Praise Quickly, Blame Last

So many times the world presents leaders who are quick to accept praise for something and slow to acknowledge blame.

My first point would be that I would have a difficult time considering this person a leader, but the point to be made here is one of character.

This is just one more great place where leaders have the unique opportunity to step up, to be set apart, to make a difference, to model the way, and to set a great example.

When it comes to accepting an accomplishment the leader should be quick to acknowledge his/her team. This is an opportunity for a team to be praised and a leader to deflect things being all about them.

But it's also true for blame or criticism. The leader must be willing to take this on alone in confrontation and then privately coach his/her team.

The principle here is that leaders draw others in with them in praise but should be strong enough to handle criticism for anything inside their area and take responsibility for solving that issue.

This is one of many great opportunity for the leader to step and lead well. Leadership isn't about the accomplishment near as much as it's about the journey of leading people somewhere.

Challenge: Stop and think before you accept praise & criticism - consider what most honors your team and those you work with.

More than a Survey

Many organizations seek to learn customer or consumer facts by simple and non-strategic methods… such as generalized surveys. Sure, surveys can be useful to collect key data in a very narrow yet defined criteria and method.

But what if you want more, what do you do? The next best step is often to speak with the consumer directly. Speaking with consumers is useful but we must realize that consumers don’t necessarily know or fail to have the ability to articulate what they need.

I believe the greatest way to gage real consumer needs is to observe them in action. Consumers may not be able to articulate a need, but have them perform that certain task, have them go through that certain process, observe what they do and don’t do, and you’ll learn a ton.

Challenge: Think through ways that you can observe key areas of consumer need – think beyond the survey.