Keeping Cool in a Crisis

Business owners can, at times, put themselves and the people around them under extreme and undue pressure. This often occurs as the result of a “knee-jerk” reaction to things in his/her business not going to plan.

Such reactions can also lead to bad decisions and short-term/short-lived responses, which only serve to make things worse.

Therefore, when problems do arise, we would all do well to spend some time fully understanding the nature of these problems and finding their true causes.

When we initially encounter a problem, it is often more complex than we may think. There are too many unknowns in and around any given situation. What first appears to be an obvious answer to us may be completely off point.

Addressing a business problem relies on our gathering the relevant information, listening to the key people involved, making a best-balanced choice given what we know, implementing a plan and evaluating the outcomes.

Remember, no solution, no matter how effective it may seem, is ever the end of the story.

Tweaking our thinking and action is an ongoing, never-ending process. In order to do this efficiently and move quickly on our feet to changing circumstances, we must first learn to be effective problem-solvers. This entails being grounded in the principles of effective problem solving and using the right tools. When we are able to do this, we have a far greater capacity to remain clear-headed in the heat of the moment.

High Expectations Deliver Positive Results

Expectations affect outcomes.

In his book Maximum Achievement, Brian Tracy refers to what he calls the "Law of Expectations." He recounts the story of an experiment by Dr. Robert Rosenthal who demonstrated that when we have high expectations of ourselves and others, which are then supported socially and structurally, a 'Pygmalion Effect' occurs in which these expectations become self-fulfilling and self-perpetuating.

This 'law' applies at the personal development level in our own lives, as well as at the organizational level in our business lives.

When we are encouraged to raise our expectations of what can be achieved, we take control of our destiny to a greater degree, and that invariably leads to high performance. This has been demonstrated to be the case even amongst people who have average intelligence and/or capacity.

Telling people clearly about the positive expectations we have for ourselves and others delivers on the bottom line in our business. It also creates a positive work culture in which we have fun and where excellence becomes the norm.

If you would like to read more about this phenomenon, visit Brian Tracy.

Character Counts in Business

Lately, it seems that the more I observe people, the more I notice bad behavior and a lack of etiquette and good manners.

As a good friend of mine says, "People seldom fail to disappoint."

Sadly, more often than not, he is right. I am convinced, however, that truly successful people are people of great character. They are people who exhibit good behavior and strive to deliver their personal best everyday.

These are people who have fine reputations, live by good values and a set of principles that they hold dear. By doing so, they establish wonderful reputations amongst their peers in their particular field of endeavor.

The people we admire most are people who exercise self-control and discipline, even in the most emotionally-charged situations. People who remain poised, even when 'under fire,' who remain cool, calm and collected, act impeccably at all times and treat others with dignity and respect are a wonder to behold.

These characteristics enhance their ability to avoid errors in judgment and, in fact, increase the likelihood of their making the right decision in any given situation.

Self-discipline and self-control are the hallmarks of successful people.

In business, it is critical to our success that we consistently hold ourselves to a high standard of excellence in the way we behave and the way we treat those around us.