Capitalizing on Intuition in the Workplace

Every person has experienced a feeling when something occurs or is about to occur. This feeling may be accompanied by chills, accelerated heart rate, sweaty palms, or a sense of calm. Whatever the signs, intuition is the cause. Intuition explains how people know of events or outcomes before they take place. Intuition can also be used to influence an outcome. This may mean speaking up at during a team meeting and focusing on a topic that no one else wants to discuss, but one that is important. Using intuition in business is one way to judge how a situation is turning out, when to speak up and when not to. Intuition can also be used to predict trends that may make the company more money. Recognizing and capitalizing on intuition skills is a must for every effective leader.

Honing in on this leadership skill can take some time, but after awhile people who concentrate on being more observant, looking at body language, and reading between the lines, will be able to predict quite a bit. Everyone has this ability; it’s just that some people have learned early on how to use it.

It is worth pointing out that intuition is based on feelings and not fact. Although facts may prove that ones intuition was correct, this does not mean that all intuitions should be acted upon. Assumption is another pitfall of intuition. Never assume anything until there is proof. Many times, leaders just use intuition as a guide to read other people’s reactions.

There are a few ways to use intuition when trying to gauge people’s reactions in team meetings, product planning, and in many other situations. Understanding these reactions will help when trying to sell’ an idea or product, training new employees, leading a team project, and even to tell when someone is lying.

Body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and eye movements are cues that intuitive people use to prepare for possible outcomes. These are not the only factors that intuitive people use, but they are useful when trying to improve intuition.

Body language the most obvious way to gauge what a person is feeling. If a person is contributing to a conversation, they will lean forward, if they are bored, they will lean back and slouch. Body language is a good indication to follow when giving a speech or leading a meeting. Meetings that go on for too long are never productive. As soon as people begin to withdraw physically from the discussion, it is best to close the meeting quickly.

Tone of voice is an indicator of mood, acceptance, denial, and emotion. When a person is interested in the discussion, they may talk faster and be more expressive. When disinterested, a person may speak slowly and quietly. If a person does not understand the material being presented, they may end their statements as questions. When this happens, it is best to summarize what is being said so that they will begin to understand.

Facial expressions are used in conjunction with body language and tone of voice. Facial expressions can tell how a person is feeling as they are being told information. These expressions can indicate hundreds of emotions from confusion to anger. In meetings, it is important to look around the room and watch facial expressions. If the majority of the people seem confused, then summarize what is being said and ask if anymore clarification will be needed.

Eye movements are more subtle because they can happen very quickly and then change. People who are lying will usually look down or to the left in order to avoid other people’s eyes. People who are being honest or who want another person’s full attention will look at them directly. While there are other factors that contribute to eye movement, it can still give an indication of how a person is really feeling in a situation.

Taking the time to actively observe and use the ideas presented here will begin to enhance leadership skills and soon any leader will be amazed at their ability to capitalize on their intuitive skills in business.

Leadership Development: Promotion Letter

Here is a copy of a sample letter format that can be used for expressing your interest in furthering your career.

Date

[Recipient’s address]

Dear [Name],

Please consider me as a candidate for the position of [……. ]

The enclosed resume indicates my broad experience in the area of [……..] and my considerable (and growing!) experience in [area].

I believe that this experience, together with my education has given me the ideal preparation to assume the role of [……. ].

All my professional experience has been in [area of expertise]. Since I have worked for [ company name] for four years, I understand your core business and am quite familiar with the kind of issues, problems and challenges I may face as a [position] working for you.

On my attached resume, I have described my concept of successful [sales] management. I am convinced that this function can make an enormous contribution to growth and profits, and I am most eager to prove it to you.

Also, I must say that I have been very happy with [company], my present employer.

However, I can see no further opportunity in the near future here as it is a relatively small concern and I am very ambitious and eager to become established with a larger and more progressive company where I can assume a much broader range of responsibility.

May I have the privilege of an interview? If you will let me know when it is convenient for you to see me, I will arrange my calendar accordingly.

You may telephone me at [xxx-xxx-xxxx], e-mail me at [….@xxxx.com ] or if you prefer you can write to me at the address given.

