Manufacturing Excellence - Inspire, Lead and Succeed with COMPETENCE!

"Equal opportunity means everyone will have a fair chance at being incompetent."

~ Laurence J. Peter

Even though this quote seems to be quite funny at first, there certainly seems to be some sad truth to it. Isn't it true that we always think that we could do a better job than the person who is in charge at the moment? Reality is that we won't find out before we walk in this person's shoes and that it is way easier to complain about other's incompetence than to work on our own competence.

Please let me share my unconventional insights on competence.

Competence is obviously a requirement for individuals to properly perform a specific job.  There is no question that this is very important but what makes a person competent? Unfortunately many companies have a hiring process in place that focuses mainly on education, knowledge and the skills as outlined in a person's resume. Why are companies not more interested in knowing what the candidate's hobbies, community activities and interests are? For example, a person who is a member at Toastmasters would immediately demonstrate his or her willingness to improve their leadership, communication and presentation skills. A person who runs marathons does not have to talk about dedication and commitment because without it, it would not be possible to keep up with the training schedule. A person who volunteers on a regular basis in his or her personal time shows the commitment to help others. Even though behavioural interviews are helpful in the search for the right candidate, it is very difficult to foresee a person's competence on the job. It really depends on the interviewer's ability to ask the right questions. It is my firm belief that education does not equal competence. I have met many well educated people who, despite university degree and job title, have not managed to perform on their job to the best of their abilities. 

The question is "why"?

One reason may be that we are all legends in our own minds and most of us like to believe that we are competent. The danger is that our ego may get in the way of being objective and then it can stand in the way of our future success. 

Can it be true that there is a significant difference between book smart and street smart when it comes to our level of competence? How can we apply to our job the things that we have learned along the way?

In a leadership role competence does not only include education, skill and knowledge, it also includes behaviour, attitude, mindset and the ability to positively influence others. A person who is continuously willing to work on his or her level of competence will not only earn the respect of co-workers and employees, it will also enormously benefit their whole life.

I always say, "If you want to be competent, you have to have the courage to learn from your incompetence."

Have you ever looked at that from this angle? So, what are some of the things you do to improve your level of competence in your job to inspire, lead and succeed?

Manufacturing Success Tips - Can You Handle The Truth?

"In his research on motivation, William James of Harvard found that hourly employees could maintain their jobs (that is, not be fired) by working at approximately 20 to 30 percent of their ability. His study also showed that highly motivated employees work at close to 80 to 90 percent of their abilities." Interested in learning more? Take a look!

Manufacturing Excellence - Inspire, Lead and Succeed with a FLEXIBILITY!

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend. 
~ Bruce Lee


We live in very exciting times and these times show signs of business transformation. It is no longer enough to speak about change, we have to talk about transformation and this may require that we look at the world from a different perspective. The sooner business owners and management teams realize this tremendous shift, the easier it will be for them to see how important it is to be flexible.


It is very difficult for me to tell successful companies that their success will dwindle if they continue to accept the status quo, if they keep doing what they are doing and are not flexible and open to change. We have seen it all before when we reflect back on the "Big Three" automakers, and we will, no doubt, see it again. Arrogance and denial can be stronger than being flexible and proactive in a changing market. 


When I think about my experience as a marathon runner, it's always easier to lead the pack than to catch up to a crowd of runners who have left you behind. Shouldn't be the same hold true for business? 


Like in an exercise routine, flexibility means having the ability to stretch and that's not always easy. It may not feel comfortable but it is important that we stretch ourselves out of our comfort zone. It takes hard work and commitment to stretch your body and it takes commitment and courage to stretch your mind. 


I am not saying that you shouldn't stay committed to your decisions but it is very important that you are flexible in your approach. From my own experience, I know that it is very tempting to do what we have always done because it worked before, and why shouldn't it work again?


I constantly hear phrases such as, "I know that", "We have always done it this way", "I told them how to do it", or "We have no time to try something new that may not work". I guess this is our "get it right the first time without making any mistakes mentality" but I vouch for making as many mistakes as we can, learn from them and get better and better as we move along. 


If we stretch our mind far enough to look at a challenge from a different angle, it may be uncomfortable but on the bright side, we have another perspective that will help us to generate new and exciting ideas. 


I am convinced that if you want to be one step ahead of your competition, you have to become a flexible thinker. You and I both know how much emphasis there is on innovation and creativity but how can we be innovative and creative if we don't work at having a flexible mind?


If you don't take the first step in the right direction, your competition will!

Manufacturing Success Tips - Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

It has been said that you shouldn't do what you'll have to find an excuse for. However, sometimes this can be easier said than done. We have all grown up hearing excuses constantly and at some point it became so normal that we don't even think about it anymore and choose to take the road of least resistance. Let me give you my unconventional insights on what I think about making excuses. Take a look!

Do You Know The Difference Between Training and Learning?

I am excited to speak at the first Employer Workshop in Aurora. Let's wait and see how many employers will show an interest in this topic.

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.  

~ Clay P. Bedford

Learning Objectives: 

• 
Discover that nobody needs a title to be a leader
• 
Recognize the importance of self-awareness
• 
Realize the significance of attitude and behavior in today’s work environment
• Identify the difference between training and learning 

We don't live in times of change anymore, we live in times of transformation!

Manufacturing Success Tips - Make the Impossible Possible!

Are you ready, willing and able to take some major strides in 2011 when it comes to making choices? Forget about sticking with the status quo and start to make the impossible possible. This year can and will be different if you consciously choose to make it your best year ever. Mental hurdles may keep you from making decisions and taking action. Reflect, evaluate and get over it! Watch my video to start the New Year off on a positive note!

Our Next FREE Workshop at the Richmond Hill Library is on January 11, 2011

Lost your Job?  Hate your Job?

Discover what you want and go for it!

Have you been laid off once or multiple times? Are fearful that you may be laid off soon?  Do you feel stuck in your current career? Do you  want to change direction but don’t know how?  Are you ready to be proactive and make a plan for your life?

We can help! We provide a supportive and positive learning environment and empower people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. It is all about taking action and taking 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!

Sometimes it's tough to stay positive considering all the fears and insecurities we have to deal with. However, we have learned from own experience that attitude is everything and it is our goal to communicate to YOU how you can turn a positive outlook in your job search into action.

Come and join us! It's time to sign up.....

Our commitment to you is to give you positive energy, a lot of new ideas and a fantastic workshop without any investment for you, except your time. If you give us your commitment to participate, please do not let anything prevent you from attending. It will be well worth your time and effort.

This attitude alone will separate you from others who are looking a job. I firmly believe, how you do anything is how you do everything!

"When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we don't see the one that has opened for us."

~ Helen Keller

When? January 11 from 6 pm - 8.45 pm

Where? Central Library, 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill, L4C 0H5 (west/south corner of Major Mackenzie and Yonge)
Why? This is our contribution to serve the community

Please register @ the Library or via email @ karin@karicosolutions.com.