Are we in need or re-calibrating?

As we develop our skills and our careers progress we start to increase our confidence.

It’s a natural benefit of success.

There are possible dangers too, of course.

Confidence can increase our self reliance and it’s possible to lose sight of some realities. In short we can encounter the kind of dangers that can undo all our good work.

We succeed in general because we hold to a vision, a philosophy and principles that we agree to conform to.

This is our foundation and it’s very easy to discard it when things start going well.

We begin to think our opinions are better than others – even that WE are better than others.

If so we can only hope to get a reality check.

True success is built over the short, medium and long term and only those that lasted the course can ever claim to have shown initiative, talent and balance.

Short cuts are for those who will fall short.

In everything in life we need to co-operate with others and get them to work with us.

Being a good listener and welcoming ideas from others is like “oiling” the wheels of any project.

The difference as we progress is that we become the “leader” but understanding the huge skills of leadership is vital.

Being the Boss does not in itself suggest we are a good leader.

Often, you will be aware of the best leaders by looking at what their staff achieve, their positive motivation and respect for others around them.

Just like looking at children you can estimate something about the parents.

I have said many times that business has the same structure as a family and needs to be managed in the light of a variety of characteristics.

Some disagree with this, taking the view that you employ and pay staff to do what you require.

You can make your mind up where your opinion lies.

I have found over the years that five minutes in a business structure gives me a “feel” for what to expect from management.

I have met the very best and worst over the years and can say without hesitation that poor management may survive but seldom achieves much in the long term.

Good management is approachable and encourages and respects the thoughts of staff, whilst recognising their role is to take the final decisions based on having the big picture.

It takes some courage to look at ourselves in a mirror and be honest.

Who is going to be honest with the “Boss” to point out areas of concern about their approach? That takes courage too.

I have spent many years making assessments of business leaders and can remember the awkwardness of having to lay out areas for Improvement.

In truth, it was rare to get a bad response but they have existed.

None of us like to be judged by others but whether it’s done openly or not, it is happening all around us.

Why not be happy to welcome comments because we become stronger as a result.

Too often, management welcomes scrutiny of others but think they no longer need it.

Calibration allows for not being perfect but measures within an acceptable range + or -.

The question for all of us, if measured, is whether we have stepped out of the acceptable range?

We will never know if we see ourselves above such questions, as if we are above accountability.

Like the MOT on our car it’s good to get a pass and feel satisfied we are “fit for purpose” when assessed to the required standard.

Wherever we are today – tomorrow we can make even more progress at Improving our Influence and success.

With a willingness to aim high we benefit both ourselves and others.