by Deborah Leverett | Jun 3, 2016 | Blog, Uncategorized
Have you ever worked on a team that understood what it really means to be an air-tight team? Unfortunately, that is not the norm. You may have worked on a team with individuals who have strong leadership capabilities. But, a team comprised of high-performers does not guarantee a championship team. How does a group strong individuals learn how to be a strong team? You may have noticed, it does not just happen automatically. There are 7 efficiencies that have an enormous impact on a group of people who are working together to accomplish a goal. Over the next few weeks, I will be addressing these external and internal factors in more detail. 1. Strength of leader: the foundation of any team is the robustness of the leader and the clarity of the leader’s vision. No matter how strong the team members are, it is difficult to consistently achieve when the leader is mediocre or struggles to effectively communicate the vision. 2. The maturity of the team: the length of time a team has been together plays a strong role in how effective and productive the team is. It takes time to build relationships that forge trust. 3. Rate of turnover: it takes anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to integrate a new team member. A new person will always cause a slowdown in the normal routines of the team. 4. Rate and level of complexity of change: the faster and deeper the change is, the more the team has to discern what to deflect, what problems to solve and how to handle the speed and stress of the change....
by Deborah Leverett | May 19, 2016 | Blog
Yesterday at Entera offices, we held an envisioning party. We invited in big picture thinkers from varying industries and picked their brains about a particular project on which we are embarking. It was an encouraging day because they affirmed our ideas, challenged our assumptions and were optimistic about the project. I am grateful for their astute observations, but I left with a bit of apprehension. The reason for this is I have some work to do: there are some mental assumptions that I have that need to change. This is the true cost of innovation: we have to change, adapt, learn, re-learn, unlearn in order to move forward and best serve the marketplace. Alvin Toffler said it best: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Learning something new, for most people, is an enjoyable experience. But, unlearning is a different matter: it is a more arduous process. What is unlearning? It is the process of discarding something from your thought patterns and replacing with new patterns. It could be an attitude, a habit or a way of behaving. This adaptive lifestyle is all around us. Adult education experts estimate that up to 40% of what students are learning today will be obsolete a decade from now when they will be working in jobs that have yet to be created. In the workplace, many executives were taught that leading in an autocratic, top-down manner But when faced with increasing complexity and constant change, they realize this way is no longer effective. Today’s leaders must...
by Deborah Leverett | Dec 24, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
I’ve never understood man’s attempts to rid himself of a divine being whose story has been called the Greatest Story ever Told; a divine being whose character is demonstrated by an act of love so amazing that it is almost too good to be true. What is man that this divine being would sacrifice all to redeem him? Luke 2 – The Christmas Story At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. The Shepherds and Angels That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city...
by Deborah Leverett | Dec 8, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
You can be a difference maker this holiday season and give a gift that will boost others as well as leave you feeling great. This principle works every time and is only dependent on how you view others. 5 Ways to Build Others: 1. Make them feel important by showing your admiration for who they are : give compliments for their traits and accomplishments. Tell them how their role adds value to the organization. 2. Pay attention and listen: today try listening twice as much as you speak. 3. Accept people where they are: stop criticizing and judging others (especially behind their backs). 4. Be positive: even when at opposite ends of the argument, show respect for the other person. 5. Stop blaming others: when you point your finger at a person, department, or other entity (competitors, government); remember that 3 fingers are pointing back at you. (In other words, no one is without...
by Deborah Leverett | Oct 1, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
Beware of your motives — both a life lived for personal agenda, title and position and a life lived for service to others produce collateral fruit. A life of true significance is at stake. A life of true greatness is not in your title or position but in your decision to set aside selfish agendas in order to take up an agenda of service. A life of significance springs from embracing service to others. A life that is worthwhile begins with leading yourself and committing to help others do what they cannot do for...
by Deborah Leverett | Sep 25, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
For the past 59 minutes, I have been on the phone with the following: 10 minutes with Mecca Gym and Spa (Austin TX) for an incident that occurred on September 12. Management promised twice to call me. Promise of a call later today. (lots of apologies) 38 minutes with Time Warner Cable – for a service rep who never showed (after waiting 7 hours). At first, they couldn’t find the appointment in the system; found it, then said the problem got fixed but service rep didn’t need to come inside. Whoops, forgot to tell me! I decided to opt out of the feedback survey. 11 minutes with Apple, San Antonio – for a receipt sent by email that I never received — transferred 4 times — receipt just arrived! I think I’ll wait just a bit to answer their survey. ...
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