The Law of success was written by Napoleon Hill and was first published in 1930. Napoleon hill developed 16 key habits that he believed led to a person’s success in life. In 2012, The Law of Success The Alex Project  began. The project was inspired by my mentor Dr Lawrence T. Markson who introduced me to the law of successful Philosophy in 1988 when I was 27 years old.

Dr. Markson had read the book every year for almost 30 years, and he lived the lessons. I developed The Law of Success “The Alex Project” to get my son to study success philosophies so he could experience the same rewards as others.

The project was for Alex to read all 16 lessons of The Law of Success philosophy and write a summary about each chapter. My assistant Shirley was acting as project manager. For each summary that was completed Alex would receive $100.

There was a catch. Alex had a deadline and if he completed all summaries on time, he received payment and we matched what he had earned.

If he didn’t complete the project by the deadline, he was paid nothing. In life we have deadlines and responsibilities and I wanted him to learn both.

Now I would like to share with you the 17 laws of success philosophy and then the outcome of the Alex project nine years later.

The Law of Success in 16 Lessons

Lesson 1:The “Master Mind”

Napoleon Hill begins his volume of work, Law of Success, with a lesson on what he refers to as the “Master Mind.” A “Master Mind.

Definition of The Mastermind Principle

According to Hill, is defined as “a mind that is developed through the harmonious co-operation of two or more people who ally themselves for the purpose of accomplishing any given task.”

From this definition, it seems as though Hill’s idea is that by combining two or more minds to accomplish something, the result is a separate mind that contains the knowledge of all the minds in the group.

This mind would therefore be referred to as a “Master Mind”. However, it is not as simple as this. What Hill emphasizes the most, and does so repeatedly throughout the first lesson, is the word HARMONIOUS that is given in the initial definition.

A “Master Mind” cannot and will not be formed unless the minds that are involved in the group work in a HARMONIOUS manor.

In fact, a “Master Mind” completely disintegrates the moment that the group is joined by just one person that doesn’t have the full co-operation and harmony between all the other minds involved.

In this first lesson, Hill concludes with the idea of education and how important it truly is to a person’s future. According to Hill, “the man who can intelligently use the knowledge possessed by another is as much or more a man of education as the person who merely has the knowledge but does not know what to do with it.”

There are many well-educated people in the world who know an abundance of information that they have gathered over many years. However, it is the people who take in this information from many others and put it to good use who find true success.

Lesson 2: “A Definite Chief Aim”

The second of Napoleon Hill’s lessons in Law of Success is referred to as “A Definite Chief Aim”, which is exactly what Hill is instructing the reader to find. Hill repeatedly urges the reader to discover his or her natural talents, and to organize, coordinate, and put into use the knowledge gained from experience.

The primary cause of failure in life is to have no definite chief aim, without any attainable goals or plans to accomplish these goals. By finding your “definite chief aim” or “definite chief purpose” in life, Hill argues that this idea will be strongly embedded in the subconscious mind.

That is, the idea of accomplishing your “definite chief aim” will soon transform from dream into reality. What Hill emphasizes the most in this lesson is not just finding your “definite chief aim” but writing both this idea and the ways that you will accomplish it down somewhere so that you will see it day after day.

The result is that this will continue to keep the “definite chief aim” fresh on the mind almost at all times, until it is no longer a fantasy.

Hill closes his second lesson by explaining to the reader that the final step of the “definite chief aim”, which occurs after one has written both the aim and the ways that it will be accomplished, is to find an alliance.

This alliance is meant as a support system for your “definite chief aim”, containing people who will cooperate with you in carrying out plans to achieve your goal. Therefore, this alliance should contain people such as a spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, or extremely close friend, who would only bring positivity and confidence in helping you attain your “definite chief aim”.

Lesson 3: Self Confidence

In his third lesson in The Law of Success, Napoleon Hill discusses the idea of “Self-Confidence.” According to Hill, fear is the primary reason that a person falls into failure and poverty.

As a result of this idea, a person who can master fear will be successful. A person can work on developing self-confidence by eliminating these fears, which include a fear of poverty, old age, criticism, loss of love of someone, ill health, or of death.

To master these fears and eliminate them from one’s subconscious, you must work on obtaining mass amounts of organized knowledge. Ignorance and fear are a pair that go together, therefore if ignorance is eliminated, fear is eliminated as well.

Self-confidence is a trait which can be developed over time but is not sufficiently improved until you truly believe Napoleon Hill when he writes, “You can do it if you believe you can.”

Lesson 4: “The Habit of Saving”

In the fourth lesson in The Law of Success, Napoleon Hill discusses the “Habit of Saving”. Humans are naturally creatures of habit, for when someone forms a habit it becomes a part of their everyday life. Therefore, Hill explains that one must make a habit of saving, which will result in saving becoming an integral part of one becoming successful.

However, one characteristic that most people have is the lack of making a habit of saving, and instead making a habit of spending. Hill discusses that this habit of spending has resulted in many people spending more than they earn, thus making it impossible to build up any form of savings over a period.

It is crucial to live within your means until you have accumulated enough capital to begin using some of it recreationally. Nevertheless, no matter how much you are earning at any given time, Hill suggests that you set aside 20% of your income in a savings account.

This number will gradually build up until you have established financial independence, and the fear of debt will not be present in your mind.

Lesson 5: “Initiative & Leadership”

The fifth lesson of The Law of Success, written by Napoleon Hill, explores the lesson of initiative and leadership. According to Hill, both qualities are much needed in finding success in life. Initiative is defined in the lesson as “that exceedingly rare quality which impels a person to do what ought to be done without being told to do it.”

This is a characteristic which a person can make a habit, and gradually develop as it is utilized on a regular basis. As a person begins to possess the quality of initiative, Hill argues that the quality of leadership develops naturally.

Leaders exercise initiative, have a definite chief aim or purpose, and possess the quality of self-confidence, all of which are the reasons why they make great leaders.

One should be warned, however, of the major initiative killer: procrastination. This is the one quality that a person must fight off to develop initiative, as a procrastinator lacks the quality of getting things done and acting, regardless of being told to do so or not.

Lesson 6: “Imagination”

The sixth lesson in  “ The Law of Success” that Napoleon Hill discusses involves the need for imagination. Hill emphasizes this as being one of the most important of the lessons in his book. The chapter on imagination calls for the reader to use the one power that no person can take away from them.

Man can cheat and slander other men, but a man has no power over any man’s imagination. Hill maintains that the idea of daydreaming is not a useless one, but rather that many vital ideas and products were developed through the act of daydreaming.

