Apr 20 2012

Give people the liberty to speak about the rules

Category: Cutlure,Teamwork — Stefan Kazakis @ 8:11 am

The greatest core value in a business is ‘freedom of speech’. This is the opportunity to engage in open and honest communication without the fear of persecution. One way that I have coached many businesses in this area is to establish weekly ‘WIFLE’ sessions (What I Feel Like Expressing) in which team members have uninterrupted time to speak their thoughts without fear of recrimination. This is a very powerful safety release valve that works very well indeed.

The right core values and culture will help you achieve extraordinary results. The people you work with can be more effective if you create an environment where each helps each other create synergy. Not only does this create a positive (and productive) working environment, it is essential for you as a leader. Without the people who can run your business you’ll trap yourself in the business forever.

 

My name is Stefan Kazakis and I’m the guy to call when you need to think BIG (ger)

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Apr 19 2012

People perform better when they know what is expected of them

Category: Cutlure,Strategies,Teamwork — Stefan Kazakis @ 8:09 am

As you move forward discovering and bringing alive your core values, remember this is no different than teaching your three year old right from wrong. Young, old or in-between people need to know what is expected of them and what the targets are that they’re supposed to be hitting.

Your employees need to understand how they can conduct themselves to please you and your customers. They appreciate a reminder when they have missed the mark and understand with clarity where they can improve. And they want to know the rules aren’t a moving target or prone to selective enforcement (the importance of consistency).

Your core values will do all of that for you, if you take the time to find out WHAT they are and HOW you can make best use of them.

 

My name is Stefan Kazakis and I’m the guy to call when you need to think BIG (ger)

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For more information about Stefan's services and coaching programs please visit his website

Apr 18 2012

Set the Rules of the Game (ROTG) – and stick to them

Category: Cutlure,Leadership,Teamwork — Stefan Kazakis @ 8:07 am

The one constant of life and business is change. Of course some aims and objectives will require tweaking over time. However, if you start from a place of clear and consistent rules, then your employees will have solid foundations from which to cope with change. Here are the 3 keys to good ROTG (whether you are providing your children with a good moral foundation or your company with a strong cultural foundation!):

1. Have a few clear rules (not too many)
2. Repeat yourself a lot (so the rules are clear)
3. Most importantly – make sure you act in ways that are consistent with the rules

ROTG are especially important during tough economic times. The temptation for staff is to panic, change what they are doing and work in a reactive way. This will not help your business. The clearer your ROTG are, the more confident and secure your staff will feel. Which means they will stay calm, continue to be productive and even find areas of innovation to see your business through.

Rules also make leading a lot easier

Equally important, a strong culture driven a by a handful of rules (core values) makes leading people and teams much easier. It reduces the need for stacks of policies and procedures (and when they need to be prepared the groundwork has already been done). Core values give everyone a foundation from which to make tough decisions. This is particularly important in times of economic doubt or financial stress. These values also generally bring simplicity and clarity to many of the ‘people’ systems within organisations.

 

My name is Stefan Kazakis and I’m the guy to call when you need to think BIG (ger)

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For more information about Stefan's services and coaching programs please visit his website

Apr 17 2012

A strong culture starts with leadership

Category: Cutlure,Teamwork — Stefan Kazakis @ 8:05 am

A team is only as strong as its coach. A school culture depends on the integrity of its principal. Happy, secure children have parents who set strong boundaries and lead by examples. And your business is the same.

You are the person that your staff members look to – consciously and unconsciously – for leadership. And not just in terms of their position descriptions and job tasks. But in terms of how to treat others, communicate internally and externally, and make decisions. It can be said that the sole purpose of leadership is to create culture.

My name is Stefan Kazakis and I’m the guy to call when you need to think BIG (ger)

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For more information about Stefan's services and coaching programs please visit his website

Apr 10 2012

Ensure your staff members have their personal activities…

Category: Business Success,Teamwork — Stefan Kazakis @ 8:34 am

…and sense of achievement aligned with your business goals

Valued employees are happy employees. Your team needs to understand your organisational priorities but they will be more content, motivated and enterprising if their personal activities and goals are also included in the picture.

Where are your team members in their career paths? What professional development will help them grow and also help your business grow? What skills do they bring to your business that already complements your top priorities and what extra skills do you need them to develop?

My name is Stefan Kazakis and I’m the guy to call when you need to think BIG (ger)

Please feel free to share this blog with your closest friends

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For more information about Stefan's services and coaching programs please visit his website

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