StrategyDriven Editorial Perspective – Self Inflicted Uncertainty
On February 2, Dow Jones reported the Obama Administration’s decision not to expand the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve as had been provisioned under the Energy Act of 20051. Energy Secretary Steven Chu indicated the basis for the decision was that the current reserve of 727 million barrels of crude oil met international standards.
(The International Energy Agency established a 90 day crude oil reserve standard. Filled to capacity, the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve covers approximately 80 days of imports.)
At first glance, this decision may appear to be ill conceived. Rising oil consumption combined with no additional storage capacity suggests that the U.S. would fall short of meeting the IEA reserve standard with ever increasing severity. Closer examination of U.S. oil consumption relative to the volume of its strategic petroleum reserve indicates that relatively small projected growth in petroleum consumption in the next 20 years supports the decision2. (See Figure 1: U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Compared to Consumption)
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Leadership Inspirations – The Price of Success
“There is a price for success but there is also a price for failure. Given the choice, the price of success clearly has the best return on investment.”
Michael Angier
Father, husband, writer, speaker, entrepreneur, coach and student;
Founder and President of Success Networks International
“I know the price of success: dedication, hard work and a devotion to the things you want to see happen.”
Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 – 1959)
American architect, interior designer, writer and educator
The 12 Minute Challenge: Power Through to Success
I love a good long workout on the treadmill. I should be more specific. I love when I’m finished with a good long workout on the treadmill. Whether I’m running, walking hills, or a little of both, the energy that this type of activity provides is addicting and invigorating. Despite this, it seems that towards the end of my workout, I will inevitably get that “I just want to quit” feeling. In fact, it’s not just close to the end of the work out, it’s almost always 12 minutes before I’m finished. It doesn’t seem to matter how long I’ve been going, when I get that “done” feeling, I look down and I have 12 minutes left.
Though 12 minutes doesn’t seem like a long time, when you’re tired, hungry and out of breath, it can feel like an eternity. So to power myself through the last bit of my workout, I have to find ways to keep my mind busy. Yes, my mind. It’s all mental at this point.
[wcm_restrict]Today, in the last 12 minutes, I decided to encourage my son who was playing video games. He gets very frustrated when he can’t get to the next level of the game, so I started noticing when he did anything good. Whenever he collected some gold coins, or defeated a flying bee, I’d clap and say, “Wow, you’re really getting it now”.
Once my video-game playing son was feeling more confident, I began to ask my other son, who is all about sports, some questions about his plans for baseball season. I enjoyed hearing him tell me about how he thought he’d better specialize in one sport, because you can’t play in the NBA and MLB.
In the remaining minutes of my workout, I remembered that I needed to think of a fun activity to do with participants in an upcoming workshop. The energy I got from getting through my workout, plus the blessing I felt from encouraging my son’s inspired me and I came up with a great plan.
The 12 Minute Challenge meets all of us from time to time, whether it’s the last hours in your workday, or the last quarter of year. You know you can’t quit, so remember the following suggestions to power through to success:
- When your energy is waning, find someone to encourage. Just seeing the sense of accomplishment on someone else’s face may be enough to get you going again.
- Talk to an enthusiastic person about their hopes and dreams for the future. Enthusiasm is contagious. You’ll catch it, and feel motivated to pursue yours.
- Scanning the lot of responsibilities for which you are accountable can be overwhelming and paralyzing. Choose just one project, maybe a small one, and get it done today.
Encourage others, talk about dreams, complete tasks. By taking these steps, the last 12 minutes may just be the best part of your day.[/wcm_restrict][wcm_nonmember]
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About the Author
Shelli Stinson is the VP of Business Development at WealthBridge Connect. She brings experience from education, sales and marketing as well as project management. Most recently, Shelli was the employee wellness manager at Northern Kentucky University. In this position, she learned how much influence that leadership has on the physical, emotional and mental wellness of employees in the workplace. After graduating from NKU with a Masters degree in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change, she joined WealthBridge Connect. In this new role, she hopes to influence businesses to invest in their employees through comprehensive leadership development initiatives, promoting healthier and more productive workplaces- from the top down and the inside out.