Simple use of imagination has proven to lead to success, with the creation of “Five and Ten Cent Stores”, “Self-Help Grocery Stores”, and even the Panama Canal as evidence.

The main point that Hill intends to emphasize in this lesson is to use your imagination to rearrange old ideas into new combinations. With maximum effort combined with imagination, you can achieve maximum achievement.

This is where a “Master Mind” group will become vital, as the collective effort provides for even greater imagination.

Lesson 7: “Enthusiasm”

In the seventh lesson in Law of Success, Napoleon Hill discusses the great importance of “enthusiasm”, and how integrating enthusiasm into your life will ultimately lead to success. Hill defines enthusiasm as a state of mind that inspires and arouses one to put action into the task at hand.”

By constantly engaging in life with enthusiasm, the characteristic can be developed and used as a vital force in the work environment.

To develop this potential enthusiasm, Hill argues that you must do the kind of work that you like, and make sure your actions are leading toward the achievement of your definite chief aim. Enthusiasm is a contagious characteristic, which magnifies its power. That is, it makes a large enough impression on others to make them become enthusiastic as well.

Enthusiasm can mean using the same word choice but stated in a different manner, as people become motivated based on how something is said to them. Hill emphasizes this fact, as it is not so much what you say as it is the tone and way you say it that makes a lasting impression.

To truly master the quality of enthusiasm, Hill stresses the idea of working for something that you believe in. This will naturally bring out the enthusiastic quality in yourself, as you will be legitimately interested in what you are doing.

In his example, Hill discusses how he turned down the most money that was ever offered to him simply because he did not believe in what he was doing. The job was to write articles on a topic that he opposed, and therefore knew he would not be giving his best enthusiastic effort when taking the time to write the articles.

When working in an environment or on a project that you genuinely enjoy and believe in, the enthusiasm will begin to come on its own

Lesson 8: “Self-Control”

The eighth lesson in Napoleon Hill’s reading course discusses self-control, and its great importance to achieving success. According to Hill, a lack of self-control resembles the unharnessed lightning of an electrical storm – it may strike anywhere; it may destroy life and property.

Enthusiasm arouses action, and self-control directs that action in a constructive and positive way. It may interest one to know that the overwhelming percentage of prison inmates remain in jail because they lacked the necessary self-control to channel their energies in a constructive manner. Conversely, the one common quality of successful people is self-control.

No one can manage to control others unless they can first control themselves. This therefore makes a lack of self-control one of the average salesperson’s most damaging weaknesses.

Hill states that the primary ways to maintain self-control is by not forming opinions without knowing the necessary facts, and by not spending beyond one’s means.

Self-control also enables a person to prevent striking back at those who offend you, as well as other destructive habits which result in a waste of energy through non-productive efforts.

The main point that Hill wants the reader to get out of this lesson is that “you have the power to control your own thoughts and direct them to do your bidding.”

Self-control is simply a matter of thought control, and we certainly have complete control over our own thoughts. Don’t allow outside forces to influence you excessively, but rather think for yourself and with rock-solid precision.

Lesson 9: “The Habit of Doing More Than Paid for.”

Napoleon Hill explores another topic that is vital to achieving success in the ninth lesson of this book, titled “The Habit of Doing More Than Paid For.” Essentially self-explanatory, this rare characteristic often results in countless opportunities for a person and will add much to one’s credibility and reputation.

The easiest way for you to develop this habit is by ensuring that you are working in a profession that is enjoyable to you. According to Hill, some people love their work, but many hate what they do for a living. You are most efficient and will more quickly and easily succeed when engaged in work that you love.

If you are doing the type of work you love, it is no hardship to do more and better work than you are paid for. Hill mentions two benefits of doing what you love: happiness (which is priceless) and earning far more money. He also states that family and friends may disapprove of following your passion, but you must proceed onward, regardless of the opinions of others.

Lesson 10: “A Pleasing Personality”

The tenth lesson in Napoleon Hill’s Law of Success reading course discusses the importance of having a “pleasing personality”. Hill defines this as “a personality that attracts”, and proceeds to explore the causes of this attraction.

One of the most crucial ways to initiate this attraction is by taking a genuine interest in other people. This is not arguing that for an average salesman, cheap flattery will serve as this genuine interest. Rather, by forming a relationship with a potential customer prior to the sale, the attraction is initiated and results in a more comfortable environment for both the salesman and his possible customer.

Hill concludes this lesson by discussing character, and ways to implement his formula that will result in this character being built up. Imagine those people who have the type of character you wish to possess, and then proceed to take on those qualities through self-suggestion.

Create in your imagination a meeting with them, and then write out a detailed statement of the qualities you wish to assume from them.

It is important to note that it is vital to the process that you see these figures seated around an imaginary table. Then, keep your thoughts focused in a positive manner as you listen to their advice and guidance, while keeping in mind the kind of person you would like to be.

Also, make it a point to never forget to give praise to the genuine good qualities you see in others. Hill promises the reader that this will bring the law of attraction into play almost magically.

Lesson 11:“Accurate Thinking”

According to author Napoleon Hill, the eleventh lesson in his proclaimed Law of Success is the most important, most interesting, and unfortunately the most difficult lesson to present to the reader. Accurate Thinking involves two paired ideas.

The first idea is separating fact from information, and the second is separating this fact into two classes. These classes are important and unimportant facts, or relevant and irrelevant facts.

Hill emphasizes the great importance of being able to make this distinction, because the accurate thinker will not believe anything he or she hears. Instead, he or she will arrive at a conclusion only after careful and thoughtful analysis.

The key to accurate thinking, according to Hill, is what he calls “creative thought”, which allows us to tap into “infinite intelligence.” The major step towards creative thought is autosuggestion, otherwise known as suggestions, you make to yourself. The subconscious mind records the suggestions we send it and invoke the aid of infinite intelligence to turn these suggestions into action.

The lesson concludes by reminding us that the subconscious mind accepts all suggestions, both constructive or destructive, and cautions us to be careful what we suggest. You must only suggest facts and no slander, for slander is poisonous to the subconscious mind and ruins this creative thought.

Lesson 12: “Concentration”

In his twelfth lesson in Law of Success, Napoleon Hill discusses the importance of concentration in achieving great success. The lesson defines concentration as “the act of focusing the mind on a given desire until ways and means for its realization have been worked out and successfully put into operation.”

Two important laws enter this principal, including both the Law of Autosuggestion and The Law of Habit. Hill states that habit grows out of environment, and out of doing and thinking the same things the same way, repeatedly. Therefore, Hill reminds us of the importance of selecting our environment with great care.

