Sleepless Nights, Productive Nights

Since my son, Cash, was born last month, I have been up all hours of the night feeding, changing, burping, and rocking him.  But not all has been lost by these sleepless nights. 

Click here to find out what I have been doing to make these nights productive and beneficial! 

And, as a reminder, I have moved my blog to www.Sieverkropp.com.  Please head on over there and subscribe so you dont miss a single post!  As of the begininng of 2013, I don't know how much I will be updating this site (soon I wont at all.). 

Thanks!

How To Stick Out in the Stack.

New Experiences

As some of you may know, I began a new job a few weeks back.  I work for a human resources company that offers staffing and HR resources for companies throughout the western United States as well as select locations on the east coast. 

This experience has opened my eyes to many things that I thought I knew.  Several of these revolve around the recruiting and hiring process.



Photo courtesy of bionicteaching, Some Rights Reserved

Resumes

I wanted to share with you one thing that I thought I was fairly competent in two weeks ago, but have since learned volumes about...resumes.

I have taken classes that taught how to write resumes, I have scoured websites, read blog posts and books and thought I had a fair handle on resume writing--after all, my high school business teacher used my resume as an example for like 6 years after I graduated!!

Yeah, not so much!

So here's when I realized exactly what is important in a resume: When I was on the other side of the table, reading 70+ resumes and trying to narrow them down to 4-5 that we would interview for an advertised position. 

In my few weeks at this job, we average 10-20 new applicants a day--that isn't counting emailed or mailed resumes, simply those people who physically walk into our branch office and fill out an application.  This may be more than most small businesses get, but here's the point:  The economy is tough and there is a lot of competion when you apply for a job. 


Here are four suggestions to help your resume stick out in the stack of resumes on the HR manager's desk:

1.     Don't Stretch.  Recruiters will often advertise for positions and not list the company for which you are actually applying.  If this is the case, do not, I repeat, do not use phrases like "I have wanted to work for your company for some time." or "I have great respect for your company and what you stand for".  Such phrases, when obviously not true or disingenuous, immediately turn off those reviewing your resume. 

If you do know the company, and honestly respect them, by all means, say so, but make sure it comes across as genuine...if they know it's just a tactic, it will fail every single time.   

2.     Job History.  As proud as you are of your job history, focus more on your skills than the jobs themselves.  If I am looking for a Customer Service Rep and you list your jobs prominently at the beginning of your resume as "Cashier", "Head Waiter" and "Construction Foreman" you will have painted a picture of who you are in my mind.  This picture may or may not be accurate, but it is still there.  You may actually be a great fit for the Customer Service Rep, but with dozens of resumes to review, you'll be passed up for someone else with job titles like "Bank Teller", "Administrative Assistant" and "Regional Sales Manager". 

How do you avoid this?  Focus on your skills.  List the skills you have acquired from being a cashier or construction foreman that will apply to a Customer Service position.  Skills like resolving customer concerns, assisting clients in making informed decisions, and setting and achieving goals and budgets.  This allows the recruiter or HR personnel to paint a picture in their mind of you fitting what they are looking for, rather than a picture of the person they think holds the job titles you listed.

3.     Don't put Objectives.  I'm going to be straight up, and this might make my high school business teacher mad at me, but...whoever came up with the idea of putting an objective at the beginning of a resume was completely stupid and never had to read through a stack of resumes!!!

When I read:

"Objective: To gain employment with a reputable company with good values where I can utilize my skills, grow as a person and have opportunities for growth."
 

Do you know what I think? NEXT!! 

Do you know why? Because I when I read that I hear:

"Its all about me, I want a company that will be fair to me, that will cater to my skills, spend their time and money to develop me into a better person and give me raises and promotions (or I will take the training they provided and go somewhere else that suits me)".
 

Even if you mean every word of your objective there are at least two reasons it's a bad idea. 1. The person reviewing your resume is busy, they aren't your mother and therefore don't have time to find out about your life's ambitions.  2. It makes you appear self centered (even if you aren't) and they are looking to fill a need they have, not a need you have.   So just delete the objective.

