Author: Scott Asai

Helping people develop their leadership skills to advance in their career

Is Entitlement a Bad Thing?

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In his book “Outliers”, Malcolm Gladwell defines entitlement as asserting yourself with people in authority. His statement forces us to take a deeper look into the stereotype of Gen Y Workers feeling entitled at work. Let’s look at the positive side of entitlement:

Being entitled means you have self-respect. If you don’t respect yourself, how can you expect others to respect you? When you have self-respect, others can sense it. Being treated with respect starts with how you treat yourself.

Being entitled means you view yourself as special. Gen Y is motivated to make a difference in the world. The United States is also the most individualistic-driven country. Each person has unique talents that are waiting to be maximized. The key to increasing productivity is finding where each worker “fits” within the organization. Think: the right strength in the right place at the right time.

Being entitled means you are worthy of attention/interest from others. Part of succeeding in the corporate world is being “noticed” for the right reasons. If you don’t do something “extraordinary” to stand out from the crowd, don’t expect to ever be promoted. As an employee, give management a reason to look. It you believe you are deserving of your supervisor’s favor, back it up with results and you will position yourself to be an irreplaceable asset to the company.

Entitlement at work can be a good thing.
Gen Y Workers: Expect great things and perform accordingly!
Managers: Challenge your workers to higher levels of performance!

Turning Japanese

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Last week I returned from a trip to Japan with my family. Little did I know that I would be inspired by the Japanese culture. Observing their values made me think hard about my own business and professionalism. Here are some questions that I asked myself and the insights I took away from the trip:

Japan’s transportation system is extremely efficient. Their subway and train setup is unmatched. Amidst the crowded, hurried travelers there is a calming sense of order maintained. All the transportation is punctual, therefore dependable. Instead of worrying about “traffic,” you can literally calculate your journey to the minute. People on escalators stand to the left, so those in a rush can walk fast on the right side. There is an effective way to get from Point A to Point B quickly.

Key Question: How efficient are you?

Every time I walked in or out of a store I was greeted. It actually got annoying after a while because all of the employees would do it relentlessly. Whether eating at a restaurant or window shopping at a store, workers would wait on my every move (regardless if I would purchase anything). They treat each person with respect and I was humbled by their superior level of customer service.

Key Question: How would you rate your “customer service”?

One thing that stood out to me was Japan’s cleanliness. Their restrooms are cleaner than most restaurants in the US. Their subways are immaculate. Even though there aren’t many trash cans visible, people do not litter. There are workers that sweep the sidewalks, parks and bathrooms persistently. They tend to the little details and present their product with pristine care.

Key Question: What “brand” are you communicating?

No matter where you are in your career, there are great lessons to learn by observing “cultural” success. In Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers, he defined success as “a function of persistence, doggedness and the willingness to work hard.” Yes, we need opportunities handed down to us, but the part we can control is how much effort we put forth to accomplish the goal. The more effort you put into bettering yourself, the greater the reward will be in the end.

10 Quick Ways to Motivate

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by David Javitch – Employee Management

  1. Praise the employee for a job well done–or even partially well done.
  2. If an employee is bored, involve that individual in a discussion about ways to create a more satisfying career path, including promotions based on concrete outcomes.
  3. State your clear expectations for task accomplishment.
  4. Ensure that the job description involves a variety of tasks.
  5. Ensure that the employee sees that what she’s doing impacts the whole process or task that others will also be part of.
  6. Make sure that the employee feels that what he/she is doing is meaningful.
  7. Provide feedback along the way, pointing out both positive and negative aspects.
  8. Allow for an appropriate amount of autonomy for the employee based on previous and anticipated accomplishment.
  9. Increase the depth and breadth of what the employee is currently doing.
  10. Provide the employee with adequate opportunity to succeed.

Movin’ On Up!