Sincerely yours,

[Your name]

[Job title]

Leadership Development: Leadership Tips and Tools

Use email automated signatures. And, only check email twice a day. Email can be very disruptive and distracting if you find yourself checking it every hour or every few minutes. Your ability to focus and complete projects can negatively influenced by how you handle your email. This month’s tool is simple to implement and has powerful results:

1) Turn off the automatic send/receive on your Outlook or similar email program which delivers email to your inbox and gives an audible alert as soon as someone sends you an email.

2) Check your email twice a day, once at mid-day, just before lunch and again at the end of your work day. Do not check email first thing in the morning. Use 8 am to 11:30 am to focus on your major priority projects. A single email viewed first thing in the morning can throw you immediately off schedule.

3) Utilize the email autoresponse feature for easily responding. Create an email autoresponse that lets your manager, co-workers and employees know that you will be checking email twice per day. Let them know in this autoresponse email that you are be more effective. Here is a sample email autoresponse template you can edit for you own use:

Hello Friends (Team members, Colleagues, etc. whatever is most natural for you),
As a result of my workload and my interest in being effective, I am currently checking email twice a day at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST. If you require urgent assistance that cannot wait until one of these times, please contact me via phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your patience and supporting my efforts to being more effective. This is helping me accomplish more and serve you better.
Warm regards, Susan West

4) Utilize the email signature for automatically replying to emails that you repeatedly receive. For example, when recruiting for a new position, my recruiters will receive many emails from candidates applying for the position. An automated signature will let the candidate know that their information has been received and will be reviewed. The message does not need to be retyped every time a new candidates applies. Thready made signature has really simplified our process and yet lets the candidate know their information has been received.

You can also use signatures to remind team members of an upcoming event, of a special theme for the month or inspire with a quote. All can be done with a little thought and the use of the tools your email system provides.

Take a few minutes now to figure out how you can put these leadership tips and tools to use in your office.

Business Writing: Improving This Leadership Skill

Effective communication, whether it is verbal or written, is necessary for business leaders and managers to succeed. How employees communicate with each other can help projects reach completion faster, give birth to new ideas, and also help employees rely on each other. Any leader must have competency in business writing skills.

There are many different forms of correspondence in the business world. People communicate through email, memos, sales letters, sales reports, and proposals. These documents need to be written in a simple, concise language. They should make points quickly and should flow evenly throughout. This will ensure that people who read the document grasp what is being said quickly and fully understand what the document is describing. Miscommunication can occur if a document is not worded correctly.

Documents that flow evenly are structured well. This means that the document has a beginning, middle, and an end. Each paragraph should compliment the other so that the person reading gets a clear picture of what is being said.

A good example of interoffice correspondence is the memo. Memos are used to keep people in the company aware of changes, accomplishments, requests, and rules that are made within the company. Since companies have grown so much, mass communication is the only way to alert everyone of changes that are being made.

The introduction is the first step when writing a memo. The introduction paragraph should not be too long. It should tell the reader the purpose of the memo in one or two sentences. Do not site specific details until later in the memo.

The second paragraph should tell the reader additional details. This will include changes to procedures, team accomplishments, or other company news. It should be one or two paragraphs depending on what is being mentioned.

The closing paragraph should relay any additional information. For example, if the memo is about a company parking situation, the closing paragraph should mention the penalty for parking in spaces where people aren’t supposed to park their car. Additional paragraphs may be added if there are research and findings of any sort that should be mentioned. Always close the memo with a polite remark and then add your name to the document.

This is a typical company memo. The paragraphs can be switched around if the situation calls for it, but for the most part, this structure will work for most correspondence.

Choosing The Right Words

In addition to knowing how to plot a business document, choosing how to word it is the next step. Do not make the issue more complex than it has to be. Use simple language that is easy and fast to read. Business people will read many memos during the day. They usually skim through a memo picking out the important parts. There is no need to impress them with fancy wording. People will appreciate language that is easy to understand.

Writing a draft will help when trying to remember all the points that will need to be brought up in the memo. A draft will also help to establish tone. Two to three drafts will have to be written before the memo contains all the information in an easy to read format.

