Anticipation and Strategy

It’s been often said that hope is not a strategy but I wonder if we should automatically throw it out. Hope pushes us forward; it keeps our minds active toward potential results and solutions. As we get to the end of our lives, regret can be one of the worst emotions we can feel, so as long as there is hope, we can carry on.

This is not to suggest we can survive simply on hope because without effort and action, it will be an empty exercise. However, if we remain hopeful, we will keep trying to find solutions, relationships, business concepts, and career choices.

In Other Words

Synonyms for hope include; confidence, courage, anticipation, faith, and optimism.

If we replace any of those words when we feel we are looking at what we want, perhaps it can change our perspective. And if evidence becomes overwhelming that hope for a certain outcome isn’t going to go our way, we should find strength to keep hope in our minds and hearts for the next time around.

Time gives us experience and hope gives us life to our dreams, plans, ideas, and relationships. Life can be hard, business can be challenging, and leadership can be a struggle. If we keep our hope at the forefront, we can take our experiences and passions forward when circumstances don’t go our way.

Let's stay hopeful and remain curious.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Focus

I met Mike when he was just finishing teachers' college with a bright outlook on a positive future. I spoke with him this week, days before his second wedding, and he is just as positive after teaching for almost three decades. Mike has a great family, strong friendship network, and outstanding outlook on life.

Mike isn't just a friend, he's one of my brothers.

I asked him how he has kept so calm and positive all these years and he said it's all about focus. He works hard to ensure his students are well prepared for their future, enjoys his home, hangs out with friends, plays a bit of hockey, has a few at his local pub, rides his motorcycle, and spends time with his loving partner Sue.

Less is Much More

Mike doesn't view his life as overly complicated yet he also noted that most of us make it far too messy and confusing. He knew what he wanted 30 years ago and kept his focus on a balance of fulfilling work and a good life. I've often used Mike as an example of someone who has it right. Perhaps we do make it too complicated chasing something we can't often define? There's ample evidence Mike has had it right all along.

So as I travel to his wedding this weekend, I will look forward to seeing my old friend who has been with me through every twist and turn of our lives; the friend you can call after not speaking for months and it feels like no time has passed. Mike's unspoken lesson for me, and perhaps for you, is that focus is not something that requires a lot of sweat and toil once you know what you want.

Let's stay focused and enjoy the ride.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

One Day

One day we’ll figure it out. One day I’ll follow my passion. One day you’ll push past the fear. One day we’ll collaborate better. One day I’ll finish my book.

One day you’ll go for that gig. One day we’ll create a more collaborative culture. One day you’ll lead the charge. One day I’ll stop doubting myself.

One day we’ll enjoy the ride. One day you’ll listen to your gut.

One day we’ll dump the excuses. One day I’ll stop worrying about what others think.
One day you’ll take the chance. One day we’ll make those changes.

One day you’ll stand up for yourself. One day we’ll appreciate what we have now. One day I’ll get laser focused. One day you’ll believe. One day may never come.

One day is today.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Purpose Derives Courage

Life is a challenging experience and none of us is immune. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs and he runs faster and farther than most of us. Nick shares his feelings about fear and purpose. 

No excuses! Watch this!


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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Less Meetings – More Collaboration

Let’s book a meeting. Let’s talk about it on the conference call. Let’s reconvene at next week’s meeting. Let’s discuss the next time we have a team call. Here’s a thought, let’s figure out why we have so many meetings and calls in the first place.

I have a colleague who attends an all-day full team status meeting once a week. Once a week?! Full day!?! I am a huge supporter of collaboration and teamwork. It’s critical that your company is strong inside before it can be strong outside, but an entire day in a meeting? I challenge there could be a better way.

Do you know why you are attending meetings today?

Has the reason for each been clearly articulated? Is there an obvious summary of desired outcomes? Will a decision be made on who does what by when? Will the call start and end on time? Do you know why you’re in the meeting at all?

I work with a guy who never has a phone call last more than 10 minutes. We get a ton accomplished in that time and move on. If we realize we've missed something or an item needs more clarification, we get back on the phone. Each of us has our agenda ready, action items listed, and we get to work.

Try this for a week

Cut the time allotted for each meeting and conference call by 50%. Then in a few weeks, cut them in half again. So the one-hour session you have this afternoon would become 15 minutes. You may claim that’s impossible. Have you tried it?

More meetings do not mean more efficiency or alignment. In a matter of a few short weeks, you will realize you are giving everyone more time to think and create rather than prepare and attend meetings and calls. You will see more collaboration, more impromptu discussions, and more ideas being shared. You will get more work done.

Or you could get to your next meeting.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Don't Let the Bozos Grind You Down

Whether you run your own home-based business or oversee a corporate team of thousands, innovation is a key element to your offering. We all have to transform what we offer to customers and clients and prospects, or we’re out of business.

Guy Kawasaki outlines 10 key points to innovation and they can be applied to any business. Invest 20 minutes and watch this. Then get back to creating and innovating.


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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Leadership is Not a Title

Being a leader is not exclusive to management, nor determined by a salary; it is everywhere. In your business, you must lead teams, teams must lead individuals, and individuals lead themselves.

Your most valuable resource is your people. When people are your priority, profits will increase. I help business build business to realize positive and profitable results through customized action learning programs and coaching.

Measurable Results
• Crystal clear vision of personal and professional goals
• Collaborative culture leading to stronger growth and improved bottom line
• Actionable plan for attainable and sustainable results
• Healthier and more productive teams, departments, and company
• Stronger leadership and management skills from all aspects of the business
• Organization prepared to meet future challenges
• Creation of a robust talent pipeline
• Improved bottom line and sustainable profits

Area of Focus
Leadership development goals, individual and team coaching, team dimensions and assessments, strategic planning, conflict resolution, presentation skills, human resource management, talent acquisition and retention, building powerful teams, creating effective meetings, open collaboration, and improved communication skills.

STEP Process
• Conduct a discovery brainstorming session to identify specific needs and goals
• Create a plan to include employees who you recognize need to be part of the process
• Design a results-based action learning curriculum
• Identify 2-3 key areas to focus on improvement and growth
• Provide comprehensive solution maps
• Once refinements are complete, produce a mutual contract of accountability
• Develop process of check-in calls, sessions, webinars, and workshops
• Build in monthly status sessions to measure ongoing results and identify refinements

I always enjoy meeting new leaders and learning more about them and their business. It begins where you are so let's book a call and discuss.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit
knealemann@gmail.com | 613.983.5009

Do You Thank Them?

Leadership is the small things wrapped up in the big things. Leaders often manage the chaos so new ideas can be allowed to grow even when they may not seem like good ones at first. And thanking employees for their ideas and work is critical.

Employees get paid, they show up every day, they have bills to pay. If that’s all that’s going on, then you’re managing a transaction. If you can engage and encourage, you build a company. If you embrace the fact employees have lives too but want to bring their lives to work so they can bring their work to life, you create the seeds of a collaborative culture.

More Than a Paycheck

We work a lot throughout our lifetime and many companies are now expecting you to answer email on your smartphone on Sunday afternoons, in the evenings, give up family time, and sacrifice your space to give more to them. Balance isn’t just a handy word to use, it’s important to put into practice. And it begins when leaders consistently recognize employees' efforts with action.

You may think this is only possible in larger companies or specific sectors. Well, I’ve been fortunate to work with Fortune 50 organizations, large companies, medium to small businesses, and start-ups in a myriad industries. It can work in all of them.

So say thank-you; show them you appreciate their work; and let them have a life.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit