Empowerment Archives

There is just not enough time in the day…

If we had magical powers and could extend the day to 26 hours, would we have enough time to get everything done? We tend to argue that we would fill up those two extra hours with new to-dos and there still wouldn’t be “enough time in the day”. But, we are open to opinions.

Instead of wishing for an extended day or waiting for our magical powers to appear, maybe we could explore ways to be more intentional with the hours we have. Here are a few things we have been thinking about at Pathmakers…

Is it time to explore with your team things that you can “start, stop and continue”? How could you be more efficient? What tasks could you eliminate? What is a good use of your time?
Can you intentionally ask your team for new and innovative ways to do what you do?
Can you find 2-3 things that you currently do that you could coach another person to do? Maybe you could provide them with an opportunity for growth and development.
Could you stop multi-tasking (yes, you read that right)? Being present not only helps you establish connection with and commitment to others, it also assures that you are hearing what is being said and understanding the decisions that are being made in a conversation/meeting.
Could you practice having direct conversations and encourage others to do the same? This will eliminate time spent in meetings after meetings, questioning or making assumptions about what others said, and worrying about situations.
Could you try more face-to-face conversations instead of back-and-forth email for extended periods of time?
Would short, regular (daily, weekly, monthly) meetings with your direct reports create increased communication and efficiency?
Are there things you should be saying “no” to instead of continuing to say “yes”?
Would it be beneficial for you to set aside a specific time each day to work on your goals and set priorities to help manage your time and talent better?

When you hear yourself saying “I just don’t have enough time in my day,” we encourage you to take a step back, challenge yourself, and read the questions above. Start with identifying one way in which you can create more time in your day…without finding any “magical” hours.

“Good teams become great when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for the we.”

–Phil Jackson

As leaders, we know just how important it is to develop teams by providing leadership, development, motivation, inspiration, challenge and vision. During times of change and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to build that sense of team and create energy and interaction on the team. We need to lead by example, showing vulnerability and supporting team members, honoring their feelings and fostering a sense of togetherness.

Now is a great time for you to take the opportunity to explore where your team is and determine what additional support they may need from you as their leader. Here are some things for you to consider:

What are the behaviors that help you identify if your team is a “me” or a “we’?
What are the strengths of your team? How have you grown together?
Are there areas in which you’ve slid backwards? If so, how can you rebuild those areas?
Is there a high level of trust on the team? What are the behaviors that demonstrate that?
Do team members feel connected with each other? (Don’t assume connection because of interactions you may have seen, really ask the question to get a true understanding.)
Do team members seem to be thinking cross-functionally or do you see evidence of them being siloed?
Are the decisions they are making reinforce the shared vision of the organization?

In creating team, t’s important to meet your team where they are and provide a plan with actionable items to develop and build their evolution so they can progress and stay focused on what matters.

Whether you are in the early stages of development, rebuilding, or your team is thriving, Pathmakers can help you cultivate a team centered around trust and invested relationships; one that lives and breathes your culture and values and drives sustainable results.

During the Safer at Home order the last couple of months, we at Pathmakers have made some discoveries about ourselves, our families, our team and our organization. We encourage you to take some time to reflect on the discoveries that you have made with your team and in your organization. It’s helpful to use an appreciative perspective when you are identifying these discoveries. Take time to look at what really worked and where your team and organization shined. When you focus more on the areas of success, you will bring more success.

We have outlined some questions below to help you uncover some of these discoveries.

Identifying discoveries on your team:

What are the hidden strengths you have uncovered on your team?
What key insights have you discovered?
Are there any blind spots that you have discovered and could close the gap on?
How do you use what you learned to plan for the future?
Who on your team have emerged as leaders? How are you going to help them continue to learn, grow and build their leadership?

Identifying discoveries in your organization:

What have you come to learn about your organization and your industry that you didn’t know before?
What did you discover that your organization could do, or do differently, that you didn’t know your organization could do?
What areas were you able to be agile and flexible, adapting quickly to change?
How did you sustain your culture? How did you live and breathe your organizational values?

Pathmakers is your partner in creating a thriving leadership structure and culture to help you capitalize on these discoveries and so much more. We would love to hear from you and work with your organization’s leaders. Contact us today!

By Jennifer Anderson

We work with countless amazing leaders every day at Pathmakers and it got me thinking about some of the bosses I have had in my life. I’ve been really blessed to have crossed paths with so many passionate leaders who have fueled my work-life with patience, respect, positivity, empowerment, courage and character. Don’t get me wrong, I have had a couple stinkers in there too. But in thinking back, one of my favorites, one who really inspired me, was the man who taught me selflessness.

It was my first real job.

I was young. It was my first real job out of college, and I was struggling in my role. I knew it was not the right fit for me or what I aspired to do. Oh, I faked it pretty well and I could have continued enduring each day while searching fervently for something else, but that didn’t feel right. I felt guilty, like I was doing him and his company a disservice by staying. My husband thought I was crazy to say anything (he thought I’d get fired on the spot), but I decided to go to my leader, the owner of the company, and spill my guts.

I couldn’t have gotten a more kind, caring reaction if I had been talking to my parents. He was saddened at how I was feeling and wanted to make it better, but not for himself or the company. This selfless leader wanted to make it better for me. At least that’s how I viewed it. He offered to send me to classes. He offered to mentor me or bring someone in who could mentor me. I was shocked…and so honored that he wanted to invest that much in me.

I never forgot his compassion and selflessness.

Ultimately, I had to turn down his offer, as I knew that classes or mentoring were not what I needed at that time. It was simply that the role wasn’t the right fit for me and there were no other roles in the company that fit into my goals. But I never forgot that compassionate, serving soul who made me feel valued, invested in, and confident that I could do anything I set my mind to. And I know for a fact that the next in that role killed it because she was given the proper tools and investment to make her successful. Plus, she had a pretty great guy for a boss.

I have since had several roles that have fulfilled my life and passions in different ways. I continue to absorb what I can each and every day and just enjoy where I am. And I can only hope that I am practicing the same selflessness he taught me so many years ago.

How To Magically Add More Time To Your Day

Creating Team

“Good teams become great when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for the we.”

–Phil Jackson

Take Time to Identify New Discoveries

The Selfless Leader

It was my first real job.

I never forgot his compassion and selflessness.