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#Leadership : 7 Small Gestures #Managers Can Make That Will Go a Long Way…If you Really Want to Be a Great #Boss , Here are a Few Effortless Moves that can Really Pay Off.

June 9, 2018/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Being a manager means taking on a world of responsibility and juggling people, projects, and deadlines.But if you really want to be a great boss, here are a few effortless moves that can really pay off.

1. Say thank you

Most workers are used to being thanked for going above and beyond on the job, whether it’s staying late to finish a project or jumping in to tackle an emergency that pops up over the weekend. But sometimes, it helps to acknowledge the effort your workers put in on a daily basis, even when all they really are doing is tackling their basic responsibilities. Saying thank you here and there sends the message that you value your workers and appreciate their contributions — even those who are fairly run-of-the-mill.

2. Be flexible

As a boss, it’s natural to want to maintain a certain workflow and uphold a certain schedule. But a little flexibility with your workers is a great way to attain their respect and gratitude. The next time an employee asks to leave early for an appointment or to work remotely for a day to oversee a home repair, say yes, and do so graciously. This shows people that you trust them and respect the fact that they have lives outside the office.

3. Ask employees about their lives

Speaking of lives outside the office, it’s always nice occasionally to ask your workers about the things that are important to them in their personal lives. If you know an employee’s son has been applying to colleges, ask how the process is going. If you have a worker whose daughter broke her leg at soccer practice, follow up on her recovery. These simple inquiries won’t take up more than 30 seconds of your time, but they’ll show your team members that you’re thinking of them.

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4. Offer feedback in person, not over email

As a manager, it’s your job to provide constructive criticism so that your employees can learn from their mistakes and boost their performance. But if you’re going to take the time to offer that feedback, do so face to face rather than over email. Though email might be quicker, it doesn’t convey tone, and therefore, your words might seem harsher on screen than in person. You’re better off taking 15 minutes out of your day, having a brief sit-down, and talking things out.

5. Splurge for refreshments

Meetings are a part of life in most office environments. An easy way to sweeten the deal is to provide refreshments on occasion, whether it’s a jug of coffee or a box of fresh cookies from the downstairs bakery. You don’t need to get fancy, spend a fortune, or do it all the time — but sporadic treats give workers a little something to look forward to.

6. Acknowledge work anniversaries

In today’s job-hopping age, it’s not unusual for workers to jump ship frequently. So if you have employees who have been with the company for a notable amount of time, it never hurts to send a group email acknowledging those milestones. Those whose anniversaries are recognized will feel important and appreciated, which will help motivate them to stay on board.

7. Have an open-door policy

Most bosses are busy people. But if you make it clear that you’re willing to carve out time for your employees, they’re going to appreciate the gesture. Encouraging your workers to come to you with issues or suggestions will not only make them feel more at ease, but help you earn their trust. And that’s certainly a winning formula.

Sometimes, all it takes is a low-key gesture to boost employee morale. Incorporate these suggestions and your workers no doubt will come to reciprocate in other ways.

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#Leadership : How Successful Leaders Communicate With Their Teams…Choosing your Medium — Text or In-Person? — and Keeping your Message Decisive and Focused are Just Two of the Key Strategies.

November 30, 2016/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

One of the most critical factors for your success as a leader will be how you communicate with your team. On a primary level, communication is all about exchanging information, whether that means brainstorming as a group, delegating responsibilities, setting expectations or alerting others to a problem.

The completeness, accuracy, timing and form of your messages will directly affect how your plans are carried out.

Beyond that, how you communicate can play a massive role in the morale of your team — how you treat your employees will have a direct impact in how they respect you, respect one another and ultimately perform on the job.

So, what is it that makes successful leaders so good at communication? What strategies are they using?

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Strategies for success

Take a look at some of the most successful communicators around you (and those in a bigger spotlight), and you’ll see the following traits:

Choose your mediums carefully. First, make sure you’re considering your medium(s) carefully. Being able to send out a mass text or voice message to your employees is important. These channels are appropriate for notifying your team of a last-minute meeting change but wouldn’t be for sending out the scope of a new project.

In the same way, email isn’t the best way to start a long back-and-forth conversation — especially if it concerns a sensitive subject. Learn to read the situation and decide on the appropriate medium; in the right form, your message’s effectiveness will spread.

