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Dropinceo > Blog > 2023 > August

Are You Investing in the Right Habits as a CEO?

This past month made me realize that my technical capabilities are useless in the face of a crisis and my mindset about what is the purposeful work I need to do has completely changed. Thinking back to my book, the CEO’s Compass, I became the “Compass” for so many leaders to steer away from results and instead help them to achieve Peace of Mind. It’s an important concept I want to share with you so as you move forward in your pursuits, you’re focused on a different outcome than what you’ve been conditioned to do. 

As a CEO myself, I can’t stress enough the importance of setting intentions and making people feel valued in interactions. Creating a daily routine that centers around intentional action is critical for long-term leadership success.My own daily routine includes self-care and supporting clients. I believe that being a CEO is about being in service to others. 

After working for decades with high performers and CEOs, I’ve seen three key areas where I believe CEOs should focus their attention:

Investing in Oneself

Investing in oneself is crucial for personal fulfillment and the ability to give to others. I encourage you all to prioritize self-care and personal growth. This will ultimately allow you to be more effective leaders.

Investing in Time

Investing in one’s time involves being intentional and strategic with how it is spent. I suggest evaluating priorities, setting clear intentions, and being willing to delegate or cancel tasks that are not critical. Time blocking and prioritizing what is urgent and important can help you manage your workload effectively.

Investing in Others

Being in service to others is a fundamental aspect of being a CEO. Approach interactions with others with the intention of providing value, insight, and support. This can involve actively listening, helping find solutions, and facilitating productive conversations.

When you combine these three elements, CEOs are able to shift their focus from profit and goals to the service of others. That shift is the key to a CEO mindset that is sustainable and sets a good example for others.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 8/25/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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Why teachers are the most overlooked asset in the C-Suite

Throughout our educational journey, teachers have had a profound impact on us. They’ve nurtured our problem-solving skills, effective communication, and innovation. But why is this support system often missing in the workplace?

I’m not suggesting we directly hire teachers from academia. Instead, I propose we identify individuals within our organizations who already possess these nurturing characteristics and consider ways to elevate their roles in supporting teams. My book, “The CEO’s Compass,” is a resource that can help CEOs and anyone facing challenges in their current playbook. I emphasize this in my chapter on people where I say that people are the greatest tool in your toolbox and investing in them can pay dividends. 

Here are a few tips for creating an environment that supports teaching skills in the workplace:

Implementing the Concept: First we must assess the organization’s readiness for such a change. Leaders need to realize teaching is a human capital investment vs. a compliance activity that the hope and pray assures peace of mind. We need to connect with the hearts and minds of leadership to realize that at the other end of the product or service they produce is a family member. If we don’t invest in elevating the skills of our team with deep understanding, failures can have deep negative impact. Only then can we appreciate that teachers specialize in taking concepts from theory to application. These skills translate to business leadership by assessing the readiness of the organization, focusing on change management, and defining the desired outcomes. It’s about elevating education and creativity within our teams.

Investing in Team Strengths: It’s crucial to assess team strengths and invest in individuals who have a teaching and nurturing persona. This could mean identifying someone within the organization who possesses these skills or considering bringing in external support, such as an educator or fractional chief people officer, to advise and nurture the current team.

Preparing the Team for Change: Preparing the team for the changes and investments being made is essential. We need to communicate to our workforce that these efforts are not just compliance activities, but a genuine investment in their growth and the future success of the company. The return on investment may be intangible, but it’s significant – improved employee retention, team performance, and customer experience.

Training and Skill Development: Time constraints can make training a challenge. Instead of lengthy training sessions, I recommend providing an hour or two of overview training on the new skills and integrating it into their day-to-day work. Real-time observation, coaching, and application of the new skills within their current challenges can accelerate the impact and make the training more effective.

Celebrating Achievements: Sharing progress, celebrating achievements, and recognizing the organization’s commitment to investing in its people and teams is important. I encourage continuous engagement and repetition of these principles.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 8/18/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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The Key to Increased Efficiency and Well-being

This month, we’re focusing on providing additional tools to help you succeed in your roles. I recently survived three client engagements simultaneously in July, and I want to share my experiences and the lessons I learned. It was a challenging time, but it highlighted the importance of sustainable work practices.

During this hectic period, I had to communicate with my clients about reduced hours, prioritize certain clients, and dedicate specific hours to support a particular client’s team. It was hard work, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my clients.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed and time-crunched? This topic is relevant to both current and aspiring C-suite leaders, as we all experience these challenges at some point. Have you ever felt in control in the past but now find yourself unable to handle the increased responsibilities? If so, it’s important to give yourself grace and acknowledge your past successes.
 

Here are Seven Tips for Creating Successful Time Management Habits:

  • Prioritize your needs – getting clear will enable you to make better decisions.
  • Get more sleep – in the context of well-being; do what you need to maximize your energy and creativity.
  • Distill what you actually need to get done – remember to work on the urgent and what what is most valued by your team or the business.
  • Have the courage to ask for help – great leaders collaborate for a greater outcome.
  • Time Block for emails, texts, and calls vs. strategic work – building this discipline muscle will reduce your stress. 
  • Ask yourself for forgiveness when you can’t get everything done – you probably put unrealistic expectations on yourself. As a high achiever, it’s your superpower; but also your demise if you don’t forgive yourself. 
  • Take 20 minutes for yourself each day – just do it! This is one of my best suggestions for you. What do you have to lose? You’ll thank me later when you make this a habit! 

I encourage you to pause and reflect on this framework. Find strategies that resonate with you and implement them in your daily routine.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 8/11/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

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Managing the Mental Clutter

Whether it’s spending time with family, friends, or engaging in activities we enjoy, our work shouldn’t prevent us from living fulfilling lives. Failing to break the cycle of unhealthy habits can lead to burnout and ineffectiveness in achieving our goals. Trying to strike a balance can often lead to mental clutter that impacts how we view and interact with the world around us.

I’ve personally experienced feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by simultaneous tasks. It’s a common issue, especially among high performers and C-suite leaders. We often find ourselves stuck in a whirlwind of tasks, struggling to prioritize and focus on what truly matters.

To overcome this, I’ve developed a framework that helps declutter the mind and prioritize meaningful work. It includes:

  • Getting clear on daily tasks: Understand what needs to be done each day and prioritize accordingly.
  • Evaluating the work week: Look at your week as a whole and identify where your time is going.
  • Delegating and empowering others: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to your team and empower them to take ownership.
  • Questioning the value of activities: Not all tasks are equally important. Ask yourself if what you’re doing is adding value to your work or life.
  • Ensuring work habits support physical and mental well-being: Your health is crucial. Make sure your work habits aren’t negatively impacting your well-being.

I encourage you to pause and reflect on this framework. Find strategies that resonate with you and implement them in your daily routine.

If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips? 

If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success! 

Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself. 

However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board. 

To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 8/4/23. 

Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register. 

Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success. 

Read More