Tag Archives: Technique

How Do You Balance Competitive and Collegial Behavior Within The Team? Three Points

Situation: A CEO has built a company which is very collegial. She is interested in adding an element of friendly competition within the company. Would it be destructive to add an aspect of competition to the mix? How do you balance competitive and collegial behavior within the team?

Advice from the CEOs:

  • This can be achieved by focusing on recognition, and encouraging recognition of each other among the team members.
  • One example is to have traveling trophies.
    • One trophy could be circulated on a periodic basis based on measurable criteria. Examples include new client acquisition, increases in revenue, or increases in savings by improving processes. There are many positive achievements that can be recognized.
    • A second trophy could be awarded for “assists”. Examples include one team member helping another to land new accounts, a team of employees developing a cost-saving improvement to process, and developing a new accounting technique that saves the company money.
    • A third trophy could be awarded to one team member for a job well done, and then awarded by that member to another member for another job well done, and so on.
  • To add to the collegiality, some of the trophies can be passed around spontaneously for on-the-spot recognition. Others can be awarded on a scheduled basis such as annual or quarterly employee or company meetings. Mix it up and be sure to make it fun!

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How Do You Improve Communication Skills? Four Strategies

Situation: A CEO wants advice on how to strengthen his communication skills. In particular, he is concerned that occasionally his direction of subordinates is misunderstood. What are the best techniques to communicate clearly and assure that the other party understands not only the direction given, but responds positively to the way that direction is given? How do you improve your communication skills?

Advice from the CEOs:

  • When Delegating equals Empowering, this immediately eases communications.
    • In part because the empowered employee will be more at ease talking and working with the person who delegates.
    • A quick read – The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard – provides excellent techniques for communicating effectively with subordinates.
  • Before concluding any conversation involving the delegation of a task or responsibility, make sure that both the delegator and the person delegated to repeat back their understanding of the task/responsibility and what is to be accomplished.
    • When a subordinate provides information, say “Let me be sure that I understand you. What I heard was _______. Did I understand you correctly?
    • This helps assure both parties that understanding is mutual.
  • When assigning a task or responsibility to another take one of three tacks:
    • “So that we are on the same page, please repeat for me your understanding of the (task/responsibility) and the deliverables.”
    • “Based on our discussion, what do you see as the next steps? When do you anticipate that you will be able to complete them?”
    • (After the individual has demonstrated that you both have the same understanding, or any discrepancies in understanding have been cleared up) “Thanks, would you please send me an email documenting this?”
  • If a documentation hand-off is involved, go back to the broad task or objective. Ask for their understanding of what is to be accomplished and when this will be done.

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