Mind Piece

17/10/2024

Almost two thirds of startup employees say managers are unprepared to take on the role.

This head line caught my attention from a recent survey from Sifted
https://lnkd.in/e3tWpAdq

Some of the key challenges highlighted by the survey were:

🔸 Managers were not prepared for the job - 63% of employees say many managers at startups are ill-equipped for the role.

🔸 Big issue is lack of goal setting and clear communication - Only 4.5% of respondents feel their managers set clear objectives.

🔸Micromanagement: A staggering 73% report being micromanaged, stifling autonomy.

🔸 Bullying & Discrimination: 52% of employees experienced bullying, harassment, or discrimination.

🔸 Ineffective 1-1s: 56% say their 1-1s are unproductive due to lack of preparation or clear focus.

But it’s not all bad news. Employees praised managers who:
💡 Show empathy and good communication
🎯 Set clear goals and delegate effectively
🤝 Provide emotional and professional support
✨ Encourage growth and learning

If you have Managers who need support in any of these areas, I offer Management Mastery training and mentoring. The first 2 modules cover:
Knowing what you need to create direction and expectations to your direct reports. (Includes a tool you can use to create clear direction and expectations.)
How to hold 121 meetings with a direct report including the 3 outcomes you are looking for and how to prepare for them.

Feel free to get in touch for a conversation around manager development.

23/04/2024

Here is how I helped my client go from working more than 60 hours a week to 20 hours and still increase his turnover by 70%.

He was the typical example of a business founder who had experienced some big growth already. He had a great product and lots of ideas for how to take these forward. He could read the market like a true visionary.

The problem was he was doing A LOT in his business and he was finding the role of managing a team really hard.

In fact it was the thing holding his business back the most.

He was constantly allocating work to his team members, he was helping them where he could, he was driving projects. But they were still behind on where he needed the work to be and he was losing faith in the business’ ability to achieve what was in his head.

By changing his staff engagement and people management by implementing bite size strategies from day 1 of working together, we achieved the result he needed.

He went from doing everything and working 67 hours a week to 20 hours while his annual turnover went from mid £300K to £1.2million.

What's not to like?

If you would like a discovery call to see if we are a good fit, send me a DM.

23/07/2023

Introducing the Unconventional Leader: Redefining Success in Business

You don’t have to fit a certain person's profile to lead a successful business.

Of course you can work on specific skills and your leadership style to make you more effective. And you probably should.

BUT the Unconventional Leader recognizes that being a "William Wallace" in their business, a larger-than-life figure commanding attention and wielding authority, is not the only path to fostering an exceptional team.

The Unconventional Leader knows that inspiring people and enabling them to excel at their jobs requires a different approach. They understand that a shared vision can do the heavy lifting, transforming individual aspirations into collective achievements.

Rather than relying solely on personal charisma or forceful command, the Unconventional Leader leverages a range of strategies to cultivate high achievers and ensure the right work gets done.

The Unconventional Leader paves the way for a new paradigm in business. They prove that effective leadership transcends stereotypes, and by harnessing their vision and implementing strategic approaches, they inspire individuals to become exceptional performers and work toward shared success.

So, if you ever question whether you fit the mold of a typical leader, remember that being an Unconventional Leader can be just as, if not more, effective in achieving remarkable outcomes in your business. Embrace your authentic self, tap into your vision, and empower those around you to unleash their full potential.

22/06/2023

https://www.mindpiece.co.uk/

Follow Meet Lucy I help small business owners to scale through managing their staff better. I revolutionise your team so they care about your business and can move the needle without you. Get In Touch Are you feeling stuck? You want to take your business to the next level but your team relies on you...

22/06/2023

I get told by many Small Business Owners that they cannot plan their business more than three months ahead.

My answer: You can and you should.

Why? Because having a plan does not mean that you cannot adapt and navigate current environments.

Having a plan does not mean you will know all the small details and answers for what everyone will be doing in 6 months time.

BUT it does mean that you and your staff have direction and focus within which to navigate your business.

When you want to go on a car journey, you don’t say I can only plan the next 30 miles because I have no idea what the road and traffic will look like after that.

Before you get in the car

You KNOW what your destination is and the reason you want to go there.

You KNOW there are multiple routes to get there and you may have to make a decision on which route is best as you get closer and fully understand the conditions at that time.

EVERYONE in the car knows what the destination is and how long the estimated journey time is.

EVERYONE knows generally when they are half way there and what certain milestones are.

EVERYONE can see the immediate surroundings with absolute clarity and detail.

As they look beyond the immediate surroundings they can see the general lay of the land and what it looks like.

On the horizon they can see where they are heading for.

The choice is yours.

Either be the leader that plans the car journey with the people in the car so you all have the same information about where you are going, what milestones you can use along the way and why you are going there

OR

Be the owner that tells the passengers to get in the car and keeps them in the dark. They know they are traveling but they have no idea where too, why, how long it will take or if they even want to go there themselves.

20/06/2023

☠ If you do not have Problem Solvers working for you, your work load will continue to GET BIGGER not smaller. ☠

Here is why:

I have a problem. What should I do? 🤷‍♀️
This level creates more work for the manager or business because someone else needs to solve the problem for them.

I have a problem. Here are the potential solutions. 🙋‍♀️
This level is still creating work for other people rather than solving problems but they are now thinking the problem through to the solution

A problem came up. These were my options. I chose to do this and here’s why. 👏
This level is great to have and makes a massive difference.

It sounds like you are having this problem. Here are some options to solve it. 💪
This is a game changer and a person is not only doing their job but taking care of your business

The real question is do you allow your staff to develop into problem solvers or are you keeping them at level 1 without even knowing you are doing so?

Check you actions and see if you are inadvertently training people to be level 1 solvers in your business. The things that can influence this when you do not give conscious thought to it are:

What feedback and communication exists in your business?

How you react to people when they bring a problem to you?

If you give people tasks to do or if you share expected outcomes?

If you provide the vision which is the lens through which all decisions at every level are made?

15/06/2023

As a fellow small business owner, I know the pain of struggling to define job roles and expectations.

It can feel like an endless battle, trying to communicate exactly what you want from a new employee and how it fits into your business's bigger picture. And let's not forget the challenge of attracting the right candidates in the first place. It's frustrating, right?

But here's the good news, gone are the days of reinventing the wheel with every new team member.

Say goodbye to the stress of uncertain job descriptions and hello to a world where every team member knows exactly what they're responsible for. By implementing a streamlined process, you'll be amazed at how effortlessly the right people start gravitating toward your job openings. Your job advertisements will attract candidates who are not only qualified but also excited about the opportunity to contribute to your business's success.

So, why wait any longer? Embrace the power of a structured system to define job roles and expectations. Transform your business into a well-oiled machine where everyone knows their part and works together seamlessly. You'll be amazed at the positive impact it has on your team's morale, productivity, and ultimately, your bottom line.

Don't let job role confusion hold you back any longer. Step into the world of clarity and success today!

30/05/2023

The perfect Balance of Alignment and Autonomy is what all Leaders should be striving for to create the perfect environment for people to perform at their most creative and best.