Category Archives: Decision making

#37 Time spent on POTD

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Time is a scarce resource and your leaders can never have enough of it. Now that does not mean they use their time wisely. Everyone gets 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 365 days in a year.

How much of their time goes on solving the “problem of the day” or POTD? This refers to problems that arise and are solved seemingly at random, without a pattern or rhyme or reason. Either the dots don’t connect or no one bothers to connect them. Needless to say, this is frustrating and unproductive for all.

A certain amount of fire fighting is to be expected, but if it gets to a point where their effectiveness is compromised, it is time to take a good look at your planning and work assignment practices.

If leaders spend more than a small percentage of their time on POTDs, no amount of leadership training is going to help. It’s like planting an exotic plant in soil that is devoid of water and fertilizer, not really conducive to growth.

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#19 Asking for the order

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Every sales person is drilled on “asking for the order.” Even if the answer is “no” you will get something valuable: the reason for the “no.”

This answer will tell you what your audience really thinks about your idea. Your audience does not understand you, or they do not agree with you, or they are not willing to invest in you. Maybe they are busy and the answer is “not now.” This information is solid gold, and will be given if you are open and will not use it against them.

So go ahead, ask for that favor, request the approval, or whatever it is you need. Over time, you will improve how you ask, you will prepare better, research better. Don’t wait till you have all your ducks lined up, unless you can tell with certainty that you know how many ducks are left to be lined up and how long it will take.

If you commit random acts of violence without a demand, you will be a psychopath. If you commit an act of violence and have a ransom demand, you will be a criminal. If you have a business purpose and present your case properly, you will be admired as a leader and professional. Even if the answer is “no.”

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