The best-designed and articulated plans mean nothing if they aren't executed. Yet, we have all action plans languishing on a desk or in a drawer never to be carried out. Here are three tips for keeping your plan on track:
1. Make it a living, working plan. Be sure the plan is specific, realistic, and has clear time frames. Don't bite off more than you can chew.
2. Ask what stands in the way. All plans have potential threats. Whether they include your own waning motivation or your boss's inability to cooperate, knowing what those threats are can help you prepare to face them.
3. Develop strategies to mitigate challenges. Your implementation approach needs to compensate for or respond to any opposing forces. If threats loom too large, consider revising your plan accordingly.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Keep Your Action Plan on Track" by Gill Corkindale.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Don't Get Defensive, Ask Questions
When you are criticized or told "no," your instinct may be to immediately fight back and defend your position or project. Next time you face resistance, instead of articulating all the reasons why you are right or why your project should be funded, ask a few simple questions. Questions like, "Why did you say that?" or "What led you to that conclusion?" can help the other person rethink his assumptions and help you understand more about where he is coming from. Asking questions allows you to get beyond the immediate disagreement and deeper into what is driving each side.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Overcome Resistance With the Right Questions" by Kevin Daley.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Overcome Resistance With the Right Questions" by Kevin Daley.
How to Handle the Silent Treatment
We've all had emails or voicemails go unanswered. Whether it's a prospective client, a potential employer, or a colleague from another department, you're left with the same feeling: what did I do wrong? Here are three tips for handling the silence:
1. Don't take it personally. Often there is a logical explanation for the silence. Perhaps the employer hasn't gotten funding for the position yet, or the colleague has no new information to share. Don't assume you did something wrong, but understand that the person may have other priorities.
2. Don't pester. In the hectic world of work, sometimes all people can do is respond to crises and top priorities. If you are neither, don't pester with repeated follow-up emails or calls.
3. Manage your emotions. Once you've sent your follow up, assume you won't hear back. If you do hear back, it will be a nice surprise. If you don't, you won't have wasted your energy stressing about it.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from "When Your Voicemails and Emails Go Unanswered, What Should You Do?" by Peter Bregman.
1. Don't take it personally. Often there is a logical explanation for the silence. Perhaps the employer hasn't gotten funding for the position yet, or the colleague has no new information to share. Don't assume you did something wrong, but understand that the person may have other priorities.
2. Don't pester. In the hectic world of work, sometimes all people can do is respond to crises and top priorities. If you are neither, don't pester with repeated follow-up emails or calls.
3. Manage your emotions. Once you've sent your follow up, assume you won't hear back. If you do hear back, it will be a nice surprise. If you don't, you won't have wasted your energy stressing about it.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from "When Your Voicemails and Emails Go Unanswered, What Should You Do?" by Peter Bregman.
Regain Control of Your Inbox
A full inbox often means unopened messages, backlogged responses, and unnecessary stress. Here are three ways to clear your inbox and your mind:
1. Read email in batches. Don't scan your email for urgent messages and leave everything else for later; that's how you begin to get buried. Check your email at set times during the day and immediately file messages into one of three folders: follow-up, hold, or archive.
2. Use the "two-minute rule." If an email will take less than two minutes to respond to (and many should), respond right away and get rid of it. Letting those easy-to-respond-to messages pile up can wreak havoc on your inbox.
3. Unsubscribe. There's nothing worse than unread messages from mailing lists that clog your inbox. Think about which lists add value and unsubscribe from the rest.
1. Read email in batches. Don't scan your email for urgent messages and leave everything else for later; that's how you begin to get buried. Check your email at set times during the day and immediately file messages into one of three folders: follow-up, hold, or archive.
2. Use the "two-minute rule." If an email will take less than two minutes to respond to (and many should), respond right away and get rid of it. Letting those easy-to-respond-to messages pile up can wreak havoc on your inbox.
3. Unsubscribe. There's nothing worse than unread messages from mailing lists that clog your inbox. Think about which lists add value and unsubscribe from the rest.
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