If I knew then what I know now…

Wouldn’t you love to go back to being 16 – when you knew it all?

Teenagers are a great reminder that we don’t – and can’t – know everything.  The best we can do is limit the extent and the risks of our ignorance.

One very rewarding aspect of our work is giving people information about themselves and those around them that allows them to manage risk.

Here are some cases where we are providing this knowledge and changing businesses:

1. A business owner developing a succession plan with prospective equity partners

What they now know:

• Values, strengths and challenges of each person;
• Similarities and differences in what motivates them; and
• Potential areas of conflict.

2. A management team planning a restructure

What they now know:

• Who is in the right job;
• Who has the potential to fill a new role; and
• Who should probably be moved on.

3. A practice manager developing to take on more of the business responsibilities

What he now knows:

• His strengths that may be perceived as challenges by others;
• How to manage time better; and
• How to express himself in ways that will motivate others while feeling authentic.

4. A manager developing her team

What she now knows:

• Effective ways to communicate with and inspire her team;
• The balance and range of strengths on her team; and
• Individual team members’ expectations.

5. A business owner who is ready to hire more staff

What he now knows:

• The characteristics people need to be successful in the role(s);
• What he definitely doesn’t want; and
• How to objectively measure performance potential.

Every one of the situations above are very expensive if you get them wrong.  Doesn’t it make sense to find out as much as you can before you make that investment?