Leaders Know Which Buttons To Press By Anurag Harsh

Those of you who have kids or are kids at heart, may have seen the recent film Inside Out. It is an animation about the adventures of five “emotions” – five characters that live within a little girl’s head and dictate her reactions to the events around her. The characters are: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger.

It is a simplistic version of what really goes on in our heads, but there is much truth to the basic premise. The characters’ work is based around a control panel, and they can press various buttons and pull certain levers to produce a suitable reaction from the girl. They don’t always get it “right” and this is what gives the film its charming and true-to-life quality.
The film also briefly lets us into the heads of the mother and father of the girl, and there we see slightly different versions of these five emotions. You are left with the impression that they are unique to each of us in our idiosyncrasies.
In made me think about some of the best leaders in business and how they seem to have a direct shortcut to the control panels of their teams. They understand how to influence each person on an individual level and key to this is that pressing a certain button for one person will not have the same effect as pressing it for another person.

One manager may well be motivated by the fear of failure, and although this should not be abused, every now and again, a gentle hint as to the ramifications might do the trick. On the other hand, hinting at potential failure to someone else might cause them to freeze and back away – they might need more of an encouraging and coaxing hand.
Leaders learn about how their people react in certain situations by observing them and listening to them. They build up an “instruction manual” in their heads and with every new experience, they are that little bit better informed as to which buttons to press in the future. Of course, it is impossible to get into someone’s head entirely (unless you are a hypnotist), but the key is to understand someone’s preferred behaviour patterns. When the time comes, there is less doubt about which buttons to press.

I suppose that this could be seen as the key to influencing. Doing something or saying something (“pressing the button”) to elicit the desired reaction from someone. To influence, you have to be able to touch people right in their core, reaching the essence of who they are and appealing to their “oh yeah, I thought that” mentality. Once you have done that successfully a few times, they will let you in a lot more readily in the future, and it becomes ever easier to bring them on board – even when they may not have chosen to do it themselves.
Going back to the film, the two key emotions are Joy and Sadness, and the message of the film is that sometimes emotions have to work in tandem for a contented life. Sadness is natural when you have suffered a loss (in life or in business), so forcing a smile and acting as if nothing has happened won’t help you get over it anytime soon. Sometimes you need to be “down” to be able to feel “up” again. Some may call this authenticity – being true to your emotions.
The best leaders are authentic and genuine with their people. They are upset when something has gone wrong, and they show empathy for their people when they are upset. There is nothing worse than the hyper-cheerful leader who doesn’t let anything phase them. Life is hard sometimes – if you show your team that you feel it, they will appreciate your sympathy all the more when they are having a hard time.
Getting into people’s heads is easier when they can relate to you. If they feel that you are on their side, they will let you press their buttons.
Follow Anurag on Twitter or read his other articles
Anurag Harsh is the Founding Exec of Ziff Davis (JCOM), the world's largest tech, gaming & men’s lifestyle publisher. A graduate of Wharton & MIT he has performed two sold out solo concerts at New York's Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center. Anurag is the co-author of McGraw-Hill published bestseller “M-Commerce Security”.
KINGSMITH.

 

 

 

 

 

7 Easy Ways to Finish Strong this Year by Bridgette Hyacinth

 

7 Easy Ways to Finish Strong this Year

We are already into the third quarter of 2015 and thus far it's been a bumpy ride. Sometimes, it felt like every step forward I made, I was actually moving two steps backward. I’ve managed to clear a few hurdles whilst others blindsided me. In spite of the many ups and downs faced, I plan on finishing 2015 strong.

With 4 months left until the end of 2015 - Here are 7 Questions to make sure you are on track:

1. Have you accomplished what you set out to do this year?

2. If not, how close are you to accomplishing your goals?

3. Did you take risks or did you remain in your comfort zone?

4. Are you at the same place you were last year?

5. What did you accomplish?

6. Are you proud of your accomplishments?

7. Are you living the life you've always imagined?

If not, you may need to conduct a gap analysis to assess where you are and where you need to be. Sometimes it may mean you having to adjust your sails or just start over again.

Here are my 7 Easy Ways To Win This Year:

1. Set Goals. It’s never too late to set new goals. Write them down. If you don’t set goals you will be drifting aimlessly to wherever the winds take you. You must form a plan. Eradicate time wasters. Take risks. Have a clear road map to avoid going around in circles and to ensure you reach your destination in the most efficient and effective manner.

“ Sometimes you just have to jump out the window and grow wings on the way down.” ~Ray Bradbury

2. Run you own Race. Gauge the course and run at your own pace. Maybe it's time for you to re-define success and the criteria for winning. Don’t look to the left or right to see how others are doing. Look straight ahead to the finish line. Focus on beating your personal best. It’s important not to compare yourself to anyone. Sometimes it may appear others are progressing faster than you. Don’t worry if others overlap you. There is a season and time for everything. Have Patience. Your time will come. We all achieve milestones at different points. Someone may have accomplished goals in their 20”s whilst it took you in your 40’s to do the same. That is okay, this is the lot you were given and you did the best with it. Be at Peace with yourself and where you are. Even if you fail, remember tomorrow will be another day. Pick yourself up and head back to the drawing board.

