Brian Smith-PLD - Confessions of a Reformed Control Freak

There’s Being Smart and Then There’s Being Street Smart

When I was first promoted to manager, I thought that being a good manager meant that I had to have all the answers. I thought it meant I had to be an expert at doing everything. Being a good manager meant that since I was going to be accountable for the results, I might as well make all the decisions. After all isnt that what good managers do? Isn't that the reason I was promoted in the first place? Thank goodness it take me too long to realize that thats the farthest thing from the truth. Listen to my latest podcast and discover what good managers and leaders do. There's being smart and then there's being street smart.

There is a More Intelligent Way to Disagree

There is a More Intelligent Way to Disagree. Making tough decisions carries risk, and inevitably, not everyone will agree with the decisions you have to make. Managing and leading others is not a popularity contest. Handling uncomfortable situations can be difficult, but if you have developed a relationship built on trust and mutual respect, chances are they will take a leap of faith, knowing you have their best interests in mind. Listen to this podcast and discover ten things you can do to disagree with someone without being disagreeable. They will serve you well in business, family relations and life in general.

When Did Empathy Become a Bad Thing?

If you look up empathy in the dictionary, it means being aware of and sharing another person's feelings, experiences and emotions. Empathy is the action of understanding. When did trying to see things from another person's point of become taboo? There is a big difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is that you heard something - listening is you understood what you heard. Having the ability to really listen to someone is an aquired skill. We are not "wired" to be a good listener, but we can learn how. Listen to my latest Confessions of a Reformed Control Freak Podcast and discover the three key listener skills you need to master to become a great listener. Remember listening is as essential to communication as speaking.

Do You Have The Skill To Lead In These Uncertain Times

The world of work is constantly changing. What are you doing to help yourself and your management team keep pace with those changes? Are the leadership skills that got you here the same skills that will get you and your management team to where you need to go to lead them in these uncertain times? Listen to my podcast and discover the four key leadership skills that will distinguish you from a so-so leader to an exceptional one.

Are You Leading or Just Managing.

Are you leading or just managing? True leaders develop more leaders, not grow more followers. True leaders understand that their role is to bring people together with different skill sets, teach them what they need to know and do, and then stay out of their way and let them do it. Listen to my most recent episode of the Confessions of a Reformed Control Freak Podcast and discover the four skills true leaders need to excel at. If you haven't mastered these four skills, you aren't leading. You are just managing. 

Are You Leading or Just Managing?

True leaders develop more leaders, not grow more followers. True leaders understand that their role is to bring people with different skill sets together, empower them by teaching them what they need to know and do, and then get out of their way and let them do it. Are you leading or just managing? Listen to my podcast and discover the four leadership skills you need to master to become a true leader.

Management is Leadership Practiced Well

Henry Mintzberg first coined the phrase - Management is Leadership Practiced Well - in his groundbreaking book - "Managers NOT MBAs - A Hard Look at The Soft Practice of Managing and Management Development." published in 2004. When you get right down to it, the common denominator is people. Soft skills are essential skills. Listen to this podcast episode and discover three must haves to manage and lead others, regardless of gender or generation.

Next-Level Leadership is Possible

This is not the time to rest on your laurels. Your workplace is changing, and you need to keep pace with those changes. The way you managed and led others got you here. But that approach may not be the best way to take you and your team to where you need to go. It's becoming increasingly evident that soft skills - your ability to communicate and interact more effectively with others - are essential leadership skills. Next-level leadership is possible but only if you focus. Listen to my Confessions of a Reformed Control Freak podcast to find out.

It’s Time To Rethink Motivation.

Motivation is defined as the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving a certain way to get what they want. Motivation is inside out - never outside in. You can't make someone do something that they don't want to do unless you have sonething that they want. If you know their WIIFM (What's in it for me) - and you have the power to grant it - you can use that understanding to get them to do what you want them to do. Listen to my latest podcast to learn more about Motivation and how to motivate others.

Don’t Let Difficult People Sabotage Your Career

Have you ever met someone for the first time and thought - yuck what a DINK? And I don't mean Double Income No Kids. You didn't know why; you just felt there was something about them that you didn't like. But after you spent some time with them and got to know them better you change your mind. Establishing a rapport and building a relationship with the people you work with and interact with is crucial to your success as a team member, manager or leader. You don't have to socialize with everyone you work with, but you must learn how to get along with them. This podcast will teach you how.