Effectiveness: Continuous Improvement

So often in business our focus is on improving hard skills, these job-specific abilities like computer programming or technology advancements. We review trends, read articles and draw parallels to help advance our own businesses.

I challenge you to consider that a focus on continuously improving soft skills will lead to improved customer satisfaction, better company morale and higher productivity. Yes, we have to keep up with the trends in order to compete; but consider how the below could re–S.H.A.P.E.™  your business.

Areas for Continuous Improvement:

1.  Listening

You can always improve your listening skills. If you make that a focus of your business, your employees and your customers will notice… and benefit.  Everyone wins when people listen.

2.  Understanding Others

Seek first to understand (by listening and asking questions), then to be understood.  Communicating is about receiving, not just giving information.

3.  Candor

Say what you mean, and mean what you say.  Don’t blow smoke, and don’t try to impress with exaggerated credentials and empty promises.  Let your performance speak for itself.  And admit your mistakes; own them, offer solutions and then present a plan to avoid a repeat occurrence.  A mistake handled well could be one of the best tools you have for strengthening customer loyalty.

4.  The Ability to Agree to Disagree

With a spouse, friend, customer, subordinate or superior. Respectfully agreeing to disagree can disarm an awkward and divisive moment. Let go of your need to prove your “rightness.”  There is far more gray in this world than any of us realize, and more often than not, there is more than one correct answer.

5.  Embracing Change

Seize change and make it work for you. The status quo limits your growth potential and your future. Growth only happens in the wilderness, so step out of the known.

6.  Building Relationships.

Earn someone’s trust by caring about them (and what matters to them).  If you have a strong relationship, you can more likely afford the inevitable mistakes and hurdles that arise along the way. If you don’t have a relationship, you make it much easier for them to walk away.

7.  Sharing Time.

You can learn something from EVERY person on this planet if you give them some of your time. Think of all the lessons you missed today because you didn’t make time for others.  Plan it. Schedule it. You’ll be amazed at how much time you can save by giving some away.

What are some other Areas for Continuous Improvement?  Please share them.

Clifford A. Bailey
re-S.H.A.P.E. your business. re-S.H.A.P.E. your life.™
(Securing Higher Achievement and Personal Effectiveness)