Tips for Leading by Example During Challenges

This week’s leadership tip is on Problem Solving. As leaders, we navigate through challenges daily, and the ability to solve problems efficiently is a cornerstone of successful management. Our methods of problem solving, through Lean Management techniques, are one of the things I believe make CITY Furniture unique.    Here are some ways you can improve problem solving within your organization:    ✅ Embrace a #Kaizen Mindset: Continuous improvement is key. Foster a culture where associates feel encouraged to identify and address issues. It's the accumulation of these small improvements that propels an organization towards excellence.   ✅ Go To The #Gemba: Go to where the work is done to really understand what is going on with your business. Ask questions. See with your own eyes the facts of the situation.   ✅ Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage analytics and metrics to gain insights into the root causes of issues. This not only accelerates the decision-making process but also ensures that solutions are grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the problem.   ✅ Encourage Cross-Functional Collaboration: Problems often span multiple departments, and the collective intelligence of a diverse team can lead to innovative solutions. Create forums for open communication and collaboration, fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their expertise.   ✅ Prioritize High-Impact Issues: Not all problems are created equal. Identify and prioritize high-impact issues that align with your organizational goals.    ✅ Learn from Failures, Celebrate Successes: Encourage your team to analyze setbacks, understand what went wrong, reflect, and use those insights to iterate and improve for the future. Similarly, celebrate the successes – both big and small – to reinforce a positive problem-solving culture.   ✅ Invest in Training and Development: Equip your team with the necessary skills to excel in problem-solving. Training and workshops focused on critical thinking, root cause analysis, & creative problem-solving techniques can significantly enhance your team's ability to address challenges effectively.   ✅ Lead by Example: As leaders, we set the tone for our organizations. Demonstrate a proactive and positive approach to problem-solving. Show that you value and appreciate the efforts of your team in addressing challenges. Your example will inspire others to embrace a similar mindset.    At CITY, by integrating problem-solving seamlessly into our culture, we help to eliminate waste and optimize our business for our customers, associates and even suppliers. This not only leads to improved productivity but also fosters a dynamic and always continuingly to improve company culture. That’s why I’m such a strong believer in problem solving, and encourage you all to take a look at it more closely.   How does your organization approach problem-solving, and what strategies have proven most effective?    #continuousimprovement #leadershiptips

Leading by Example: In the realm of leadership, the adage 'actions speak louder than words' holds profound truth. As a leader in the oil and gas industry, I've learned that leading by example is not just a strategy, it's a responsibility. Let me share a story that underscores this belief. Early in my career, when I was just starting out with my first venture in Chanute, Kansas, we faced a significant challenge. One of our key projects was lagging, and morale was low. I realized that what my team needed was not just instructions, but inspiration. So, I rolled up my sleeves and joined them in the field. We worked together, through long hours and challenging conditions. That experience didn’t just help us meet our deadline; it solidified a culture of mutual respect and teamwork that became the cornerstone of our company's ethos. This experience taught me that leadership is not about sitting in an office issuing commands. It's about being present, showing your team that you're willing to do what you ask of them. It's about building trust and respect through shared experiences. And most importantly, it's about embodying the values and work ethic you want to see in your team. As leaders, we must remember that our actions set the tone for our organization. When we lead by example, we create a culture of accountability, excellence, and collaboration. This approach not only drives results but also fosters an environment where every team member feels valued and inspired to contribute their best. #Leadership #LeadByExample #Teamwork

Be calm in the chaos . . . My first combat mission in the A-10 was a 7-hour flight from Kuwait to Afghanistan. We had to refuel in flight several times to make it there. I had refueled before during training but this was different. If I couldn’t connect my airplane with the boom of the tanker successfully, then we would have to divert. We would be late to our tasking, and it would also be extremely embarrassing. It was a clear blue-sky day so we could easily see the tanker as it pulled out in front of us as we traversed the Persian Gulf. My flight lead hooked up first making it look easy, and then it was my turn. I reduced my power slightly to drop below the tanker and then slowly pushed my power back up to position my aircraft 50 feet directly behind the boom of the tanker. I was doing my best to control my breathing and relax my death grip on the stick when I heard my flight lead calmly say, “wiggle your fingers and toes,” a technique many pilots use to help relax during air refueling. He was clearly aware of the stress I was feeling. Leaders play a pivotal role in demonstrating that they understand the intensity of a situation while also helping their team remain calm and composed under pressure. How can we help our team remain calm in the chaos? • Prioritize clear, concise, and correct communication, especially during a crisis when people are eager for information. Tell them what you know and be honest about the situation. • Instill confidence. Reassure the team that they are well prepared to endure hard times, even when the outcome remains uncertain. • Empathize with team member stress levels and act/adjust accordingly. To help our team develop and grow, we should teach them our techniques for overcoming stress and facing fear. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a deep breath or wiggling our fingers and toes. #Leadership #FlyingInTheFaceOfFear #LeadWithCourage

