doug smith training

  It's harder to solve a problem alone when you are at the center of the problem. Get another perspective. Stay open to your own part of the problem. Sometimes, deep into the search, we discover that we could be the cause. Start with reflection. It could provide direction. -- doug smith

There will be offers, heading your way in obvious as well as subtle channels. Strong looking barriers. Refusals to see you. Efforts to take advantage of you.  That's not meant for you, no matter how strong someone else's intentions imply that it is. Decline any opportunity to be a victim. It does not suit you. -- doug smith  

If it does not support you, allow it to strengthen you. -- doug smith  

Obvious solutions are great, except that they seldom work. The chances are that the solution that first occurs to you has already been tried.  Sticky, mysterious, subtle problems evade the obvious. They hide. They mask. They simmer. Mysterious problems seldom surrender to obvious solutions. Dig deeper.  -- doug smith

Are you in charge? Is the team your responsibility? Every team needs more than one leader. The highest leverage strategy a leader can employ is to develop more leaders. Build that mighty team one person at a time. Share the load.  -- doug smith  

Criticism produces more noise than signal. The recipient will hear mostly noise. Find another way to share the relevant information and it will sound more like advice than insult. Here's one other way -- ask the person you want to give advice to what their advice is for improving performance. Listen. Find the tone. Catch the brilliance. Support the useful observations. When we coach positively with enthusiasm our advice lives longer. What do you think? -- doug smith  

Team relationships get complicated. Sorting them out is one more tough leadership task. Recruiting the right people for your team is the first step, followed by keeping the communication on your team clear, open, honest, and respectful. A team of superstars who cannot get along will not make for a successful team. Interpersonal dynamics matter considerably. Team relationships make more sense when the mission matters. The best reason for a team to get along with each other is so that they can achieve their mission. Start there. Focus there.  -- doug smith  

If you work long enough you'll notice something that will give you a strong perspective.  Every year there is a new problem that is capable of completely destroying you. Solve it and move on. No reason to surrender now. -- doug smith  

  As a customer, you'd know what you want. That's worth keeping in mind. Sometimes things might seem good for business but be bad for customers. If money is the only bottom line we find ourselves at the bottom quickly. It takes courage to say no to something that is bad for your customer but profitable for your business. People with that kind of courage are people worth doing business with. -- doug smith

I've got an unfinished project. Do you? It can be a motivator. It can get me going. Having an unfinished project prods me toward action. It feels motivating to always have at least one unfinished project. But, hey, do finish your projects.  Note to self: That project you're thinking about? Get it done. -- doug smith

We are best served by serving first. Without thinking about what's in it for us, we get more out of it by first giving. It that sounds amazing, it is. Amazingly effective. -- doug smith