Consider your tone and direction. This is especially important when speaking to someone face-to-face. When delivering messages, remember what you’re trying to accomplish and how you may come across. For example, if an employee has done subpar work or missed a deadline, you want that person to improve so the problem doesn’t happen again; you don’t want this employee to merely feel guilty about the error.

Frame your wording to achieve this goal; instead of scolding or reprimanding, use a friendlier tone with a corrective direction. You’ll accomplish far more, make your intentions clear and preserve morale this way.

Be as concise as possible. Good leaders strive to remain as concise as possible. Speaking and writing concisely is all about conveying as much information as possible in the smallest possible space, which saves time and maximizes the effectiveness of your writing. Grammarly has a fantastic article worth the read if you’re interested in digging into how to become a more concise communicator.

Keep your messaging decisive and focused. When writing or giving a message, you need to be decisive and focused, which means avoiding rambling, or working through a problem out loud. Speak only when you have something meaningful to say, and make sure your point is clear to whomever you’re speaking with. You can use a service like Evernote to better organize your thoughts, tasks and goals, and work on defining your thoughts in firmer frameworks this way.

Be proactive. Telling someone about a new project requirement isn’t effective if that someone is already halfway through the job. Try to be as proactive as possible by telling your employees early on what you expect from them. Set your expectations long before any actions are taken; and when something comes up, let your team know about it as soon as possible.

One easy way to put this into practice is to set more alerts on your phone and make use of calendar apps; this will force you to consider the timing of your messages, especially for things like follow-ups.

Always be available for conversation. This is important for building morale within your team. You can’t possibly be available for conversation 100 percent of the time, but you need to make your team feel comfortable communicating with you. Show patience and appreciation for their thoughts and opinions, and they’ll be more willing to share with you when they have a problem, when they need help or when they see something that can be improved.

Listen actively to every team member. Finally, listen actively to every member of your team. All team members are valuable, and their diverse range of opinions will open you up to new ideas and help you see flaws and inconsistencies you were previously blind to. Do this early and often to build trust within your team.

Executing the model

If these actions look intimidating to you, or you don’t have a track record of successful communication, don’t worry. Nobody is born an effective communicator; just as it takes us time to develop our understanding and use of language, it takes time to refine our skills as efficient communicators.

With practice and dedication to improving your abilities, you can become a communicative and respectable leader in your environment.

Entrepreneur.com | November 30, 2016 | Larry Alton

#Leadership : From Cold Emails That Work To Finding Your Purpose: This Week’s Top Leadership Stories…This Week’s Top Stories May Get you to ReThink the Much-Reviled Cold Email and Ask the Right Questions to Find your Company’s Purpose.

November 19, 2016/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

This week we learned why cold emailing may not be as useless as many believe, how a condiment company used its own history as the starting point for writing a mission statement, and why one Thiel Fellow is washing his hands of the Trump ally’s organization.

These were the stories you loved in Leadership for the week of November 14:

1. SIR KENSINGTON’S: THREE QUESTIONS FOR FINDING YOUR PURPOSE

Can this condiment company help your business find its mission? Maybe. Sir Kensington’s, which makes ketchups, mustards, and more, didn’t just pluck its corporate “purpose” out of the sky or have a CSR officer draft a memo. It looked back on what had actually led to the company’s success. These simple questions can lead to the type of self-examination to help you do the same.

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2. MENTORSHIP AND THE ART OF THE COLD EMAIL

“I’m all about cold emailing,” says Jennifer Fitzgerald, CEO and cofounder of PolicyGenius. That may be surprising for some to hear, but it’s helped Fitzgerald secure some of her most prized mentors. She isn’t alone. Here’s what fellow startup founders have discovered about putting a widely reviled networking method to good use.

3. FORMER FELLOW TO PETER THIEL: YOU CAN HAVE YOUR MONEY BACK

The Thiel Fellowship awards $100,000 grants to students under 22 years old to drop out of school and pursue an innovative project. But since the program’s billionaire benefactor Peter Thiel is a high-profile Trump supporter and now part of the president-elect’s transition team, one fellow says he’s had enough. This week, Cosmo Scharf explained why he cut ties.

4. FOUR EMAIL SUBJECT LINES THAT MAKE EVERYONE HATE YOU

Your simple follow-up email may seem harmless enough, but on the other end, somebody is staring at their inbox and grinding their teeth. This week we learned why certain email subject lines are likely to backfire, leaving others feeling more aggravated than interested in helping you.

