The Power of Structure

Posted by & filed under Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Professional Development.

  • Do you feel under pressure/stress constantly?
  • Do you lack time for important projects…everyday tasks…yourself?
  • Need a uniform effective way of doing things?

If so, you most likely have a structure challenge.

Consider Trying Three Steps:

Step 1 – Take Ownership
Understanding and accepting this is your issue and not falling into the trap of playing victim or blaming your circumstances or other people. Please read this article.

Step 2 – Stop
Stopping and reflecting is critical as without doing so you cannot see clearly.
Making “Stopping” a habit can open up possibilities for you that you otherwise miss. Please read this article.

Step 3 – Put in place the “Right Structure”
Once you make stopping a habit, next you need to think about structure (for your time, support or responsibilities). This can be individually and/or your team/company. Often overlooked, this is an individual issue we all should approach based on our natural behavioral style. This step usually requires some introspection, guidance and benching one’s own Ego.

So Now What?

If you feel you are facing a structure challenge, let’s talk. Call 773-641-9631 or email john@johnruh.com.

How to Be a More Effective Boss

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Are you effective as you want to be as a Boss?
As Boss, are you getting the results you want?
Being Boss isn’t easy, learn skills to be a Better Boss!

Today being a Boss today isn’t easy. Gen X, Millennials, and now Gen Z, each with different behavior traits and needs. How can you manage this mixed group and get the results you need?

  • Do you understand your natural leadership style and how to effectively use it?
  • Do you know the personality style of your team and how to best manage your team?
  • Do you use “Right Person, Right Seat” concept?
  • What are your Non-Negotiables?.
  • Do you know the “24 hour rule”?
  • Do you know the three questions to ask yourself each Monday Morning?

These and other topics will be discussed at the Effective Boss Informal Zoom Round Table Discussion. Join other business leaders in an informal discussion of Being a Better Boss Tuesday, February 22nd, 10 am, CST. Click Here to Register for the FREE informal Zoom discussion.

To learn and understand your natural leadership style, click here (email to Darlene or call 773-775-6636) to receive a Free leadership profile valued at 80.00!

Register for the How To Be a More Effective Boss Informal Zoom Round Table Discussion Tuesday, February 22nd, 10 am CST. Click Here!
https://forms.gle/rrHkZ48J9cE7VDc99

Cost: Be our guest!

Facilitator: Ray Silverstein

Hosts: John Ruh, Melissa Kehl and Michael Perich (John M. Ruh’s Culture Based Recruitment and Retention Program Manager)

Is Your Unique Empowering Game Plan Ready for 2022?

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In the graphics above, the first person “went it alone” with their annual plan. The second engaged with John M. Ruh and Associates. The difference? Graph 2 was built on their “Unique Empowering Game Plan” and 3 Step Process to support it right.

  • What: 2022 Game Plan and our 3 Step Process – you can’t win without it!
  • For: Growth oriented business leaders
  • When: February 3, 2022 at 10:00am – 11:15am CST. 15 minutes after for networking and Q&A.
  • Seats: Only 15 seats are available
  • Format: Facilitated group discussion format.
  • Hosts: Ray Silverstein and Andrew Balderson, CPA, MT. More info on Ray & on Andrew.
  • Facilitator: John Ruh
  • RSVP: RSVP to John Ruh to receive a link to the Zoom event. Email or call John Ruh at 773-641-9631. Group size limited to 12.
    Can’t attend? Ask for private 1-1 session to discuss your situation with or ask for a private event for you and your team.
  • Cost: Be our guest!
  • Questions: Email or call John Ruh at 773-641-9631

More Info on the SurveyNote: Step One is to survey all stakeholders (employees, key advisors, etc.) NOW to get company feedback on the positives and negatives of 2021 as well as input for 2022.

Learn more about the survey at this link.

