Blog
Minutes or Months (WT741)
This week’s thought is really about asking for expert help. Recently I’ve been working on a project and it has taken me months to figure out the solution. In the end, I reached out to an expert, who solved the problem in a matter of minutes. I regretted not having reached out much earlier. How often do we do that? Is it because we’re being stubborn? Is it because of our pride? Is it because we think we can actually solve the problem? It could be all of the above or more. Experts don’t have to be paid experts either. Think about your colleagues at work. Each of us has specialised knowledge...
The Burden of Hiring and Training Staff (Over & Over Again) WT740
I expect you have similar thoughts and complaints as many of my clients around hiring and training staff. “It’s hard to get good people.” “I just spent 3 months training them and now they’ve left.” “I keep having to train the same thing over and over again because people don’t last.” “I’m sick of answering the same questions and having to repeat myself over and over.” If this is familiar to you, there are some things you can do to make your life easier. It starts with your recruitment process. You need to be crystal clear about the role and the K.E.S.A.Q. (Knowledge, Experience, Skills,...
Learn To Become A Problem Solver (WT739)
As I was preparing for the first session of the current Loyal Lieutenant online experience, I was speaking with a client whom I’ve been working with for over 15 years. Our very first project was a 10 week coaching course for him as he stepped into the role of General Manager. He had been promoted because the owner of the company observed that any time there was a problem, (and particularly when the owner was away), this employee sorted it out. He was a natural problem solver. We chatted about the mindset it requires to solve problems and to step into that 2IC role. When I first started at...
I’m Perplexed (WT738)
Ross and I were discussing the subject heading for this weekly thought. Should it be “I’m perplexed, I’m confused, I’m puzzled”? When we looked up the Macquarie Dictionary, the old fashioned book format, the words seemed to be interchangeable. So here’s why I’m perplexed. I recently created some facebook ads and offered a Complimentary Private Career Planning Consultation to seconds-in-command or aspiring seconds-in-command to help them understand where they are in their journey and where they want to go. In other words, for the "Go To People" in your organisation. A number of people...
Value Their Values (WT737)
Ross and I were going to the dentist. He was driving. I got into the passenger side, or rather fell into the passenger side. “Whoa! Who’s been sitting in this seat?” I asked. The seat had been lowered to the floor, pushed all the way back and the back of the seat had been lowered to almost lying down. “Hmmm. I remember someone moving it”, replied Ross as I attempted to get it back to our normal position. “I know”, he said. “It was the guy at the car service place. He got in to show me how to fix some of the buttons and gadgets that had moved since we had the last service. I don’t know why he...
Wouldn’t You Smile At Everyone (WT736)
I’m absolutely fascinated by people’s behaviour. I’m fascinated by what makes us tick. I’ve been watching some of the personal trainers at the gym as they walk around with their clients. They seem to laugh and joke with their clients and then when they make eye contact with us “non-clients” they just seem to stare. Wouldn’t you smile at everyone? Just from a marketing perspective, if I was a trainer I would be making sure I engaged with the “non-clients” because they could very well become clients. If I was going to choose a trainer, I’d choose someone whom I felt comfortable with. I’d...
Don’t Defeat Yourself (WT735)
Last week I mentioned the 6 week Confidence on Camera challenge that I completed. This week I was talking with a client and mentioned that I was about to put the learning into practice by creating a Facebook ad with a video to promote the next Loyal Lieutenant online training experience. “Oh, that sounds exciting”, she said. “Yes, and it’s as scary as hell”, I replied. It’s so interesting how fear and excitement seem to sit on the opposite sides of the same coin. This week I was also tapping along with The Tapping Solution app on my phone to release any blockages I might have to manifesting...
It’s Hard To Start (WT734)
Do you ever hear yourself saying “it’s hard to start” or something similar? Do you find sometimes you need a bit of inspiration? That once you get started, the rest is easy? Me too. I recently completed the Confidence on Camera challenge with Authentic Education. The first 21 days we recorded ourselves and posted to a “safe” group. For the final week we were challenged to post publicly. This was a big thing for me because I hadn’t posted videos on Facebook for years. I had been hiding. So I put my big girl pants on and faced the challenge. I shared why I had been hiding and how it was now...
Are You A Maker Or A Manager? (WT733)
I just love it when my clients share educational information with me, especially when I’m looking for inspiration for the Weekly Thought. I awoke this morning to an SMS which read, “Morning Shirl, Just sharing this Alex Hormozi clip on a concept I thought you might like – a good one here about makers and managers.” Thank you, Mark. I listened to the podcast whilst at the gym this morning and it was all about how we invest our time. According to Hormozi, (who also wrote “$100M Leads” and “$100M Offers”) there is a big difference between the work of a maker and the work of a manager and the...
Don’t Let Your G.O.A.L Become Your G.A.O.L (WT732)
This week’s topic might be a little thought provoking. I hope so. I received a link from my colleague Lee Woodward to listen to an interview he did with Charles Tarbey. Lee is widely known in the real estate industry and has been training principals and sales people for over 30 years. Charles is the Century 21 Australasia Chairman. Charles explained to Lee how destructive goals can be and how goals are really short term objectives on the way to achieving our dreams. Link below if you’d like to listen to the interview. As it turns out, I was coaching with a client, we’ll call him...