SMEAC

If you've ever had to give instructions to an individual or a team, you know how easy it can be to omit key items. A good way to prevent that problem is to adapt the "five paragraph field order" used by the military. SMEAC is easy to remember and easy to use. Here's a handy version:

• Situation: Give an brief and uncensored version of the current status.
• Mission: Tell them what must be achieved.
• Execution: Here, you get into the specifics of how the mission will be achieved. By the time you are done, they should know who is doing what by when.
• Administrative support: Describe which resources will be needed and how they can be obtained.
• Conclusion. This part is too often omitted. Tell them where they will be once the mission is achieved, what will have been accomplished, and what they must be prepared for at that stage. If this is not discussed, it can be easy to be surprised by new problems. 

Whenever giving orders on an important project, don't just tell people what you want; also tell them what you don't want. The contrast will give them a better perspective and a clear sense of the boundaries.

Giving orders in a comprehensive and clear manner is not something that comes naturally, but there is good news:  It can be learned!

- Michael Wade

[For information on Michael's coaching and training services and to get his free management tips e-newsletter, send him a note at michael@swrci.com.] 

Still Another Leadership Lessons Briefing!

The September briefing was a great success!

Michael Wade will be conducting another complimentary Leadership Lessons briefing for our clients and friends of clients from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on October 9, 2012 at Ottawa University in Phoenix.

The briefing will provide key information for leaders as they answer the demands of Being, Knowing, and Doing. Among the topics are:

• The murky roles of leadership: Has it disappeared?
• How leadership and management clash
• Leadership and the new followership
• Cherchez the system: The vital part on the organization chart
• What is hidden within your strengths
• Simplifying your universe with key leadership values
• The benefit of a leadership triage
• The danger of that "vision thing"
• Why what you've probably heard about micromanagement is bunk
• Communicating the rules
• Achieving flexibility amid a variety of styles
• The power of introspection

Attendance is limited to 22 people. For information on how to attend this or other sessions, email michael@swrci.com.

No sales pitches - No nonsense - Just great information!

Ask Affirmative Action Consultants for Success Record

When shopping for an Affirmative Action consultant one piece of key information you should be seeking is the success record of the work passing OFCCP compliance reviews? No business has ever asked for our success record; usually cost is all they are interested in. However, attorneys refer clients to us because of our success record. The quality of an AAP and the associated consulting can be best measured by the success rate of passing an audit. A client referred to us some years ago had an applicant analysis prepared by another company in which the data showed selections in a job group and no corresponding applicants in the job group. This is pretty basic yet easy to overlook. A valuable consultant will identify every nook and cranny legally available in the process. I find the red flags and give clients options for addressing these areas of concern. Next time you’re shopping for AAP consultants ask the “other question” and see what you get.  My record at getting clients through a compliance review without any conciliation agreements…100%. See if you can beat that record when you’re shopping.

You can reach Lou Rodarte at lou@swrci.com or 602 788 1717.