4.     Prove it.  My mentor showed me his resume the other day.  At the very top of his resume he listed "Achievements".  He has been interviewing people for employment for probably 15-20 years.  He said that the Achievements say all he needs to know about a person.  What have you done with your life?  "The proof's in the puddin'." , so to speak. 

And he didnt just list career achievements like "Took office revenue from $4 million to $10 million" He put things like "Married 20 years with 5 children", "Eagle Scout and Boy Scout Troup Leader", "President of local youth football league.", "Active member of Rotary International".  

Listing achievements from your business and personal life, volunteering and hobbies will say more about who you are to a hiring executive than any statements about how trustworthy, hard-working and considerate you may be.  Your achievements--business and otherwise--speak volumes.  Don't tell them who you are, show them through your accomplishments.

These are just a few impressions I have had from sitting on the other end of a resume.  I'm sure I'll come up with more, and when I do, I hope you'll indulge me when I share them. 

Take what you can use from this, "round file" the rest. 

But know this: If your resume doesn't stand out, you won't get an interview.  And if you don't get an interview, it's real hard to get hired, even if you're the most qualified person in your area code!

Question:  What will you do to improve your resume in the next few weeks?



If you find value in these posts, please share them with your friends, family and collegues. 

Twitter: @Skropp2

The Parable of the Waiter

A few weeks back I had the great opportunity to guest post for Lily Kreitinger.  In that post, titled Got The T-Shirt, I put forth an analogy that seemed to resonate with many of the readers and commenters on Lily's blog.  Because of that, I wanted to share this analogy with you. 

 

Photo courtesy of zoetnet, some rights reserved.

 

 

Imagine This...



Ok, so imagine this.  You walk into a restaurant and sit down.  Now, when I say restaurant, I mean a good restaurant--No paper napkins, and no yellow or red in the logo--just so we're clear. 

 

When you walk in, you are met by a smiling host or hostess that welcomes you to the restaurant, asks how many in your party, and asks you to please follow her to your table.  You sit down, the hostess gives you your menu and tells you that your waiter will be with you shortly.

 

When the waiter walks to your table, what do you notice?  Is he well dressed? Does she smile and seem friendly? Is she knowledgeable in what is being offered on the menu?

 

You notice all of these things and each of them, to some extent, affects your dining experience. 

 

But what affects your dining experience more than anything?  I would venture to guess it is the food! (and we all know Chris LoCurto is gonna LOVE a post about food!)

 

I say this because you go to a restaurant to eat good food.  Yes, you want to have great service, and if the service stinks, you probably won't go back, but you really are most interested in the food. 

 

The Analogy

Now let me tie this all together. 

 

Let's look at this experience in regards to speaking in front of a group, or teaching a group.  If we are to use the above experience as an analogy, who would be the waiter? The diners? The food? The service and appearance of the waiter?

 

Here's my suggestion:

 

As the speaker or teacher, you are the waiter.  Your audience, the diners.  The food that they came hoping to enjoy is the information that you are putting forth in your speech, training, or lesson. 

 

Now, where does the service and appearance come in? 

 

The appearance and service is your appearance as the presenter as well as your speaking/teaching skills. 

 

Are these important? 

 

Absolutely!

 

No one wants to listen to, or be taught by, a slob.  And if you speak like Ben Stein's character in Ferris Beuller's Day Off, no one will stay awake! 

 

You have GOT to learn and hone the skills of public speaking (Check out Lily's series on public speaking for great ideas).  But in doing so, I fear sometimes we forget that, in reality, the information you are presenting is the. most. important. part.

 

So, my challenge to you: As you speak and teach remember the parable of the waiter!  Remember that as important as it is that you relate to your audience, smile, tell compelling stories, and speak clearly, you are simply the vehicle to convey your information.

 

Speaking and teaching IS NOT about you!  Speaking and teaching is about conveying information that will benefit your audience.

