Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Three's Of Many - Courtesy HBR

3 Dont's of Persuasion -
Persuading people to believe in your idea is a critical leadership skill. But too many managers don't know how. Here are three things to try next time you need to gain consensus or secure a deal:

• Don't make the hard sell. Setting out a strong position at the start gives opponents something to fight. It's better to present your position with reserve, so you can adjust it if needed.
• Don't resist compromise. Compromise is not surrender. People want to see that you are flexible enough to respond to their concerns and incorporate their perspectives.
• Don't assume it's a one-shot deal. Persuasion is a process. You'll rarely arrive at a solution on the first try. Listen, test your position, and then refine it based on the group's input.

3 Ways to Engage Employees Every Day -
As a manager, dealing with employees who lack enthusiasm for their jobs or don't feel connected to the company is a big hurdle. Here are three things you can do daily to engage your people:
• Facilitate progress. Employees feel engaged when they make headway toward objectives. Provide clear goals and resources to support their progress.
• Make work meaningful. Your company doesn't need a lofty mission to make employees care. They simply need to see how their actions contribute to company value, like a service or product.
• Reward and recognize. Don't wait for milestones. Show appreciation every day for the work your employees do.