studentlinc

Reinventions At Work In Business - A Talking Story Forum

Rosa Say has pulled the troops together to submit some of the finest "reinvention" and "redefinition" ideas in the workplace today (link here).  This is the second go around with this forum and Talking Story has doubled the contributions.  Rosa writes as way of introduction...

I encourage you to lead as these business leaders have done. Make the decision to be a catalyst today: don’t leave it for “the other guy” —Reinvention is something you can make happen. Get inspired. Be proactive and be optimistic. We are.

You will find links to articles which tackle robotic customer service, compensation structures, job descriptions and conventional roles, traditional corporate departments, organizational charts, the way we use brainstorming, Stephen Covey's Circle of Influence, and even the Marine Corps! There is one which urges us to reinvent our attitude about the sharing of knowledge, another which cheers on customer evangelists, and one which challenges the limits of our imagination. We are invited to shatter resistance and reinvent ourselves even when it seems impossible .

There are numerous links to various writers, each of whom has demonstrated that there are a lot of ways that we can reinvent the kind of work that we do.

I was fortunate enough to be able to offer two (recent) posts to the mix...

From Tim Milburn of studentl.inc: The Most Valuable 10% Of Your Job Description

I believe a healthy job description should include something that says:     We believe that you will be of greater value to our company, our community, and our world when you invest at least 10% of your time developing your strengths, your talent, and your inner creativity. Therefore, you must spend 4-6 hours every week working through your personalized growth plan and developing your core skills.  Failure to do so will only limit your potential and the potential of our organization. Read Tim's full article...

Another from Tim: Meeting Planner | Organizer | Worksheet.

With the post just above, Tim has a great graphic you should grab. In this one, he shares a pdf download of a terrific tool he developed for his Student Leaders to reinvent the approach they take with the meetings they plan, facilitate and attend. It's an exceptional planner for all of us: Read Tim's full explanation...

There is sooo much good stuff to chew on, think about, reflect on, and inspire you to step into new territory.  I recommend you give yourself a good dose of time and work through the sharp thinkers that have offered this vision of a better tomorrow (which starts by doing something new today!).

Link to the Reinvention Forum here.

MPOW - Version 1.6

I've made some minor adjustments to the MPOW based on user feedback and some of the reader comments.  Here's the breakdown:

• Added a column for jotting time allowance next to agenda items.
This was a great suggestion because it gives the meeting leader an idea of how much time the group can reasonably spend on each agenda item.  It can help to keep discussion focused if the group knows that they only have a limited amount of time on each item.

• Added a target column next to agenda items.
This is another miscellaneous column that the leader can use to note that there is an action item required or to list priorities for each item.  It's up to the user's discretion.

• Converted the notes module to an attendance module.
I moved the notes portion under the follow-up section.  This gave more space to write down attendance, which many users felt was an important aspect of the meeting.  I also added some contact columns for the user to note if there is a need to phone, write a note, or write an email to an individual.  The column with the conversation bubbles over it is provided to specify what kind of follow-up contact is necessary or to remind the leader that there's something that they need to talk with the individual about.

I've been considering adding color to the MPOW, or at least providing a color version.  Any comments in that regard would be appreciated.  One of the reasons that I've kept it greyscale is because it's much easier to both copy and print.

Download MPOW - Version_1.6 (pdf)

The Most Valuable 10% Of Your Job Description

One of the first things that a student considers when they are deciding whether or not to sign up for a student leadership position is: What do I have to do?  Their concern...is centered around the job description.

This is something that carries on well-past the learning years at high schools and universities.  Anyone in the job market right now?  A lot of the focus is on the job description - What do I have to, get to, want to DO?

But what if we changed the focus of the job description...even, say, 10%.

I am now on the bandwagon of better job performance through better investment in the job performee.  What I mean is that I believe that every job, every position, every opportunity to lead in the workplace should include a percentage of time dedicated NOT to what I have to do, but rather, to who I am BECOMING.