5. THIS PROJECT MANAGER’S WORKFLOW HACK TRANSFORMED HOW GE BUILDS AIRPLANE ENGINES

One Air Force veteran who now works with GE Aviation says his military experience taught him to spot problems that impact others and take action quickly. That training came in handy when Paul Thienprayoon saw how badly his team’s inventory system was slowing down the assembly and repair of GE-made airplane engines. Here’s how he took a simple Excel sheet and turned it into a software tool that streamlined the Aviation division’s workflow.

FastCompany.com | FAST COMPANY STAFF | 11.18.16 5:00 AM

#Leadership : 5 Insights from a Classic Leadership Book by an Executive Coach Who’s Helped over 150 CEOs … If you’re Set on Progressing in your Career, You’ve got to Commit Yourself to a Course of Personal Development, Which will Likely Be as Uncomfortable as it is Rewarding.

August 27, 2016/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

“What Got You Here Won’t Get You There“ highlights the 20 workplace habits that keep business leaders from success. Author Marshall Goldsmith, a top executive coach who’s worked with more than 150 CEOs and been named multiple times to theThinkers50 list of influential management thinkers, published the bestselling book with Mark Reiter in 2007.

Marshall Goldsmith.YouTube

His goal was to help managers at all levels pinpoint exactly which behaviors they need to change and how to do it. The thrust is that just because you’ve been able to get by with your counterproductive habitsdoesn’t mean you’ll be able to reach the top of your field with those same tendencies.

If you’re set on progressing in your career, you’ve got to commit yourself to a course of personal development, which will likely be as uncomfortable as it is rewarding.

Below, Business Insider breaks down the book’s five most important insights on becoming an effective leader:

1. Don’t fall into the ‘superstition trap’

Your destructive habits — from taking credit for others’ efforts to constantly making excuses — probably aren’t what helped you reach this level of success, and they definitely won’t help you get further.

Here’s Goldsmith:

“One of the greatest mistakes of successful people is the assumption, ‘I behave this way, and I achieve results. Therefore, I must be achieving results because I behave this way.’

“This belief is sometimes true, but not across the board. That’s where superstition kicks in. It creates the core fallacy necessitating this book, the reason that ‘what got us here won’t get us there.’ I’m talking about the difference between success that happens because of our behavior and the success that comes in spite of our behavior.”

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2. Technical chops aren’t enough for leaders

Interpersonal skills get more and more important as you climb the corporate ladder.

Here’s Goldsmith:

“At the higher levels of organizational life, all the leading players are technically skilled. They’re all smart. They’re all up to date on the technical aspects of their job. …

“That’s why behavioral issues become so important at the upper rungs of the corporate ladder. All other things being equal, your people skills (or lack of them) become more pronounced the higher up you go. In fact, even when all other things are not equal, your people skills often make the difference in how high you go.”

3. Your effectiveness as a leader is based on others’ perceptions of you

What you think of yourself doesn’t matter as much — so stop trying to conform to some arbitrary notion of your unique self.

Here’s Goldsmith:

“It’s an interesting equation: Less me. More them. Equals success.

“Keep this in mind when you find yourself resisting change because you’re clinging to a false — or pointless — notion of ‘me.’ It’s not about you. It’s about what other people think of you.”

4. Listening to what other people say is the most important skill for a leader to develop

That’s especially true if you’re trying to change your habits.

Here’s Goldsmith:

“The only difference between us and the super-successful among us — the near-great and the great — is that the great ones [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][listen] all the time. It’s automatic for them. For them there’s no on and off switch for caring and empathy and showing respect. It’s always on. They don’t rank personal encounters as A, B, or C in importance. They treat everyone equally — and everyone eventually notices.”

5. You need to pick and choose your areas of improvement

It’s best to focus on what’s causing the biggest problem among the biggest group of people.

Here’s Goldsmith:

“Take a look around your office. Someone’s the best salesman. Someone else is the best accountant. Someone else is the best manager. No one is the best at everything.

“This isn’t a license for mediocrity. It’s a reality check. It’s your permission to deal in trade-offs and pick one thing to improve upon rather than everything.”

Businessinsider.com | August 26, 2016 | Shana Lebowitz

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#Leadership : 12 Successful People Share their Best Productivity Hacks…Here, 12 Successful People Share How to Do just That, Compliments of their Productivity Hacks. Get Ready to Get Focused

February 4, 2016/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

If you find yourself getting easily overwhelmed by emails, struggling to keep your eyes open at your desk, or constantly getting distracted by coworkers, chances are, your productivity level isn’t what it could be.

