Criticism as a Tool for Growth

Criticism as a Tool for Growth

 “The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism."

~Norman Vincent Peale

As a business owner, it’s necessary to understand how to handle professional and personal criticism in the work place. Genuine reflection can use criticism as a basis for improvement and remember having professional success doesn’t always include only positive feedback. There will always be critics, and the way you handle the information will convey a lot about your character and courage as a leader.

Be open to listen to what others might think when you’re trying something new and always consider the motivations of the source. Business owners rarely have a successful business plan handed to them. Only through strategic planning and trial and error can we learn to create success.

We all know that criticism can be uncomfortable and make us become defensive. Instead of firing back a response, listen to understand what someone else has to say without resentment. Always be willing to take in new information without focusing on the criticism itself. This marks leadership as a process.

The response to criticism is to usually take it too personally. Take a step back and respond to criticism at a time where you feel confident in your strategy and accept criticism as a way of learning about how the public perceives you. Never let a simple comment get in the way of your business and success.

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida

better leaders ● decisions ● results

Doing Well by Doing Good.

Doing Well by Doing Good

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

 – Winston Churchill

Building a social bond with your community is an important factor for growing and maintaining a successful business. Customers want to see a business not only providing high quality goods and services but, also lending a hand to the community. As a business owner, take the initiative to create and put into action a social mission to help brand your company positively with the community.

          Most businesses and organizations have mission and vision statements but, lack a social mission. Organize a strong social mission with your team by narrowing down a realistic game plan of goals that can be put into action within the next 6-8 months. It’s important to remember that you want your social goals to help the community but not cause serious interruptions of day to day functions for employees.

With the holiday season right around the corner, many charitable organizations are in need of volunteers or donations of different kinds. Whether it’s donating money, time, or food, make an effort to reach out to local community and offer assistance and keep your team involved.

Make your mark on the community by organizing a realistic social mission that can last year after year. A social mission encourages teamwork among coworkers while showing that your business values and supports the surrounding community and its people.

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida

better leaders ● decisions ● results

Bravery in Business

Bravery in Business

“The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.”

~ Robert Green Ingersoll

Bravery comes in all shapes and sizes but, when it comes to your business or organization bravery is the element that creates success. As a business leader, bravery means standing up for what you believe in, always trying to do the right thing, and following your dreams and goals.

Not only does bravery require toughness and strength but, emotion and forgiveness are also key. Understand that bravery in business means we must learn to look past mistakes, show appreciation, and forgive ourselves and those whose errors we can learn from.

In business, when we want to appear professional and brave we may think that asking questions will show weakness. Asking questions helps to gain respect from coworkers while showing normal human qualities. Don’t be afraid to ask questions even if you feel you might be vulnerable.

While waiting for success to actually start showing up in your profits, patience is the key to incorporating bravery into business practices. Take success step by step and always remember to stay patient no matter the obstacles you come across.

Whether you come across rejection or multiple failures, bravery is the key to staying a strong and empathetic business leader while pursuing lifelong satisfaction and success.

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida

better leaders ● decisions ● results

Erase a Bad Habit

 Erase a Bad Habit

“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”

~ Nathaniel Branden

Personal as well as professional bad habits are typically challenging to break and can cause you to lose focus and decrease productivity throughout the day. Bad habits create an endless cycle that in turn, may create a bad lifestyle. Focusing on changing bad habits to accomplish more each day while building up a positive attitude.

Common professional bad habits are arriving late to work and meetings, procrastinating and avoiding difficult or even repetitive tasks you are required to do. Oddly enough, the best way to erase a bad habit is to consciously recognize the grip it has on your life. Sometimes bad habits can be hard to identify until you take the time to pinpoint what is holding you back from success. Strength and consistency are then required.

To fill this void you might feel in your life, try replacing it with a mental or physical positive habit that makes you feel good and boosts overall happiness. At the office, these positive habits might include showing up a little earlier, making a new connection with a coworker or, volunteering to work on a new project. The possibilities of creating a new positive habit in the workplace are endless.

Avoid letting a bad habit take control of your personal and professional life. Erase bad habits and replace them with positive and rewarding habits to be the best version of yourself.

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida
better leaders ● decisions ● results 

Focusing on You

Focusing on You

“Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another.”

~ Marquis De Condorcet, French Philosopher

Comparing yourself to someone else can cause an endless spiral of regret and jealously that destroys happiness and self-esteem. Be proud of your accomplishments personally and professionally and embrace the fact that you are unique and different from everyone around you.

When we compare ourselves to others, we are losing time each day by focusing on things that we could do better. Whether it’s comparing income levels, career success, or worldly travels, appreciate your success story instead of someone else’s.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, try to find inspiration in what others have done. Ask questions, set personal goals, and learn from what others have successfully accomplished without it negatively impacting your attitude.

With social media a daily part of all our lives, it’s easy to fall into a trap of checking what friends have accomplished and comparing it to your successes. Never allow social media to take over specific feelings you have for yourself. No matter what other people have accomplished, remind yourself of the things you have and the memories you made.

When you compare yourself to others personally or professionally, feelings of defeat and regret stand in the way of achieving more. Avoid comparing yourself to others and enjoy all the things you have worked hard for and successfully accomplished. 

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida

better leaders ● decisions ● results

Recovering from a Social Media setback

Recovering from a Social Media setback

“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”

~ Christian Lous Lange

With the immediate and very public features that are involved with social media, companies are becoming more aware of the possibility of errors. Social media implementation is essential for a business or organization to grow but can also be an easy outlet for errors and missteps to occur. Understand how to recover from a possible social media setback.

Sometimes it’s not always the initial social media post that is causing a negative frenzy but can be the reaction delivered in response. When a social media setback occurs, take a moment to let the hype slow down. Strategize an appropriate thoughtful response that shows careful professionalism in this type of situation.

It’s important to understand for your reputation to recover, you must accept the responsibility of the mistake. Acting like nothing happened without addressing the situation will only hurt your company’s reputation in the end.

In any crisis, it’s important to have a companywide crisis communication plan in place. Create a multi-step plan which lays out the foundation on how to respond to a social media setback that follows the company’s image and mission.

Not all social media mistakes can be solved quickly. With appropriate attention and care, most errors can be handled to minimize the damage and move on to a more positive future.  

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida
better leaders ● decisions ● results

Live and Learn

Live and Learn

“Change is the end result of all true learning.”

~ Leo Buscaglia, American Author

To increase the success of your business or organization it’s important to understand the need to learn something new every day. Keeping your mind active, just like you did while in school, helps to foster new and creative ideas that can take your business to the next level. Whether it’s simply reading a news article or taking an online course or continuing education, take advantage of learning on a daily basis.

Even though we sometimes find it difficult to make time in busy schedules, taking an hour each day to learn something new can drastically improve your personal and professional life. Take some time to focus on a few topics you are willing to invest your time in. It might be learning how to cook, speak another language, music production or graphic design.

With technology now a huge factor in all of our lives, make the time to research Apps, websites, and learning games that you can access easily on your smartphone. Learning doesn’t have to be complicated, time consuming or expensive.

Make learning a practice each day as an active part of your routine. Libraries are also a great way to start a new habit of daily learning if you prefer to stay away from technology. Pick up a book, attend a lecture or become part of a book club to open your mind to new ideas and a variety of people.  

By learning something new each day you naturally educate yourself to become more in tune with the world and enrich yourself as well as your business with new ideas. 

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida

better leaders ● decisions ● results