 

 

Question: How does this parable affect how you look at speaking and teaching others?

 

 

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my musings.  If you find value in these posts, please subscribe to this blog and share this post with those around you!

 

 

 

Twitter: @Skropp2

Jaw Dropping

After a certain amount of time, or maybe after a certain number of incidents, poor leadership practices begin to be almost expected.

Allow me to share one that, though I wasn't really surprised, still left with my mouth gaping open.

Hearken back to the meeting that I witnessed and shared with you a week or so ago. If you haven't read the post What Happened Here? And the follow up Low Trust Environment follow the links and learn about this fantastic meeting that I was able to observe.

Now let me share what else happened.

Photo courtesy of loungerie, Some Rights Reserved



During the discussion of driver's logs that were being implemented, the General Manager said,

"Guys, I don't know how to explain the owner (we'll call him Steve), he's a really weird guy, he'll see something going on and just freak out and jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts."

To this the mechanic chimed in,

"Yeah, Steve came in here reaming me and almost firing me because a truck wasn't fixed (the mechanic later told he he had exaggerated a bit about the firing part)."

And then, not to be outdone, the trucking foreman jumped in and said,

"Guys, there are days that Steve drives by and sees one of you parked at the gas station and he texts me wanting to know why you aren't working. I'll get, sometimes 10-12 texts like that a day."

Can you see why my jaw hit the floor??

Three management level personal taking shots at their boss in front of their employees??
 
Unbelievable.

To be fair, I don't think these managers were necessarily complaining about the owner, they were just simply stating facts as they saw them.

No matter the justification, let me give you 4 reasons why this is a HORRIBLE idea.

1. The others don't know your intentions. You may just be stating facts, but they don't know the owner as you do, so given this information, they will assume they are working for the most arrogant, rude, SOB to ever run a company.

2. If you are willing to stand before them and list your boss' weaknesses, your employees will wonder what you say about them in their absence.

3. You're a leader. Those who follow you mimick your behavior. If you make a habit of recognizing and pointing out your superior's faults, rest assured they'll make a habit of pointing out yours!

4. You'll see productivity drop like the temperature in Antartica! Why would employees work hard when they're sure they work for such a selfish jerk?

Bottom line, as Dave Ramsey says, gossip is a cancer in your organization. And I would add, ESPECIALLY when it's leadership complaining about leadership. No good can come from it!


Question: What would you have done if you'd been in that meeting? And how would you work to change the culture and eliminate gossip?



If you are enjoying these posts please pass them along to all you associate with!

Twitter: @Skropp2

Low Trust Environment

Yesterday I shared with you a scene I witnessed recently and asked what you thought had caused such a scene.

Photo courtesy of sshtroumpfy, Some Rights Reserved



If you missed yesterday's post, read it here.

Here is my opinion as to why the meeting went the way it did:

Short Answer: Low trust environment.

It's my opinion that if you were to ask these drivers why they responded how they did, they would tell you that the management cares very little about them, that all they care about is the bottom line. They would share this or that experience of when management broke a promise or somehow wronged them.

Is this accurate?

I don't know. It doesn't matter, perception is reality.

If you were to ask management they would probably tell you that the drivers had poor attitudes. That they had addressed complaints and don't understand why the drivers didn't appreciate the improvements that had been implemented.

Do they have a point?

Who knows. Again, it doesn't matter, perception is reality.

Neither side trusts the other's intentions, and therefore a seemingly simple form designed to improve efficiency, increase profits, and benefit, everyone serves as a wedge to drive the manager and the team he is trying to lead further apart.

This speaks to the importance of creating the correct company culture.  (Insert any of a million Chris LoCurto comments about culture here...)

If a culture of mutual trust and respect is not present, neither side will ever trust the other's intentions.

Now my question to you:

If you are in management in this position, what do you do to diffuse the situation and begin to improve the company culture?



Please share these posts with your friends, family and associates.

Twitter: @Skropp2

What Happened Here??

