I thought it was a good idea to to start a business blog to supplement the journal articles I write on change management.
(PDF Articles) I trust that some of the issues raised here may be of interest to you to pursue away from this blog of ideas and thoughts. The blogs run in date order with the most recent at the top of this page.
Remember a time when you reported to a boss who was full of charisma, who enthused over your ability to deliver and who motivated you each time they talked with you. Can you think of someone who really inspired you to do well, to stretch, to go the extra mile. Thinking about that person - did they get the best from you? Did you surprise yourself about how you felt and how energised you were when in their company.
Now, knowing that charisma and presence are powerful in bringing the best out of people - assess the behaviour of your management team.
Would they fit the charisma challenge above? Do they motivate by their very presence? Do they use their social skills to impact your confidence and performance. If not, think through the core competencies of transformational management.
Perhaps you need to invest in transforming your managers from technical specialists to inspirational leaders.
I was talking with a group of managers about the thorny issue of motivation. We had been talking through the Performance Matrix (see 17 & 20 January 2007 Blog) and discussing the different ways we could help to move people from the various quadrants.
How can we work with 'Question Marks' to help them into the 'High Flyer' quadrant? And how can we work with those people in the 'Backbone' area who are fantastic at their job but have been neglected for some time?
What about the tough decisions to encourage those who are currently performing poorly to either change their behaviour or move on to another employer?
I argued strongly that it was pointless trying to motivate them through positive psychology and cheering them to enhanced performance. What we needed to do was not to motivate them, but INSPIRE them to want to do better.
So the problem for managers and leaders of teams is how do you create a climate of inspiration? The best definition of Inspiration for me is ………"to fill with courage or strength of purpose". That is the challenge of every manager and one of the criietria by which their performance is reviewed.
Phil Atkinson Personal Test of Inspiration
I have a simple test for Inspiration. Just suppose the business in which you work belongs to you. When the orders for the services and goods flood in, it's you who will benefit through your profits. If people don't live up to your expectations, you will be funding their salaries. Bearing this in mind, and the important issue of the Performance Matrix - to what actions would you commit to inspire your people? And if you don't know the answer - think of times when you have been most inspired - that should give you some clues.
A final Note Philip Atkinson's New Website
I have badly neglected my Blog as I have been loading up my new website. Its simple, its Philip Atkinson.com
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