I believe a healthy job description should include something that says:

We believe that you will be of greater value to our company, our community, and our world when you invest at least 10% of your time developing your strengths, your talent, and your inner creativity.  Therefore, you must spend 4-6 hours every week working through your personalized growth plan and developing your core skills.  Failure to do so will only limit your potential and the potential of our organization.

What would a statement like that mean to you in your position?

Oftentimes, companies want and expect the most amount of work from the least amount of investment in their people.  That's poor stewardship, poor leadership, and ultimately poor business.

Do you control your own job description?  Does it include opportunity and time to invest in your greatest asset...YOU?  Stephen Covey calls it "sharpening the saw."   But it's more than a personal habit that results in a personal victory.  It can and should become a corporate habit that leads to a corporate victory.

I've seen this in action and I've been impressed.  I called a company last Monday morning that I deal with on occasion and received the voice mail service.  While I was a little put off by not being able to talk to a real person, I left a message.  An hour-and-a-half later, I received a call back from a very gracious service agent.  She apologized for not being available, but went on to explain that the entire company was working on their personal growth plans...ON COMPANY TIME.  Every single person, from Shipping to Sales to Sr. Vice President was dedicating a percentage of their work hours to honing and developing themselves. 

I've heard it said: You cannot give what you do not have.  This is about more than sending people to a conference once a year.  I like hosting seminars, but that's only part of it.  This is a call to let people...no, give permission...No...DEMAND that your people spend at least 10% of their time investing in their own betterment (is 10% too high...not enough?).

Let me know what you think...I'll be busy adding some lines to our current job descriptions.

Meeting Planner | Organizer | Worksheet

UPDATE: The MPOW has a new version!  Download version 1.6 here.

The student leaders that I work with often struggle to make the most of meeting times.  They schedule meetings, attend meetings, and often participate in meetings.  But when it comes to leading a meeting, they wonder how to be more effective.

I've created a one-page tool called the MPOW (meeting planner | organizer | worksheet).  It provides our student leaders with a format to make the most of the meetings that they are in charge of. 

The MPOW assists a leader in
  ...planning (thinking about what needs to happen before the meeting),
  ...organizing (thinking about what needs to happen during the meeting),
  ...and work that needs to be done (thinking about what needs to happen after the meeting).

The six sections of the MPOW are:

1. Meeting Purpose - This helps the student leader identify the answer to the question: "Why do we need to have this meeting?"  If one can't define the purpose, one shouldn't be calling a meeting.
2. Meeting Preparation - There are certain things that must be in place as one gets ready for a meeting.  This section helps the student leader to make sure that he or she is ready to go once the meeting is called to order.
3. Meeting Agenda - The agenda is important because it keeps the group focused on the important topics.  This section includes an area for the leader to check off if the item was discussed, a decision was made, or the item was delayed for another time.
4. Meeting Action Items - This is the most important part of the meeting.  The items that are discussed will usually result in some type of work that needs to be done.  In this section, the student leader will record action items, the people that the work is assigned to, and a deadline that the work needs to be accomplished.
5. Meeting Follow-up - After a meeting, the student leader should be aware of the next steps.  This section will guide the student leader in the need to follow-up certain activities or with certain people.
6. Meeting Notes - This is a generic space for the student leader to record thoughts, ideas, and reminders from the meeting time.

The MPOW is an 8.5"x11" form that is available as a pdf download.  If you find this form useful, please let me know.  Also, it is a work in progress, so any feedback is always welcome.

Download MPOW 1.5 here.

Student Worker Or Student Leader - The EBook!

Do you know the difference between a student worker and a student leader?

I've compiled the Student Worker or Student Leader series of posts into a downloadable EBook.  Now, those who work with students in leadership positions can pass this information on to them in an easy-to-read format.

Too many students think that once they are elected or selected to serve in a student leadership position they are automatically student leaders.  But that's not true.  It's a myth that is backed up by title alone.  A position does not make one a leader.  It is when a student gets others involved and guides that group toward a common purpose or vision that one begins to lead.

Download the Student Worker or Student Leader Ebook (PDF - 179KB)