Today I want to share with you a situation that occurred at a meeting I recently attended.

I want to do something a little different. Today I want to describe the situation, then ask you what you think caused it. Then tomorrow I'll share my opinion on what caused the situation and ask you what you would do to solve the problem.

Monday Morning Meeting

Photo courtesy of NCTRUCKINGITEMS



Ok, 6am, Monday morning, company meeting. The only thing on the agenda is to pass out new binders to all the truck drivers. The manager explains that these binders are to allow management to more accurately forecast equipment needs, as well as to determine which equipment is in need of replacing.

The drivers open the binders.  Inside they find a form to be filled out for each load hauled.

• Time started
• Time you arrive to load
• Time you arrive at the field to unload
• Number of miles to field

...and so forth

Now I can't read minds, and I didn't have to, to know what was coming next...

One driver pipes up,

"So is this to keep track of us and if I get one less load than John* am I fired?"

Another chimes in,

"Yeah, if we're gonna do this, and Sam has one more load than me, I'm going to do everything I can to pass him."

Then a third driver jumps in,

"I take time each load to make sure my trailer's cleaned out. If I do that and say, Larry, doesn't; and he gets one more load a day than me, why should I even worry about taking care of the equipment? I should just GO GO GO!"

At this point the manager jumps in and says,

"This has nothing to do with checking up on you. We already know which ones of you are hard workers and which ones lazy. We just want to analyze how we can improve efficiency. We aren't out to hang anyone."

To that one of the drivers that had spoken earlier piped up,

"You won't have to, with this form, we'll hang ourselves!"

These types of concerns and objections continued for probably 30 minutes. So here's my question to you,

When, according to the manager, this form is simply to allow management to review and analyze equipment needs and efficiency,

Why did the driver's respond in such a negative and defensive manner?



*All names have been changed to protect the innocent...and perhaps the guilty :)



If you find value in these posts, I would ask you to please share them through email, twitter, Facebook, etc.



Twitter: @Skropp2

Get Behind the Wheel

A large portion of my job is hauling equipment with a truck and trailer. It's not uncommon for me to spend 4-6 hours a day driving.



My truck, trailer and machine at work

I've learned there is a lot about driving truck that can be applied to business and leadership.

Allow me to explain:

Look Ahead

Semi's are big, and they weigh A LOT when loaded. My weight is usually around 85,000 lbs. You can't stop over 40 tons like you can stop a little family sedan.

When you drive truck you've got to look a long ways ahead of you. You have to know where to turn, what lane to be in, what traffic is doing, what stop lights are doing, and a million other things.

Likewise, in leadership and business, we can't look at only what is happening now. We've gotta keep an eye on what's going down the road. If we fail to look and plan ahead, sooner or later the full weight of our business will crash and burn. Plan ahead.

Look Behind

As important as looking ahead is looking behind you. Watching what's behind you helps you plan as well. It's important to see that little sports car coming up quick in the other lane, or the idiot in the 4x4 that is so close to your trailer you think you're actually towing him.

In business, looking behind you and recognizing mistakes or areas for adjustment will also help you avoid a future crash.

Accept Help

Fun fact: Next time you're on the interstate watch for this:

When one semi passes another, the semi being passed will often either hit his high beams, or turn his headlights on and off to let the other semi know he is clear to move back into the right lane.

Driving a truck and trailer makes it difficult sometimes to judge when the tail end of your trailer is past the truck you're passing. This gesture is extremely helpful!

As a "thank you" you will see the truck that has just passed flip on his hazard lights, or turn his clearance lights on and off a couple times.

These are nearly universal signs used by upwards of 90% of trucks.

As we travel down the road in our business take notice of the suggestions and insights of others. They often have a different view than you do that will help you avoid misjudging a situation that could cost you a lot of time, money and frustration.

Take the Wheel

So next time you're driving and you see one of those asphalt cowboys, take notes! They just might teach you something that'll lead to a huge payload in your leadership!



Question: What can you learn about leadership from your commute and/or travel?