The habits that we develop can be both good and bad but know that bad habits can always be turned into good ones. Habits are created by repetition, and the best way to break old bad habits is to replace them by forming new good ones.

Concentration is a person’s ability to keep their mind focused on one subject until they have mastered it. Also, both the ability to control your attention and the ability to throw off bad habits and attain self-mastery are also included in the definition of concentration.

These abilities are helped by constantly keeping your “Definite Chief Aim” in mind. Hill concludes the lesson by stating that concentration is a characteristic obtainable by all. It is possible for anyone to develop the ability to “tune in” and understand the thoughts of others through what he refers to as “the universal mind.”

Lesson 13: “Cooperation”

In lesson 13, Hill discusses the importance of cooperation. The outstanding achievements in business, industry, finance, and technology are all based upon the principle of cooperative effort. Every day we hear about mergers and acquisitions of companies or alliances that are formed based upon cooperation. Almost every great achievement in the world has been made with cooperative effort.

Even the mastermind principle is based on the cooperative effort of the individuals in the group to focus on a definite chief aim. Cooperative effort brings power to those who can gain and permanently hold the confidence of great numbers of people.

Lesson 14: “Profiting by Failure”

The fourteenth lesson in Napoleon Hill’s Law of Success is titled “Profiting by Failure.” In the lesson, Hill gives the reader a different view of the meaning behind the word “failure”. Normally a negative word, Hill distinguishes failure from temporary defeat, and temporary defeat can at times be a blessing in disguise.

He then states that he is thankful for experiencing so much defeat, since it had the effect of giving him the courage. He attempted things he would not have tried if his early life would have been easier.

The lesson flips the idea behind failure so drastically that by the end of the lesson it appears as though failure isn’t a bad thing at all.

The message that can be taken after concluding with the lesson is simple. Ultimately, there is no failure. What appears to be failure is usually a minor setback in disguise, and you must always refuse to accept it as being permanent.

Lesson 15: “Tolerance”

Lesson thirteen in Napoleon Hill’s Law of Success discusses the idea of tolerance. The chapter describes the destructive effects of intolerance, which according to Hill, clouds the mind of the individual and stops his moral, mental and spiritual development.

Intolerance is a form of ignorance that must be mastered for you to grow and learn to communicate more effectively.

If not, it will surely prevent one from achieving the successes that they desire. In this lesson, Hill makes sure to emphasize that regardless of the business one is engaged in.

Cooperation and tolerance can always be of tremendous help in achieving one’s definite chief aim.

Lesson 16: “The Golden Rule”

In his final lesson in Law of Success, Napoleon Hill discusses “the Golden Rule”, and how he believes it to be the driving force in gaining success. “The Golden Rule” is defined as “the guiding star that will enable you to profitably and constructively use the knowledge assembled in the previous lessons”.

To put it simply, following this law is the only way to apply the power that the preceding lessons provide.  The universal definition of The Golden Rule is to do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you.

Hill stresses the fact that all your actions and thoughts will come back to you, for better or worse. It is not enough to merely believe in the philosophy of the Golden Rule, but rather one must apply it.

The Golden Rule, when understood and applied, makes dishonesty, selfishness, greed, envy, hatred, and malice impossible to maintain. One must be blatantly honest, and realize you are only punishing yourself by every wrong you commit. You are also  rewarding yourself by every act of constructive conduct.

The Alex Project Results

To say the Alex project was an amazing success would be an understatement. The results have been outstanding and keep getting better. Alex is now a talent manager in Hollywood California for Levity Live. He manages some of the biggest comedians, writers, and musicians in the world and he’s paying it forward..

Just last week at the comedy store in Hollywood comedian Jesus Trejo pulled me aside to tell me what a difference my son Alex had made in his life and his career. I knew right then that Alex was implementing the law of success philosophy with his clients.

The great new is they were achieving amazing results also!

When you implement these 16 lessons  you too can achieve your wildest dreams!

Contact Dr Rick

Dr. Rick Goodman is recognized globally as one of the best motivational keynote speakers today. He has delivered thousands of keynote presentations and facilitating and working with small companies with only a few people all the way up to big behemoths that dominate their industries.

Contact Rick at www.rickgoodman.com or call 888-267-6098. And also: You can now get flash briefings on your Alexa at home or on the Alexa app! All you have to do is enable The Solutions Oriented Leader and click on this link!

The post The Law of Success: The Alex Project appeared first on Dr. Rick Goodman.

A thought leader is someone who makes a study of their particular field and continues to study it for a lifetime as they positively influence others. Their goal is to share their brain, all the knowledge that they possess to provide solutions for the masses. Thought Leadership is “the progressive innovation or creation of ideas and solutions that will benefit our world and mankind for all time.”

Thought leadership marketing has become one of the most consequential and effective ways for business owners, entrepreneurs, and CEOs to brand themselves on the Web. The term thought leadership has been bantered around since the early 1990s when Patrick Reilly, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal used it in the marketing section.

Because of this it only makes sense that all thought leaders are solutions-oriented leaders.

Thought Leadership Defined

The source Wikipedia says that “thought leadership is influencing a narrative by understanding what needs to be done.”

It goes on to say, “a thought leader can be recognized as an authority in a specific field and whose specific expertise is sought often and rewarded, that can be an expert, a historical person, or a “wise person” with worldly impact”.

The term he used refer to the publications that were making a difference at the time such as Harper’s magazine. That brings us back to where we got started what is the true definition of thought leadership? 

Criticism of Thought Leadership

Recently there’s been some criticism about what is thought leadership. Some of the criticism of thought leadership comes from writers who think the term is off putting. Harvard Business Review contributor Dorie Clark defended the phrase, however she thought it was a little “icky and ego maniacal”.

The bottom line is that a thought leader is someone who offers individuals, companies, and organizations guidance and insight.

What is the Purpose Behind Thought Leadership?

• The major purpose of being a thought leader is to have prospects, clients, and competitors view you as an authority in your industry.
• By publishing unique and useful content you can position yourself as a resource for individuals and businesses.
• When you do this, you will solidify yours and your company’s reputation as a leader in your space.

Examples of Thought Leadership

• There is no better example of thought leadership than Steve Jobs. He said, “you always have to be a little different to buy an Apple computer”. This thought leadership moment inspired apples “think different” ad campaign. The campaign featuring real “genius’s” whose “crazy” ideas had a profound effect on the world.
• Steven Spielberg is certainly a thought leader. His ideas have changed technology for the better. He said, “your job is to create a world that lasts forever”. If you look at what is happening in artificial intelligence and robotics, Spielberg played a role.

