We Need To Focus On The Good Stuff

By E. Brown

After hearing an interview with author, Mike Robbins, I agree — we need to focus more on the good stuff. Life is too short.

It is funny, I was talking about this very same thing last night with a group of friends. We are trained from a young age to find the things that are wrong…

“You mispelled that one word” (forget the fact that the 14 others words were spelled correctly)

“You burned the biscuits” (this was the first time they had made biscuits)

“You always leave the toilet seat up” (when you’ve lived on your own for 10+ years, some habits are hard to break)

And, the list goes on. Sound familiar? It is easier to find fault than to find appreciation.

Another by-product of this is that most people do not know how to accept praise and appreciation. You have seen it before, or maybe experienced it first-hand.

read more…

The Reciprocity Principle

By E. Brown

Did you know you cannot out-give? If you give to someone, they will almost always want to give more back. This is the Principle of Reciprocity.

When you look out for your friends and co-workers, they will want to return the favor. Giving is infectious.

The only drawback is the motivation for giving. If you give out of selfish ambition, then guess what? You may get something back, but it will never be what you hoped or as much as you hoped for.  And, when you do not get anything back, you only done harm to yourself because you are the one left feeling hacked-off.

Don’t give to get.

When you give, not expecting a return, the  reciprocal giving is that much sweeter. And, when you give, not expecting a return, your feelings will not have been hurt if you receive nothing in return.

Take a look around your “world”, your social network, your clients, your friends and family — who can you give to?

Have fun!

How Leadership Styles Affect Productivity

By E. Brown

There are 4 primary leadership styles, many of which you can find within most businesses or organizations around the world. These styles are: Dictatorial, Authoritative, Consultative, and Participative.

Each of the leadership styles have impact on reforming and/or creating company culture. There are short-term and long-term effects for each style. For instance, the authoritative style may produce great results in a short amount of time. However, excessive use of authority will decrease productivity in the long-term. People either get fed up and leave or fall into a malaise of hum-drum repetitive tasks without creativity and innovation.

All the while, a participative style will be unproductive in the short-term. But, the longer this style of leading, the more productive a company can become.

Many leaders never make it to a point of high productivity.

read more…

Leadership Styles: When to Use Them

By E. Brown

In the previous article I discussed the 4 leadership types: Dictatorial, Authoritative, Consultative, and Participative. I discussed the unique traits of each one and some of the pros/cons. Finally, I covered the fact that there was no “One Style” that fit all — no silver bullets — and that a good leader recognized when to use one style over another.

A question that is often asked is, “When? When do I use one style over another?” In this article I’ll provide some tools for you to better understand when to use the dictatorial style over the consultative style, or the participative style over the authoritative style.

read more…

Leadership Styles: Dictatorial, Authoritative, Consultative, Participative

By E. Brown

One of the first leadership books a friend recommended I read was by Myron Rush. He was kind enough to let me read his copy. After I returned the book I searched for a personal copy. I finally found a used one on an obscure Web site that an acquaintance directed me to.

While thumbing through it the other day I was reminded of differing approaches to management. Here is an excerpt and list that I am sure you can relate to.

Leadership Styles

Definitions and descriptions of leaderships styles range from the very simple to the very complex. Leadership styles can be identified by how authority is used, how a leader relates to others, employees minds and muscles are used, and how a leader communicates.

read more…