Is Critical Thinking necessary in planning?
All too often in today’s business world, planning and other decisions are being made without proper thinking…critical thinking! By definition, Critical Thinking is asking thought provoking questions and utilizing ethical reasoning to obtain all of the information one can so that a decision based on facts can be made. If you look, you will find numerous definitions for this topic, and they are all right.
A true measure of planning success is whether or not detailed critical thinking was completed. “If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.” Confucius
Asking questions about funding, marketing, program sustainment, etc. is critical to the success of your business. An old saying that was often used in the Navy (exhibits a Sailor-like-crudeness) is, “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance,” or better known as the Seven P’s. If business leaders and planners spent more time planning, there would be less time assessing and fixing problems.
My challenge to you is to learn how to think more critically. Every time you have a decision to make, ask your self at least three questions regarding the impacts of that decision. It may be as simple as “What should I eat for lunch?”
Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.
**Disclaimer** This Blog is for informational purposes only! Corporate Guidance Solutions (CGS) or any CGS employee cannot be held responsible for any positive outcomes you may experience.
Showing posts with label followership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label followership. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Fear? YES!
Fear? Yes!
I decided to take “the leap of faith” as a small business owner in August of 2006. I did this for two reasons. 1) I felt that I was not doing what I really enjoyed doing, and 2) I wanted to help people work together better through individual commitment.
Leadership and being positive have come natural to me during my adult life, and like many people, I learned from past experiences. I realized that I had more to offer my family, society, and moreover…MYSELF!
Stepping out and taking risk is not a natural thing for humans to do. We as a human race have grown to be bigger risk takers over the last 20 years. Remember when Evil Knievel was the only “crazy” person jumping motorcycles over buses and crevasses? Now “crazy” people have competitions to see who can do the craziest trick without dying.
The same thing holds true for life in general. It is so easy to rest on our laurels and take the easy way out. I mean, we get up, go to work, come home, go to bed, and repeat. Albeit, the job may be satisfying and well paying, but many of us feel locked-in because of a false sense of security.
My experiences have led me from private industry, to the military, and the federal government. I have seen the people who go by, day-after-day, week-after-week, waiting until the day they can apply for retirement. No risk, no energy, no mission, no goals. I decided that I did not want to be one of those people. After all, if I am not happy, how can I project a positive outlook and motivate others to be happy?
General Douglas MacArthur made this point, “You win or lose, live or die – and the difference is just an eyelash.”
I agree with MacArthur, but I profess to be an advocate of thought evolution, better known as personal growth. At first there is usually a fear of risk; as we age we begin to fear regret. I was always afraid to venture out and take that “leap of faith.” Now, I don’t want to be the one that says, “I wish I would have done that.”
My challenge to you is to set safe, personal goals and go for them. Make sure they are attainable and quantifiable. Make a plan and keep track of your progress so you always know where you stand. Also, don’t tell anyone at first. Make a positive personal commitment to work toward goal attainment and GO FOR IT! Personal satisfaction, regardless of what you’ve been told is the greatest motivator.
Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.
**Disclaimer** This Blog is for informational purposes only! Corporate Guidance Solutions (CGS) or any CGS employee cannot be held responsible for any positive outcomes you may experience.
I decided to take “the leap of faith” as a small business owner in August of 2006. I did this for two reasons. 1) I felt that I was not doing what I really enjoyed doing, and 2) I wanted to help people work together better through individual commitment.
Leadership and being positive have come natural to me during my adult life, and like many people, I learned from past experiences. I realized that I had more to offer my family, society, and moreover…MYSELF!
Stepping out and taking risk is not a natural thing for humans to do. We as a human race have grown to be bigger risk takers over the last 20 years. Remember when Evil Knievel was the only “crazy” person jumping motorcycles over buses and crevasses? Now “crazy” people have competitions to see who can do the craziest trick without dying.