All you have to do is look at movies like the Terminator with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jurassic Park, to know that Steven Spielberg is a thought leader making an impact on this world that will last forever.

How to Become a Thought Leader

If you are looking to become a thought leader it takes hard work, dedication and time. Thought leaders are continually building their expertise, experience, and credibility. Implement this strategy to get started on becoming a thought leader in 6 steps.

Define Your Area of Expertise

To be successful you must clearly define your area of expertise before you get started. For example, if your expertise is in the area of real estate, to raise your profile you should write articles on real estate trends in your area.

To establish your credibility you could  do a podcast. You could interview real estate industry leaders and mortgage bankers to position yourself as the expert in the real estate industry.

Go Deep Not Shallow!

It’s important to pick a lane and then go deep with your content, because your clients are looking for an expert. It’s important to establish your expertise as a thought leader you want to produce on a few issues versus many issues.

Stay Current in Your Field of Expertise

As a thought leader you must stay current with the trends and innovation in your industry. This is especially crucial because the technology industry that changes minute by minute and you need to keep up!.

By staying current it gives thought leaders the opportunities to recognize and analyze patterns and trends in the market. This can inspire strategies for achieving business solutions that can last a lifetime.

Listen to Others… O.P.E. Other People’s Experiences

True thought leaders make an effort to understand and listen to what others have to say. Because they know if they stay connected with their peers, they will expand their knowledge on any given topic.

Look for Inspiration Around You

Most thought leader’s superpower is their razor-sharp focus in their field of expertise. They recognize the mastermind principle, when you draw from multiple sources of information, in a solutions-oriented mastermind group, you will increase the chances that new and innovative ideas will start springing up!

My friend and fellow top global guru in leadership, Simon Sinek says “leaders who observe and connect information from a number of sources are generally well positioned to create ideas that are informed by the needs of the marketplace”.

Constantly Evaluate Your Audience

Your clients, prospects, the business, and the media are your audiences. They will be the ones to decide how effective your thought leadership is. If you notice a drop in participation or views on your website relating to your content, it may be time to change your strategy.

Consider These Action Steps

• Clients – As my friend branding expert, speaker, an author Bruce Turkle says, “make it all about them!” make your content more about them than what you are offering.
• Prospects – Be the first to find emerging themes and bring insights to the table that nobody has.
• The Business – make sure you align your content and you’re branding with the expertise you offer.
• The media – share ideas out with a journalist or a friend and PR. Have another set of eyes on your content.

Summary

Thought leaders focus on providing solutions that deliver results that will inspire our world now and in the future. The bottom line is that what we really need in our world today is more thought leaders, that our solutions-oriented leaders focused on helping and sharing their ideas with the world.

Learn More About Thought Leadership With The Solutions Oriented Leader

Even with all that said, we’ve really just scratched the surface of what makes executive coaching so rewarding. Learn more about why you should pursue work with a coach. I invite you to reach out to me for a one-on-one chat.

Dr. Rick Goodman is recognized globally as one of the best motivational keynote speakers today. He has delivered thousands of keynote presentations and facilitating and working with small companies with only a few people all the way up to big behemoths that dominate their industries.

Contact Rick at www.rickgoodman.com or call 888-267-6098. And also: You can now get flash briefings on your Alexa at home or on the Alexa app! All you have to do is enable The Solutions Oriented Leader and click on this link!

The post What Is Thought Leadership? appeared first on Dr. Rick Goodman.

I love executive coaching. I love getting to meet ambitious leaders, hear about their dreams and their goals, and help them craft the best battle plan for achieving even their loftiest visions. What’s more, I really believe in executive coaching; I have seen it yield real benefits for countless clients. Indeed, many of the benefits of executive coaching are pretty well-documented, but there are some that may surprise you. That’s what I want to talk about today.

Benefits of Executive Coaching

Self-awareness

When you work with an executive coach, you probably expect to develop a better sense of your own strengths and weaknesses. That much isn’t really a surprise. With that said, I think a lot of executives and executives-in-training will be surprised by how much better acquainted they become with their own emotional life.

For example, one thing you’ll learn in executive coaching is what kinds of people and scenarios “trigger” you into stress or anger—and thus, how do deal with those triggers effectively. That’s powerful!

Empathy

When you have a more intimate understanding of your own emotional life, it allows you to empathize more acutely. You’re not suddenly going to start agreeing with everyone around you, and there may still be people who rub you the wrong way.

By better understanding where other people are coming from, you’ll be in a better position to compromise, communicate, and work together.

Greater cognitive ability

It’s easy for any of us to fall into a rut, and to approach our work from a narrow or rigid place. An executive coach can show you new ways of solving problems and innovating new ideas.

An executive coach can open new parts of your brain you didn’t even know you had and facilitate real improvements to your cognitive functioning!

Motivation

What motivates you? The answer may not be as obvious as you think. We’re all motivated by different things, and it’s seldom as clean or as uncomplicated as “making money” or “getting promoted.”

Understanding your motivation on a deeper level helps you to set smarter goals, and to become more effective at self-motivation—an invaluable skill!

Social skill

You may consider yourself to be a friendly, outgoing, or extroverted person. Frankly, that’s not the same thing as

having social skills. Tact, diplomacy, motivation, persuasion, and conflict management.

These are all skills that you can master in executive coaching, and they can really be beneficial to you as you lead your team.

If you’re an introvert, your executive coach can show you how you can harness even those introvert qualities and use them to your advantage in the workplace.

Pulling it all together

Everything I’ve talked about so far can be an asset to you as you lead your team. Whether that’s empathy or motivation or improved creative thinking.

And yet, these ingredients on their own don’t make for real leadership. The key is knowing how to synthesize them. Bringing them together in such a way that makes you a truly inspiring and transformational figure.

Learn More About Executive Coaching With The Solutions Oriented Leader

Even with all that said, we’ve really just scratched the surface of what makes executive coaching so rewarding.

Learn more about why you should pursue work with a coach. I invite you to reach out to me for a one-on-one chat.

Contact me at www.rickgoodman.com or call 888-267-6098. And also: You can now get flash briefings on your Alexa at home or on the Alexa app!

All you have to do is enable The Solutions Oriented Leader and click on this link!

The post The Surprising Benefits of Executive Coaching appeared first on Dr. Rick Goodman.