Leading by Example: When Action Speaks Louder Than Words As I've grown into leadership, my focus has shifted to developing people rather than doing tasks myself. However, there are times when taking action is a powerful way to lead, especially with a new team, new product, or challenging situation. In such moments, stepping in and showing your team how and why you deserve their respect is crucial. Our team is working on a promising new product, experiencing its ups and downs. Recently, we hit some challenges while key team members were on well-deserved holidays. Waiting for their return would have contradicted our culture of urgency and proactive problem-solving. So, I went back to basics and took action as an individual product manager: testing the product, providing daily feedback, writing Jira tickets, and even creating a demo video. This hands-on approach helped steer the project back on track and demonstrated my commitment to the team. I believe this involvement from leadership will contribute to the product's long-term success. There were other ways to handle the situation, but this approach reminded me of my passion for building products. How do you handle similar situations? I'm curious to hear your thoughts. #leadership #productmanagement

“You don't lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.” —Ken Kesey Effective leadership isn't just about giving directions; it's about showing the way through your actions. True leaders lead by example and convince others through their actions and reasoning. Here are three actionable steps to lead by example and make your case as a leader: 1️⃣ Demonstrate Your Commitment: Show your dedication by actively participating in tasks and projects. Get involved, roll up your sleeves, and work alongside your team. Your commitment sets the standard and motivates others to give their best. It doesn’t mean that you’re hands-on keyboard – it does mean that you’re close to the “action” and bringing your expertise to the table! 2️⃣ Communicate Clearly: When you have a vision or idea, communicate it clearly to your team. Explain the why, how, and what behind your decision. Use compelling reasons and evidence to make a convincing case. Transparency and clarity build trust and engagement. 3️⃣ Be a Problem Solver: When challenges arise, take the initiative to find solutions. Address problems head-on and involve your team in brainstorming solutions. Your proactive approach shows resilience and encourages others to tackle obstacles with a positive mindset. Remember, leadership is about actively leading the way and persuading through your actions and communication. By leading by example, you create a culture of determination and effectiveness that inspires others to follow suit. #LeadingByExample #EffectiveLeadership #CommunicateClearly #ActionableSteps #careerminded #leadershipvision #careerdevelopment

Bad leaders became the best teachers in my career. I'd find them crumble under pressure and resort to: → Snapping at eager team members who were just looking to contribute → Yelling over minor setbacks as if the sky were falling → Forgetting that behind every question was a person trying to make a difference Their stress became everyone's burden. Their outbursts were a barrier to teamwork. Yet, this is exactly what compelled me to opt for a different path. A leadership that isn't marked by the thunder of voices. But by the strength of support and understanding! And guess what? Soon their teams wanted me to become THEIR leader. All because... Where once dread filled the air, now there was a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. I created an environment where kindness and patience were non-negotiable. Each screw-up... Each challenge... Each difficulty... Was approached with a calm resolve. So the team's collective efforts don't go undermined just because of the heat of the moment. And soon this created a culture where: → We embraced challenges with composure and grace → We acknowledged the humanity of our team members - they are not cogs in the machine but the very soul of your operations This way I became the change I wanted to see. My friendly reminder to you today is... The greatest lessons often come from the most challenging teachers. Let the examples of bad leadership not dishearten you. But inspire you to become the leader you wished you had. 💛 #leadershipdevelopment #professionalwomen P.S What do you think is the best way to handle a team member's mistake?

Just wrapped up another of my "walk and talk" sessions with a CEO friend who's navigating his company through the choppy waters of their next big deal. During these high-tension periods, teams often find themselves stretched to the limit. Uncertainty about the end goal, repetitive tasks, and the high stakes of each potential deal can fray nerves and thin patience. A curveball came their way recently—a promising deal flew under their radar and hit the market, sparking disappointment and frustration in an already charged atmosphere. When his team reached out to vent, his response showcased exemplary leadership. Here’s how he navigated the storm: 1. Pause for Perspective: It's tempting to get defensive or assign blame. Instead, he chose to listen fully, giving himself the space to collect his thoughts and respond thoughtfully.    2. Validation First: Acknowledging his team’s frustrations proved crucial. It’s amazing how being heard can lower barriers and soften the blow of disappointment. 3. Empower with Accountability: Rather than absorbing the blame, he challenged his team to reflect on why they missed the deal. This wasn’t about pointing fingers but encouraging ownership and proactive thinking. 4. Frame as a Learning Moment: Through this dialogue, they uncovered insights that would sharpen their strategic focus moving forward. Matching his team’s frustration could have easily escalated the situation. Instead, his emotionally intelligent approach transformed a potentially divisive moment into a valuable learning opportunity. Leadership isn’t just about delegating tasks or pinpointing blame. It’s deeply rooted in self-awareness and the nuanced art of guiding reactions and responses. It's moments like these that truly define leadership. Which is what we are bringing to the surface at Exec Crüe. Elevating leaders and achievers! #execcrue #executivecoach #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #coach

