in the presentation. Now with Outcome Thinking® people clearly understood my intent and I utilized my presentation to answer the questions before they could raise them. If you have any doubts or insecurities about presenting then you should take Managing Your Message. If nothing else, it helps you understand how to gather your thoughts in the most productive way. ”
Tiffany Schaufler, Project & Land Manger, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
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