Is your goal to build a solutions oriented team? Is your team already solutions oriented?

This is a question that CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders should be asking themselves in this new global business environment.

As a result, the high achieving companies and organizations that adapt and change will thrive in this new environment will be solutions oriented and innovative.

The question you’re probably asking yourself is how can I tell if my team members are solutions oriented? Let me explain why this is important.

Based on my experience working with world class teams, I have identified specific characteristics that solutions-oriented people have in common. Here are the four specific characteristics that I have identified which will assist you in developing a solutions-oriented team and culture.

Four Characteristics of Solutions Oriented Team Members

1. Have a Can-Do Attitude

They have a can-do attitude and are self-starters. I can spot a winner from a mile away. They carry themselves differently and have that championship mindset.

These are the individuals who are ready and willing to step up and do anything they can for the team to succeed!

These individuals live by the words of the great NFL coach Vince Lombardi “If you’re early you’re on time… If you’re on time, you’re late… If you’re late, don’t even bother showing up”

2. Embrace Lifelong Learning

Solutions oriented people understand and embrace the importance of lifelong learning. They know that when you stop learning you stop growing!

In fact, when interviewing a new team member, I always make sure to assess their attitude towards continuing education, including training and development.

You would be surprised at how many people already think they know everything there is to know about their job.

This should be a red flag if you’re looking to put together a solutions-oriented team. The best organizations in the world understand the importance of studying their competition and being one step ahead of the game.

They accomplish this through workshops, seminars and ongoing training and development.

Bill Gates once said, “Whether it’s Google or Apple or free software, we’ve got some fantastic competitors and it keeps us on our toes.”

Now he is the perfect example of a solutions-oriented leader!

3.The Ability to Stay Focused

When you’re looking to build a solutions-oriented team it’s critical the team members have an ability to stay focused under stress. Because they use critical thinking skills and focus on the root cause of problems, gives these individuals the edge in developing solutions that get results!

“Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” — George Lucas

Strategic planning is crucial in setting timelines, goals and benchmarks to keep the team focused and on task. It’s the power of focus and trusting in the plan that allows these teams to excel even under the most stressful conditions.

4. A Solutions Oriented Team Can Adapt to Change Easily

Solutions oriented individuals understand the importance of change and they are able to enter into what we call “The Adaptability Zone”. When a crisis hits or there is a downturn in business, they quickly take action while others wait because they are prepared. As a result their adaptability is enhanced and so are their results.

This is crucial to because if you don’t remove and repair the root cause of your problems your success will be limited.

Because of this they learn to adapt to the current circumstances while focusing on solutions and opportunities for the future. And the results speak for themselves. They are able to provide solutions to their clients and the organization can perform at world class level again!

Charles Darwin famously said “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

Start Building Your Solutions Oriented Team

starts with assessing your existing team members. Because it’s easier to enhance the skills of your present team members with coaching than to hire new team members.

If your present team members lack these characteristics its time to begin the hiring process targeting individuals who do!

In an ever changing business environment the ability to adapt to change is a crucial ingredient for success. These four traits are the essential building blocks for developing a solutions-oriented team and culture in your organization.

It’s not easy developing a solutions-oriented team and building a culture of people who are focused on the big picture. Providing solutions that get results takes time, patience, and focus and I can tell you it’s worth every minute!

Hiring Solutions Centric Employees

If you have to rebuild your team solutions centric employees should be at the top of your list. Someone with a solutions centric mindset approaches challenges with a focus on solutions and outcomes.

This is important because they don’t quit when they face setbacks or changes in the business environment. Solutions centric individuals don’t get caught up in drama. They learn from setbacks and use them as a cornerstone for future success.

About The Author

Dr. Rick Goodman is an author, motivational keynote speaker, executive coach was named to the Top 30 Global Guru’s for 2021 in Leadership. His keynote presentations and workshops have produced transformational results leading to highly engaged employees, increased productivity, and HIGHER PROFITS.

Dr. Rick Goodman has been studying and working with Championship teams in business and sports. The one common trait these teams possessed was a solutions-oriented mindset!

The post Is Your Team Solutions Oriented appeared first on Dr. Rick Goodman.

There are many benefits to strategic planning and over the years I have discovered seven ways strategic planning increases productivity.

Of course, there are more than seven ways strategic planning increases productivity however these have been the ones that have always given me the most benefit personally and professionally.

As an executive coach, I need to explain to my clients why our first step in working together is developing a strategic plan.

What is the purpose of a strategic plan?

Strategic planning helps you to document and establish a direction for your business. Assessing where you are now and where you want to be in the future will give you a baseline for success.

The strategic plan also gives you a place to record your mission, vision, and values that you can share with your team. Strategic planning means defining which goals should be met and what steps should be taken to achieve these goals.

Benefits of strategic planning

The strategic planning process can take some time, but as I say you must put the wood in to get the fire out!

Once you have a strategic plan, you’ll have a better idea of the goals and objectives you want to accomplish and a road map for success.

The process for your employees can also foster an increase in productivity and a sense of accomplishment while building your team.

 Seven Ways Strategic Planning Increases Productivity:

Tracking Progress

This is crucial if you want to ensure that you are on the right path. By developing a progress tracking board, where all action steps needed and completed can be tracked is essential.

This way productivity can be measured, and any changes could be made to stay on track.

This will give you a benchmark on how much time it takes a team member to complete an activity.

Employee Involvement

Leaders that involve employees in the development of the strategic plan are more successful in implementation and accomplishment. Employees who are involved in the day-to-day operations have a unique view into what is working and what isn’t.

When we involve them in the process there tends to be more buy-in and ownership of the plan. This leads to an increase in productivity and employee satisfaction.

Time Management

Having a strategic plan is crucial to improving yours and your team’s time management. It helps scheduling events around important tasks and is crucial to your success.

When you become more aware of how you use your time it will be a resource for organizing, prioritizing, and achieving your goals.

Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

Beginning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your company and your team will help to identify areas for improvement. Self-analysis and self-awareness are critical at this point. The goal is to stay focused on solutions.

Creating a Proactive Business and Workforce

By the end of the strategic planning process, you and your team should have a clear direction of what to do and where you’re going. Simply, the process of engaging and communication with your team helps increase the odds that your strategic plan will be successful.

Sense of Accountability

In my experience, involving my team in the process led to a sense of accountability of most of the members. This also directly led to an increase in productivity and made our team much closer creating a positive work environment.

It didn’t matter whether they contributed to the process or were informed of the goals and objectives of the plan. My team members were more motivated and productive to help achieve our goals a a team!