Predefined and Reinforced Data Standards
You’ve heard it a million times, “garbage in, garbage out.” But this axiom couldn’t be more true than in the case of organizational performance measures where in so many instances even a minute change in the data entered results in a profoundly different indicated performance. So how can an organization’s leaders be confident in the accuracy of their performance measurement data and the resulting measures? By defining and reinforcing a comprehensive set of organizational performance measure data standards.[wcm_restrict plans=”41561, 25542, 25653″]
Data Standards
Comprehensive data standards govern performance measurement data throughout its lifecycle. These standards cover: data definition, data gathering, data storage, data manipulation, and data presentation. While not intended to be all inclusive, the examples below highlight some of the standards common to each topical area:
Data Definition
- units of measure
- number of characters
- number of significant digits
- alpha-numeric nature of the data (alpha, numeric, or alpha-numeric)
- standardized abbreviations
Data Gathering
- time, day, and/or date data is gathered
- frequency of data gathering
- method of data gathering, including the use of cross-checks
- instrumentation accuracy
Data Storage
- medium of data storage (electronic, hardcopy, microfilm, etcetera)
- access controls for stored data
- change controls for stored data
- time references associated with stored data (snapshots in time)
- data retention policies
Data Manipulation
- mathematical definitions for metrics calculations
- definitions for conversion of characteristic/quality data into numeric data (significant = 1, important = 2, average = 3, unimportant = 4, insignificant = 5)
- equality conversion factors for dissimilar data (1 FTE = 45 weeks of labor per year)
- standard values (24 hours = 1 day, 7 days = 1 week, 4.3 weeks = 1 month, 12 months = 1 year, 52 weeks = 1 year, 365.25 days = 1 year, etcetera)
- weighting factors (significant = 10000, important = 1000, average = 100, unimportant = 10, insignificant = 1)
Data Presentation
- zero referenced graphics
- common X and Y axis scales for comparable metrics
- frequency of metric publication
- timeframe of metric representation
- aligned color coding of common metrics
Data Standards Reinforcement
Like all performance expectations, data standards must be reinforced to ensure application effectiveness. Reinforcement can be automated through software applications or administrative through establishment of policies, procedures, and practices. In either case, the reinforcement mechanisms should be periodically tested either through system testing or through management observation. Such follow-up helps ensure the quality of data and accuracy of performance measurement output.[/wcm_restrict][wcm_nonmember plans=”41561, 25542, 25653″]
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Can You Hear Me Now? Top Tips To Make Sure Your Communication Isn’t Breaking Up
We don’t know what we don’t know and this is why communication can be challenging. How many of us can honestly say we’re 100% sure our messages are heard and that we’re always perceived as confident, credible and trustworthy? Have you ever walked away from a meeting, media interview or face-to-face conversation with a client saying to yourself, “I shouldn’t have said what I said,” or “I can’t believe I forgot to say…?”
As a leader, you must be able to clearly communicate your purpose and value. Most of us are under the blurred assumption, “If I communicate a message it’s heard.” In reality, your message may not have been heard at all.
Lindsay Edmonds Wickman, Associate Editor for the Chief Learning Officer magazine, states: “…we are are good at analyzing business situations and making decisions, but what we aren’t as good at is communicating with others.”
How do you know if your communication is breaking up? When what you say isn’t consistent with how you say it. For example, when someone tells you “I’m so excited to have this opportunity to work with you,” and they communicate this statement in a monotone and boring voice. Their facial expressions are lifeless. They never look you in the eye and they’re fidgeting with a pen. You’d question their credibility and knowledge, and not take action on what they have to say. To guarantee your message is heard so that you’re communicating with impact and influence, make sure you’re always following these five tips.