The secret to working more efficiently isn’t about working more or less, but smarter.

Here, 12 successful people share how to do just that, compliments of their productivity hacks. Get ready to get focused:

1. Visualize

“I always envision myself crushing it at my job, working with pristine integrity and keeping a gold standard. I have always envisioned myself being the go-to girl, the leader in my space, the golden girl in the Wellness space. Make an effort to pinpoint your success, and focus on YOU leading the pack. Clear the noise, don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Focus on yourself, your work and keep the focus on doing your very best, nothing less.” — Candice Kumai, bestselling author of “Clean Green Eats” & “Clean Green Drinks“

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2. Simplify

“Break down an annual goal into daily activities. Then focus 100% of your energy on completing those activities.” — Kevin Conroy Smith, Levo 100 honoree and founder of the Number Project

3. Unplug

“I can’t begin to stress how important it was to limit digital distractions during my workday. The best thing I’ve ever done to improve my productivity was to check my inbox only three times a day. This allows me to really concentrate on whatever task I have at hand. Before I started doing this, I would constantly get interrupted and it would take me a while to get back to really focusing on what I was working on, which was a killer for my productivity. Sometimes I’ll catch myself cheating by checking my iPhone inbox, but putting it on silent helps stop the temptation!” — Jude Al-Khalil, founder and CEO of BIKYNI

4. Catch those ZZZs

“My #1 productivity hack is getting seven hours of sleep each night. I turn off the TV and put away all my devices so I can clear my brain and sleep well! To have an energy-full day, I prioritize getting a good night’s sleep so I wake up rested and ready to go face the day’s challenges. I also really appreciate the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute’s principles that lead to being your personal best at work and at home: be physically energized, emotionally connected, mentally focused, and spiritually aware to achieve your mission.” — Janis Smith-Gomez, vice president, marketing for Ethicon, Inc.

5. Distance yourself

“Close the office door. I have an open door policy all the time. My office is open to every one of the 110 people who work for me. In fact, it’s unusual not to find at least one of my employees paying me a visit. However, when the rubber meets the road, and I have to concentrate and get something done quickly, my office door gets closed. It has become a sign to everyone that when it’s closed, I am full steam on a project so I generally don’t get interrupted. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in an uninterrupted hour — or even a half hour.” — Linda Lightman, CEO and founder of Linda’s Stuff

6. Plan, organize, do

“I have a three-step mantra when it comes to being productive:

Plan it. I plan each day the night before and add them as actual tasks in my calendar. This gives you the creative space to do the work you need to do in the time required and ensures that you are realistic about what can be achieved. I prioritize the most important tasks and always allow time for inspiration and play — being creative means you need time to be inspired, read an article, blog or just be on the pulse of what’s happening.

Organize it. I try to keep to Inbox Zero. I rule the mail, it does not rule me. I check it only three times — morning, afternoon, and at the end of the day. Being ruthless with emails means spending more time on the next step and less on organizing and sifting through endless emails. Honestly, if it’s really important, experience has taught me they either come and get you or pick up the phone.

Do it. I get focused. I’m not distracted, I don’t check my email, and I get in the zone to complete the tasks for the day. I often have post-it notes with each task on my desk and physically tick them off once a task is done. There is great satisfaction in actually completing something. Visually seeing these is also a great way to remain focused.” — Resh Sidhu, creative director of Framestore’s VR Studio

7. Check-in times

“Email is both a blessing and a curse — a curse in that it often becomes a seemingly endless task. Each day, I set a time to check my email and address as much as I can. But I always set an end time, and stick to it. Of course, email is a blessing in that it keeps me on track. And I sort my inbox by subject, to be as efficient as possible (though I try to keep this trick a secret!).” — Julie Lee, managing director, Maxus Chicago

8. Calendars and story time

“There are two actually… the one at work: my to-dos go right into my Outlook calendar, where I can’t hide from them or transfer them to another piece of paper; the reminders keep me honest and mindful, and the lack of scribbled, unreadable lists cluttering my desk is a nice plus one. The one at home: reading to my kids; it’s the blissful 30 to 45 minutes of my day that’s never shattered or shared with anyone else, and puts me in a right zen mood.” — Christine Stack, partner at Liberty Blue