Personal Satisfaction

Anytime you have a victory or complete an activity list it gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Just knocking off tasks one by one can give you a confidence boost.

I often tell my executive coaching clients and friends that a streak starts with one!

One win, one checked box off your To Do List, gives you that sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction that we all need.

The reality is that nothing is ever perfect!

With only 24 hours in a day, we must learn to work more effectively and efficiently if we want to succeed and decrease the stress that life places upon us.

Strategic planning will push you to move on.  Because sometimes it is better to just complete a task and move to another one. Perfect takes too long!

If the need occurs, you can always return to it and improve it later.

The fact is, In our modern world Simplicity, Speed, and Efficiency rules!

The bottom line is strategic planning enhances productivity.  Because, it also can make a person to feel confident and accomplished when things are getting done.

It really doesn’t make a difference in life who you are or what you’re doing, by developing a strategic plan you will be on your path with your game plan to success!

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Giving employee feedback is important for a number of reasons. Employees should be aware of their performance and what the company expects from them including goals and areas for improvement.

As a keynote speaker and executive coach for CEOs and management teams I am often asked, why is giving employee feedback important?

Employee feedback gives leaders an opportunity to contribute to improving to the effectiveness of their team.

Six Benefits of Giving Employee Feedback

1. Leadership Development

As they say in my book The Solutions Oriented Leader “The goal of a leader is not to have many followers, it’s to develop other leaders”. In fact, the goal of transformation a leadership is to develop a whole team of leaders.

The cornerstone to developing other leaders is through the process of feedback.

2. Increased Performance and Productivity

   

As an executive coach for leaders and management teams for over 30 years the number one trait that needs to be improved in my opinion is self-awareness.

When a leader or team member becomes self-aware, they will begin to improve. Most employees aren’t likely to know how they are performing unless they are given regular feedback.

This way they will know if their performance is up to the organization standards. If not, they will know what they need to do to meet and exceed expectations.

3. Clear Communication

People hear things based on how they listen and according to their previous references in life. I never like to leave any meeting without making sure that everybody on the team knows what I expect from them and understands it!

Have you ever been in a meeting and seen everyone walking around with the deer in the headlights look? They then stand around the water cooler trying to figure out what was just said in the meeting.

When expectations are clearly communicated through employee feedback, an employee should understand what should be done and when certain tasks should be completed.

4. Feedback Builds Confidence

Constructive feedback and direction will build the confidence of your team members and the knowledge that they will be successful.

Every great team and organization I have ever seen have a coach. Someone to motivate them, cheer them on, and give them direction focused on the major goals.

5. Feedback Improves Your Own Leadership Skills

Managers and leaders who provide team members with positive feedback will feel more in control of their goals and expected outcomes.

They see the benefits of employee development and are more focused on coaching and checking in with team members regarding their progress on tasks and projects.

Managers and leaders who used this approach reported an increase in productivity, performance, and it also created a happier work environment!    

Keys for Giving Effective Feedback  

1. Have a Standard Time for Giving Feedback? 

The timing of your feedback is very important, so you want to take this into consideration. Setting date for regular scheduled feedback is important for the continual improvement of your employee.

If your employee is not in a good mindset or if you are not in a good mindset, waiting till the mood is neutral will provide a more conducive environment to reinforce or redirect employees using constructive feedback 

2. Preparation is Crucial

Your preparation for each employee should be thorough before you provide them with feedback. The way you approach each team member will certainly be different according to the feedback that you deliver.

When you are prepared your team members will notice by the amount of information you provide them regarding their work. This helps the feedback to be meaningful for the employee’s continuous improvement.

3. Provide Specific Examples for Improvement

In order for any feedback to be effective you must present the employee with specific examples on what needs to be improved as well as examples of what is going right. This will help them to focus on their strengths repeating the tasks they are doing well, while working on their weaknesses.

4. Be Transparent and Real

In the world we live in today transparency is crucial in producing improvements and creating a happy work environment. The feedback that you provide should be honest and genuine. You want to make the employees feel comfortable receiving feedback from you.

Your actions will speak louder than your words, so remember be yourself, your goal is to coach the team member to reach their highest potential!

5. Deliver Actionable Feedback 

In order for feedback to be effective you must make it actionable so that the employee knows exactly what they need to do to improve and what steps they need to take first.

The goal is to avoid personal criticism on things that your employees can’t change.

Your feedback should always be motivational, positive and with a focus on what your employees can do to reach their goals and objectives.

As you can see giving your employees feedback is crucial to building a culture of positivity.

Your employees will love to come to work focused on constant improvement in a happier work environment.

Those are some of my guidelines for effectively coaching and critiquing employees. If you’d like to hear more about how transformational leaders deliver feedback, I’d love to tell you! Reach out today and let’s chat together. You can contact me at www.rickgoodman.com or call 888-267-6098.

What is a solutions-oriented leader? Take the free Solutions-Oriented Leader Assessment now and claim your Comprehensive Guide to Achieve Success. Dr. Rick Goodman’s Solutions-Oriented Leader book is now available to order online. In this first-of-a-kind, comprehensive guide, author Dr. Rick Goodman leads you through the everyday challenges of the modern workplace while providing you with easy-to-implement solutions to achieve world-class results!

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Engaging leaders understand that so much of life comes down to the habits that we form…

Do you want to be healthy and physically fit in addition to having stronger relationships with your family and team? Engaging leaders have systems and rituals they use to give them great results and you can have the same results as well.

If you want to be a more engaging leader—well, there are some habits to form for that, too. I recommend these five, in particular:

1. Plan to engage.

It’s difficult to be engaging when you’re making everything up as you go along. Of course, you may find yourself in unexpected situations, with some surprise opportunities to talk to employees or to potential customers—but most of the time, you will have a chance to plan. Want to run an engaging team meeting?

Take some time to plan your approach before the meeting. Want to engage a new client, rather than bore him to death? Plan your pitch in advance.

2. Listen.

Get into the habit of understanding before you try to make yourself understood. This means getting out of the habit of talking over other people or struggling to assert your point of view first and last. Make sure you always take time to figure out where other people are coming from.

3. Think win-win.

One of the best ways to engage people is to present your case in a win-win manner—explaining not just why you want a given outcome, but why it’s also good for the other person. Be proactive about it; force yourself to always think win-win, and to lay out benefits and values.

4. Focus on the outcome.

Always know what kind of outcome you’re looking to achieve, and lead with it. Don’t bury the lead: Whether you’re talking to a customer or a team member, be upfront about what you hope to achieve. This will give your conversations direction.

