success Archives - Dennis E. Gilbert

16
Sep 21
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Full Risk, Are You Ever Willing To Take It?

Tags : calculated consequences full risk risk success

Assessing risk can feel complicated. It probably is. Are you willing to take full risk, or do you try to cut it in half?

All of life includes risk. Risk means you’re not guaranteed an exact outcome.

You take a risk leaving your home and driving to work. You take a risk with the unknown menu item at the restaurant. In the meeting, there is risk in speaking up.

Success, or not, depends on the risk you are willing to take.

Risk is also often connected to money or time.

Business operations have to weigh the risk. What is the risk to ship, should it be overnight, or the slower method? What is the risk of the new hire?

Promising when the product will be finished or the service is completely delivered involves some risk. Expected quality has some risk.

How far do you go? How much or how deep? What is tolerable? What can you afford?

Full Risk

It is a very scary place for many people. Big changes, life changes, expensive changes, and things that cost time.

Do you take risk in your job?

Are you willing to tactfully and appropriately challenge the process?

What is riskier, speaking up when you see something going astray, or staying quiet and watching it unfold in a costly or catastrophic disaster?

Weighing risk is often the most difficult part.

Many people want to play it safe.

Do you go in halfway? Is that safe? Somethings in life aren’t halfway.

You can’t halfway turn on the lights, dimmer switches don’t count.

You can’t get halfway married, not really.

Perhaps you can go halfway across a narrow bridge, but you’ll never get to the other side. And worse, you might get stuck there for a while.

Sometimes you have to go full risk.

Are you willing?

It won’t be completely safe.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

18
Aug 21
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Changed Meetings, How They Affect Outcomes

Tags : changes costs delays meetings success

Do you want to get on a call with someone? Do you just ring their phone or do you schedule a time? What happens with workplace meetings? Have you been the victim of changed meetings?

Time is valuable to everyone. Is your time more valuable when compared with someone else?

If you started your day planning to work on the report due this week for your boss, but someone has now shifted the priorities, how do you adapt?

When you placed the meeting on your calendar for 10:00 AM and at 9:55 AM the person planning the meeting signals a delay until 10:30 AM, was your time wasted? Is there an opportunity cost?

Hours Spent

The cost to produce a single episode of your favorite television show may be in the several million-dollar range.

Actors and actresses, film crews, equipment, location fees, and time. It all costs.

Your favorite stars will spend hours of effort for you to be able to watch 20, 30, or 40 minutes of the final product.

Olympic level athletes may have special talents and abilities.

You might watch them for a few seconds, or less than a couple of minutes on television. Do you recognize and appreciate the culmination of years of effort it took to get to those few precious moments?

The hours of commitment, that perhaps millions of people will view all at the same time, for just minutes.

Why are top athletes and movie stars paid huge salaries? If it were by the hour what would that look like?

Changed Meetings

In your workplace everyone has a schedule. Perhaps a select few are to be on-call for immediate action when the boss shouts, for everyone else, their time may already be spoken for.

If you schedule a one-hour meeting with a team of five for next Wednesday at 9:00 AM, they’ve probably adjusted or given up something else in order to be there. A last-minute delay or cancellation costs.

The value of time is irreplaceable.

It is more than about being rude, more than about the disruption, it is the cost associated with delays or missed opportunities.

Everyone is has a mission. Disruption’s cost. Missed opportunities often don’t get a do-over.

Time wasted adds up, even if it only looks like a few minutes.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

17
Aug 21
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Workplace Obstacles, You Decide How You’ll Navigate

Tags : navigation obstacles roadblocks success

What do you do when you encounter workplace obstacles? Did you ever wonder why they are there in the first place?

When someone needs to drive a forklift truck through the warehouse or stock yard, does the business purposely place obstacles in the route?

If you’re hired to write code for a new specialty software application, does the hiring agent instruct you to do it without access to a computing device?

If your goal is to bring in more sales, does the business reduce marketing and advertising efforts?

Every day people are striving to accomplish a goal. They’re also faced with obstacles or roadblocks that challenge the path forward.

