Top 5 Management Do-Overs

Are you a new supervisor? The first major advice I can give you is: don’t let it go to your head. A little authority can cause what some people have coined “Little Hitler” or “Little Man Syndrome“.

Here’re a few mistakes I’ve learned firsthand:
1. Step into their shoes periodically – You should be able to fill in for any of the crew. You do NOT need to be as proficient as they are, but you should be able to do the job, in a pinch.
Cross training in their footsteps allows you to step into their struggles, allowing you to help the employee. Understanding the employee in the position, builds respect in the relationship dynamic and helps the overall organization function better together.

2. Head off any bullying immediately and stand your ground. Bullying can come in many forms. In my situation, it was an employee that refused to see me as an authority figure and continuously tried to dominate my decisions, even to my superiors. It also may be an employee that tries to dominate other employees by delegating tasks.
Depending on the situation, this may be an employee that is worthy to be promoted. However, he/she may also be an employee that has not met the qualifications to be a supervisor and needs to be put in their place.

3. Be blunt and to the point. Soft stepping issues to avoid conflict causes confusion and looks weak.
Do not make people guess your angle or where you are wanting to go. Be polite and be direct.

4. Always check references and past employers for character flaws.
Skills can usually be learned, but bad behaviors are much harder to correct.

5. Take time to explain the big picture/vision of the organization. This helps employees see your challenges, the overall company direction, and commit to their part. They don’t need all the degree of details, just as you don’t need all of theirs, but being transparent allows them to see that you are actively working toward a goal and you believe in the vision. Be visible, transparent and appreciate feedback.
This creates a sense of unity and they will appreciate you taking the time to explain it. In my experience, we had weekly supervisory meetings, but larger group employee meetings were appreciated by employees. This would have been nice on a quarterly basis.

I hope this information was helpful. Good Luck in your new Career!
If you have other suggestions that may be helpful to others, please feel free to post below.
😀

Further information on leadership:

Dr. Henry Cloud, Leadership Video

Dr. Townsend, Boundaries and Work

Photo Attribution: Freepik.com, Sapann-Design
Designed by Sapann-Design / Freepik“>www.freepik.com, Designed by Sapann-Design

Help for the Angry Child

Help For the Angry Child
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You Tube Video: Help For the Angry Child

Understanding that every child is different and what works for one, may not work for another. The following information is what has helped in our situation. I think it’s helpful to consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, as well as, understanding your child’s love language. For more information either, please see the Amazon links at the bottom of this article (inexpensive purchases) or the following links: Dr. Dobson and Maslow’s Hierarchy

FIRST AND FOREMOST:
1. Safety First – Look for ways to say and show this at every turn (ex. What/how to play, crossing the street, objects in the mouth, running in the house, flashlights, first aid kits, etc). You may also want to include the concept of there being plenty of food to eat, settling that fear.

2. Look for ways to provide positive attention. This can be a challenge when it seems all you see is negative issues but keep trying.

In our situation, we volunteered to become guardians for two children in our family. One is probably what Dr. Dobson would call the “Strong Willed Child.” His high capacity drive, also naturally causes himself to be sensory starved when life is at a normal pace, which causes him to get into trouble or become easily frustrated. In contrast, going new places seems to throw him into an emotional frenzy, 5 times the normal level, where he forgets all rules and boundaries.

ACTIVITIES/TOYS/TOOLS:
1. Surround with soft sensory items by touch.
a. Soft Blankets
b. Cozy Pajamas
c. Comforting Stuffed Animals
d. Bean Bags or Soft Folding Floor Chairs.
e. Play-Doh/Modeling Clay
f. Art Activities – Finger Paint
g. Bath Sponges/Brushes – Provide multiple textures

2. Surround with soft sensory items by sound.
a. Musical or Nature Sound Mobile. Even though the kids we’ve acquired are older, they still found comfort in a musical mobile at bedtime. Rather than a full baby mobile, I purchased the music box on amazon and hung it in their room with a small ribbon, near their bed.
b. Fish Tank – the light and fish appear to sight and the sound of the water filter/bubbles helped.

3. Soft sensory items by taste. Have you ever tried to eat the following items upset?
a. Bananas
b. Noodles
c. Soup
d. Yogurt
e. Pudding/Jell-O

A note from the writer:
The information on this page is not meant to cure or diagnose nor replace any medical opinion. Please don’t hesitate to get professional medical or mental help, if you feel the need to do so for you and/or your child. Life is not perfect, but it is an interactive painting that we all get to be part of. Sometimes we can fix our issues, sometimes we can help others fix theirs and sometimes we need to find others to help us fix them. There is no shame in any of those options.