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Skills of an Effective Leader
Climbing the corporate ladder takes time, but what gets overlooked are the skill sets that need to change with advancement. You cannot take current skills to a new position and expect to be successful. Here is what it takes to succeed at the next level:

Technical Skills
Frontline Management

Frontline Managers have excellent technical skills. They model how to complete tasks. Others look to them as “experts” in their field. Their main responsibility is to do their job at the highest level. They teach workers how to execute assignments efficiently.

Leadership Skills
Middle Management

Middle Management gets results through others. Instead of being the “expert”, their responsibility is to lead teams and individuals. The focus switches to managing, empowering and coaching employees. Middle Managers delegate tasks to others based on their strengths. They observe employee performance, then give constructive feedback. Middle Managers lead workers by modeling integrity and taking initiative.

Strategic Skills
Senior Management

Senior Management are the visionaries of the company. They track past data, analyze current trends and optimize future plans. Senior Managers collaborate with, but assign leading employees to Middle Management. Scheduling meetings become an effective way to gather information and evaluate the direction of the business. Senior managers focus on growing the business.

Tenure and experience is not enough to take you to the next level. Learning the necessary skill sets help you become more effective in your role. Transitioning up means delegating old tasks and acquiring new skills for the betterment of the company. When being promoted, be ready to step up to a new challenge. New positions demand that we continually grow forward!

How to Spot a Young Professional

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What to look for…
There are countless stereotypes about the Gen Y/Millennial Worker, but let’s focus on three qualities that you should look for to recruit and retain the best Young Professionals for your company!

1) Appearance.
Don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want.

A rule of thumb is determine what the dress code is, then present yourself a step above. Your appearance is the first impression you give people get when they see you. The next time you meet someone for the first time, observe their eyes as they scan what you are wearing. Their initial read forms a perception of you. It’s not a fair assessment, but reality. If you want to leave a good impression, dress to impress!

2) Communication.
Effective communication is becoming a lost art.

This includes interpersonal skills, writing e-mails, face-to-face communication, phone conversations, body language and oral presentation. How you interact with people tells a lot about you. If you are an effective communicator, people remember you. Think about the last great speaker you heard. He/she clarifies concepts and delivers information in a way that the audience understands. Effective communication carries over to the interview process. Anyone can exaggerate on a job application or resume. The real test is how you handle yourself in an interview (especially past behavior-based questions). The only way to improve your communication skills is to practice.

3) Performance.
Performing is about getting results.

High achievers separate themselves from the rest because of their productivity. Performance is an objective measurement. Performance also includes the ability to adapt to change and learning from your mistakes. Plan A rarely goes as planned, so learn to be resilient and flexible when it comes to implementing Plan B. After all the subjective criteria is examined, we look at the numbers…they don’t lie.

Excellence is about standing above the crowd. The cream rises to the top and separates itself from the rest. If you don’t give people a reason to look, they won’t. Be a valuable contributor to society. If you commit to work hard, results will eventually follow. Dress for success, communicate effectively and perform at a high level. If you do those things well, people will notice. In this economy you have to differentiate yourself in order to thrive. Stand up, stand out and choose a better future for yourself NOW!

MVP! MVP! MVP!

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Last week the NBA Finals concluded and a new champion was crowned. In sports, each team has a MVP. This player gets the most out of his teammates and leads by example. In the business world, we all have the ability to be MVP’s. Here are three ways to help you become your team’s MVP:

1) Motivation.
Nowadays we look to “outside forces” to keep us motivated, yet to be a MVP you need to be self-motivated. You can’t depend on others to keep you driven; that’s your responsibility. You have a choice: to be a catalyst or an antagonist. Being motivated means developing a sense of urgency. It says, “there’s no time to waste, we must start now!” MVP’s don’t wait to get motivated, they inspire others to move with their passion. MVP’s have an internal fire within them burning with excitement.