[wcm_restrict]1. Pause
Um, what perception, like, do you create, you know, when you hear, um, your peer is using, uh, words that clutter, you know, their language? Knowledgeable, credible and confident probably don’t come to mind.
The number one challenge we need to overcome if we want to communicate with influence, is the ability to replace our non-words with a pause. We use non-words to buy ourselves time to think about what we want to say. These words become distracting and your peers and clients misinterpret your message. Instead, give them time to hear and understand your message.
Give yourself permission to think on your feet by replacing your non-words with pauses. Speak in shorter thoughts or sentences.
Benefits
- Get to the point and avoid rambling.
- Hold your listener’s attention.
- Gain control over your message and how you communicate your message.
- Give your listener time to hear, understand and act on what you say.
2. Eye Connection
Last week when I met a new client to help him enhance his ability to influence others, I asked him; “What do you feel are your communication strengths?” He responded, “Eye contact.” As he responded his eyes were darting everywhere! Most individuals don’t lock their eyes with an individual long enough to create a relationship.
When you forget what to say, you will look at the ceiling, floor, your notes or anywhere away from your listeners. When you disconnect you’ll say “uh”, “um”, “so”, “and”, etc. You communicate to your listeners you don’t know what you’re saying and you jeopardize their trust in you.
When speaking to more than two individuals, connect with one individual for a complete sentence or thought. Only speak when you see your client’s eyes and pause when you look away to build trust.
3. Vocal Projection
If you want to be perceived as confident you must speak at a volume level to be heard. This applies to your work over the phone and face-to-face with clients.
On a scale from one to ten, with one being inaudible and ten too loud, when speaking to a group of fifteen or more your voice needs to be at a seven to eight. When speaking over the phone or to a small group, speak at a four to five level.
Vocal projection is the realization you need to use different volume levels so your voice reaches everyone in the room. No one should have to strain to hear you.
Benefits
- Hold your listener’s attention.
- Bring out the importance of your message.
- Convey confidence.
4. Gestures
Most individuals I work with fidget with their fingers, clothing, pen and the list goes on. If they don’t fidget then they unconsciously talk with their hands. There is also the individual who goes to the extreme. They’ve been told they talk with their hands so they hold their hands and do nothing.
Confident professionals use their gestures to add emphasis to their words. To gesture with purpose, expand your gestures from your sides and let your hands emphasize and describe your message.
Add variety to your gestures by relaxing your arms back to your sides after you complete a gesture. If you’re constantly using gestures you’re not able to think on your feet and you’re creating static.
Benefits
- You’re the visual. When you use purposeful gestures, your listener will remember more of your message.
- Add emphasis to your message and grab attention.
- Add energy and inflection to your voice and channel your energy.
Ask for constructive feedback from friends, family and peers: “When I gesture do I look like I’m talking with my hands?” “Do I use gestures too often or not enough?”
5. Get to the Point
The more you say that’s unnecessary, the greater the risk your listener will either miss or misinterpret your point. What can help you get to the point?
- Stay focused. When you find yourself going down the path of saying too much and you begin to feel like a train about to derail, put the brakes on and get yourself back on track…PAUSE!
- Keep your objective in mind. Think in terms of what your listener needs to know about your topic.
- Focus your message on no more than the three most significant points. It’s easier for you to get to the point and for your listener to remember your message.
- Pay attention to your listener. Are they hanging on your every word or are they dazed? Are they attentive or fidgeting?
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About the Author
Stacey Hanke is founder of 1st Impression Consulting, Inc. and co-author of Yes You Can! Everything You Need From A to Z To Influence Others To Take Action. Her client list is vast from Coca-Cola, Kohl’s, United States Army, Navy and Air Force, Leo Burnett and the FDA. She has been featured with: SmartMoney magazine, Business Week, Chicago WGN and WLS-AM.
Visit Stacey at: www.1stimpressionconsulting.com.