The same thing holds true for life in general. It is so easy to rest on our laurels and take the easy way out. I mean, we get up, go to work, come home, go to bed, and repeat. Albeit, the job may be satisfying and well paying, but many of us feel locked-in because of a false sense of security.
My experiences have led me from private industry, to the military, and the federal government. I have seen the people who go by, day-after-day, week-after-week, waiting until the day they can apply for retirement. No risk, no energy, no mission, no goals. I decided that I did not want to be one of those people. After all, if I am not happy, how can I project a positive outlook and motivate others to be happy?
General Douglas MacArthur made this point, “You win or lose, live or die – and the difference is just an eyelash.”
I agree with MacArthur, but I profess to be an advocate of thought evolution, better known as personal growth. At first there is usually a fear of risk; as we age we begin to fear regret. I was always afraid to venture out and take that “leap of faith.” Now, I don’t want to be the one that says, “I wish I would have done that.”
My challenge to you is to set safe, personal goals and go for them. Make sure they are attainable and quantifiable. Make a plan and keep track of your progress so you always know where you stand. Also, don’t tell anyone at first. Make a positive personal commitment to work toward goal attainment and GO FOR IT! Personal satisfaction, regardless of what you’ve been told is the greatest motivator.
Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.
**Disclaimer** This Blog is for informational purposes only! Corporate Guidance Solutions (CGS) or any CGS employee cannot be held responsible for any positive outcomes you may experience.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Followers are just as important as leaders.
There are two kinds of people in the world; leaders and followers. It doesn't matter which category you fall within, because both leaders and followers are needed to make things work in the world, and are equally important. As a matter of fact, most leaders have great followership skills.
In fact, with the amount of information and training available today for leadership, many people who are uncomfortable in leadership roles are often "pushed" into being something they are not. Many people are very happy doing what they need to do, and being part of the team. How many times have you been in an office and run into the janitor, and he has been one of the happiest individuals in the building? How many times have you been in a restroom at a swanky hotel or restaurant and it seemed the happiest employee was the attendant handing you the towel?
Followers are just as important as leaders. Leaders create vision! Followers generate revenue!
After all, each person, no matter what their position or status within an organization has value. Good leaders recognize what value each person has and they capitalize on it. Followers know what they do best and don't mind doing whatever it takes to get the job done. They are usually the epitome of the word TEAM! They have individual projects they lead.
Leaders that are open to discussion, get "out and about" in their organization, and keep their finger on the pulse so to speak...are invaluable.
Many organizations have leaders with the "Halo Effect." Many times followers become apprehensive about making recommendations or small decisions because they feel like leadership is unapproachable. Great leaders empower their people to be great followers. By doing this, they build confidence and ingenuity. Remember, without good people and ideas, leaders would not lead!
More to follow…
Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.
corporateguidancesolutions@gmail.com
In fact, with the amount of information and training available today for leadership, many people who are uncomfortable in leadership roles are often "pushed" into being something they are not. Many people are very happy doing what they need to do, and being part of the team. How many times have you been in an office and run into the janitor, and he has been one of the happiest individuals in the building? How many times have you been in a restroom at a swanky hotel or restaurant and it seemed the happiest employee was the attendant handing you the towel?
Followers are just as important as leaders. Leaders create vision! Followers generate revenue!
After all, each person, no matter what their position or status within an organization has value. Good leaders recognize what value each person has and they capitalize on it. Followers know what they do best and don't mind doing whatever it takes to get the job done. They are usually the epitome of the word TEAM! They have individual projects they lead.
Leaders that are open to discussion, get "out and about" in their organization, and keep their finger on the pulse so to speak...are invaluable.
Many organizations have leaders with the "Halo Effect." Many times followers become apprehensive about making recommendations or small decisions because they feel like leadership is unapproachable. Great leaders empower their people to be great followers. By doing this, they build confidence and ingenuity. Remember, without good people and ideas, leaders would not lead!
More to follow…
Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.
corporateguidancesolutions@gmail.com
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