Frank Uncovers Excellence in Leadership

© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2008

Dr. Sally Witt—”The Dr. Sally Show”—will be interviewing Frank Kanu on July 11^th 2008 @ 4:00 PM

Please call-in: (347) 945-5237

Set your reminder here

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© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2008

People always thought that computers would help to have fewer papers to deal with. Reality is that most companies deal with a lot of paper. The bigger, the more. Way too often one get the impressions to deal with the overloaded bureaucracy of a long existing federal agency.

Do you deal with less or more paper—since computers have been introduced?

Are you fighting the Paper War?

Do you think that increasing the amount of paper we have to deal with is a sign of:
Bad leadership?

Bad management?

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© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2008

There are hundreds if not thousands of applications available that support management in tracking hours worked.

And still, we all have seen those awkward spreadsheets used to track hours and projects employees and contractors work on. Studies have shown that the use of automated systems are less error prone and save HR hours of work.

How fast will you get rid of those spreadsheets?

Do you think it’s the right way to manage time?

Is this even time management?

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© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2008

Basically, most companies have very limited in-house communication. Too often employees aren’t aware of what is going on or they got informed a few hours before.

Sometimes there is no communication between departments. At all.

The worst ever experienced was an engineer that upon arrival in his office was told that some manager was now in his office.

Think he was upset?

Even more surprising was that the new manager made sure that everyone knew she didn’t care; after all—she was a manager and thus superior. Unfortunately examples like this are more the norm than anything else; leading to employees feeling disoriented and disloyal.

How well do you communicate?

With superiors?

Subordinates?

Customers?

Suppliers?

In the long run companies create more workload by ignoring the importance of communications.

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© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2008

Isn’t it surprising how many in management believe that the team spirit within departments makes up for missing corporate culture?

As a matter of fact a missing corporate culture can be quite damaging to any (big or small) business. While customers will recognize and appreciate the team’s spirit within a given department, having to deal with a different culture when talking to someone else is cumbersome at best. Even worst is how often the team spirit is based on the assumption the team one belongs to is better than other teams.

At times other teams are even seen as phlegmatic and unknowledgeable.

Would you consider that corporate culture?

Do you live within a corporate culture?

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Checklist

One of the best ways you can create a set of goals for your team is to remember to follow the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic, and Timely) principle. Once those goals are set—they have to be evaluated constantly and adjusted when needed.

✓ Are you in control of your own destiny?

✓ Is your boss?

✓ Are you making your own decisions?

✓ Are you allowed to plan?

✓ Can you change given plans?

✓ Does your word count?

✓ Is there too much stress and pressure?

✓ Are blame games part of the daily routine?

✓ Does money or the lack of it rule?

✓ Is there supervision only?

✓ Is the staff qualified?

✓ Are there teams?

✓ Do you feel managed?

✓ Does the team feel managed?

✓ Is the top manager representing or managing?

✓ Do managers in the organization follow their own words?

✓ Do managers meet with employees every few weeks?

✓ Do you like the overall feeling?

✓ Do you have fun?

✓ Are management and staff loyal? To each other and the company?

✓ Is everyone responsible towards customers?

✓ Are there entrepreneurs?

✓ Are there ethical standards?

✓ Are they followed and lived by?

PDF version

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