Speaking Leader to Leader

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On January 4th our teams will be asking us openly or indirectly, “How do we get started? What should we expect for 2022?” Our job now is to create a Unique, Empowering Game Plan, and roll out schedule. Here are three steps to get it done successfully…

FeedbackStep One: Get Some Feedback

If it hasn’t been done already, get some feedback from everyone (all stakeholders). An anonymous survey is best. It shows their opinions matter and creates ownership.

Step Two: Get your 2022 Culture-Based Game Plan on Paper

Everyone does better with a clear plan. Get your 2022 plan on paper, and focus on the culture to retain and attract the best talent in today’s tough market.

Blast Off!Step Three: Kick it off in January

The Roll-out is key: In January, get everyone to the starting line knowing what is expected. Build the excitement and engagement for the new opportunities in 2022

  1. Contact Debbie to learn about a simple, confidential, survey to get your stakeholders input.
  2. A special holiday offer – contact Darlene (or 773-775-6636) to sign up for JMR Santa Ho Ho Ho contest with PRIZES!
  3. Request a 1-1 to discuss how to create an effective Game Plan or The 5 Understandings of the Power of Culture with John Ruh (or 773-649-9631)

* It is highly recommended that you use a neutral, outside 3rd party to perform the survey to ensure employee confidence with their anonymity.

No Mission…No Purpose…No Life

Posted by & filed under Business Culture, Leadership, Professional Development.

“Culture is the foundation of life and Work” –John Ruh

We all want meaning out of life. Victor Frankl, a psychiatrist that survived Auschwitz and the author of the brilliant book, Man’s Search for Meaning, said that the essence of life is putting meaning to everything, even our sufferings. Moving toward that is challenging, but one approach that helps is defining and understanding your own culture deeply. Your mission drives the “why”—why you do what you do, regardless of what it might be. One of 5 key components of Culture is mission and purpose; and developing them can open a whole new way of seeing life and reducing the stress of uncertainty and failure.

What is mission? What is Purpose?
Most people find the words vision, mission, and purpose to be very confusing. Think of mission as being in the now, being present, or your immediate focus and pursuit. In that way it is very different from vision, and for many much more practical since it can be used in business to drive action and confirm why you are on the payroll! When put in writing clearly and honestly, the mission can be a simple way to focus and energize yourself, your team and company. An example of this is the original mission statement Steve Jobs crafted for Apple: “To make a contribution to the world by making tools for the mind that advance humankind.”

Purpose goes a bit deeper and if you query any group of interesting leaders and companies, you will find that what they call their “mission” is really a purpose statement. It does not say anything practical about what they do. It speaks in abstracts, and to many seems completely unrealistic or unclear. Statements such as, “Transforming people and companies”, “Creating special experiences “, “Revolutionizing our industry” are generic and unconnected to the real direction of the company. As you learn to understand culture, both mission and purpose can be derived from that cultural context and used powerfully to support and empower others.

Why Bother with this?
Please answer this question for yourself. My answers are:

  1. When one understands his/her mission/purpose, work takes on a whole new meaning regardless of the task.
  2. It is a key component of the 5 understandings of Culture. Read this.
  3. When understood and applied pragmatically, it can make decision making much easier.

So Now What?
You might want to think about creating a “Unique Empowering Game Plan” for yourself, your team/company built on your culture. This is our core competency, and our team of specialists can assist you at this complicated yet critical task of designing this correctly. We often find it is the difference maker taking companies and people to the next level of success and satisfaction.

Let’s connect…

Call/email us at 773-641-9631 or John@JohnRuh.com.

59 Days and Counting

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Speaking Leader to Leader

On January 4th our teams will be asking us openly or indirectly, “What should we expect for 2022?” Our job now is to create an empowering 2022 Game Plan, with an outstanding roll out schedule for early January. To ease what is commonly a stressful process, we suggest these three proven steps, which will increase team buy-in and the likelihood of success.

