Welcome to Brunner & Associates, Inc.
Our passion is helping individuals and organizations to be all they can be.
Brunner & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals with strategic planning, coaching, and other organizational and management issues. We also provide facilitation services to organizations and groups, helping them to address issues and reach agreement on important matters.
Tue
01
May
2018
Simple Wisdom Tips #78: Manage Results, Not Methods
One of the main principles in delegating work to someone is to measure the results he/she achieves but not the methods. I love the expression, “manage results, not methods”.
If my board of directors had directed me to achieve an objective, that is totally appropriate. But if they had then spelled out the 12 steps I must follow to achieve it, that’s not. I would have told them they are paying me way too much to just follow 12 how-to steps; what they’re paying me for is my creativity. I’ll figure out how best to accomplish the objective and the board will hold me accountable for getting it done, or not.
If the employee follows the boss’ list of steps and things don’t get done, it’s not on him or her – it’s on the boss. For example, the employee might say, “Hey boss, I did exactly what you told me and it didn’t work.” The better way is to be clear on the end game (the result you want) and let the employee get there as he/she thinks best. Of course, the boss would help the employee brainstorm if he/she wishes but it’s up to the employee.
Need some help with this? Let us know at mike@brunnerandassociatesinc.com.
Sun
01
Apr
2018
Simple Wisdom Tip #77: Importance of Email Response Time
In Daniel Pink’s new and very interesting book, When, he cites research by a Columbia University sociologist that shows that email response time is the single best predictor of whether
employees are satisfied with their boss. The longer it takes for a boss to respond to their emails, the less satisfied people are with their leader. Wow!
This is a wake-up call to those of us who lead or supervise – or even work with – people. And, it may be an opportunity to help our leaders become even better. It stands to reason
that we feel appreciated when our boss or leader values our input enough to acknowledge and respond to it in a timely manner.
Need some help with email? Let us know at mike@brunnerandassociatesinc.com