It’s about time for somebody to punch this economy in the nose!
That’s our Leadership Quote of the Week which was spotted in the Southwest Air terminal in the Salt Lake City Airport. Read more about it here: Quote of the Week from Southwest Airlines.
Besides doing what Southwest Air intended – to buy a plane ticket, grab a bag and go – what can we do to punch this economy in the nose?
Here are 10 suggestions to help each of us with the help of our teams, pack a power punch or two – which by the way will be terrific for morale and productivity – and for overall performance.
1. Size up your opponent. Is it a $10,000 cash crunch in March; a $100,000 loan pay off in April; or a $1,000,000 bankruptcy battle? Be honest. Don’t downplay the fierceness of a heavy-weight opponent. And don’t let him trash talk you out of the ring.
2. Get a professional coach to help you prepare for and stay in the ring. If you already have a coach, consider hiring a different one for a while like in The Fighter.
To lead your team through this…to keep them in the ring…you must be strong and tough.
3. Get stronger. Get tougher. Unless you have a physical condition that prevents it, get moving as soon as you get out of bed with 25 stretches, 25 jumping jacks and 25 push ups. If you already have a similar morning routine, good for you. Get even tougher and stronger by adding at least 25 push ups.
4. Repeat #3 at any time during the day that you feel a moment of doubt or weakness.
5. Build mental and emotional toughness by reading your affirmations at least three times (morning, noon & night). As reinforcement, post motivational quotes** (suggestions below) on your computer screen and bulletin boards.
6. Build mental and emotional toughness by pushing yourself each day to do at least one thing you don’t want to do, are too scared to do or are too tired to do. Perhaps it’s a sales or collection call you’ve been dreading, a conflict you’ve been avoiding or a set of 25 pushups. Whatever it is you don’t want to do…do it anyway. It will make you stronger. And tougher. And the more you build that do-it-anyway muscle, the easier and easier it will become to do it anyway.
7. Put together a game plan to outsmart your opponent. If at all possible, get your team involved in devising this plan. Tell your team that you aren’t going to hide from this heavyweight economy that has packed a powerful punch. Tell them you are no longer going to wait for things to come back around. That it’s time to take action. Tell them the plan…and what you need each of them to do. Get how-to ideas for this from Sally in 4 Musts for Managing Tough Times and Don’t Be a Patsy. Heck – why not bring in a punching bag. Could be a fun way to get everyone riled up and ready.
8. Stay in the ring. No matter how hard it is for you and your teammates, stay out there.
9. Stay in touch with your customers. Help them with their problems. Listen for opportunities. More! More! I need more help!
10. Stay in touch with your vendors. Pay your debts. If you can’t pay them now, talk with them to work out a plan. What about your vendors?
11. Bonus Item! Use “slow”time to build relationships, systems, knowledge, new products and services.
12. Another Bonus Item! Ask me for help.
Jan helps leaders to take charge, make things happen and inspire others to do the same.
*Note: 10 by 10 on Tuesday (also known as a Quick List) is a weekly feature is for managers who don’t have time or don’t want to make time to read lengthy articles or even short paragraphs. Here you will find 10 tips or questions or steps or ways to Get 2 Goal or Be a Better Manager, etc). And it will be posted by 10 (AM – EST) on Tuesdays. Here’s our collection of Quick Lists to date.
**Suggested quotes to post on your computer screen, bulletin board, etc.