5.Engaging Leaders Follow up.

Engagement is a two-way street—and while I don’t necessarily think you need to micromanage; I do think you need to give people room to ask questions or to offer you feedback. Get into the habit of asking for these things if you’re not already.

Engaging Leaders Morning Rituals

1. Morning affirmations and goals review

One of my favorite leadership lessons comes from Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The Habit is: “Begin with the End in Mind”.

Many of the executives that I coach implement a morning ritual of positive affirmations while reviewing their goals. They see themselves achieving these goals as if the task has already been accomplished.

They understand what most champions in sports and business have come to understand when they say.
“When They Believe It, They Will See It!”

2. Engaging Leaders Walkabout

Whenever I get to the office or even start my day virtually, I like to do a walkabout. There was a company in Argentina called Neutrona Networks International, where I was the executive coach for the founders and their management team.

I would fly to Buenos Aires three times a year to work with the team and each morning when I arrived at the office, I did my walkabout. This is where I went and greeted each team member in the company to exchange pleasantries and asked him if there was anything, they needed to do their job better.

I also asked them about their families and how they were doing. If you want to be an engaging leader it’s important to also understand this principle.

“People do Business with People Who They Like Who are Like Them!”

In other words, if your team truly like you and you are engaging and sincere, chances are they will work even harder to help reach the organizations and your goals.

3. The Morning Huddle

One of my favorite morning rituals and I believe to be one of the most important for any organization is the morning huddle. It’s important to understand the philosophy behind the huddle.

The goal is to have everyone on the team communicating with the leader what they will be working on for the week.
It’s also an opportunity for the leader to ask team members if they need any support to achieve their goals and objectives for the week.

It’s important to note that the morning huddle is not a meeting, in fact my team leader in Argentina contacted me and said the huddles were lasting too long.

Our solution was to call it a coffee huddle, when the coffee is done the huddle is over! Think of a huddle in the National Football League, the quarterback calls the plays instructs the team what to do and says break and they come out of the huddle.

I recommend that you have the huddle on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This way you could start the week off communicating, check in with the team halfway through the week and on Friday review what had been accomplished and set the goals for Monday.

By implementing these morning rituals in addition to the five habits, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more effective and engaging leader.

Contact Rick

Dr. Rick Goodman CSP is a thought leader in the world of leadership and is known as one of the most sought after team building experts in the United States and internationally.

He is famous for helping organizations, corporations, and individuals with systems and strategies that produce increased profits and productivity without having the challenges of micro managing the process. Some of Dr. Rick’s clients include AT&T, Boeing, Cavium Networks, Heineken, IBM, and Hewlett Packard.

For more information on Rick’s speaking programs, audio programs, and learning programs, contact (888) 267-6098 or Rick@rickgoodman.com, or visit www.rickgoodman.com.

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There is a true power in using self-affirmation and a science behind how it helps leaders achieve success. I have personally been utilizing the technique of self-affirmations or personal affirmations since 1988 and have seen the benefits of this great tool.

There’s an old saying that says sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Of course, we all know that this isn’t really true. Words have power, and when they are wielded carelessly, they actually can hurt. In both your personal and professional relationships, the words you choose and the tone you take can shape the way other people feel—about you and about themselves.

Chances are, you know this from personal experience. Perhaps someone said something thoughtless to you once, and it really hurt. It caused you to lose some of your own confidence or self-esteem. At the same time, people who speak carelessly can also do damage to themselves; perhaps someone says something rude to you and you simply lose your respect for them, finding it difficult to look past their haphazard remarks.

As a leader, the way you talk to your team members can have a dramatic impact on the way your team functions, and ultimately on the very way in which your company works. Here’s something that’s just as important, though, and even harder to implement: The way you talk to yourself also has huge ramifications and can make or break you in terms of everyday success.

Starting the day Positively

• That’s why I think it’s so important to start each day right looking in the mirror and speaking a few words of affirmation to yourself. These don’t have to be over the top; simply remind yourself that you are capable, that you are hardworking, and that you have what it takes to succeed. Build up your own confidence with some positive self-talk.
• By no means is this a silly or nebulous exercise. Psychologists agree that the way you speak to yourself can shape your attitudes and your actions throughout the day. Speaking positively to yourself pushes your subconscious to step up, take action, and spur you toward success—whereas speaking negatively to yourself will only suppress your potential.
• Getting into the habit of self-affirmation can have other positive effects, too. For one thing, it will build within you a meaningful routine of affirmation. You’ll find yourself speaking negative thoughts—I can’t do this, I’m going to fail, etc.—much less frequently. You’ll be able to shake off those confidence-killers once and for all.

Self-affirmation also helps you stay focused. It allows you to be reminded, each and every day, of what your purpose is, what you’re trying to achieve—and how you’re going to achieve it.

Self-Affirmation Theory

There is actually a self-affirmation theory. It is a psychological theory that focuses on how individuals adapt information or experiences that are threatening to their self-image.

• Claude Steele a social psychologist and professor at Stanford University originally popularized the self-affirmation theory in the late 1980s and remains a well-studied concept even today!
• The Self affirmation theory states that if you focus on the values you want to embody, you will be less likely to experience stress and react defensively when confronted with an experience or information that contradicts or threatens your self-image.

So, yes there are even psychological studies based on the idea that we can maintain our sense of self by telling ourselves or affirming what we believe in positive ways. Our perceived ability to achieve our goals and respond to challenges in a positive manner is based on the image we have of ourselves and protects us when threatened.

Scientific Research and Self- Affirmations

The development of the self-affirmation theory has led to neuroscientific research aimed at investigating whether we can see any changes in the brain when we self-affirm in positive ways.

• There is MRI evidence suggesting that certain brain activities are increased when people practice self-affirmation tasks (Cascio et al., 2016).
• Parts of our brain involved in positive valuation and self-related information processing—becomes more active when we consider our personal values (Falk et al., 2015; Cascio et al., 2016).

This means when we choose to practice positive self – affirmations, we’re better able to view otherwise-threatening information as more relevant and valuable to our circumstances. 

Saturday Night Live and Self Affirmations

Personal Affirmations were also made famous by former United States senator and Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken playing his fictional character Stuart Smalley. His famous affirmation “I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!”: Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley, was also the title of a book in 1992. 

Celebrities Who Succeeded with the Use of Positive Affirmations

There are many celebrities and athletes that come to my mind when I think about their success due to the use of positive affirmations. The most famous being Jim Carrey. Long before he was a  successful superstar, he had already started believing he would be a success someday.