If you you enjoy these posts, please share them in your social circles.

Twitter: @Skropp2

Do You Respect Your Mentor?

Full Disclosure:

I have only been meeting with a mentor for about 3 months, on a monthly basis.  I am not an expert mentor, nor an expert mentee. 

My purpose in the following post is simply to share with you some suggestions and ideas that I am trying to implement into my relationship with my mentor that I believe will make it more beneficial--and I hope you can take some of the suggestions and utilize them as you will!

Stuck!

To begin, let me share with you why I decided to have a mentor.  This past year I have felt stuck.  I dont mean just stuck, I mean STUCK!!!!! And to be sure that you and I are on the same page with that, I'm talking good ol' country boy, mud boggin', burried to the axles, wheels spinnin', mud flyin' everywhere, STUCK!! Got the picture now?  If not, here's one for ya:

 

Photo courtesy of margaretkilljoy, Some Rights Reserved

 

 

Stuck.  Now you get it, right? Anyways, I felt stuck and kept thinking that I needed to find a mentor.  Someone smarter than me, more successful than me, better looking than me (well, I could at least shoot for the first two!). 

 

The final push was a blog post by Mr. Chris LoCurto posted about the same time titled, "Why You Need A Mentor". 

 

Now, maybe it's just me, but sometimes I feel like God is just hiding around the corner with a two-by-four, waiting for me to walk by; and when I do... 

 

WHACK!!!!!

Upside the head. 

 

That's kinda how I felt when I read his blog post.  That post seemed to be God saying "You need to get a mentor Ding Dong!" (I'm dense enough I don't think its too far of a stretch to think God may just call me a "ding dong" at times...) 

 

So I sent a text to a friend of mine that I'd been wanting to ask to be my mentor and asked if he'd be willing to sit down with me regularly and share with me some of his vast knowledge.  He readily agreed.  And THAT is how I began my mentoring relationship. 

 

Making the most of Mentoring

One thing that I believe is very important is to respect your mentor's time.  They are doing you a HUGE favor by being willing to meet with and counsel you. 

 

For this reason, here are a few things that I have tried to do, and am trying to implement, to make the most out of the time with my mentor. 

 

1.    Time limit

Dont let your mentoring sessions drag on like a freakin' Major League baseball game (I'm not a baseball fan, I'd rather endure Chinese water torture while laying on a bed of cacti in my skivvies than watch a baseball game!). In my (amateur) opinion 60 minutes is long enough for a mentoring session, maybe 90.  Have a time in mind and ask your mentor if that is acceptable.  Then when you are there STICK TO IT!!! Your mentor is busy with their own life, don't take all their time or they will dread meeting with you.     

 

2.    Come prepared with Questions 

Don't try to "wing" your mentoring session.  If his knowledge, expertise and insight are valuable enough for you to want to learn from him, his time is too valuable to be wasted in a conversation that has no focus or direction.  Come with 3-4 questions that you want answered, it'll assure that the time is not wasted.

 

3.    Share your goals

A week before our first mentoring session, I emailed a list of goals I'd set for myself to my mentor to review.  We discussed them at that first session.  Sharing your goals gives your mentor insight into where you desire to go.  This will allow your mentor to help you work towards and achieve those goals.  It also shows the level of trust and respect you have for him as your mentor that you are willing to share your personal goals. 

 

 

4.   Ask for an assignment

Ask your mentor what she would recommend you do between now and your next meeting to incorporate the things you talked about into your life.  This shows that you have a desire to change and grow, and that you take seriously the counsel that she is giving you.

 

5.   Return and report

When you come to your next meeting report how you have done on the things you discussed the time before.  Discuss how you did on the assignments you accepted, what went well, what you could improve.  Ask follow up questions to clarify principles you discussed.  Being ready and willing to report on your successes and failures is evidence of your desire to learn and grow.

