B.R.A.C.E. Yourself

There are so many things we try to master to be the best at our profession. Technology, new trends and new economic challenges are pervasive and unending, consistently requiring us to adapt and change.?But there are a few elemental habits that when observed and practiced, enable us to better function in our roles, regardless of trends, changes and shiny new IT systems.?Here are five, which I have fashioned into the acronym: BRACE

B- Brevity. Avoid TMI - Challenge yourself to say more with less.?Ask: what is the main idea I need to convey? State it, support it and conclude.?If the other person needs more information then let them ask.?It might lead to.... a conversation!?

R- Responsiveness, Results - how many times have you sent a message or reached out for assistance or an update, then never heard back? How do you feel? Oftentimes the other person may have been busy, or planned to respond at a time they believed was appropriate. Maybe they were overwhelmed.?Regardless, we tend to have one feeling: that we were ignored.?This is how someone may feel when you have not replied, regardless of good intentions.?If you are contacted, then make the best attempt to reply, even if only to acknowledge the query and set expectations for a reply.

A- Action.?Take active steps - some people are great at planning, and consistently meet with other stakeholders to provide updates. These are important, but should always be secondary to what is essential: taking action.?It is in the doing that results are achieved and progress occurs.?Then you can talk about it.

C- Communicate - This might seem to oppose the advice around action. In fact communicating is a complimentary action.?Provide updates, explain challenges and seek direction or support

E- Engage your partner and leverage the strengths of others. Even the smartest, most experience professional cannot do it all, so why waste time and energy trying??Know your partner and their strengths, then partner for opportunities and solutions.

Mind you, I do not meet these ideals consistently.?Sometime I talk too much.?Sometimes I don't respond as fast or as frequently as a manager might like.?By reminding myself of the four pillars of performance, I can rebalance faster and hopefully bring a smile back to the face of that poor stressed executive.?

Let me know how these work for you.?Are there others you might add??Feel free to add suggestions in your comments and share with anyone who might benefit for this.?