ability to focus sharply on one and only one target is worth thinking about as a human.
In the business world— but also in the private area— multitasking has become standard. We listen to the radio while we drive the car, read our emails while we are in meetings, check Facebook on our breaks. Africa’ s predators narrow down their sight and energy to the most important thing in that second and immerse themselves completely. Observing this behavior, it should be no surprise that humans would benefit mimicking it. Multitasking should no longer be a badge of honor. By focusing all your attention on one project or task at a time, you increase productivity and decrease your stress levels.
Further, your customers, in particular, don’ t appreciate it when you multitask. When speaking with a customer, leave the phone in your office, don’ t think about an important meeting you have coming up and focus your attention on making this one interaction the most important of your day. If you set that example, your staff will follow, and your customers will feel a difference.
The Prerequisites of Speed The fastest land mammal is the cheetah. They can reach full speed of up to 70 miles per hour within 90 seconds. Every part of their body— their long legs, small heads with streamlined ears and large lungs— are perfectly designed for speed.
Cheetahs don’ t carry any extra bulk, contrary to many businesses. There is a major workforce shortage in the spa industry, but maybe instead of stressing about gaps, you get creative about filling them. Maybe you have far too many people doing a job that can be done by one or two employees. Offer incentives for your employees to move to new positions or take on new roles, which will allow you to fill gaps in some areas and trim the bulk in others.
The Need for Flexibility Leopards are not only among the most beautiful animals in Africa, they are also the ultimate opportunists— adapting themselves to every change in habitat that might happen. Most people have an inner unwillingness to change, even when necessary for survival. Leopards adapt very easily and foster all their abilities. They are excellent runners and climbers, with the ability to attack from the ground and from trees, to hunt at night or during the day.
How flexible and adaptable are you as a leader? How individualized are your interactions? Adapting to changes in things like the economy and the state of the industry are necessary for survival but adapting to each of your employees’ work styles or each guests’ unspoken needs are necessary for excellence.
“ Your customers don’ t appreciate it when you multitask... If you set an example, your staff will follow, your customers will feel a difference.”
Another flexible animal, the cheetah, has a spine that stays agile and flexible throughout its entire life. Businesses, on the other hand, hold tightly to processes and policies that can quickly become outdated and burdensome. Working the ability to remain flexible in all areas of your business, from marketing to finance, can keep you from being left behind when the rest of the world is moving forward fast.
Now, not everybody has to go to Africa to rethink his or her leadership rituals. Keep growing and learn to embrace change by stepping out of your comfort zone regularly. Whether you use a tent in Africa, a mountain in Colorado or a new idea at work, going beyond your daily routine and your comfort zone is what life and leadership is really about. It is something that you can and should implement into your daily life if you want to increase the level of success and happiness. Remember: rigidness can kill creativity, and creativity is something we urgently need to re-inject into our workplaces to increase the level of personal or business excellence. Listen to your inner voice and dare to follow it. Dare to sharpen your senses and dare to re-design your job routines in order to be the best leader your employees have ever had and the best business your customer has ever experienced. n
KERSTIN PLEHWE, bestselling german author, award winning entrepreneur and sought-after international speaker, helps organizations stand out in tough competition and use change as a fuel for innovation. Kerstin is a powerful, thought- and action-provoking speaker that has worked for more than 20 years with top executives, olympic athletes and political leaders around the world. For more information, please visit kerstinplehwe. com
June 2018 ■ PULSE 57