In 1985, Carrey made an audacious decision: He wrote himself a $10 million check for “acting services rendered,” dated it 10 years in the future, and kept it in his wallet. Call it a coincidence, but in November 1995, Carrey found out he was cast in the movie “Dumb and Dumber”. Guess how much for — you guessed it — $10 million.

It is he who says that nothing in this world happens without a thought and intention behind it. He imagined his success and constantly believed in it.

Speak powerful words into your own life. Watch how that confidence overflows into your daily activities, and even into the way you speak to others! For some specific affirmations or some general confidence-boosting tips, contact Dr. Rick Goodman—the team-building expert!

You may also like to read Harnessing The Power of Positive Thinking

Dr. Rick Goodman is a professional speaker and author who works with organizations that want to develop great leaders “Through Excellence in Communication and Team Building.” For more information on Rick’s speaking programs, audio programs, and learning programs, contact (888) 267-6098 or Rick@rickgoodman.com, or visit www.rickgoodman.com.

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As a keynote speaker and executive coach, I am constantly asked by my clients “Rick how effective is virtual training?”

The answer depends on several different factors and preplanning is one of the most important factors of all in conducting an effective virtual training for your organization or team. In my experience there are four critical factors or key components that contribute to the success and effectiveness of a virtual training session.

4 Key Components of an Effective Virtual Training

1. Investing in Stable and Reliable Virtual Technology

With more employees around the world working remotely it is imperative that you invest in a reliable virtual platform. Some of the platforms we suggest are Zoom, WebEx, Join me, and Microsoft Teams.

Our company uses the professional version of zoom, however the most important thing for you to consider is using a platform that works best for your organization.

Some factors to consider:

• Whether the session is for a small group or a large audience.
• Whether the session requires live demonstrations or will it be mostly recorded content.
• Are there multiple ways to access the training session not just through a PC.
• The availability of tools that allow participants to send messages, answer questions and interact with the instructor and the other attendees.

These are just a few of the things to consider when choosing a platform to use for your virtual training.

2. Use Energetic and Skilled Professional Speakers and Trainers.

An effective virtual training session is highly dependent on the skills and energy of the speaker. The fact that the attendee is already in an environment that can be distracting is even more reason to hire a professional keynote speaker or trainer.

A skilled professional keynote speaker or trainer should be able to grab and hold the attention of the audience and encourage participation and engagement.

Simply put, the speaker is the person who must be able to facilitate the overall audience experience and steer the session in the right direction.

This is a specific skillset that you will not find in many speakers who are used to presenting in front of a live audience. Therefore, it is critical that the speaker knows how to engage a remote audience ensuring that the virtual training is effective and successful.

3. Have a Host or Co-Facilitator

There are several reasons to have a host or Co facilitator with the most important being support during the Training session. Many times, the speaker is so involved in delivering the material that they miss some of the attendee’s questions in real time.

A host or Co facilitator can collect the questions and have the speaker address them in a timely manner. This adds to the overall engagement and effectiveness of the program.

4. Develop Pre-Session Activities

A great way to build enthusiasm and interest in the virtual event is to get in touch with participants a few times in the weeks preceding the training. There are three pre-event activities that we utilize and have found to be effective in the success of the virtual training session.

• Preprogram Video Promotion

Prior to a training session or conference, we send out a preprogram video to the organization and attendees to get them excited about the session. I give them an overview of what we will be covering and how it will positively impact them in their personal and professional lives.

• Online Assessments

We have had a great deal of success conducting online assessments for the people who will be attending the virtual training session. The assessments give us insights on the environment of the organization and helps us to develop the presentation delivering an amazing ROI for our clients.

• Survey and Polling Questions

Many times, we conduct survey and polling questions to better understand an organization’s needs. This helps us to personalize the program which increases its effectiveness. We have found that the surveys and polling questions help increase engagement among the attendees, which produces dramatic results.

When you address these four key factors in your virtual training sessions and meetings you will increase engagement, motivation, and success!

To discover how we can help deliver an effective virtual presentation to your organization or team contact us at info@rickgoodman.com or call 888-267-6098 and let us show you how to make your next virtual meeting a huge success!

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As a leadership coach and keynote speaker, I interact with teams of all kinds—including many virtual teams. Telecommuting and remote collaboration technology have changed the way we work, and the benefits are striking. Companies can reduce overhead and provide their employees with more flexibility; employees, in turn, often love the freedom they have to get their work done in a home office environment.

Remote teams make many things easier, but some things a bit harder. Maintaining a unified company culture is one example. And providing work-life balance is another. After all, when your employees work from home, that means their leisure and their office space are ever-intermingled. How can you, as a manager or leader, help them maintain some sense of separation between the two?

Tips for Balancing Work and Life for Remote Employees

Let me offer a few quick, practical suggestions:

• Set a schedule and stick to it. You can offer your team members some flexibility while still insisting that they get their work done within a reasonable set of parameters. The freedom to nap all afternoon and work into the wee hours of the morning may appeal to some employees, but really all it does is throw that sense of balance out of whack. Make it clear that your employees are to maintain more-or-less regular business hours. You can still be flexible with people who need to duck out for a doctor’s appointment, and at the same time keep your office working on basically the same timeline.
• Take a break from e-mail. Here’s a good way to set the tone and lead by example: Don’t e-mail any of your employees after hours or on the weekend. Take a break from around-the-clock e-mail, and show your employees that you value their free time at night and on Saturday and Sunday.
• Get together. From time to time—even if only once or twice a year—get everyone together for some face time. And don’t always make it a meeting, either: Social gatherings, parties, and team-building activities are wonderful ways to reorient your team members to a life of balance.

With these short tips, you can ensure that the folks on your virtual teams who work remotely aren’t letting their work kill their home life—or vice versa.

Dr. Rick Goodman CSP is a thought leader in the world of leadership and is one of the most sought after virtual keynote speakers on leadership, engagement, and business growth in the United States and internationally.

He is also the author of the book Living A Championship Life, “A Game Plan for Success,” and the co–author of the book Jamie’s Journey: Travels with My Dad written by his sixteen-year-old daughter Jamie.

Dr. Rick is famous for helping organizations, corporations, and individuals with systems and strategies that produce increased profits and productivity without having the challenges of micromanaging the process. Some of Dr. Rick’s clients include Heineken, AT&T, Boeing, Cavium Networks, IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Franklin Templeton Investments.

You can contact Dr. Rick at www.rickgoodman.com or call 888-267-6098.

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