Personal Note from the Lead Navigator

“The aim of leadership should be to improve the performance of man and machine, to improve quality, to increase output, and simultaneously to bring pride of workmanship to people.”

–Dr. Edwards Deming

Personal Note from the Lead Navigator

June marks the fourteenth year we have been in business. Since the beginning, we have enjoyed tremendous success. I have been able to visit and work in over 26 countries. Our Navigator Newsletter subscribers have expanded to over 35,000 people with people from almost every country on the globe. Now my staff has grown from one person to over 6 different associates across the U.S. I wrote my first book in 1996 and currently working on my ninth. June also marks my wedding anniversary (32 years) with the most wonderful woman in the world. I am blessed beyond measure and very fortunate. However. . .

Success can blind you and limit your potential and possibilities.

I just spent a week with 10 other successful CEO’s and entrepreneurs locked into a conference room in Scottsdale, Arizona. We took a microscope and evaluated each other’s business model. Was it working? Was it serving our customers? Was it maximizing our talents? At the end of the week, each of us walked away with new insight, direction and purpose. Even though the individual pieces are still evolving, I do know how I help my clients will change dramatically. I guess you can say . . . I have recharted my own course with clearer direction and focus.

Starting now, I plan on working on a more strategic level with a smaller group of like minded individuals. They are senior level executives, business owners and entrepreneurs who want to make their businesses more profitable and expand their skills to the next level.

Over the next few months you may notice a different focus on our websites and newsletter. Some information and services will change and you will see some new additions and focus areas; some parts will be modified or eliminated altogether. It will be part of a new focus to provide a better and more impactful value to you.

I challenge you to start your own reinvention process and ask yourself these questions. Are you leading your organization in the right direction? Are you growing and making more money? Do you know how to take your organization to the next level? Have you effectively communicated this to your team?

If not, we can help you. Contact us today.

Best regards,

Greg Smith

CEO and “Captain of the Ship”

770-860-9464

Dysfunction in the Workplace
How Awareness and Communication Improve Team Dynamics

In Patrick Lencioni’s best-selling book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, he tells a tale of a firm’s executive team struggling with utter dysfunction. Ineffective communication, multiple egos, fear, office politics and judgmental attitudes were all contributing to the absence of dynamics and poor performance.

Does this sound familiar to you?
Have you experienced a dysfunctional team in your career?

If yes, you are not alone. Most everyone has either been a part of, observed or even faced the challenge of leading a dysfunctional team like the one Lencioni describes. In fact, he says, “Teams, because they are made up of imperfect human beings, are inherently dysfunctional.”

Lencioni’s interrelated model of team dysfunction outlines five areas that prevent success:

• Absence of trust
• Fear of conflict
• Lack of commitment
• Avoidance of accountability
• Inattention to results

But don’t be discouraged. There is hope for all of us experiencing a dysfunctional team. As Lencioni states, “In fact, team building is both possible and remarkably simple. But it is also painful.” We strongly believe in two fundamental team building basics that help teams overcome each of these dysfunctions: awareness and communication.

Awareness is more than observation; it is an understanding of what is going on around you. In this case, it is important to be aware of and appreciate the different viewpoints of team members and their work habits, motivators, areas of expertise, and mastery in personal skills and motives. Doing so will not only help you build team dynamics, but more importantly will increase personal effectiveness so you can accomplish more as a team.

Communication is where it all starts. The importance of open communication simply cannot be overstated as it is fundamental in building trust, managing conflict, gaining commitment, holding accountability and identifying team results. Effective communication involves first understanding your own communication style, understanding others’ communication style and appreciating the differences everyone brings to a team environment.

Teams are, essentially, what drive results. Take a look at the teams you are in, leading, or observing, and identify the five areas of dysfunction. What can you do to focus on team building? Whatever the strategy, as Lencioni warns, it will be painful. But the results will be well worth the challenge.

Used with permission: Target Training International Inc.

Online Assessment Center

We provide a comprehensive portfolio of hiring and development solutions including 360, team, customer service, executive talent and management development reports and assessments.

Visit our webpage

https://www.chartcourse.com/Assessment_Center.html

Daily Cartoon

For those of you needing a little laugh, we invite you to visit the Daily Cartoon page on our website. The cartoons are provided by Ted Goff.