9. Google Hangouts

“While this may seem counter-intuitive as a productivity hack, I’m in a creative business so talking through ideas needs the nuance of conversation and ideally seeing each other’s face. Hangouts helps our teams get together and have meaningful discussions rather than spinning in the nuance of how we phrased something in an email.” — Jane Delworth, managing director at mono

10. and 11. Meditation

“Headspace — 20 minutes meditation a day every day makes all the difference to my productivity.” — Charlotte Smith, partner at Liberty Blue

“Even if it’s just 10 to 15 minutes a day. It centers me, keeps me focused on what matters right now, and helps me to stay calm under stress — which ultimately makes me more productive. Walking meditation is my favorite type of meditation.” — Justine Bloome, EVP, strategy and innovation at Carat USA

12. Podcasts

“My favorite podcast is Ted Radio Hour. I love the diversity of interviews and content matter, which always expands my thinking in new and surprising ways.” — Olivia Fay, CEO and creative director of Rallier

Businessinsider.com | February 4, 2016 | Kristen Lauletti, Levo League

#Leadership : The Only Thing Not to Fear Is Success Itself …. Can you Imagine an #Entrepreneur/ #Manager Who is Actually Afraid of #Success? None will Ever Admit it Openly, but I’m a Strong Believer that Actions or Lack of Action Speaks Louder than Words.

December 19, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Can you imagine an entrepreneur/manager who is actually afraid of success? None will ever admit it openly, but I’m a strong believer that actions or lack of action speaks louder than words. In my years of advising startups, I’ve seen too many cases of seemingly irrational actions, or just freezing with that “deer in the headlights” look when it’s time to make a critical move.

I see it in the technologists who never get around to shipping their product, nominally because it isn’t finished yet. I see it in the business person who has plenty of funding, but won’t spend a dime on marketing to get the word out, just to conserve resources. After years of hard work, they always have rational excuses but really no one to blame but their own internal fears of success.

So, if your startup seems stuck in a rut these days, maybe it’s time to take a hard look at these common internal challenges, to see if you are actually the real limit to your success in business than the faltering economy or tough competitors:

1. You need to be in control of every detail.

Control freaks find it hard to survive as entrepreneurs, primarily because none of us have the time or skills to do everything that needs to be done in a business. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from advisors and to hire help (do what needs to be done) rather than just helpers (do what you tell them).

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2. You just want to be treated as another member of the team.

Every successful business needs someone in charge — the buck stops here, and hard decisions have to be made. Some entrepreneurs fear being seen as the boss, so they try to make every move a team decision often resulting in no decision or analysis paralysis. It’s time to be the leader.

3. You don’t want to give up your current lifestyle.

Some entrepreneurs unconsciously fear that the focus and dedication required for success will change their lifestyle to one they don’t enjoy or their friends won’t appreciate. In fact, one of the many challenges of a new business is to balance personal and family life and continue outside activities. Face it.

4. You’re afraid to ask for and spend other people’s money.

It takes money to make money. Real startup growth usually requires an initial infusion of cash to kick-start marketing, hire staff and build inventory. Soliciting and managing outside funds is a fear that every entrepreneur has to overcome for success. The challenge is not to let it get too easy.

5. You’re unable to take enough risk due to fear of failure.

There are no certainties in business, so taking a risk is required, and one or more failures is about average. Neither is life-threatening, and true friends and family will not desert you after a few setbacks. Successful entrepreneurs never give up and wear their failures as a badge of courage.

6. You can’t possibly be smart enough to succeed in business.

Maybe your parents were not supportive, or you struggled in school, so your self-confidence has never risen above a certain point. These fears can be overcome, by setting small milestones early and often and working upward. Business success requires street smarts, not book smarts.

7. You hate stepping out of your comfort zone.

Even experienced entrepreneurs often keep coming back to the same formulas and tools, which worked at some level and at some point in time. The challenge is that the business world keeps changing, and future success requires new creativity and innovation. Force yourself to step outside the box.

Successful entrepreneurs almost always start with a vision and a higher level purpose than just making money. It helps to communicate this higher purpose, to motivate you and overcome the fear of the unknown. Success does not require that you be fearless, but only that you be determined to transform fears into positive learning actions rather than negative roadblocks.