“I am in competition with no one. I run my own race. I have no desire to play the
game of being better than anyone. I am simply trying to be better than the person I was yesterday.” ~Unknown

3. Focus on your Skills and Talents. Embrace your distinctiveness. Learn from others but don’t try to imitate them. You will be a poor replica. Find your gift. What is your core purpose? What it is you were given that no one else can do better? Allow your reason for being here to lead you to do the amazing things you were destined to do. Focus on your strengths and work on developing your shortfalls. Always seek personal development (spiritual, emotional, mental, social and physical). No one can play your role better than you. What you have to offer is incomparable and will definitely set you apart. Compromising the essence of who you are to find success can be likened to holding on to grains of sand. It will always slip through your fingers. Once you become who you truly are (self-mastery) you will make the most of this life that you have been given.

“You were born an original. Don't die a copy.” ~John Mason

4. Be Positive. The longer the course is with no end in sight, the more it becomes a mind game. Stop doubting yourself. Replace negative thoughts of inadequacy with positive affirmations. ‘I can and I will!” Changing your perspective on difficult situations will lead you to a more successful life. Keep on smiling because when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you. Happiness increases your focus and fuels your passion. Choose happiness now. Look within but also draw strength from the energy of the supporters who are cheering you on. Forget the naysayers. You will face many obstacles along the path including fear, failure, rejection, financial woes, fatigue, loneliness and despair. But don’t give up. You may get disappointed but don’t be discouraged. Now is not the time to give up, press on with more fervency. It may be rainy right now but just remember the sun is shining above the clouds. Keep moving forward one step at a time, slowly but surely you will get there.

“There are times you will want to give up…DON’T!”

5. Form Alliances and Strategic Partnerships. Work as a team. If you can’t win in the individual undertakings, try joining a relay. Find a mentor or coach. It doesn’t matter how naturally talented you are you may still need a coach to help you achieve your full potential. Look for opportunities others may overlook. Seek out those who have traveled the path before and align yourself with those whose skills complement yours. Surround yourself with the “movers and shakers” and leaders in your field. Run with the leading pack; those who will champion you and encourage you to keep running.

"Whatever vocation you decide on, track down the best people in the world at doing it and surround yourself with them.” ~Scott Weiss

6. Work Hard -Train hard. It all comes back to working hard. There are no shortcuts in life. These all lead to dead ends. Giving 99.9% is not sufficient. You must give 100%. It will take a huge commitment and you will have to make the necessary sacrifices. It all boils down to how bad do you really want it? If I want something, I give it everything I've got. You cannot lose if you have done everything on your part. Be persistent. Have vision like an eagle and keep fighting for your dreams. Stop procrastinating or wishing and start doing. Action fuels success. I try to do at least two activities a week that will push me closer to achieving my goals. Even if it’s a small step forward, it’s still a step forward.

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. ~Bill Bradley

7. Enjoy the Journey –Enjoy the off seasons. Breathe! Life is not a 100 metre sprint but a long distance race. Prioritize, it’s important to take time to stop and smell the roses. Take breaks. Spend time with those closest to you. Show them how much you appreciate them. These are special moments that once you miss may not come around again. Additionally, don’t wait for huge victories, celebrate small successes. Help others along the way. True success can be found in our quiet selfless service to others. Sometimes it’s not about the destination but about the journey. It’s the journey that counts. In our quest for success, it’s the simple things we take for granted that really matters, like being a person of integrity, a good parent, a trusted friend...for these have become priceless attributes in our society today.

“ Take pride in how far you've come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don't forget to enjoy the journey. ~Michael Josephson

With 4 months left you can make that change to accomplish your goals. Don't live the year you lived last year, this year. Whatever your goal might be know, you have everything you need to make it happen.

The prize is sure if you endure to the end. You may not begin well but you can surely end well.

 

KINGSMITH.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mentorship Is a Business Issue. Here's Why.