We are Thankful for You!Step One: Acknowledge and Appreciate in November
Thanks-for-Giving session: A Zoom or live session facilitated by John M. Ruh and Associates to show sincere appreciation for the work done and commitment in 2021 with some fun games and exercises to get everyone on board. This will include an announcement of your Annual Company Survey/Review* (online by 3rd party) for all to participate in, thus giving everyone a voice.

SnowmanStep Two: Recognize Feedback, Provide 2022 “Sneak Peak” and Have Fun in December
Hold live or Zoom session to present feedback from your online survey*, along with early thoughts for next year’s plan. Have a weekly holiday quiz or game with prizes to add fun and build interest in the coming plan.

Blast Off!Step Three: Kick it off in January
New Year/ New Start Blast-off: As leaders, we need to give our state of the union/blast off session in early January, ideally in a fun and powerful way. Given the most recent period, we’ll do so with a positive “we can and will with Context/Attitude” to give everyone direction and optimistic expectations for the upcoming year.

  1. Contact Debbie to learn about a simple, confidential, survey to get your stakeholders input.
  2. A special holiday offer – contact Darlene (or 773-775-6636) to sign up for JMR Santa Ho Ho Ho contest with PRIZES!
  3. Request a 1-1 to discuss with John Ruh (or 773-649-9631), The 5 Understandings of the Power of Culture

* It is highly recommended that you use a neutral, outside 3rd party to perform the survey to ensure employee confidence with their anonymity.

Is Your Ego Driving You Crazy?

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Your Ego is Driving Your Thoughts & Moods
Want to understand it better?

Interested in a series that teaches how to understand, accept and support yourself and others?

Want insights from brilliant thinkers like Dr. Hal Stone, Carl Jung, Victor Frankl and more?

Our new Benching Your Ego Zoom Series will delve into all of this and more!

Participation exclusively for leaders who:

  • Understand the basic nature of their Ego, but want to go further
  • Are highly committed and looking for deeper insight and guidance on how to better understand, accept and support themselves

Introductory piece to read: Are You Chasing Your Tail?

  • What: An Advanced Consciousness discussion group with the availability of 1:1 coaching support
  • When: Every 6 weeks on Mondays from 3:30 to 5:00
  • Format: Facilitated, interactive sessions with specific educational focus for each meeting. Occasional guest facilitators to add perspective.
  • Facilitator: John Ruh
  • Investment: No charge for John M. Ruh & Associates client partners. One complimentary trial session for all others. Additional 1:1 coaching available on an hourly basis or with one of JMR’s 5 client program packages.
  • To sign up or for additional information: Email or call John at 773-641-9631 to register for this event.

What is the 365 Wheel of Continuous Improvement?

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Why bother with Continuous improvement?
How does it work?

  • Do you have a process to move your company forward each month or is it left to chance?
  • Why is process better than just doing?
  • How do you measure your Improvement? What criteria do you use?

A Zoom Event on 11/2/21

  • What: An interactive conversation with other business leaders.
  • When: Tuesday, 11/2 at 10:15 – 11:30am (CST) with 15 optional minutes for Q/A
  • Hosts:
    Ray Silverstein. Author, highly successful entrepreneur, founder of Pro, a peer advisory group and understands small business extremely well. www.peeradvisoryboard.com

    Andrew Balderson, CPA, MT. Founder and owner of Balderson & Company, Andrew is focused on providing the best solutions to meet his clients needs. He has spent two decades working with individuals and business owners. www.baldersonco.com

  • Facilitators: John Ruh and Tracy Laverty
  • Format: Facilitated group discussion format.
  • RSVP: Email or call John at 773-641-9631 to register for this event.

Need more information on 365 Wheel? Click here.

Can’t attend but interested? 3 options:

  • Ask for 1-1 session to discuss
  • A private zoom event for you and your team
  • One FREE leadership profile (value 75.00) to identify your natural leadership style

“Must Do List” Between Now and Year End

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Here is our “Must Do List” to be accomplished between now and year end.

Since it is difficult to stay focused during this time, as leaders, we must start this project NOW.