The ultimate fear to overcome is the fear of success per se. This is the most debilitating, since it usually comes from a deep-seated desire to conform and blend in. It can cause you to lose faith in your abilities and give up your vision at the slightest setback. Keep your vision and purpose at the forefront to motivate you and allow you to step beyond all your fears to the entrepreneurial success you deserve.

Article Posted on December 18, 2015

<b>Get Your Valuation</b>

Author: Martin Zwilling

Veteran startup mentor, executive, blogger, author, tech professional, and Angel investor.

Martin Zwilling is the founder and CEO of Startup Professionals, a company that provides products and services to startup founders and small business owners. The author of Do You Have What It Takes to Be an Entrepreneur? and Attracting an Angel, he writes a daily blog for entrepreneurs and dispenses advice on the subject of startups.

#Leadership : 3 Tips To Close Out The Year Strong From The Best Coach In College Football… Like Saban’s “Process,” you Must stay Focused on the Play Ahead—but What is that Play for You? What Do you Have to be Focused on Today that Could Bring you #Success Tomorrow?

December 14, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

‘Tis the season to be…stressed. If you’re reading this blog, most likely you’re doing so on a smartphone while flying by the seat of your pants, trying to meet deadlines and end-of-year sales goals. Your email inbox is overflowing, and the pressure to plan (or attend) all those delightful holiday parties may be sending you to the edge. This is the uncomfortable truth: It’s normal to feel overwhelmed during this time of year.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban leads the team onto the field for warmups in an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

But how, among all these challenges, do you close out the year strong?

If there’s anyone who has mastered the art of keeping a team focused, it’s Nick Saban, head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Saban has won three championships with the Tide and he’s currently in the national championship hunt again. He credits the success to his “Process,” a simple yet effective method of breaking down goals into manageable, bite-sized pieces…especially in challenging times. You don’t have to like Saban or Alabama to learn from him.

Some of his tips:

1 – Focus on the moment at hand

Saban framed the “Process” when he was coaching at Michigan State. Shortly before playing No. 1 ranked Ohio State, Saban told the Spartans to focus on executing the next play and not to worry about winning. The outcome: Michigan State upset the Buckeyes 28-24, giving Saban one of the first major wins in his storied career.

This is a simple yet profound tactic. Humans spend too much time thinking about past mistakes or way-in-the-future events; such micro-focus can have paralyzing effects on a team. Saban teaches his players to win the moment— it’s not about what was accomplished in the past and tomorrow isn’t promised for anyone. Winning is about the present.

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2 – Eliminate the clutter

Saban’s “Process” depends on clarity, not messiness. “Eliminate the clutter and all the things that are going on outside and focus on the things that you can control,” he shared in interview with the New York Times.

If you are having difficulty with goal completion, consider cutting down all non-essentials from your time and focus. You can start by examining your email, desk and even the upcoming list of meetings on your calendar—whatever isn’t contributing to your primary goal needs to be reassessed…or dropped altogether.

Like Saban’s “Process,” you must stay focused on the play ahead—but what is that play for you? What do you have to be focused on today that could bring you success tomorrow? Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

3 – Champions have mental toughness and discipline

Saban’s Crimson Tide have endured more than just the SEC’s blistering defenses, but also face media scrutiny and the constant pressure to succeed to annually high expectations. Like many of the Great leaders in sports, Saban refers to adversity as a “friend” and credits mental toughness with helping his team face challenges. He often tells his players that the majority of people avoid the things they don’t like to do, but the Great Ones make a daily choice to face difficulties head on.

Most people have trouble accomplishing their goals because it’s very difficult to maintain the laser-focus required to reach them. This is especially true during the holiday season—one of the busiest times of the year. (Right now I am planning a holiday trip with my family, finishing the editing of a new book on the habits of great teams, and post-release marketing on my current release “Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates”…yes, I’m feeling it!)

Consistent winners know what it takes to handle each day’s business with authority. Success in crucial moments depends on sticking to your game plan, blocking out all distractions and facing adversity head on —that’s what the Great ones do.

Hopefully all of you are well on your way to completing some amazing goals in 2015, and will make 2016 even greater. Like Saban’s “Process,” you must stay focused on the play ahead—but what is that play for you? What do you have to be focused on today that could bring you success tomorrow? Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Forbes.com | December 14, 2015 | Don Yaeger

#Leadership : 7 Things That Make Great #Bosses Unforgettable… #Google Knows that People Don’t Leave Companies; They Leave #Bosses.

