Key To Success - Knowing When To Get Support

Secret of Success, Part 3

In part 1, we discussed the need to create a specific, realistic goal as you begin to move toward success. Part 2 discussed the need to get your mind, body, and spirit focused to move toward your success. In part 3, we will discuss getting down to doing the work it takes to achieve success.

The work is the hard part. Many of us love the dream of success. We begin the defining and the planning, but eventually we have to roll up our sleeves and get down to business. Some of us, approximately 13% of the population, are self-motivated, even “driven” to move toward success. Being “driven” does not guarantee success, but can help to keep one toward pushing ahead until success is most achievable. The rest of us who have not developed, or are not born with, that “driven” nature must work extra hard to stay focused and move toward the ultimate goal. Most of us will do better if we have a team around us which includes mentors, coaches, support personnel, and partners (to share the load.) In fact, there are many situations where accomplishing even the best thought out goals will not happen without support and partners.

Business owners are great examples of this. Most business owners, even the ones with years of experience, do not have the energy, time, or expertise to handle all the functions of running a growing successful business. Starting a business can be done, but achieving a long term functional company may require different attitudes and skill sets. Professional accountants, bankers, human resources people, lawyers, operations people, sales people, consultants, coaches, and even trainers may be required for a successful business to develop and then be maintained. Many owners try to keep expenses down or do not readily reach out for support and practical suggestions/solutions. They may develop a myopic view of how to reach success. Sometimes they are correct. More often, they are not correct with this philosophy. We do learn from our failures more easily than our successes, but this may be a high price to pay for learning all the lessons.

Real leaders do not usually have “know it all” attitudes in long term successful endeavors. These leaders will reach out for support, suggestions, and professional experience to solve the hard challenges and move more easily down the path toward success. In fact, the definition of the best leaders may be their ability to know when they must ask for assistance and how to find the qualified support that they may require. Most successful executives have had great mentors or coaches to offer guidance and to keep them focused and on track. Some organizations build this in to their management style or organizational culture. Many organizations, though, have a “sink or swim” mentality. Or there are new, emerging organizations which do not have the time or resources to support their managers and leaders internally. I have seen the same situation many times where an organization forms around people who have great technical skills but who have never been trained, mentored, coached, or taught to skillfully manage projects and people. Mistakes or a long learning curve has sabotaged many organizations.

Success on major projects which require many people (or partners) require more than just a great idea and a realistic plan. Knowing when to get assistance to confront challenges is often the wisdom that makes the biggest difference between success and failure. Knowing how to motivate people and how to communicate effectively so that powerful teams can negotiate difficulties is important in most enduring organizations. Using the talents of your personnel may also be a source of practical solutions and can create added buy-in when your personnel are acknowledged or compensated for helping to find the answers needed for success.

Outside coaching can also help maintain focus and perspective for key managers and executives. Finding good coaches and consultants is not as easy as it appears. Finding the “right fit” for personalities and levels of experience or expertise may be needed. Knowing your people and their strengths and challenges can be important for success. Do not neglect any opportunity to really know and understand your people from the top to the bottom of your organization. Even a one person business can benefit from this process of awareness that will lead to project success.

It usually takes hard work to be successful. Staying focused can be difficult without support. When time and resources are critical factors, it may be most efficient and less expensive to make sure that your key people are given the tools that they require to move their projects to success.

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the author of the best selling "Guide to Stress Reduction." Since 1977, he has offered Success Coaching and Training. Please visit the Stress Education Center's website at Stress, Stress Management, Success Coaching, and Training for articles, free ezine signup, and learn about the new telecourses that are available. If you would like information or a targeted proposal for training or coaching, please contact us at (360) 593-3833. If you are looking to promote your training or coaching career, please investigate the Professional Stress Management Training and Certification Program for a secondary source of income or as career path.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated