* Vision. This is ability not only to see what is present - anyone can do that - it’s ability to see future. Outstanding leaders can not only see their team for what they can do now, but what they can become, and paint picture for them. These leaders are consistently communicating and coaching their team members to that vision. One of best ways, and least used methods, to convey your vision is team meeting (Teambuilding and Coaching Skills for Outstanding Results). Every meeting should start out with team vision, mission, and goals; and rest of meeting should tie into vision. For example, motivation portion of meeting should tie into vision, information portion of meeting should tie into vision, training portion of meeting should tie into vision, etc. Also, invest time to develop your team members’ personal visions and show them how they can accomplish their personal goals by tying into overall vision. By consistently communicating vision, your team will move with purpose, feel they are personally making a difference, and achieve their goals sooner.

* Unselfishness Stephen Covey, in his successful book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, wrote that a true leader must be a servant to ones he or she leads. The leader must be able to “give of oneself for good of team.” In other words, be unselfish in words and action. Be unselfish in praise of others, in public, especially in front of management. Be unselfish in ability to take time to listen, really listen to your team’s concerns. A recent management survey said that average time management invests doing “pure listening” to employees during year is a mere two hours-just two hours! What was meant by “pure listening” time was listening with eye contact, acknowledgement, and not answering phone while listening, not speaking with another person while listening, etc. Be unselfish in ability to help your team. Whether it’s ability to readily assist with a difficult telephone call, jump in and remove road blocks for team members, or “be there” for a team member during challenging moments. Believe me, your team will remember those moments and excel for you. Now I challenge you to put into action just one of leadership techniques I mentioned above to achieve your vision, your mission, and your goals in future.

3. Quality Ingredients Are Start of a Great Meal Be consistent every time you give feedback so that person receiving feedback will know what to expect. Be fair in your feedback. Also focus your feedback on actions observed, not person. Or, as I say, “point to point, not person to person.” Use “I” statements.

* Be direct in your feedback. Just like you wouldn’t want to wait forever to get to main course, you wouldn’t want to wait forever for someone to tell you why they are giving you feedback. * Set positive expectations so they want to eat. Instead of saying following:

“Mike, come by my office today at 3 p.m. so that I can give you some “constructive criticism.” Mike is thinking he had rather be having a root canal.

Say following:

“Mike, come by office at 3 p.m. today. I have some ideas on how to make your job easier (or some other benefit) and would value your feedback.”

Remember, in order for receiver of feedback to be hungry for information, apply “What’s In It For Me” (WIIFM) technique. Ask yourself, “What is benefit to receiver of my feedback?”

* Master Our Utensils. Master our utensils, words we use, when serving meal. For example, if you noticed someone unfocused in their conversation, you might say following:

“Sue, slow down! You are rambling too much.”

Instead say following:

“Sue, you sure have a lot on your mind. Let’s concentrate on top three points you want to discuss.”

Use positive words to create a great meal.

4. Ask for Feedback on Meal Encourage other person to give you feedback on your feedback. This may clear up any misunderstandings. Also, it shows that you value other person’s opinion.

5. End Meal on a Positive Note Appreciate their time, their manners, and overall demeanor to feedback. Let them know that you appreciate efforts they are making. Also tell them that you expect that there will be a positive outcome from feedback session. Also, let them know that you are there to help them succeed. Apply these techniques at work, home or in community to ensure that your feedback is more appetizing to others.

Bon appétit!