Ducks in a Row: Looking Back on ‘Practice’
by Miki SaxonI came across this post while looking for some information I promised a client. I thought it had enough value that it was worth posting again (with some light editing).
Practice Makes…
Practice makes, not for perfection (I haven’t heard that anyone’s managed perfect outside of their own mind, that is), but certainly for improvement.
Practice has the power to improve athletic performance, singing, playing games/instruments/cards, sex, creativity, management, leadership—the list is never-ending. Any actions/activities large or small will benefit from practice.
Bosses need to practice managing, first for the benefit of their organization, but also the betterment of their reviews.
To that end I’m listing five big basics (they may not sound basic, but they are) for you to practice; you won’t get them perfect, but if you don’t practice them you won’t “get” them at all.
- Listening and hearing, or hearing and listening, if you prefer.
- Walking your talk.
- Communicating—not just saying what you want/think, but saying it in ways that your people can hear and understand.
- Not killing the messenger.
- Celebrating failures, as well as breakthroughs.
How long do you need to practice before the value kicks in and you start reaping your rewards? That depends on how you fill in the blank space in this sentence:
I need to practice the big basics diligently for a minimum of ____ months.
Fill in the blank based on your current style, understanding that the further your current style is from the basics the higher the number you must choose.
In other words, the greater the change the longer it will take.
The good news for those with a high number is that you’ll see some of the largest gains once your people start trusting the “new you.”
Flickr image credit: Kevin Law