Should you resist? Fight it? Should you figure out how to navigate it?

Right or Wrong

Does right or wrong matter?

It seems that like beauty, right or wrong may be in the eyes of the beholder.

Certainly, there are rules, regulations, and privileges. Driving is a privilege. Speed limits are a rule.

For many things there are so-called grey areas. Circumstances or situations arise and judgement calls need to be made. Do you use your best judgement or just adapt regardless of your position on the matter?

Navigation and adaptation are key.

Workplace Obstacles

There will always be obstacles. Rain occurs on wedding dates.

Some one or some thing will become an obstacle in your path.

Workplaces are full of navigational challenges. It seems they are increasing and standing in the way of the true mission.

In the end your perception of right or wrong, fair or unfair, probably won’t matter much. It is how you’ll look on the other side.

Think carefully about decisions you’ll make. Find the balance for navigation.

Makes decisions that keep you on track, not stopped or stalled.

Sometimes the hardest part is understanding the true goal.

There often is a difference between how it works and how it looks.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

04
May 21
-

Best Stories Are Not a Necessarily a Good Tactic

Tags : commitment persistence real world stories success

Do you work from the best stories? Do you ask someone how they attained a promotion, got the job, or closed the sale?

When you ask someone about their success, they’ll often have a story.

Many stories get embellished over time. The fish gets bigger and the near loss of it because the line nearly broke, twice.

It is a part of human nature.

On the other side, sometimes people are more modest or humble. They may claim they got lucky, had an easier time of it, or knew someone who knew someone.

On the luck side, there may be some truth. However, when luck isn’t managed properly can still result in a bad situation.

Best Stories

When you go to the conference, you’ll likely hear a few stories.

Stories of success, stories of failure that led to success, and stories of how easy it is if just follow this method.

People have been embellishing stories for many centuries.

What is the worst thing you can do?

Likely it may be chasing the shiny object or trying to emulate the story you’ve just been told. Is the story replicable? Has the person who delivered the story embellished the ease, the cost, or the commitment requirements?

Get rich quickly. Sell this product to a bunch of people and then they’ll sell it to a bunch of people and you’ll collect a little bit from each sale. Does that work?

It often sounds attractive on the surface, but underneath, somewhere in that chain, you’re not only a vendor but you’re also the customer. You’re often in the middle of nothing. When your efforts no longer provide value (since a commodity product has widespread availability) you’re not needed anymore.

Listen carefully to the best stories. Ask yourself if it is replicable, can it be done over and over again, or was it a rare circumstance with very unique properties? Will it work for your market? Do you completely understand your market?

When someone tells their best story, don’t miss the question-and-answer segment.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

19
Mar 21
-

Best Employee, It Always Depends On The Crowd

Tags : appreciation best employee recognition success

Have you ever wanted to be the best employee? Do you strive for excellence, opportunity, and are a responsibility junkie? Perhaps you are one of the good ones.

Businesses often seek to scale. They want to create an organization that can be proud of the work that they accomplish.

Often they seek to be the best in their community, the best in their region, their State, or go really big and be one of the best in the World.

Some businesses have done this. Microsoft might be one, or Amazon, the financial services sector has some, and certainly many more. The vision and mission of a business can seem overwhelming at times.

Yet there are many business endeavors that seek to serve a smaller market. They have a niche and they may not be global, they may not be Statewide or even regional. In some cases, they may be hometown heroes. Serving a small, but very viable audience.

There are millions of songwriters and performers, but only a few become Worldwide sensations. The same could easily be said about comedians, sports stars, and book authors.

What does success look like to you?

Best Employee

Are you seeking to achieve recognition in your job or career? Have you been known to be the best of a small team, or maybe moved up step-by-step until you reached the C-suite? Have you switched jobs, careers, or relocated to achieve more?

Plenty of people are trying to make their mark. Often, it isn’t about the money. It is about the recognition, the appreciation, and the feeling of accomplishment.

Achieving your success may be closer than you think. Serving a small audience and doing it well is likely much more rewarding than setting your sights on being an overnight success and being immediately propelled to the best in the World.

