Spring ahead, it's about time!

We are about to turn our clocks ahead (on Sunday, March 11th to be exact).

The optimist says, “Finally, longer stretches of sunlight!”

The pessimist says, “We lose an hour of time.”

Everything we do takes time. Yet do we really give ourselves the time to do what we need to do in a given day? Many of us have embraced the mechanics of Outlook calendars to plan our lives. The simplicity of planning our schedules and, oh, those pop-up reminders (!) appear to relieve us from the stress of the day. Yet, they really don’t. 

The myth of electronic calendar tools is that they create efficiency.  Yes, you are expertly planning, but you are not leaving time for the free flow of life – for interaction and collaboration with others. No time is factored in to debrief oneself after a meeting, solve a problem or, most importantly, create a solution.

For the last couple of decades, we have been told that the means of modernization and technology would give us more free time to stop and smell the roses, yet, as I talk to many of my colleagues, it seems that the future we live in now is racing by us at the speed of light – and we are all caught up in it. (Ever wonder why this is an exceptionally bad flu season? Human immunity is outpaced.)  

Electronic calendars control how and when we do things. They are not assisting us in our productivity.

Recently, I worked on a collaborative project with colleagues from different areas of a company. The project had several moving parts. While each of us went around the room sharing our updates and next steps forward for the implementation of the project, there appeared to be a gap of time for completion.  One of the team members asked me how long it would take to meet with the other members of the team who were responsible for implementing the project. I thought for a few moments about his question, and realized I could not answer it with a calculation of minutes or hours.  In today’s work environment, we have become so accustomed to electronic calendars, that we don’t factor in the time to work with others and have discussions.

Many people focus on the completion of their individual tasks, yet do not think to build in the time to interface and collaborate with others to complete a project. Because of this, we rush to meet a last minute deadline.  

Yes, scheduling tools can help you be more productive, but be sure to revisit your calendar often to:

1) Build in time for a break---to think on your own or, collaboratively, with others.

2) Try different planning tools to slow down the chaotic race for completion.

3) Build thoughtful meetings around agendas with a little wiggle room to complete goals.

Great Expectations: How to Build Successful Teams and Projects

Many of us started off this year with a rush of new opportunities, ideas and goals. Yet, in conversations with some of my colleagues, a common theme surfaces: even though we are working at break-neck speed everyday, we still feel like we are deluged with work. Those goals seem to creep further and further into the distance. Interestingly, it’s not because of volume, it’s because of a lack of clarity surrounding expectations. 

Once expectations become clouded, no one is clear on what needs to be accomplished. And, when that happens, you might as well put your project and your team in a vat of quicksand.

I decided to observe how my colleagues were handling their schedules and workloads in concert with their day-to-day operations, on-going technological changes, reorganization and succession planning goals. Many were able to complete a variety of daily assignments, yet just couldn’t get ahead of their workload. Ever.

With the non-stop presence of technology in our day-to-day lives, it is no wonder that we loose sight of the expectations of what it is we are trying to achieve. Over the last decade (and even more so during the last few years), many people are pushing forward on projects with the solitary (and fruitless) purpose of meeting the expectation of completing on time.

Expectations, if not clearly defined at the beginning of a project, can go astray quickly, putting leadership and good teamwork at risk. 

Create a clear path of expectations:

1.  Identify upfront the goals and objectives for the project by asking these questions: 

- Why are we here?

- What we are trying to achieve?

- Who is responsible for what deliverables to meet the overall expectation of the end user (often the client)?

2. Write down the responses with specifics such as: expectations, execution, completion dates, deliverables and next steps forward.

3. Throughout the project, stay focused on the expectations of the project and the roles and responsibilities of each team member in order to successfully complete a collaborative and cohesive project on time.

How to establish expectations: 

1. Make sure the expectations come early and are realistic. 

2. Engage your team early in the planning of expectations and the individual roles and responsibilities of the project. 

Expectations are great:

1. By establishing expectations at the beginning of a project you are able to create accountability markers for your team members. 

2. Clear expectations, early, prevent derailment, confusion and a general lack of communication and unease. 

3. A more collaborative and focused team will emerge with clear communications to develop and complete a successful project. 

4. An ownership environment thrives.

Celebrity Leadership vs. "We" Leadership

I hope you spent some time at the end of December turning everything off. Did you think about how far you've come?  About your foundation and where your company is now?  Is your company on course for the future?

Did you like your answers?