 

6.   Show gratitude

If you meet at a restaurant and have lunch or breakfast, pick up the tab.  Shoot your mentor a text or email afterwards thanking them for their time and insight.  I wrote a letter to Jason's wife and kids.  In the letter I told them that I wanted them to know what a great guy their husband and father was.  I told them that I knew they must make alot of sacrifices with as busy as he is, and that I, for one, was grateful to them for their sacrifice so he could spend a little time with me every month.  I got a text the next week saying thanks for the letter and that it had brought him to tears.  Gratitude goes a long ways.

 

 

What it comes down to...

Making the most out of the time you have with your mentor really comes down to one thing.  Respect and appreciate your mentor and their time.  If you will do these six things, you will get more out of your mentoring sessions, your mentor will be more engaged in mentoring you, and both of you will grow and develop in ways that would not be possible without your relationship. 

 

I hope implementing these suggestions will help you.  I am looking forward to implementing them in my own life with my mentor. 

 

If you don't have a mentor that you are meeting with regularly, I would strongly recommend finding one!  Read "Why You Need A Mentor" if you still aren't convinced of the importance of such a relationship. 

 

 

 

Question: What do you do to make the most of the time you spend with your mentor(s)?

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to peruse this blog! If you've found this information timely and beneficial, please share it with others!

 

 

 

Twitter: @Skropp2



The Customer is Always Right!

"The Customer is Always Right"

How many times have we heard that?

How many managers have said it?

How many company websites, stationary, business cards, sales material and coffee mugs have sported this saying?

How many of us believe it?



Photo Courtesy of LonelyBob, Some Rights Reserved

Ok, you can put your hands down.

Before we get into the post, let's find a few things we all can agree on.

1. Customers are important.

2. Customer service is important.

3. Many customers THINK they are always right.

4. Odds are, customers are NOT right as often as they'd like to believe.

Can we agree on those? If you disagree, well, get your own dang blog! This one's mine ;)

But let's be honest, the customer is NOT always right. And quite frankly, the ones that are insistent that they are, and are determined to rub it in your face--like you're a dog in need of house training--probably aren't your best customers anyways.

But does this mean that you just write off their complaints as the ramblings of a madman and laugh mockingly at the stupid notion that "the customer is always right?"

Short answer: No.

And here's why:

Perception is reality.

I LOVE that phrase, and no where is it more applicable than in customer service.

Here's what I mean:

In reality, your customer is wrong, the terms of delivery were 5-7 BUSINESS days, not 5-7 days, regardless of Christmas, New Years and the Sunday in between!

In perception, your customer feels you are incompetent, and incapable of keeping your word...and he tells EVERYONE at Starbucks exactly that.

In reality, the warranty clearly states that throwing your product onto a rock from your tree stand 35 feet up voids the warranty.

In perception, your client tells all his hunting buddies that not only is your product a piece of crap, but your service belongs in the toilet as well.

You get the idea.

Now I'm not saying you should fall all over your customers if they are blatantly wrong. You only need a fraction of the earth's billions of inhabitants as clients. Some clients are best served by making sure the door doesn't hit them on the way out.

My point is,

When striving to provide excellent customer service, be mindful, and take into account that, though they may be wrong, your client's perception IS THEIR reality, and he will relay it to everyone he associates with as such.

Perception is reality.

Perhaps THAT phrase should be found in our businesses (and maybe on a coffee mug) a little more often. It may improve our ability to understand and serve our customers.



Question: How have you seen perception affect your job or business?

Thanks for reading! If you find these posts valuable, please share them in your social circles!!

Twitter: @Skropp2

We Hired You to Be a Leader

We Hired You to Be a Leader

In a previous post I talked about an interview Chris LoCurto did with Joe Scarlett, former CEO of Tractor Supply Company for the EntreLeadership Podcast. If you haven't listened to the podcast, do yourself a favor and click here to listen (be sure to scroll to the bottom to listen to the bonus interview!)!

In the interview, Joe talks about his love of delegation. Bragging (rightfully so, in my opinion) that he had delegated so well that as CEO he made very few actual decisions.