Being appreciated in a group of twenty-five feels good. Much better than be one of a hundred thousand, or one of a million trying to get a click, a like, or a view on social media channels.

Be a star of your group.

Start with the smallest viable audience and grow from there.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

05
Mar 21
-

Learning Commitment Changes Your Job

Tags : change growth learning success

Commitment means commitment. It isn’t about a half-hearted approach. Having a learning commitment is often visible, and it’s always a game-changer.

Many small businesses start from a hobby, an interest, and lots of initiative. Some of those small businesses will grow very large, some not as much.

There are two reasons for the differences between small and large. The first is that the owner may not want to grow it big, and the second reason is that something gets lost in the commitment.

Although on a smaller scale, workplace employees have similar outcomes. Employees that are really committed to the mission often rise above the rest. Those approaching their work half-heartedly, not so much.

Many employees suggest that they are committed. Is that suggestion visible?

Learning Commitment

Spotting commitment really isn’t that difficult.

Committed employees study.

They study the actions and behaviors of role models. They also encourage and desire training, they study written materials, watch videos, read books, attend conferences, and are always committed to learning.

Change is an obstacle or a blessing. A hurdle to jump or an opportunity to capture.

Someone who is coasting backs away from obstacles and hurdles. The energy commitment is lacking, the drive towards creating more success doesn’t really matter.

If they’re on the clock, the clock continues to click and they are satisfied with that.

They are content and complacent.

Having a learning commitment is a game-changer. Each successive learning experience is a win. It’s a win for the organization and it’s a win for the employee.

You can always identify who’s committed.

They’re uncomfortable with coasting.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

16
Feb 21
-

Do Small Wins Lead To Big Gains?

Tags : big gains luck small wins success win list

Are you building from your small wins? Are the big wins the only thing that matters? Never had a big win?

Many people measure luck as linear to success. The truth often is that many people experience luck, but they don’t react to it the same.

A good friend of mine has had great success. He recently told me that he got lucky. In a sense, I disagreed. He definitely had some good opportunities but it was his reactions to those opportunities that have made him appear so lucky.

Forward Motion

There are at least two important aspects to forward motion for your business or your career. The first is, are you constantly moved towards opportunities that are presented, and the second is, are you counting wins or losses?

Not every opportunity is a good one. At the same time, some opportunities are good, only they appear cloaked with risk. In this state, those who are risk-averse choose not to move on them.

Risk is a natural part of life. Risk is a matter of leadership.

Not everyone gets the same opportunities. Not everyone takes opportunities that lead to great success.

In a marathon the people who are still moving eventually finish. This is likely true for your measurement of success as well. It is when the motion stops that is over.

Small Wins

Are you moving or are you stuck? Are you taking any risk or waiting for the right opportunity?

Counting losses often results in fewer risks taken.

Most people have more wins than they count. Small wins compound, they grow, and they often lead to more wins.

Instead of a focus on small wins, people often reflect more on the disappointments, the misstep, or the closing door. Reflection can be healthy. It can also lead to a depressive state.

Opportunities have a funny way of appearing when you are counting wins. The quantity may not be any different, but you start to see more of them.

Counting small wins may be exactly what you need to create big gains.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

21
Jan 21
-

Team Contribution Is What Really Matters, Isn’t It?

Tags : contribution leadership success team player

Are you making a good team contribution? Are you working within the bounds, coloring inside the lines, and being a positive role model?

Team contributions come in at least two flavors.

One flavor suggests that you precisely follow all the rules. It is a path of working within the system, no thinking, just doing. It is the support of the system, by design, and never wavering.

A second flavor, different from the first may suggest that the best team contribution comes from working on the edges of the rules. It is more about merit, accomplishments, and contribution.

Leadership Style

Occasionally, or often, depending on where you look, you’ll find arguments about leadership style.

There exists a notion by some that rebels are good leaders. Those willing to bend or break the rules when it favors a goal-oriented result. Not those who only see things as black and white and always inside the lines. Especially when inside the lines is not working and is counter-productive for the team.