October 15, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Once again, Google has topped Fortune magazine’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. This marks Google’s second year in a row at the top of the list, and their sixth victory overall.

Most people assume that Google tops the list because of their great benefits and all of the fun and perks that they pack into the Googleplex. But that’s just part of the equation.

Google knows that people don’t leave companies; they leave bosses. But unlike most companies, who wait around hoping for the right bosses to come along, Google builds each Googler the boss of their dreams.

Their people analytics team starts by researching the qualities that make managers greatat Google. They’re the managers everyone wants to work for. Next Google built a training program that teaches every manager how to embrace these qualities. Once managers complete the program, Google measures their behavior to ensure that they’re making improvements and morphing into managers that Googlers want to work for.

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Google is building bosses that are so good, they’re unforgettable. And why do they do it? In the words of Laszlo Bock, Google’s SVP of People Operations, “Our best managers have teams that perform better, are retained better, are happier — they do everything better.”

Indeed they do. Unforgettable bosses change us for the better. They see more in us than we see in ourselves, and they help us learn to see it too. They dream big and show us all the great things we can accomplish.

When I ask audiences to describe the best and worst boss they have ever worked for, people inevitably ignore innate characteristics (intelligence, extraversion, attractiveness, and so on) and instead focus on qualities that are completely under the boss’s control, such as passion, insight, and honesty.

Google’s program isn’t the only way to become a boss people want to work for. Any of us can study the unique qualities of unforgettable bosses to learn valuable skills.

1. Great bosses are passionate. Few things are more demotivating than a boss who is bored with his or her life and job. If the boss doesn’t care, why should anybody else? Unforgettable bosses are passionate about what they do. They believe in what they’re trying to accomplish, and they have fun doing it. This makes everyone else want to join the ride.

2. They stand in front of the bus. Some bosses will throw their people under the bus without a second thought; great bosses pull their people from the bus’s path before they’re in danger. They coach, and they move obstacles out of the way, even if their people put those obstacles there in the first place. Sometimes, they clean up messes their people never even knew they made. And, if they can’t stop the bus, they’ll jump out in front of it and take the hit themselves.

3. They play chess not checkers. Think about the difference. In checkers, all the pieces are basically the same. That’s a poor model for leadership because nobody wants to feel like a faceless cog in the proverbial wheel. In chess, on the other hand, each piece has a unique role, unique abilities, and unique limitations. Unforgettable bosses are like great chess masters. They recognize what’s unique about each member of their team. They know their strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes, and they use these insights to draw the very best from each individual.

4. They are who they are, all the time. They don’t lie to cover up their mistakes, and they don’t make false promises. Their people don’t have to exert energy trying to figure out their motives or predicting what they’re going to do next. Equally as important, they don’t hide things they have the freedom to disclose. Instead of hoarding information and being secretive to boost their own power, they share information and knowledge generously.

5. They are a port in a storm. They don’t get rattled, even when everything is going haywire. Under immense pressure, they act like Eugene Kranz, flight director for the Apollo 13 mission. In the moments after the explosion, when death looked certain and panic seemed like the only option, Kranz kept his cool, saying, “Okay, now, let’s everybody keep cool. Let’s solve the problem, but let’s not make it any worse by guessing.” In those initial moments, he had no idea how they were going to get the astronauts home, but, as he later explained, “you do not pass uncertainty down to your team members.” People who’ve worked for an unforgettable boss often look back later and marvel at their coolness under pressure. That’s why, 45 years after Apollo 13, people are still talking about Eugene Kranz and his leadership during that crisis.

6. They are human. And they aren’t afraid to show it. They’re personable and easy to relate to. They’re warm. They realize that people have emotions, and they aren’t afraid to express their own. They relate to their people as a person first and a boss second. On the other hand, they know how to keep their emotions in check when the situation calls for it.

7. They are humble. Since these bosses don’t believe they are above anyone or anything, they openly address their mistakes so that everyone can learn from them. Their modesty sets a tone of humility and strength that everyone else follows.

Bringing It All Together

For many unforgettable bosses at Google and elsewhere, things clicked once they stopped thinking about what their people could do for them and started thinking about what they could do to help their people succeed.

Inspire. Teach. Protect. Remove obstacles. Be human. If you cultivate these characteristics, you’ll become the unforgettable boss that your people will remember for the rest of their careers.

Who is the greatest boss you ever worked for? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.

Forbes.com | October 15, 2015 | Travis Bradberry