Photo courtesy of Mays Business School, Some Rights Reserved

He told a story about when he was a young leader in an department store in charge of closing the store. In order to get finished he rolled up his sleeves and began emptying garbage cans etc. While do so the store manager came to him and said, in effect, "We didn't hire you to empty the garbage, we hired you to lead. "

What a profound statement. Joe said that after that delegation became his middle name!! He says if you learn to delegate you'll never become a workaholic.

Delegation

Delegation is the key to keeping balance in your life. Joe says living a balanced life and not letting work take over is a mindset. He says you must do 4 things well:

1. Build good teams

2. Delegate responsibility

3. Trust people to get the job done

4. Set up checkpoints to make sure things stay on track.

his definitive statement on delegation was:

"if you can't delegate responsibility you can't move up the ladder."

Question: What is your view of delegation? How can you delegate so you can be a more effective leader?


If you enjoy these posts please share them in your social circles! 



Twitter: @Skropp2

What Do Tractors Have to do With Leadership?

What Do Tractors Have to do With Leadership?

A lot if you're Joe Scarlett.

Photo Courtesy of www.joescarlett.com 

Mr. Scarlett is the retired CEO of Tractor Supply Company and founder of th Scarlett Leadership Institute. Recently Mr. Scarlett was interviewed by Chris LoCurto for Dave Ramsey's EntreLeaderhip podcast. I would strongly recommend listening to the whole interview. You can find it, along with a bonus interview with Mr. Scarlett here.

I could write 5 blog posts on the information in the interview, and I just may. But for today I want to share the 5 things Mr. Scarlett advised aspiring leaders to do to prepare for leadership.

Prepare for Leadership

1. Set Clear direction

"Do the people that work for me, do they clearly know where we are going?" 

 Know where you're going, know where your organization is going. Be able to convey that direction to your team members.

2. Delegate

"If you're micromanaging, forget about it, I'm not gonna promote you."

Mr. Scarlett spent a lot of time on delegation. He said the ability to delegate is one of the most essential skills of a leader. If you can't delegate your success is limited to only what you can personally do.

3. Humility

"Do you have a big ego? If you really think you're great, you can stay where you are!"

Being humble is an critical to being a great leader. 

4. Communication

"The further up the ladder you get, the more important communication becomes."

Always be honing your communication skills, verbal, written etc. know how I give a speech, write a report, pitch an idea to the Board of Directors, etc.

5. Be a cheerleader

"Be the first one to recognize performance."

Be a positive uplifting influence. Be the first to praise and encourage. Celebrate success. Smile

This was just one small portion of a fantastic interview. Again, click here to listen in its entirety.



Question: What are you doing today to prepare for greater leadership opportunities?



If you just LOVE these posts (or even moderately like them) please pass them along to friends, family and colleagues!

Twitter: @Skropp2

Do You Have 20 Minutes?

Do You Have 20 Minutes?

As many of you probably have heard, Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and world renowned leadership expert passed away July 16, age 79.

Photo courtesy of www.StephenCovey.com

Dr. Covey has meant a lot to me. As a young missionary, my mission president fed us a steady diet of Dr. Covey's teachings. When I returned home one of the first things I did was purchase "The Seven Habits" and read it. It has profoundly changed my life. Not only have I grown as a person, husband, father, friend by applying its principles, but it started me on a journey of self improvement that continues today. My insatiable appetite for growing and improving as a person is a result of Dr. Covey.

As I read Dr. Covey's obituary I was in awe of the man portrayed. Certainly he was a household name, and had trained hundreds of thousands of people, some very well known, but he was a man that was content to be a father, husband, friend and Christian. These areas are where, I believe, he gauged his success or failure as a person.

I want to share a quote from Dr. Covey that his children say he would often repeat to them:

"If you will spend twenty minutes each day with the Savior of the world in private worship, you will spend eternity in his presence." Stephen R. Covey

The obituary said his daily routine was to get up early, find a quiet spot and spend time in reflection, prayer and scripture study.