2) Vision.
What are you motivated towards? Every MVP has a goal they are chasing. Having a vision means you have chosen a direction. MVP’s are focused because they know where they are headed. They set their sights on the prize and become relentless in their pursuit. Every great vision has tremendous obstacles along the way, yet overcoming those barriers builds character and resilience. Every great leader starts his/her day with their vision in mind. Vision provides us the motivation to keep fighting.

3) Progress.
Being motivated and having a vision is essential, but results are achieved through making progress. It’s helpful to start at the end and work you way backwards. Start with your vision in mind, then create markers to measure your forward progress. Breaking your larger goal into smaller steps creates attainable momentum. Along the way, make sure you enroll others to join you on your journey. Nothing great has ever been accomplished alone. MVP’s need other strong contributors to fill in their “gaps.”

Being a MVP starts today. Get motivated and act with urgency. Picture your vision being accomplished. Achieve your desired results through daily progress. Focus on being the best of who you are. A MVP creates their own momentum, then is smart enough to surround him/herself with others to cheer them on along the way. Start applying these principles to your life and listen to the chants: MVP! MVP! MVP!

When 2nd’s BEST!

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When is being second better than coming in first? Try business – it’s hard to be first and successful. Pioneers have no one to learn from and everything is based on trial and error. Nike, Apple and Starbucks were not the first in their industries, but they capitalized on their predecessors’ mistakes to win big. Look at these three steps that prove sometimes second really is best!

1) Study your Competition. Don’t reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to. Look at an established industry leader and follow what they are doing. Most likely they are catering to the same target market as you are. Notice their trends in marketing, customer service and profits. In today’s market, we put value on transparency. Take advantage of this by visiting your competitor’s website, blog and location (if they have one). Know what you are up against and plan accordingly.

2) Learn from their Mistakes. All the information you gathered from above is only valuable if you apply it. See what’s working for them and try it. Simultaneously, assess what isn’t working and create a solution for it. Most success stories are not original ideas, but improvements on existing products/services. Use the data that you’ve collected from your competitor to differentiate what you offer. Learning does not happen in a vacuum, so get out there and attempt various ways to solve a need!

3) Do it Better. Many people have great vision, but poor implementation. We can analyze a situation thoroughly, but action is what creates results! This is where feedback and test marketing works well. Share your ideas with others and see what they think. Don’t hide your invention, offer it in return for personal opinions. Collaboration ignites innovation. Nothing great is accomplished alone. You are only as great as the team that surrounds you. There’s nothing fool-proof, but the more open you are towards taking constructive feedback, the greater chance to avoid complacency and succeed. When you do something at a level of excellence you get recognized. Who cares what “place” you started in?

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the best, but be smart and learn from those who came before you. The best have a great appreciation and knowledge about their industry leaders. They study what their competitors do, then make improvements. The next time you make a significant leap, look back at those who came first and realize sometimes second really is best!

What are you scared of?

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Fear is…Perception, not reality. We live in a fear-driven society that scares us into purchasing products we can’t use and services we don’t need. The media constantly highlights negative stories that prevent us from feeling safe. What if we took an above reproach towards fear? How would that change our outlook and behaviors? Here are three proactive ways to be victorious over fear:

1) Look at it Objectively. If the perception of fear is bigger than reality, then there is minimal danger. Our minds exaggerate negative thoughts to where they can almost be paralyzing. If we look at our fears objectively, we realize it’s completely mental. We are the most susceptible when we analyze our fears alone. Ask a trusted friend to shed a new perspective on your fears. Don’t let something “fake,” trick you into being real when it’s not.

2) Take Ownership. Now that you’ve identified your fear, what can you do about it? What steps can be taken to overcome it? Fear is something you have to prioritize and work on. Don’t let your fear be an excuse for moving forward. Once you strategize a game plan, implement it! Objectively identify it, own it, then get past it!