In my life, I've been lucky to have had amazing mentors at almost every stage – people whose examples still guide me today. My first mentor was my father, who gave me a moral compass that has been valuable throughout my career. His simple words “never forget who you are, or where you came from” — and the way he lived those words every day — have helped me tackle some of my most pressing challenges in both business and life.
Years later, Senator Jack Danforth, one of my first bosses in Washington, taught me about the power of listening, the power of empathy, the importance of inclusiveness, and how to empower everyone around you. These two — and so many others like them — left a permanent stamp on who I am and who I've become.
In our lives, we all get plenty of advice, and probably give a lot too. But how many of us really get — or give — the necessary support to back it up? I was fortunate. My mentors showed me that a good mentor is both an advisor and a supporter. They didn't just set a good example — they cared enough to make a difference. And that’s why I believe so strongly in paying it forward.
The research backs it up. As we found in a recent joint white paper with MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, young people with mentors are much more likely to be successful in school, to be prepared for careers, and to become leaders in their companies and communities.
Unfortunately, one out of every three Americans still reaches age 19 without ever having a positive mentoring relationship. That’s something we can and should change — and an area where business can play a lead role.
Yes, it’s morally right to help out those who face long odds in reaching their potential, simply because no one helped them realize they had any. But it’s also the smart thing to do. If we can help even a fraction of these young people imagine and achieve the possibilities before them, it will benefit our businesses, our economy, and our country as a whole.
Make no mistake, this is a business issue. And in my experience, there are three ways that a company can get the most — and give the most — with a strong mentoring program:
1. Mentor to build a stronger talent pipeline.
For businesses to succeed, it’s critical to recruit and develop top talent. That means, more than ever before, it’s up to us to ensure that the young people in our communities have every possible opportunity to reach their full potential.
The problem is that many students live in places where, culturally, the infrastructure for college just doesn’t exist. Many young people still don’t have family members or friends who went to college, so they don’t consider it. For those who do consider it, they don’t know how to access resources like SAT prep courses, or how best to apply to college, or how to get scholarships.
That’s why EY started a program called College MAP (Mentoring for Access and Persistence) to help young people get started on the right foot into life. Our people connect with high school juniors and seniors and help them come up with lists of schools to apply to. Then we work one-on-one on their essays, applications, and scholarships.
One of these young people was Michael, a high school senior in New York City. After being paired with an EY mentor, Michael said that the program “opened my eyes to the unlimited untouched resources around me.” Together with his mentor, Michael worked to carefully write and revise his college applications and essays — and this fall, he’ll become the first person from his family to attend college.
Michael is just one success of many. Since this program started, more than 1,100 students have participated — and 97 percent of these College MAP graduates have been accepted into a two-year or four-year college.
Mentoring is also a great way to develop a more diverse talent pool. That’s the idea behind Discover EY, a program where young people from diverse backgrounds learn more about career opportunities in our field. These students have often never met someone who worked in accounting or professional services. They may not know how rewarding that path can be — and probably can’t imagine it for themselves.
That’s why it’s so important to broaden the way these young people imagine their opportunities. With Discover EY, we cover travel expenses to bring students to the event, where we provide mentors, leadership seminars, and relationships with EY professionals — many of whom come from backgrounds just like theirs.
This is the ninth year of the Discover EY program — and we have a record number of participants. Even more exciting, nearly three-quarters of them have either already accepted or are expected to receive an EY internship offer.
2. Remember that mentoring should be a two-way street.
Mentoring is a crucial part of career development within an organization as well. When companies include mentoring programs as part of formal training for new hires, it helps demonstrate a pathway to success — and that helps new hires reach for their full potential right from the start.
That’s incredibly valuable – and not just for the mentees. Often, the mentor finds the experience useful as well. Mentoring requires you to take the time to reflect on your past experiences, and in the process you often discover useful lessons for yourself, too. Sometimes you realize the logic behind something you’ve been doing automatically for years. Sometimes you question it.
This is something I’ve noticed in so many of the organizations I’ve been part of, in business and government alike. People who sign up to become mentors become stronger, more inclusive, more thoughtful leaders. In that way, they strengthen their organizations today – and position it to become even stronger tomorrow.
3. Build the mentoring program that only you can create.
The key to a successful mentoring program is to zero in on your organizations’ unique strengths, and then translate them into a unique way to help lift young people up. You need to ask: What can we offer that no one else can?
In practice, that means the way GE designs a mentorship program should be different from the way the Ritz-Carlton does it. And in fact, these two organizations offer great examples of what’s possible here.
The Ritz-Carlton has a terrific mentoring program where students can come and learn a huge range of valuable life skills — which come up all the time in the hospitality industry. Young people can learn more about everything from food preparation with gourmet chefs, to financial literacy with the accounting department, to customer service with the front desk staff.
GE, on the other hand, works to leverage its considerable strategic planning expertise to supplement its mentoring program. As employees mentor students individually, they also work to support the educators around that student. They identify broader areas for improvement, and then work to address them by using their own Six Sigma problem-solving skills. In this way, they support individual young people, while also promoting systemic improvement to reach even more.
Across our country today, young people are entering adulthood with no one to guide them. That’s not good for them, not good for our businesses, and ominous for our country’s future. Business can and should step up to make a difference — and closing the mentoring gap is a good start.
Think about the mentors that helped point you in the right direction. Now it’s our turn to pay it forward.

By Mark Weinberger.