Jef Menguin

Leadership, Customer Experience, and Design Thinking

Jef Menguin / Blog

Effective Supervisors Solve Problems

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Ana avoids problems. She thinks that any problem that her staff creates reflects her ability as a supervisor. Problems stressed her out.

Successful supervisors are effective problem solvers. And you can learn to solve problems systematically.

1. Define the problem. Is there really a problem? Determine exactly what it is.

You will sometimes discover that your problem is a beautiful one that once solved will bring you better opportunities. There are problems that although you cannot fully eliminate, you can minimize.

2. Gather information. Gather as much data. Jumping to your default solution may not solve the problem. It is likely that Einstein is right. Your present problem is a product of your present thinking. But don’t take too long. Some problems need solution now.

3. Consider the alternate solutions to the problems. Your first solution in mind is not always the best solution. That’s your default. Don’t jump into that.

Make a list of possible solutions. Combine solutions to create new ones. Consider opposite solutions too. Compare solutions, then prioritize them from most likely to least likely

When necessary, encourage your staff to share possible solutions to the problems.

4. Pick the best solution. Choose the best solution at the top of your list. This is not democracy. You do not have to make your staff vote for the best solution. Take charge. Remember that the management will hold you accountable to your decisions.

5. Apply the best solution. Understand that many meetings produced bright ideas that were not put into action. Monitor how your staff apply the best solution.

6. Evaluate the impact of the best solution. When everything is done according to your plan, you will be able to determine the true impact of your solution. If your best solution solves the problem, let your staff know. Document when necessary.

7. Adjust. Even the best solutions can be improved. Find out how you can make your solutions work better and faster.

You can find other systematic and creative ways to solve problems. Always remember that there are better ways.

Why entrepreneurship courses fail you?

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Here’s a quick note on B.S. Entrepreneurship.

Students will find it difficult to learn entrepreneurship from those who are afraid to become entrepreneurs themselves. When professors only mouth what management gurus say about entrepreneurship, you know that you will be eating theories and find entrepreneurship complicated and hateful. You will learn a lot of B.S. in B.S. in Entrepreneurship.

Visit universities that offer entrepreneurship as a course and you can see a Frankenstein monster: they put together subjects in marketing, finance, management, et cetera.

Those who are not interested in entrepreneurship are also studying the same subjects.

Truly, you cannot teach what you do not have.

I know that there are exceptions. Keep on looking.

If you will not find one, don’t worry. You will still get your big dreams even without a B.S.

Learn Like a Child

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The best leaders aren’t those with ready answers for everything. No, not the know-it-all type. The best leaders are those who learn like a child.

My son Jefferson Carlos is very eager to learn. He explores the world around him. He is every curious of how things work – from remote controls to light switches, ipad to PC, and door keys to car keys. He is simply to eager to learn how to make things work.

You can create that tiny habit of asking yourself what you can learn from a situation. That tiny habit will make your leadership journey more enjoyable and rewarding. Wherever you are – and whatever you do, ask: what can I learn from this?

Learn like a child. Keep your sense of wonder fresh!

Re-purpose HR

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This will be helpful for CEOs and HR managers. Re-purpose your human resources department.

Break down organisational silos and use a process to generate and foster collective thinking. Shift the paradigm from developing programs, policies and processes to improving the performance and productivity of the workforce.

Most HR professionals consumed their time in compliance to regulations. You must get out of these traps. You must become an strategic partner of your business.

To improve performance and productivity, focus on the customer – the end user of your products and services — and the leaders of your organization.

Yes, shift the focus of HR work to the customer. Operate the discipline of human resources as a business.

Becoming a strategic partner takes a paradigm shift. It can substantially increase the value of HR because the organization will know that you are not only after the number of HR activities. You are after measurable results with greater impact both on the top line and on the bottom line.

What are vital behaviors?

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Vital behaviors are the smallest set of actions that lead to the results you want. They are the few high-leverage actions that if you keep doing, produce the outcomes you’re after.

Vital Behaviors are key to change efforts whether you are trying to change yourself or something larger (your team, your organization, or the world.)

In fact, change efforts often fail because they either focus on the results but don’t identify the specific actions to get there, or they spend time and energy on a bunch of actions that are good ideas, but aren’t the vital few.