Leading & Managing: Top 10 Ideas


An interview with Jim Davis

This week I had an opportunity to interview
Jim Davis, CEO of Verified Person,
technology industry veteran, and a
personal hero and mentor of mine,
on my monthy member webinar.

Download a Podcast of this Interview
Download a Podcast of the Coaching Hour with Jim Davis and me

                                                 TOP 10 IDEAS
                                    JIM DAVIS SHARED WITH US

1. People, Process, Profit
People come first because that is how you get things done.  If the people are engaged and interested, it makes all the difference.  Process helps you avoid doing things the hard way more than once.  Profits are an outcome not an activity.  There is no VP of Profits!

2. Listen and Learn
Ask people, “What we should do More of, Less of, Better, or Different?” Ask how you can help them.  Go find the domain expertise you need to solve problems and learn.  Talk to customers and partners.  Build a complete picture. If you listen to people you will know what to do. 

3. Focus & Execute
Pick three things and get them done! You can’t let your organization get overwhelmed by trying to do too many things.  Get three things done, then pick the next three.  The focus is more important than picking the exact, correct three things.   Just get something done.  The customers will tell you what to do next.

4. Be right or wrong, but not confused!
Not everyone will be happy with what you choose to focus on.  You need to have a thick skin. People will argue.  But these will be the noisy few.  Most people just want to succeed at something, and will be happy with the clear focus. Don’t waiver. 

5. Repetition doesn’t spoil the prayer
Over Communicate.  Your organization will watch you closely to  decide whether or not they can push you around.  Once you have your focus, start every meeting with that, start every one on one discussion with that.  People may get bored hearing about it, but they will know you are serious. 

6. Develop People
People with big goals are worth helping because it strengthens the organization.  It’s important to push people to take ownership and responsibility.  If a decision needs to be made, and I’m not there, step up.  Helping people reach their goals has a more lasting effect on  a company than making the next new product.

7. Consequences
You need to let people know you are serious.  It doesn’t take long.  If you make an example of someone who is not performing, others take notice.  If your people see no consequences from you, they will continue to test you.

8. Don’t try and win against your boss
If you have a boss who asks for stupid things to be done, just do it.  Give him what he asks for.  You can’t win a political battle against your boss.  The organization will start to notice your boss, after awhile and you won’t lose.

9. You get what you Inspect not what you Expect
Encourage people to take big things on, but be rigorous about tracking progress.  Let the person propose the measures and the timeline, and then hold them accountable to that.  But they have to prove it.  Acutally inspect the deliverable.  And you need to triangulate by talking to people downstream.

10. Process & Metrics
Process helps us do the same things better. There are many repetitive tasks in business.  You and your staff need a set of metrics that drive your business. You need to attach metrics to key things in the business then measure and improve them over time.

Thanks again to Jim Davis for a great interview!

Download a Podcast of the Interview
Download a Podcast of the Coaching Hour with Jim and me.

You can find Patty at www.AzzarelloGroup.com, follow her on twitter or Facebook, or read her books RISE and MOVE.


I could do this all day...
Patty's Top 11 Leadership Values
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