Our Top 5 Must Do’s

  1. Priority One: Client Care
    Take care of customers by delivering a superior product or service and communicating clearly and effectively. This is the foundation of success, and might also be the best marketing we can do to secure our future.
    Completion date: Now
  2. Comprehensive Continuous Improvement List
    In order to improve and frame our future, it is critical everyone is crystal clear about our priorities. Clarify the critical focus between now and Thanksgiving.. Why? It’s simple: Change or die. Your continuous improvement projects list needs to be public and reviewed weekly.
    Note: Ask us how to do this and/or meet with one of our C.I. project managers. We can also provide you with a form to use that will make this easier.
    Completion date: Now
  3. Do an anonymous company-wide survey to give all stakeholders a voice in assessing 2021 and planning 2022 by Thanksgiving.
    This is a step most of us skip. We need to stop, review, and complete 2020 instead of just having 2021 instead of just running into 2022. We need a process approach on assessing and planning.
    Why? Ideally you get the input needed to develop your 2022 game plan.
    Completion date: By 12/31/21, or earlier if you are a very large group of people.
  4. Near Thanksgiving Holiday deliver sincere “thank yous” to all stakeholders that have contributed to 2021.
    2 Reasons why:

    1. It costs very little to say thank you and it is a thoughtful, personal way to express our gratitude to those who brought us to where we are today.
    2. Normally, 50% of our staff people are high on the “people” side of the equation. They want and need to hear that they are appreciated. Doing this, making it a process, can be the start of enrolling their support for 2021, (and increases the probability of retaining them).
  5. Take Care of Yourself
    We cannot be effective leaders for others unless we first ensure that we are taking care of ourselves. As the flight attendant says, “Put the mask on yourself first!” Give some serious thought to what you need to excel personally and professionally in 2022.

Thanksgiving to December 31st

When we have done the above well, we are ready to design and package a great 2022 game plan to support and achieve our vision, mission and values.

PS: To help you sort out how you might do this for yourself and give you a head start, we are offering one month FREE partnering to support you with designing and supporting your Culture Based game plan right.

Call/email us at 773-641-9631 or John@JohnRuh.com.

Prosperity vs. Poverty Mindset

Posted by & filed under Leadership, Professional Development.

3 Questions

  1. What is Prosperity vs. Poverty Mindset?
  2. Why is this important to you, your team or company?
  3. What are practical steps one can take to create a Prosperity Mindset?

Poverty Thinking People:

  • Spend lots of time figuring out ways to save money and generally say they have no time/support.
  • See only what something costs. Tend to jump over dollars to save pennies.
  • Pass up opportunities – because of their beliefs/context they miss opportunities.

Prosperity Thinking People:

  • Spend money to find ways to save them time and generally support themselves/ organization better.
  • See the whole picture- both costs and opportunities.
  • Capitalize on opportunities and create ways to cost justify the investment in themselves/company.

Why Bother with this?
A poverty mindset/context/way of thinking can create undue stress for oneself (and others). Additionally, it often puts one on a path counter to one’s vision of success for themselves, their team or company.

3 Steps to Prosperity Thinking

Step One:
STOP! Take an honest look inside yourself to truly understand your context/beliefs, which may be unconscious to you, thus creating undue stress and taking you down a costly, unprofitable path.

Step Two:
Commit to investing in yourself, your team and/or company. Start by asking where you want to go, and what time and money investment is needed to get there. To paraphrase Goethe “Nothing happens until one is committed.”

Step Three:
Start putting in place the right People, Structure and Tools (P.S.T.) that you, your team/company truly need. This process takes time, creates new habits and ways of thinking, and can substantially increase your potential success and satisfaction in life. Read this piece please johnruh.com/right-support-means-the-right-p-s-t/.

John M. Ruh Support
If this conversation resonates with you, please reach out to us for a discussion about your situation. Please call me at 773-641-9631 or email at john@johnruh.com.

P.S. Additional reading: Are You Cheap? johnruh.com/are-you-cheap/