SHOCEO® Reading for Success: < Seven (7) Minutes.

 

Have you heard this expression?  If you have heard it in the past, did you know how to put it into action for yourself personally or for your business?

Being the boss of your world, whether you are an artist, an accountant, a coach, or a stay-at-home mom is fun and exhilarating.  You get to do things YOUR WAY, and mostly on your own timeline.  Being a serial entrepreneur, I know this first-hand.  In fact, I am so excited about it, that I created a fashion line just for CEOs of all professions!   https://sjh.chd.mybluehost.me/2016/08/22/shoceo-the-inspiration/

Being a leader of yourself and others is an amazing feeling, but it most definitely requires decision-making ability and a readily accessible knowledge base on a wide range of topics.  If you keep finding yourself dealing with negative or costly side effects of preventable situations, it may be time to give your approach a check-up and a closer look.

These three tips require some diligence, but can pay big dividends in stress reduction if you commit to them!

 

Think of the Worst-Case Scenario.

In my corporate and entrepreneurial experience, I have noticed that most people make decisions too quickly and accept too much risk with both big and small decisions.  Living the CEO Life means taking risks, but only when they are well-researched and with a full understanding of the implications.

Here’s a good test to evaluate your personality and relative risk tolerance:  Before a vacation, do you tend to plan all of the details?  Do you schedule events, get the concert tickets, and book local transportation in advance?  If so, you’re probably more of a Type A personality and enjoy the feeling of not leaving details to chance.

If, on the other hand, you have a less rigid personality and are generally not a process-driven thinker, this is an area where you will need to challenge yourself.

 

Ask Questions.  Not Just One, but at Least Ten.

Having formal business education at the undergraduate or graduate level can give you a head start as an entrepreneur, leader, or other self-managed professional or creative.  However, some of the most successful CEOs, such as Denise Morrison of Campbell Soup and Richard Anderson of Delta Air Lines, have liberal arts degrees!

If you consider yourself a born leader, but don’t have the BBA or MBA, try this technique:  When considering a business decision, develop a basic checklist of topics for yourself.  A quick way to do this is to pick up your college course catalog and look at the business majors.  Make sure you’re asking questions from each of the basic business disciplines:  Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, Management, and Marketing.

Once you’ve thought of one question, don’t stop there.  Pick at least one from each discipline.  Really push yourself to follow a mental version of a process flow chart.  Use follow-up questions such as, “What happens next?” and “If I were to move forward, what can I expect?”.

To demonstrate this example, think of the top-performing colleague or employee in your office, studio, or study group and then think of the lowest-performing one.  The top performer has the best skills, no doubt, but she also wants to do the job correctly.  She puts her ego aside and asks questions whenever she’s not sure.  Observing someone CARE about her work instead of just going through the motions to “check a box” creates a very inspiring feeling.

As the CEO in your life, challenge yourself to keep asking questions until you absolutely cannot think of one more!

 

Not Sure or Can’t Find the Answer?  Consult an Expert.

Many attorneys, accountants, or other professionals can be consulted via phone conference in 30-minute increments.  This can be money well spent if you take the time to prepare in advance of the phone call.  The information you gain can prevent personal liability and ensure that your business is positioned well.  Keep the casual conversation to a minimum and have your questions typed out in advance.  If you type well, have your PC or Mac open with blank spaces under each question.  Take notes as you are on the phone call.  If you prefer to hand-write, have plenty of blank paper and a good pen.

Think about your current or past school or college experiences.  If you weren’t an active participator in class discussions or often felt afraid or embarrassed to approach the professor, you probably don’t ask enough questions now.  If you feel like you’ve asked a lot of questions, chances are you probably haven’t.  Remember, you’re paying for the expert’s time, so don’t be shy!  Get all of the information you can, and take notes!

 

How do YOU ensure you have covered all the bases when you’re in the midst of making a big decision?  Do you consult experts after doing your own research?  Subscribe and Share your comments below!

xo Kathryn