So I have finished reading one book and listening to one audio book... and I can at least share those with you! The book was called Persuasion by Arlene Dickenson. Canadians will recognize her name as one of the 'dragons' on Dragon's Den. The show is the Canadian version of the US 'Shark's Tank'... which was actually created AFTER our version. Arlene is CEO of an advertising / marketing firm by the name of Venture Capital. She's a smart cookie! So the gist of her book is about how to persuade others (i.e. when you are pitching an idea, etc.). She starts out by saying that in order to persuade anyone, you really must first LISTEN and understand what they want. Only then can you a) create something that they want, b) know if you are truly a match to work together, or c) frame your pitch around the other person's view points, wants, and desires. Really now... isn't that a good message for everything that we do? Do you take the time to talk to your clients about what they want for their dog, what their expectations are, how much time they are willing to invest, how often then can feasible attend your sessions? Without those discussions, you can't make the best possible recommendations for therapy for their pet. I often tell my new clients: "I can help you with this issue in any capacity that works for you. Be it hands on, in-clinic therapy, or an extensive home program. I can help, and we can make it work for you. So what is do-able for you to fit into your life, in regards to ongoing therapy sessions?" The book went on to talk about integrity, values, doing your homework before giving a 'pitch', getting people on board with your ideas, handling your nerves, etc. But the part that really hit me was the part about listening.
The Audio book was called The One Minute Manager - by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. It's a book with really nice simple concepts... but quite poignant I think. It talks about how to manage staff (or children, our a spouse, or fellow board members, coworkers, etc, etc.) There are only 3 points. 1) You need to sit down (for one minute) with the person / people you are managing and create GOALS. What needs to be accomplished? What is to be improved? What do they want to achieve? Next, is the one minute praise. When you see someone doing something great. Take a minute to immediately praise them. Tell them what a great job they did. Tell them how it makes your feel. Thank them. The trick is to catch people doing things RIGHT! Lastly is the one minute reprimand. When someone doesn't do something right, then there is the reprimand. It starts with saying what they did wrong, how it made you feel (angry, disappointed, frustrated... whatever REAL emotion you feel), and then compliment them (i.e. "I am frustrated by this because I know you are better than that. I see it in the rest of your work, and I know you can do better.") The authors are adamant that the 3 parts to the reprimand go in that order. I really liked the concept and I'm going to try it at home with my kids!! Ken Blanchard has a number of short management / leadership books that are told in a narrative way and are quite easy and enjoyable to read. So far, I'd recommend any of his that I've read over the years.