It doesn’t mean ethical or legal disobedience. It means high-quality and high-integrity leadership. Being both responsible and accountable.

What path makes the most sense for you?

Team Contribution

If you are the type of person who works from the heart, I’m willing to bet you see yourself somewhere in the middle.

Working from the heart, at least in this case, means you have an undying passion for the pursuit. It is not a reference to being soft, it is a reference to being committed to the achievement of the goal.

Think about who you are. Consider who you want to become. What legacy you want to leave behind, and what will matter most for the team and organizational success.

Success is rarely convenient and it is almost never easy.

Team contributions are connected to leadership.

One way, or another.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

21
Dec 20
-

Has Workplace Doubt Stalled Your Progress?

Tags : change confidence doubt progress success

Have you experienced workplace doubt? Of course you have, likely even when you don’t recognize it. Is doubt useful?

Do you feel like you have to be certain before the launch? What are the possibilities of success or failure? Will you receive accolades or ridicule?

In most cases there is always a chance. A chance that things won’t go as expected, a chance things will fall apart, blow up, or otherwise just not work. There is also a chance of success.

What odds do you require before you feel comfortable enough to launch?

Input often suggests that the odds increase. One way or another either the doubt increases or the confidence increases?

Many believe that their comfort and confidence will increase over time. Just slow it down a little, see how things develop.

Just as likely though, for some situations, doubt increases.

Is there ever analysis on the cost of the stall? Usually, not so much.

When you consider that doubt will nearly always be present, what can you do about it?

Workplace Doubt

The problem with workplace doubt is that naysayers often find a way to multiply it. It feels like there is less risk in staying the same. Largely, this is a false perception.

Change is always happening. Some change is slower than other change.

Change is often intended to be about progress. Some people aren’t wishful for progress.

Progress means more change. A change in job duties, skills, and systems.

It is easy to multiply the odds for doubt.

Seldom do people apply the same multiplier to the odds of success.

A stall often leads to a stop.

If you are going to put a stop to something, perhaps it should be doubt!

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

20
Nov 20
-

Personal Growth Is Your Ticket To Workplace Success

Tags : building blocks career growth learning success

Many people talk about personal growth. Likely, more than eighty percent of those discussing it stick with it long enough to make a significant change.

A lack of luck is often to blame. Yet, most people experience luck often. In reality, how you manage luck, good or bad, will make the biggest difference long-term.

Considering short-run management versus long-run change, are you able to balance both?

Plenty of short-run decisions have an impact on long-run change.

A bowl of ice cream on Saturday evening may feel good while satisfying the short-run. A bowl of ice cream every evening may have some impact on long-run weight management.

When you break it all down, nearly everything you do and the associated outcomes are predictors of what happens long-term.

Personal Growth

Most executives don’t start at the top.

A great car mechanic wasn’t born that way.

The fittest athlete didn’t get fit by laying on the couch all day, every day.

Your level of personal growth seldom just happens. It is a collection across time. A collection of little or nothing never gets very big. Yet a little bit collected often starts to add up.

A picture of a tree in the park, the one in the courtyard at your workplace, or outside your kitchen window. One taken now and one taken five years ago. Things have changed, yet you barely noticed.

Every tiny piece. Every bit of information. Successes, learning opportunities, and even every calorie burnt versus calorie consumed.

One nugget at a time, adding up across days, weeks, months, and years. That is the path to achieving more.

Many people like to focus on salary or money.

Your success isn’t always about what you get paid along the way. What you get paid for it may be stark in comparison to what you become for it.

Bit by bit, drop by drop, season after season, adding a little more across time is the surest way to achieve more.

Growth isn’t an accident.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Tag Archives: success

Sep 21

-

Full Risk

Aug 21

-

Hours Spent

Changed Meetings

Aug 21

-

Right or Wrong

Workplace Obstacles

May 21

-

Best Stories

Mar 21

-

Best Employee

Mar 21

-

Learning Commitment

Feb 21

-

Forward Motion

Small Wins

Jan 21

-

Leadership Style

Team Contribution

Dec 20

-

Workplace Doubt

Nov 20

-

Personal Growth

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