Posts Tagged ‘Challenges’
October 17th, 2011
Probably a decade ago I wrote a piece for the old Mortgage Originator about the need to lean forward no matter which way the wind blows. Strangely enough I talked about volatility and uncertainty. Times don’t change all that much nor does the message about leaning forward, or moving forward if you like, no matter the circumstances.
There is certainly more than one way to look at change. A view could be that there was a perfect window of opportunity to grow our business and we missed it. Now is not the time to take chances. Let’s do nothing or maybe even retrench. That’s one view but I don’t buy it. I never have.
Of course there are other views. Whether we are in the upside or downside of a business cycle it takes definite action to create momentous results. We need to ask ourselves what will it take to move us forward now? No matter which way the market winds blow, standing still and doing nothing doesn’t usually work.
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Tags: Action, Challenges, Decision Making, Planning, Vision
Posted in Leadership, Strategy and Planning | No Comments »
October 3rd, 2011
To say there is much going in business today would be an understatement. In many ways some of this would be amusing if it wasn’t so serious.
Take, for example, all the hearings going on in Washington, DC. This is important stuff – or at least some of it is anyway! Our economy is “in the toilet” (or “struggling” if you prefer). Congress is searching for answers.
American Banker (a publication that is not known for humor) in reporting on a Congressional hearing stated, “Perhaps it was appropriate that a panel of professors testified Tuesday about how to reform the U.S. mortgage system since Capital Hill’s approach is increasingly beginning to resemble an academic exercise.”
There is nothing wrong with professors, attorneys, or consultants. But why not ask the people really involved in the activity?
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Tags: Challenges, Government, Reflections from the Trenches, Solutions, Team, The Economy
Posted in Leadership | No Comments »
May 24th, 2011
In life, there will be setbacks, maybe even huge ones that dash our hopes and derail our plans. They cause us to question what’s wrong with us. Thoughts like, “Why me?” and “Poor me!” can overwhelm us.
It’s natural to feel this way once in a while, but how we deal with that adversity can make a huge difference in our lives. If we look around us, we will find people who have overcome great obstacles. They can become role models in challenging times.
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Tags: Adversity, Attitude, Challenges, Obstacles, Perspective
Posted in Inspiration | 1 Comment »
February 22nd, 2011
One of the great joys of coaching is watching the progress and accomplishments of others. As coaches, we get the opportunity to help our clients identify big goals, and then move toward achieving them.
You may have seen the movie or read the book The Blind Side by Michael Lewis. It is the compelling story of Michael Oher, who as a young boy lived on the streets and spent time in foster homes. He was one of nine children of different fathers and a mother who sometimes disappeared for days while on cocaine or other drugs.
No one, including Child Protective Services, believed he had much of a chance in life.
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Tags: Achievement, Action, Challenges, Potential
Posted in Inspiration | 1 Comment »
October 25th, 2010
How many times do we begin with great intentions, but fail to get the job done? Our plans were solid, we had detailed action steps, but something got in the way and we didn’t follow through.
How much time is wasted by incomplete efforts with poor results, and nothing tangible to show for it? Probably more than we would like to admit.
In the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, John Stephen Akhwari represented Tanzania in the marathon event, and he had every reason in the world to give up.
Akhwari had dislocated his knee in a fall and was hurt, bleeding and bandaged when he entered the darkened arena. Most of the crowd had already left, as Akhwari came in well over an hour behind the runners who finished before him.
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Tags: Challenges, Following Through, Goals, Integrity, Opposition
Posted in Self-Development | 1 Comment »
August 24th, 2010
From time to time, all of us may feel like we are moving upstream against a current of resistance, or at the very least, indifference.
We have a direction or end result in mind, yet others don’t agree or don’t want to move in that direction. Perhaps they simply would rather not change what they have been doing.
Swimming against the current can be tiring. Sometimes it may not seem worth it. With all that is going and all the demands for our time and energy, it may seem easier to stop resisting and “go with the flow.” This is not the best approach!
Leadership is all about doing things right and doing the right thing. We have to keep going — there can be no compromise. If we really believe in the direction we have envisioned, then we need to learn to change the tide.
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Tags: Challenges, Change, Decision Making, Opposition
Posted in Leadership | No Comments »
July 12th, 2010
If you are in business, then it’s a guarantee that you will encounter difficulties or tough times. Stuff happens that is unplanned and unexpected. Some challenges are big. Some start out small, and quickly escalate. Some challenges can be of our own making, and some may be the result of external changes.
In many ways, success in business is about learning to manage through the difficult times.
When tough times come along, we need to focus our energy on what we can directly impact, and learn to cope with the obstacles we can’t change. Many of our challenges relate to managing people. We must direct and lead our teams to overcome the obstacles we face.
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Tags: Action, Challenges, Change, Communication
Posted in Strategy and Planning | 2 Comments »
May 10th, 2010
Most business environments are challenging. Whether you are working in an expanding or contracting market, there will always be critical decisions that need to be made. How you respond can be a competitive advantage, or a stumbling block. A leader’s indecisiveness can paralyze an organization.
Establish the expectation that all issues, challenges, and opportunities will be clearly thought out, using all available information, and that your decisions will then be made quickly.
Take action. Then, if you are proven to be wrong, admit it, adjust, and move on.
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Tags: Action, Challenges, Decision Making
Posted in Self-Development | 2 Comments »
May 3rd, 2010
Market conditions and competitor challenges often cause change. Don’t fight it. Instead, embrace change and figure out how to take advantage of it.
Disruptions in the market almost always create business opportunities. While your competitors may be confused and indecisive, you want your team to respond quickly and positively to change.
Hesitation by competitors can create big opportunities for the team that is nimble and responsive. Make sure you are that team.
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Tags: Challenges, Change
Posted in Strategy and Planning | 1 Comment »
April 26th, 2010
It is always worthwhile to get out of your office and spend time talking one-on-one with the people you are counting on to perform.
This is especially true in challenging times. Engage those that make things happen day in and day out, and take the pulse of your team.
When times are tough, you may tend to believe that you have to do it all. This mindset can get you so bogged down that you become less able to inspire others and build confidence. You can’t do it all by yourself, but with proper direction, support and encouragement, your team can really step up.
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Tags: Challenges, Communication, Connection, Teamwork
Posted in Self-Development | No Comments »
Probably a decade ago I wrote a piece for the old Mortgage Originator about the need to lean forward no matter which way the wind blows. Strangely enough I talked about volatility and uncertainty. Times don’t change all that much nor does the message about leaning forward, or moving forward if you like, no matter the circumstances.
Jerry Baker began his career in the management development program at Ford Motor Company, later became a manager of budgets and analysis for Northrop Corporation, then furthered his management development as Deputy Director for the California Department of Commerce when Ronald Reagan was Governor.