I wish you and your child well. If this information has been helpful to you or if you have any other suggestions, please leave your comments below.

For Further Information:
Free Article on Sensory Disorders: Consider Sensory Processing Disorders in the Explosive Child: Case Report and Review by Michael Cheng, MD and Jennifer Boggett-Carsjens, OT

The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.:

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https://www.amazon.com/Out-Sync-Child-Recognizing-Processing/dp/0399531653/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479747722&sr=1-1&keywords=the+out+of+sync+child+by+carol+stock+kranowitz

The 5 Love Languages of Children:

Bringing Up Boys, by Dr. James Dobson:

Poster for Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:

5 Business Tips to Save Time and Money

Several years ago, I ventured out into the soap making world. I started an LLC, registered with the State of Florida, the Department of Revenue and did the local business license. If I knew back then what I know now, I could have saved several thousand dollars.

Tips to save you time and money:
1. Buy Small in the Beginning. There are so many trial and errors that all new business ventures need to learn, buying too much too early can cost you tremendously. My lessons included: locating vendors for better ingredients to purchase in bulk and utilizing better tools or equipment. Early on I purchased good ingredients from high-end vitamin and health stores, whereas later I learned to buy in bulk high quality from a wholesale food company. In the beginning, I experimented with different soap molds, but learned the do’s and don’ts. Trial and error is important in the beginning of any business, but you want to minimize your losses. Win big, lose small.

2. Build Your Business Customers. Believing in your product is great and letting others catch that vibe is good but ultimately the heart of your sales should probably come through other businesses. My challenge was that I could sell my product to anyone I spoke to, but I had to speak to them for them to see the importance. Since most new businesses cannot be everywhere all the time, there was no way to get past the initial conversation for each returning customer. While referrals from friends and family are great, your product/service needs to be able to market itself to the majority, to survive.

3. Recapture Your Focus. There are so many different dynamics involved in building a business. Initially, you will try to do everything yourself because the money may not be available to do otherwise. However, you need to fully embrace, “You can’t beat a man at his trade”, is true. It’s your responsibility to know your trade inside and out, so invest in yourself. Take time to attend classes, go to conferences, talk to other professionals etc. All the other tasks associated with operating the business, such as; building a website, cutting the grass, cleaning the building, etc., forward it to someone else in that profession. Realize your time is valuable, so hone your focus to the heart of the business. Rest in letting others help you succeed.

4. Take Time to Breathe. Assembling motivators to keep you moving and on task is good. I posted a saying in a visible location that read “Don’t be upset with the results you didn’t get with the work you didn’t do.” However, anyone with the passion and drive to start/run a business is very much work oriented. The problem is they realize all the things that need to be completed and get overwhelmed. Make yourself take time out/off. Take time to hit the reset key for yourself, before you get up to move forward for another full throttled day. Remember your real motivations for everything you do, don’t sit them on the sidelines day in and day out. Take time to appreciate what matters most.

5. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses. We all have them; the key is utilizing them in the right manner. For example, if you are a bookworm but not a people person, hire a sales person. If you are great with building a product, but you procrastinate completing accounting tasks until after the deadline, hire a bookkeeper or accountant. This will free your time, lower your stress and empower you to manage your business more effectively.

Thank you for reading. I wishing you much success, less stress and more money!

man-and-dog
Artist and dog arrive by Melbourne Express (taken for J.C. Williamson), 10/12/1937 / byTed hood

Florida Real Estate

 

my-realtor-pic  Are you ready to buy or sell a home?

If you are exploring the Florida real estate market to buy or sell a home, please let me know, so I can provide you free information for your consideration (no obligation required).

If you are selling a home; pricing, staging and marketing your home can be the difference of attracting the right buyer, in the time and price that you need.

If you are exploring purchasing a home; there are steps you can take to save you and your family time and be sure you are exploring the right homes for your family regarding price, location and loan criteria.

Whether you are buying or selling, the process can be exciting and exhausting! As a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker for Happy Horizons Realty, Inc, I would be glad to offer free real estate tips to help you reach your home goals. I look forward to hearing from you. I can be reached at (850)723-1357 or tonyatoomey@ymail.com.

To continue your home search: www.GreaterHomeSearch.com (Northwest Florida)