The Value of Spontaneity (Part 2 of 3)
By Joe Love
No one wants a leader who bounces back and forth in the corporate wind, lurching from whim to whim with no basis for the decision. That’s not spontaneity, it’s impulsiveness. If you have qualities such as integrity, honesty, and the ability to see the big picture, then you’re a person who is willing take intelligent risks, and see your decision through. When you have these qualities you will be more successful when you are faced with situations in which you have to implement an idea or course of action spontaneously.
These basic qualities are important because, they will enable you to earn the trust of your colleagues. Your coworkers will be less resistant to what they might see as a seat-of-the-pants kind of decision. Your colleagues or subordinates will follow your game plan because they will trust you.
For example, let’s say the CEO of your company is out of the office and your company’s largest client calls to report a problem that needs immediate executive input. You quickly assemble your executive team, discover how the problem happened and respond to the client with a solution. Even though your solution was devised quickly, and was perhaps a little unorthodox, the staff followed your directives because they trust you. However, if the executive down the hall had been in charge, employees would have balked, because he or she doesn’t have the trust of his or her colleagues.
So how can you develop your spontaneity, without making others feel uncomfortable? Here are few suggestions:
* Understand that issues or problems will crop up that need attention immediately. They cannot wait, because if they do, they will become worse.
* Understand that many of those around you are uncomfortable with snap decisions. They don’t trust quick reactions because they don’t think that much time or effort has gone into their development. Some won’t see the need for a quick course of action.
* Understand that some of those around you may not be able to communicate the need for immediate attention to a particular issue or event. Be able to judge the severity of the problem and the timetable in which it needs to be solved.
* When you determine a course of action, always explain to others the rationale behind it.
* Let others know that your plan my be a short-term solution or stopgap measure and that other remedies may be needed for the future. Know that being spontaneous means changing course quickly and sometimes often. Never follow a course out of stubbornness. Rather, be able to see the need to switch gears based on principles of logic.
* Spontaneous people make mistakes. Don’t be afraid to admit you’ve made a mistake, and then get on with your life. As the saying goes, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Copyright©2005 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. He is the founder and CEO of JLM & Associates, a consulting and training organization, specializing in personal and business development. Through his seminars and lectures, Joe Love addresses thousands of men and women each year, including the executives and staffs of many of America’s largest corporations, on the subjects of leadership, self-esteem, goals, achievement, and success psychology. Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com or http://www.jlmandassociates.com
This blog was set up by Denise Michaels. To see more blogs by Denise go to http://www.GreatIdeasForWomenOver40.com Michaels is author of the myth-shattering book, "Testosterone-Free Marketing" for women business owners. Go to http://www.MarketingForHer.com and click on "Get the Book!"
posted by Denise Michaels @ 6:06 PM
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