3) Have Faith. Believe you can get past your fear. It starts in your mind. Once you transform your thoughts concerning fear, your feelings and actions will follow. What would your life look like if you eliminated your fear(s)? How much more successful would you be? I’m not saying you won’t face new fears, but when you do, apply these same principles. Our imaginations are powerful enough to believe things are true when they actually aren’t. Remember if you believe, you can achieve!

Fear won’t disappear on it’s own. You have to work on it to make it go away. For example, if public speaking is a fear of yours, the only way to overcome it is by speaking in front of people! Fear can be a huge roadblock if you let it be. Fear can become failure when you don’t try. Practice getting over your fears. Start removing the obstacles in your way and experience more success and fulfillment today!

Be a Lifelong Learner

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I’ve never let my fear of academic settings be an excuse to halt my progress as a learner. Try thinking of yourself as a business. What would be the result of ceasing to grow as a company? Bankruptcy or extinction. Learning works the same way. The reality is if you’re not growing forward, you’re going backwards! Try these 3 steps towards becoming a lifelong learner:

1) Read. Readers are leaders. Books are packed with rich information. Industry magazines stay up to date on the latest news. Internet articles and blogs are full of insight and trends. Whenever I have “down time” I try to read so I can learn more and get inspired with new ideas. No one is too “busy” to read. You just have to put a priority on it and stay disciplined. Take advantage of this age of information and fill your brain with new knowledge!

2) Research. Let’s focus on online research. The power of the internet is at your fingertips. With all the search engines available, it makes looking for statistics, expert interviews and data on your industry competitors simple. Leaders of every industry do research to stay ahead of the trends. All you need to do is turn on your computer, punch in your desired keywords and read!

3) Reach Out. There’s only so much you can learn on your own. To be the best, stay connected to others. Learning does not happen in a vacuum. Set time aside for networking and meeting with people. As a sole proprietor, I reach out to multiple contacts per week. Don’t focus on trying to “sell” yourself, instead offer your help and collaborate with others. Eventually opportunities will arise. You can learn so much from others who have a different perspective and experience than you do. With an open mind, you can always learn from others.

Being a lifelong learner is journey. There is no “finish line.” Self-motivation, discipline and focus are necessary to succeed. If you have a hard time staying consistent, hire a coach to create a strategy and keep you accountable. At times you won’t feel driven to learn because it’s hard. Just remember the most successful people don’t depend on “feeling” motivated to learn, they just do it. Start your journey of being a lifelong learner today!

SUCCESS-ion Planning

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Organizations always talk about succession planning, yet few implement effective mentoring programs. The heart of leadership development is desiring your successor to be more successful than yourself. True succession planning is taking your ego out of the agenda. Here’s three steps for effective succession planning.

1) Invest. Choose someone. There is no “perfect” candidate. Most people think leadership development is finding someone who is just like you. Leadership is about results, not style. The first step is about pouring your heart and mind into someone else’s life. Teach them what you’ve learned. Share your experiences with them. Prevent them from making the same mistakes you did.

2) Develop their Style. It’s not about you. Identify what your potential successor’s strengths are and give them opportunities to maximize them. Part of knowing your strengths is realizing what your weaknesses are too. Learn to delegate tasks that others do better. Help your successor stay focused on the big picture (mission, vision, etc.) How they decide to reach those goals is their business. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want someone telling you how to do your job?

3) Let them Go. After proper training, it’s time for you to move on. The current leader needs to step out of the way in order for the future leader to step into their new role. This can be the most difficult phase because it’s realizing that the current era is over and a new era is beginning. Reject the idea to micromanage. Part of learning is trial and error. The best thing you can do as a leader is just be supportive. Your season is up. Their season is starting. Measure how successful of a leader you are based on who you develop.

Leadership development is a long and challenging process. It takes humility to know when your time is up. Focus your attention on the legacy you want to leave. A litmus test is seeing how your successor functions when you’re not around. A leader is never bigger than the process. Start today by investing, developing and releasing your future leaders!