After finishing the draft, check the spelling, grammar, and any areas that do not seem clear. Be sure to use language that pertains to the company and try to keep the memo as short as possible.

Sometimes after completing a piece of business correspondence, it is best to leave it alone for a day to two. This way, if any points were missed, they can be added before the memo is sent.

All leaders in the business world should learn how to communicate effectively. Not only will the documents be well received, but they will help the company through solid productivity – a desire of all leadership.

Achieving Success Through Ongoing Career Development

For most people, learning new skills and continuing to work new areas within a company is how to earn promotions and enjoy a successful career. These days there are many directions in business that people can try. Leadership roles, working in more than one area, giving presentations, and creating new departments are all ways that people develop as their career moves along. Not only is the work more satisfying, but people will learn to trust and depend on those who are willing to explore other areas of a company and take on more responsibility.

In some cases, this is the only way to survive in the business world. There is a lot of competition to be the best in the department. While this is not the only goal for those who have a career in business, it is one of many driving forces that will help motivate and keep a person on a positive career track. The business world is constantly changing, especially since the Internet has become a major advertising force. Companies need people who can not only work on projects within the company, but who also have a firm grasp of the Internet and its capabilities.

Continual learning is one way to improve one’s position within a company. Taking business or computer classes, learning another language, or learning about another area within the company that is in need of assistance are ways to increase personal growth and development. Reading trade papers and company newsletters are also ways to stay informed about what is going on in the company and in the industry.

After taking classes or learning about another area of the company, ask to take on some extra responsibilities if time permits. Do not take on more work than is realistically possible. Showing interest and offering suggestions in team meetings and in other situations will be noticed. It is important not to go overboard. Part of being a responsible team player means knowing when to volunteer and when not to volunteer. Overshadowing coworkers is not very responsible.

Taking on a leadership role is another way to experience career and personal growth. Leadership roles can help build self-esteem, confidence, and also help others hone their skills as well. Leading a team in a successful project will lead to other projects. This can be a very exciting time and one that may be a little stressful. Personal growth is not always easy. Through a leadership role, managers will learn their strengths and weaknesses. This will help in leading other teams in the future.

Personal growth and development also means discussing and demonstrating skills that are useful to the company. Talking with managers and supervisors about recent involvement in projects, presentations given, or business trips will help them realize the kinds of people who work in the company. Talking about one’s abilities may be a difficult task, but when it is done artfully, new responsibilities may be given.

It is important in the business world to continue learning in order to grow professionally. Learning about new technology, what is going on an industry, and learning about new areas within a company are all ways to move one’s career in another direction. All too often business people get stuck in one particular job. This can become boring over time and will not allow people to demonstrate other skills that might be useful. In team meetings, ask for a different role when a new project is being formed. Not only will you gain valuable experience, you will become an asset to a team for many different reasons. Careers should change and evolve over time. This happens when people take control and do what they can make positive changes.

Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.
– Stephen R. Covey, The 8th Habit

Leadership is influence.
– John E. Maxwell, Developing the Leader Within You

Leadership is Authenticity, Not Style.
– Bill George, Authentic Leadership

Leadership is… Joyous! It’s a matchless opportunity to make a difference by marshalling the talents of others to a… Seriously Cool Cause.
– Tom Peters, The Leadership 50Leadership is the set of qualities that causes people to follow.
– Marshall Loeb and Stephen Kindel, Leadership for Dummies
Leadership is making it possible for others to follow by thinking strategically and focusing on the right directions, removing the obstacles, developing ownership, and taking self-directed actions.
– James A. Belasco and Ralph C. Stayer, Flight of the Buffalo

Leadership Quotes

“A leader is most effective when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, his troops will feel they did it themselves.”
– Lao-tzu, 6th century bce Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

“Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them.”
– Winston Churchill 20th century British statesman

“As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say; I just watch what they do.”
– Andrew Carnegie American industrialist and philanthropist

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.”
– Benjamin Franklin 18th century US statesman, writer and scientist

“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”
– George Washington First U.S. President 1789

“I studied the lives of great men and famous women, and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm.”
– Jim Rohn, Motivational Speaker