It is never easy having hard conversations. Today I am answering a listener question in this vein. An anonymous listener asks: What do you do when you love your job but can’t stand what is happening behind the scenes with management? How do you have a conversation with your boss to address your concerns?
It can be intimidating to approach your boss with concerns. Sometimes, we can even build it up in our minds and imagine the worst possible outcome. You won’t lose your job over raising concerns, especially if you do it in the right way.
Take some time to write out your questions and concerns. Do some research. Are you the only one who feels this way, or is it a recurring issue among the staff? Look beneath the surface. What is your manager like? Might there be an outside circumstance that is impacting your current situation? Once you take a good look at it and get organized, set up a meeting. Approach it humbly. Come at it from a standpoint of how can you help? Chances are your boss doesn’t even realize how everyone is feeling.
Whatever the outcome, you need to make sure that you are willing to leave if things don’t change. If you believe strong enough to bring it up, believe in yourself enough to leave if the situation gets worse. If you are planning a vacation, make sure you check out Magical Vacation Planners. If you are going to Orlando, make sure to ask about their MVP people mover. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.
In his poem “If” Rudyard Kipling closes with the line, “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run, yours is the earth and everything that’s in it." Today Jody and I are discussing what you can do to make the most of your time.
I’ve been preaching the power of 60 seconds for years. When you fill your minute with something that pays off down the road, you can make the most of the time you have. How do you make sure you have time to invest what matters? You plan it. Planning out your time will make sure you build a life centered on what is important to you. Being intentional is an attitude. You don’t get the payoff right away, but as you continue, you will see the reward. Set time aside to work out, sleep and eat right.
Your decision can cause you trouble. We often don’t know how bad you’ve been until you start to see how good you can feel. Have a discussion with yourself and get yourself on track. You become the culture you grow up in.
If you are looking for a tool to help you manage your time, head over to morningmagicplanner.com and download our Morning Magic Planner.
Cruises are a pretty great way to get out and relax. Most cruise lines are opening back up. If you are thinking about planning one, check out Magical Vacation Planners and see what they can do for you. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.
Today Jody and I are answering a question submitted by Melanie Maximus. Melanie asks, “How do you handle negatives posts online or comments in person from former employees?”
In the wake of an ongoing pandemic, businesses have closed or have had to lay off employees at an unprecedented rate. While the reasoning may be understandable, it doesn’t mean there won’t be some upset former team member left in the wake. As a leader, it doesn’t matter if the feedback is from a disappointed former employee or a disgruntled one, make sure you engage them with ethics and honesty. You can let them know you are sorry for how things turned out. You can listen to them and let them know they are heard.
Whether the comments are online or in person, don’t get into a debate. For feedback left on an online forum, don’t address it online. That is a sure-fire way to blow it up. If the comments are in person, hear them, treat them with compassion and remain calm. Don’t defend yourself and don’t try to convince them. You can validate how they feel without taking on the burden of their frustration.
We have all had to make tough decisions. We have also all encountered tough outcomes. For those who have found themselves laid off, the best thing you can do now is play the long game, not the short frustrated one. If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that a crisis will come. Our best bet is to prepare now. Plan ahead. Save money. Ask yourself what would happen if you lost a job. Have a strategy. You must think about yourself. Don’t depend on the company. The company is going to protect itself, so you need to depend on yourself.
It is tough right now, booking your own vacation, Magical Vacation Planners can help you navigate and make sure you get what you need to have the best vacation possible. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.
If you have a question you would like Lee to answer, reach out to us at either leecockerell.com or jodymaberry.com.
Today Jody and I are talking about what it takes to create a great experience. I have visited restaurants where the food was good, but the waiter was great. Their service elevated the experience. A middle-of-the-road product can be elevated into a good experience through great customer service.
Products aren’t what sets a company or organization apart. Service that shines can outweigh the product it produces. The beauty of great service is anyone can do it. You don’t have to be in leadership or have a title. You may not be in a position to do anything about the product itself, but you can serve people well. Anyone can be the one who says I am going to do what I can where I am at with what I have, and that is what causes an organization to shine.
For those in leadership, the level of service your team provides is your responsibility. If you hire the right people, put them in the right position, and communicate and enforce clear expectations, you will cultivate a culture that produces excellent service. If your company isn’t known for good service, as a leader, it is your fault. If you walk past a mistake, you’ve set a new standard. The right people in the right jobs with the right expectations make the right decisions and execute the level of service you expect.
When it comes to service and how you care for your customer, set expectations with your team. Make sure they know what they are. Then enforce those expectations. This will ensure your team is empowered and equipped to excel and pass that excellence on to your customers.
If you want to work with a team that will give great service, you need to check out Magical Vacation Planners and see what they can do for you. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.