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Secrets to Success
Deborah Cole Micek
and John-Paul Micek
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Increase your influence at little cost
» Part II of a two-part series
Everyone prefers to be communicated with based on their own unique communication style. Think about how you want to be communicated with; then compare this style to that of the people you enjoy spending time with and those you don't.
Do they speak fast or slow?
Are they direct and to the point or talkative and more personal?
Do they speak in great detail about the specifics of a project or talk about the "big picture?"
In business, if you don't adapt to people according to their preferred communication styles, you'll never have the highly productive team that you could have if you simply lead differently. You simply have to lead according to each different person on your team.
Coach's Corner:
Jack Welch calls this "differentiation in managing people." It's a controversial subject because traditional training programs tell us that we need to treat everyone the same. But think about it this way:
If you are an employee reporting to a manager, what type of manager would motivate you to do your best?
» Someone who gives you clear direction and specific details as to how a project must get done so you know what results are expected.
» Someone who gives you independence to either sink or swim in obtaining results.
» Someone who encourages and motivates you to get results; more casual and friendly in their demeanor.
» Someone who gets to the point as fast as possible so you can get to the task at hand and provide results.
Based on which one you selected, think of how you'd feel if you were managed the exact opposite of your choice. How quickly would you be looking for a different job/career?
There is not just one correct way to lead a team. There is, however, only one correct way for you to maximize your influence with each person in order to motivate them at an optimal level. Manage differently. Different strategies work for different people. It is your responsibility as a leader to discover what works best for each individual person you work with.
If you don't care how business gets done, then you can continue to lead according to the "status quo" and do the same types of things for everyone in your organization. But, if you are the kind of leader who is interested in maximizing results, then you must take time to educate yourself on the different motivational styles that work for different types of people.
When you do, you'll see a highly productive team and increase your overall profits. When you take the time to learn what their motivational style is, you'll be able to feel the increase in energy that is expended from the people in your organization.
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John-Paul Micek is the lead business coach at RPM Success Group Inc. Reach him at
JPM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.
Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach and life strategist. Reach her at
DCM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.