January is the best time of the year for conversation, before everything starts to get really busy. Invest your time this month in your people and be sure to talk to different people within your company. With the future in mind, think about the type of legacy you are creating for your business.  And, have you and the individuals you speak with embody the same culture that built your very foundation?

Ask yourself this: would your company exist if so-and-so were no longer there? 2017 has seen the celebrity leadership model fail time and time again, bringing down entire companies. A solid, well-run company should never find themselves at this extreme. Our Five Star business model places the spotlight on teams, not individuals. At Forte Designs, we emphasize building a team of leaders so that more than one person carries the responsibility, the wisdom and, ultimately, your foundation into the future. By sharing the leadership with a group of leaders, they become your catalyst. A leadership team also provides security so no earthquake riddles your foundation with cracks. 

Our advice for January? Engage your employees in conversation and really listen. A human-to-human connection in this era of technological changes will ensure healthy growth for your company in 2018. 

Growing Your Career into a Healthy New Year

Clutter. clutter clutter. Immediately the word conjures mounds of collected, no-longer-useful material goods. Clutter is not always physical. Clutter is a concept that quickly clouds our thinking, too.

At the end of they year, clean out the clutter for new opportunities and new thoughts.  This year, don't just roll into the next one. Take stock of 2017 and step with intention into 2018. 

You spend most of your time in your career, so enjoy it! 

Before entering into the new year, stop and think about how YOU can grow yourself. So much energy is spent dwelling on someone or something else that negatively impacted our own planned steps: "My company didn't do this," or  "They decided it wasn't the right time," etc. Know that whatever you are doing, you are learning. Learn to appreciate the unexpected, like this double iris that bloomed in my garden this winter! A bump in the road, does not set you off course.

It is your responsibility to take care of yourself and know your own value. So, this December, build a strategy for the new year. Give yourself an end-of-the-year invitation to grow. Create a checklist that allows you to put away all the mental clutter from the last 12 months. Take time for a little self-examination, then refresh and refill. 

I find this daily foundation in my life to be extremely helpful: 

1) Listen to new ideas

2) Collaborate with Others 

3) Be Healthy

4) Be Helpful 

5) Be Grateful 

5) Reflect 

Staying healthy and engaging with others in meaningful ways outside of work are key elements of your happiness. And that happiness extends into your performance and, ultimately, determines your success at work. 

How to Help this Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, remember what it means to help.

H is for Humor
E is for Esteem
L is for Listen
P is for Praise

When is it time to move on?

In this blog, I write a lot about the balance of career, family and community with mindfulness, fulfillment, slowing down and…turning it off. My hope is to provide some sound advice and encourage continued growth on a healthy and interesting path for all.

The toughest question when I consult is: How do I decide when it is time to move on to something new?

Sometimes that work-life balance may be achieved but perhaps the path is not as happy or as interesting as it once was.

Your answers to these questions are good indicators:

- Do I still enjoy my work?
- Do I still feel passionate about what I am doing?
- Is my work appreciated?
- Do I find that I am still able to add value to the company for whom I work?

- Does the leadership reflect the core values and the reason why I joined the company in the  first place?

- Am I staying fresh in my work and growing my skill set and talents?

- Is the work still inspiring or is it just way to “pay the bills”?  

- Do I continue to add value to the well being of the company?

- Does my mission still align with the mission of the company?

How were your answers? If they were mostly negative, then it might be time for some deeper reflection.

A couple of colleagues shared that headhunters had recently approached them. Often, this is a compliment to the person and their reputation in their market sector. I shared with them that they could see what they had to offer, as it is a great way to measure your current situation and compare it with other opportunities.

I believe that there are times when we should move on…and the reason is not always monetary. It is up to each and every one of us to believe in what we are called to do and to trust in the creation of our own destiny.

Harvest Season and New Beginnings

At the end of the summer season of gardening, we were given an extra blast of record-breaking heat. Just when we thought we were finished, all of a sudden, there was more work to do.  There is always more to do..!

Sometimes all I want to say is, "We survived!"  Garden work really is about surviving and making it through another season of life.

We've all had that feeling when work feels endless. Stop to remind yourself of the cherished memories over the years of coworkers and accomplishments gained.  Be reminded that there are cycles of seasons at work, too.

Summer season gives me the perspective I need to withstand new challenges put in front of me. I work hard and enjoy the progress. Who doesn't! That is the meaning of work.  

It’s a new season.  A new cycle. Let go of any doubts or confusion and welcome in the harvest. There is much joy as things slow this time of year.