Think about that quote.

Think about the type and character of the man who said it.

Then answer this:

Question: Do You Have 20 minutes a day? How do/will you spend those 20 minutes?

I know that Christ lives and is the Savior of the World! I know that it is only through His sacrifice that we have hope of redemption.

If you enjoy these posts, please pass them along to those you associate with!

Twitter: @Skropp2

Leadership Lessons from the Saddle

"Thank God I'm A Country Boy" (John Denver)

Some of you might not know this, but I am a country boy at heart, through and through. I grew up on a farm that my dad still operates. He raises dry land wheat and beef cattle.

My dad's farmed his whole life, been the local Cattleman's Association President more than once and is as cowboy as anyone I know.
My mom grew up riding horses to get out of household chores and married my dad because "he had a place for my horse."
My little brother will be going back to the farm next year with a degree in Animal Reproduction. 
My sister shows horses competitively across the country.

 Photo courtesy of Kevin Sieverkropp

Odd Man Out

Let's just say I'm the odd man out. ."  I don't plan on going back to the farm and I don't ride horses every day (my sister does...) I still wear wranglers and a cowboy hat (my wife rolls her eyes when I put it on) and living in town drives me crazy. There's not much I love more than being out in the sagebrush hunting deer and coyotes and when I think of Las Vegas I think of the NFR. I love being a country boy, its who I am!  For awhile in my teen years I fought it, but I always come back to Wranglers, Rodeos, George Strait, and wide open range land!
Growing up on a farm teaches you a million life lessons (no really, an even million, I counted!), if you'll just take the time to notice.

Leadership Lessons from the Saddle

Today I wanna share some Leadership Lessons from the Saddle.  Like I said, I can ride a horse, and could probably convince you I knew what I was doing, but I don't hold a candle to the hundreds (literally!) of ribbons and trophies my baby sister has won! 

But here are some things I've learned...

1. Just because you hold the reins...

When you ride a horse, you're in control. The bridle on the horse's head and the bit in his mouth allows you to steer him where you'd like to go. You have a spurs and a saddle. You're in control.

Or are you?

If the horse doesn't want to do something, he won't. If you upset him, startle him, mistreat him, bridle and spurs or not, you're going to take a one way flight courtesy of Buckin' Bronc Airlines. And it ain't fun!

Likewise in leadership, you may have a title, a company car, a name plate on the desk in your corner office and even a rubber tree plant next to the door but if you don't treat your team right, if you mistreat them, don't communicate or trust them, you ain't getting where you wanna go.

2. A bucket of grain.

Believe it or not, most horses would prefer to stay in the pasture, eat, and play rather than be rode. Hard to believe, I know! And sometimes it's all but impossible to catch one when you want to ride him! But if you'll bring a little gallon coffee can with a few oats in the bottom and shake it... That horse will come to you at a gallup.

Zig Ziglar says it best,

"you can have anything you want if you'll help enough other people get what they want."

As a leader don't chase down your team, trying to corner them into what you want them to do. Try a bucket of oats...find out what they want, what motivates them, and help them achieve it! I'm not saying manipulate, I'm saying care about them. And if you'll do so, they will help you accomplish what you want to accomplish as well!

3. It's just a branch!

Sometimes a horse, for no reason, will get freaked out by something totally normal, like a tree branch, flag, mailbox, etc. He will start walking sideways away from it, prancing around and maybe even spook and run. When a horse gets startled, the best thing you can do is talk to him. Reassure him, get him to go over to what's frightening him and check it out.

Communicate with your team. Reassure them. Find out what concerns they have, work through those concerns with them. Help them see that they can face whatever tree branch or mailbox has them worked up!

There's a bunch more lessons I could share, and maybe another day I will, but until then I hope the next time you see someone riding a horse you'll think of how you lead your team!

Question: What experiences in your life can you draw leadership lessons from? 

If you appreciate these insights, please share them in all your social circles!

Twitter: @Skropp2