Eric Jacobson On Management And Leadership

Here are three helpful leadership tips from author Neil Smith -- from his book, co-authored with Patricia O'Connell, How Excellent Companies Avoid Dumb Things:
People say they cannot find the time to do things, yet they always find the time to fix things when they break. Companies need to create that sense of urgency before a problem occurs.People will embrace change if they see the logic behind it. If they feel they have control over its onset and evolution.  If they see it as nonthreatening and self-esteem enhancing. And, if the change has the possibility of future benefits to them.Make sure that people are basing their decisions on facts -- fact-based information should be a company mantra. Do not accept "I guess" or "I think so."

I find this advice from Ken Goldstein (from his book, Endless Encores) particularly helpful. He says:

"You have to be innovating all the time. The only sure path to a limited repertoire is not to push yourself beyond the familiar. Your range is only gated by your courage to pursue the unknown, despite the doubters who relish the false safety of narrowing your path.

You risk, you stretch, you can't know what's going to stick. No matter how much you know the familiar will carry you, you navigate the balance of old and new, constantly committing to reinvention.

Repeat success is getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, knowing that luck will shine again, but never knowing when or how."

"The more specific you can be about your goal, the greater your level of success will be," explain authors Tom Pandola and James W. Bird, in their book, Light A Fire Under Your Business.

"This is because once we have visualized something that doesn't yet exist, it causes our subconscious mind to make the decisions necessary to make that visualized goal a reality."

The authors explain that all goals must have these five elements:
Goals must clarify a specific action or outcome.Goals must be measureable by being able to quantify the benefits of achieving them.Goals should be achievable with the resources available (or at least you should know that the necessary resources are in reserve and can be acquired).Goals must also be realistic for achieving based on your particular situation.Goals must also include the time period in which you want to achieve them. With a date or time period specified for completion, planning can be established in order for evaluating the…

In Brian Tracy's and Christina Stein's new book, Find Your Balance Point, they point out the necessity and power of being willing to say these three statements:

1. "I was wrong." - The authors comment that it's amazing how many people make a mistake and do or say something that they know to be wrong, but because of their egos, they cannot admit it. The authors recommend that because you are going to be wrong likely many times, the sooner you admit it, the sooner you can correct the situation and get on with the tasks at hand.

2.  "I made a mistake." - Many of the things that you do, especially in business and in your career, will turn out to be mistakes in the fullness of time. The authors explain that there is nothing wrong with this.This is how everyone learns and grows. What is wrong, they say, is to refuse to correct a mistake because your ego is so invested in being "right."

3. "I changed my mind." - It is amazing how many peop…