Take the time to talk

I was looking at a PowerPoint presentation the other day (not one of mine) and I thought "What a great job this person has done of making a complex issue understandable."  

It reminded me that we often have two important, overlapping roles - acting as technical experts to make plans, take decisions, solve problems and make improvements ... and acting as teachers and mentors to persuade others that our assessment and plans are sound and offer real benefits.  Where we have different groups of stakeholders with different viewpoints and concerns, this can be the more challenging role.

So, in your business, remember to take a break from 'managing' it occasionally and take the time to explain what it is you are doing and why. It will pay dividends in the longer-term.