Delegation is a key component for every successful executive. If you can't delegate work then it will be hard to progress in an organization. Here are the basic five components of successful delegation.

Expected Outcome - This should be clear and mutually agreed to. You need to describe what you want to accomplish and not how to accomplish it. Do whatever you need to do to make sure the other person has the same picture in mind. Be patient.

Guiding Principles - Help people see potential problems or pervious failures to make sure easily identifiable missteps can be avoided. Make sure the person doesn't accomplish the goal and violate the organizations' mission, vision or values. Make sure this doesn't cause you to take back the task.

Resources - Clearly identify whatever resources (human, technical, financial) may be necessary to make this delegated task a success.

Accountability - People need to know how they will be evaluated and what success will look like.

Consequences - What happens if they succeed or if they don’t? If they succeed, make sure the reward is based on what motivates the person and not what motivates you. If they don't succeed, make sure the recourse you take is equal to the level of the task’s importance.

I know that the higher I want to go in any organization, the more I must learn to effectively delegate. I must grow my people and their skills if I am to grow. Today my goal is to delegate everything and work back from that :-).

Greetings!

Regardless of belief, there is a place, within each of us, where we can become centered, balanced and energized.

Abraham Maslow wrote, that one of man’s most basic needs is survival and survival must be assured before man can move forward to satisfy other needs.
While I certainly don’t want to argue with such an esteemed authority, I think that we have evolved to the point where the quality
 of our survival can compete with basic survival for parity. We now are ready for Survival 2.0.
 I know that Maslow put survival way ahead of quality of life but if we use Survival 2.0 we will begin to see seismic changes in the quality of our lives.

When we are able to make the move to Survival 2.0 we develop the ability to positively influence and positively contribute to the life we are presented with everyday.
Quality expands exponentially. Meditation, prayer, deep breathing, yoga and many other practices can all help us find, enhance and maintain the quality of our lives everyday.
 With these practices we can begin our day with the positive expectation of success.
When things may not be going as planned, these same practices will help us reset our day on the right track
 and in a positive mindset. At the end of the day we can rest in the knowledge that we made a sincere attempt to live positively and pro-actively. Now that’s what I call surviving!

I need more than to simply survive. I need to increase the quality of my survival.
I need Survival 2.0. The best news is that reaching this new level of quality is completely within my control.
When I practice my centering exercises, I am at peace and in balance: mentally, emotionally and physically.
My influence is increased. As I develop these practices into a daily routine, I become more consistent in my thoughts, feelings and behavior.
I am able to resolve challenges without letting them take over my day.
My focus is greatly enhanced, allowing me to better relate to and communicate with my family, friends and co-workers. I am now better able to see the world with a sense of connection.
I feel a part rather than apart. I am a part of something very special that will revitalize me to my very core. I practice Survival 2.0.

Last week I was in a round table discussion focused on personal and professional growth. 
One of the points raised was the powerful acronym H.O.W., which is designed to help people remember
 to be: Honest, Openminded and Willing. As we sat talking, I began doodling with the letters H, O, and W and realized that when rearranged, they also spell W.H.O.
 Immediately, the classic Abbot and Costello “Who’s On First” comedy routine came rolling through my head.
So, with all due respect and apologies to two great comedians, here is a (much shortened) version I hope you will enjoy.

So W.H.O will help me change my focus?

Yes!

I mean the name.

W.H.O.

The guy with the answers?

W.H.O’s the guy.

That’s what I asked?

W.H.O!

The guy helping me change my focus is….

WHO is that person!

That’s exactly what I am asking.

Well, that’s the name.

That's W.H.O’s name?

Exactly!

Well go ahead and tell me.

I just did, that's it.

That's W.H.O?

Yes.

What's going to help me become a better person.

No.

Well ok then W.H.O’s going to help?

Exactly!

Sometimes I can get wrapped around the axle trying to do this personal and professional growth thing just the “right way”.
But there is no right way. Personal and professional growth is always evolving and never arriving.
I know WHO is a key and whenever I am stressed I will lean back and remember WHO will help me live to my full potential. Exactly!

If you would like to have a laugh, here's a link to the original text andvideo.

Greetings!

On Tuesday I will be speaking to the staff at the Sulzbacher Center here in Jacksonville. This is the largest homeless shelter in the region. Everyday these people truly do the often-difficult work that is critical to a successful society. I find, almost without exception, that the biggest problem those who devote their lives to service have isWillingness to take the time to renew themselves. They are just too busy taking care of others. And it’s not just the people who spend their entire lives helping others; we all need to remember that before we can give something to others, we must have it first. Each day we should take some time to refocus, renew and then reengage. If we are going to be a source for mental, physical or spiritual support, we need to take care of ourselves first. To paraphrase the announcement we have all heard prior to departing on an airplane, “if you are traveling with those who rely on you for support, first make sure to place the mask on your own face before attempting to help others”. 

I will give myself time every day for refocus and renewal. My mind, my body and my spirit need time to rest and recharge. A short walk, a trip to the gym, yoga, personal reading, etc. are all examples of ways to help me with that goal. Each day I am committed to refill the well of my spirit, so that I can pour out the levels of love, forgiveness and emotional support that are needed. I will rephrase “give and take” to “I take the time, so I can give”.

Greetings!

We must find healthy ways to dissipate the negativity that surrounds us or I guarantee you, it WILL pull us in.

When we exercise muscles they get stronger. When we commit ourselves to physical fitness and better diet we see results very quickly. 
The same is true for emotional and mental diet and fitness. Everyday as we practice each of the tenets of The Daily Six we train ourselves
 to see the joy, peace and good that surround us rather than get drawn into anxious, stress-filled negative activities, behaviors and emotions of others.
Focus on the good and it gets easier and easier to find. 

I focus on and find the good that surrounds me daily.
Others may try to pull me into stressful situations or lead me toward negative feelings, thoughts and behaviors
 but I know how to keep mentally and emotionally fit.
I exercise my heart and my mind to see what others miss; the good that surrounds me always.
Today, I will focus on it and find it.