Uncertainty and change at work is hard. That feeling of ‘not knowing’ can really stress people out and the energy and brainspace needed to maintain commitment and productivity can feel scarce. But it doesn’t have to feel so gloomy. If we can lean into that uncertainty and find connection with peers, ones team and isolate that ‘why’ for why we work where we work, or do what we do, it makes a huge difference. Plus, doing so is what separates high performing leaders and organizations from the rest. I’ve been focused on this lately and here are my observations: 📌 Start with understanding what people want. For many it’s an environment where people are heard, understood, and valued. A place where they can learn, grow and make a meaningful contribution and impact. Ask them, and listen. 📌 Now reflect on your style and your ability to adapt your style to changing situations. You must be adaptable. Versatility and your ability to tailor your role to immediate needs is really important. 📌 Adjust your perspective. Put yourself in your team’s shoes and look at problems from different points of view. Be open and prepared to adjust your approach in order to make points of connection. 📌 Focus on your team values, they’re core to the foundation of trust you’ve built with your team. They’re the glue that binds. 📌 Act with compassion and check in with your team. Uncertainty and disruption means your team is dealing with a lot that they’re not unaccustomed to. New obstacles and challenges must be taken into account. 📌 Create paths for communication the way your team likes to engage, meet them where they are at. Create simple pathways to ask questions and encourage feedback that will allow you all to navigate change positively. 📌 Lead with resilience which demands a growth mindset and positive thinking on your part. Things are moving fast, it’s important that you are self aware with your thoughts and emotions as you encounter stress so you can best show up for your team. No matter what uncertainty and disruption brings let’s always remember that teams are made of people with strengths, weaknesses, fears, goals and dreams. Treat your people as you’d like to be treated and you’ll find yourselves coming together and navigating the world of work together. I took this picture at LinkedIn NYC Headquarters a few weeks ago inspired by the many ways they bring their culture to life throughout their offices. A favorite quote comes to mind ⤵️ “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” ~ Maya Angelou How do you deal with the unknown or too much change? Please share in comments so we can all learn together. #Career #leadership #FutureOfWork #mindset

Today will mark the end of another quarter for Lucid. And everytime I approach the end of a quarter, I’m always reminded and inspired by how our teams work together and both encourage, but also hold each other accountable. Accountability in particular is something I strongly advocate with my leaders. But sometimes I think accountability is often looked at in a negative light. Instead of thinking of accountability conversations as “criticism focused,” we should instead view accountability conversations as simply a valuable exchange of guidance, with the leader’s sole purpose being to help their team WIN. When you’re a part of a sales team, you win together, but more importantly no one should lose alone. Spending time with my family in Hawaii always brings me back to the power of Ohana and the power in everyone working together for the betterment of not just “family,” but community. There is an inherent understanding that people will not just do their part, but they will work to lighten the loads of others, as well. As you recognize others, then are you recognized and as you help others, then do you receive help. I can’t think of a more important lesson for sales leaders to embody as they help their teams work through accountability. We must approach conversations of accountability with empathy and most importantly, lead by example. There’s an innate respect earned by leaders that walk alongside their team, sharing experiences and learnings along the way that can not only educate, but elevate their efforts. Afterall, a good leader should never ask their people to do something they haven’t done or wouldn’t be willing to do themselves. But what I’ve found to be most powerful in all of this, is approaching each day with optimism and empathy. Great leaders empathize with their team’s journey and show gratitude for their work, while also looking for the good and helping them learn from frustration so they can grow. I truly believe that high optimism predicts high effort and success, and don’t think anyone can do their best work operating in fear. So as you meet with your teams and lead, I encourage you to approach accountability with maybe a different mindset, leading with empathy and work to move forward with confidence and optimism.

Leadership is not just about making decisions; it's about understanding the impact of our actions. As leaders, we carry the responsibility of unblocking our teams and empowering them for success. However, it's crucial to be acutely aware of how we are perceived. A seemingly innocent comment or a last-minute recommendation can unintentionally create unnecessary turbulence. How often do we pause to consider the ripple effect of our words and actions? To foster a positive and productive environment, we must continuously reflect on our leadership style. Here are a few considerations: 1️⃣ Mindful Communication: Pay attention to how your words might be interpreted. Clear and transparent communication is the bedrock of effective leadership. 2️⃣ Empower, Don't Overwhelm: Empower your team by providing the necessary tools and support, but avoid overwhelming them. Strike the right balance to ensure they feel capable and motivated. 3️⃣ Open Dialogue: Encourage an open dialogue where team members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns. This creates a culture of trust and collaboration. 4️⃣ Lead by Example: Demonstrate the values and work ethic you expect from your team. Leading by example fosters a positive work environment. 5️⃣ Regular Feedback: Establish a feedback loop. Regularly check in with your team to understand their challenges and successes. Constructive feedback is a powerful tool for growth. Remember, our role as leaders is not just about achieving results; it's about nurturing an environment where our team can thrive. By fostering the good and productive, we empower our teams to make a meaningful impact and find personal satisfaction in their roles. #leadership