Retaining Tasks

Points To Remember ●New opportunities to delegate should always be sought. ●Interference should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. ●Staff training should be given priority to ensure that effective skills are developed for future delegation plans. ●Possessive feelings about work are negative and unproductive. ●Delegation involves the loss of direct control but the retention of overall responsibility. ●Responsibility for an entire task should be given to one employee whenever possible.

Retaining Tasks

   There are some responsibilities that a leader can’t delegate. These include key areas, controlling over all performance, meeting strategic objectives, and confidential human resource matters-how people are rewarded, coached and counseled. You may also need to supervise dealing with important customers if delegating ultimate  responsibility for these contact wound endanger the relationship.

Providing Support

  An open-door policy aids effective delegation. The delegate should be able to approach the delegator at any time for advice, informstion or revision. The delegator should also be able to approach the delegate, whenever necessary, for an informal, encouraging discussion on how the task is going. If the delegator visits too often, either this is bad delegation , or the delegation is going badly. If delegates come through the door too often, they are either insecure or inadequate. If you are confident in their ability, give them a clear massage. “I am confident that you can manage.”

Checking Progress With Delegates When discussing progress with delegates, use positive questions, such as those below, “Is there any thing you want to bring to my notice?”  “I see that costs are overrunning. What steps are you taking to bring them back in line?” “We failed to meet that target. Any suggestions as to how that might have happened?” “How do you think we can avoid making this mistake again?”

Developing Delegates

   Look out for signs that the delegate is taking too much on his or her on shoulders, and not allowing people who work for them to show initiative and tackle their own tasks without interference. “Getting out of the way” is the key to getting best from others, and applies to the delegates too. Encourage delegates to think issues through and come up with answers to problems before bringing them to you . the most important lesson to the delegates is that of being accountable for results, with no opportunity for excuses.

Delegating Tasks

Delegating Tasks

                                   As, leader you should concentrate your time on activities that nobody else can do. Delegation is a form of time management. It is a way of exercising control and meeting your own responsibilities more effectively, While developing the skills of your staff.

Increasing Your Time

      Managers often claim that the demands of operational and routine duties leave them little to concentrate on important, long-term matters, such as strategic planning  and training. To create more time for yourself, it is essential to hand down more routine tasks by delegation. Even if you, the leader, are better and faster at a task than anybody else in the team, the golden rule is that you should not, and cannot, do everything yourself. Leadership involves handing over the task to others, and then helping them to match or exceed your standards.

Briefing delegates

     Give the delegate a clear, written brief, developed in consultation, that sets out the objectives, the resource available, the constraints, and the time schedule, if relevant. Supplement the written brief with an interview to ensure mutual understanding. If the circumstances change, after the brief to suit-don’t stick to it slavishly.         

Remove Write Protection

Remove Write Protection

                                According to the mails we had received about this problem, people have seen the following errors when their thumbs drives, memory card etc becomes write protected.

• Cannot copy files and folders, drive is write protected
• Cannot format the drive, drive is write protected
• The disk is write protected
• Remove write protection or use another disk
• Media is write protected

Some times people say that suddenly their drive become write protected and they are not able to delete any files and folder on the drive and also not able to copy new files and folder to USB portable drive.

Let’s see how can you remove write protection on your portable devices like pen drives, memory cards, iPod and other USB mass storage devices.

Fix:

Write Protection on any portable USB Device can be applied by the physical lock provided on the card adjuster or some times provided on the pen drives, so make sure to make your drive not write protected by moving the lock in right direction.

But even after moving the physical lock for write protection the problem can happen due to some virus action. This happens when some virus or script which applies the registry hack to make any drive write protect when connected to the computer, In that case follow the procedure below to remove write protection from your pen drive.

1. Open Start Menu >> Run, type regedit and press Enter, this will open the registry editor.

2. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

Note: If the registry key StorageDevicePolicies key does not exist, you will need to create it

Download this batch file called add.bat from here, and double click after download the key will be automatically added to registry.

3. Double click the key WriteProtect in the right pane and set the value to 0 in the Value Data Box and press OK button

4. Exit Registry, restart your computer and then again re-connect your USB pen drive on your computer. That is it, done.

In case you still find an issue, please leave a comment below.

Updated on 28th May 2009

After a lot of user comments telling that the above method does not work for them, we tell you another method which you can follow to solve the “Pen Drive is Write Protected” problem.

If the above method does not work for you, follow the below steps:

1. Copy all the important data from this drive to your computer because this method will format the drive and erase all the data on the pen drive.

2. Now download the Apacer Formatting Utility, Unzip this utility to a folder on your hard disk, preferably on a folder on desktop screen for easy access (Do Not Try To Save it on pen drive). Keep your pen drive plugged in, and double click on the Start.bat file in the folder where you unzipped the above utility. This will start formatting your pen drive, wait till the formatting completes and the LED on your pen drive stops blinking. Remove your pen drive after than and plug it in again.

The above two steps will solve the problem. If you still face the problem, follow the below steps:

1. Goto Start > Run, type cmd and press enter, this will open command prompt.

2. Type the following command on the command prompt replacing X with the drive letter of your pen drive.

CHKDSK X: /F

The above two methods will help you fix the problem.

Note: For all those who are out of luck in fixing the problem with their portable drives, I would suggest you to get your drives checked or replaced by the manufacturer to fix it for you

Exercising Authority

Exercising Authority

       The role of a leader is to ensure that everyone understand instructions and carries them out effectively. Since it is rare for everything to go according to plan, put into place reporting systems that enable you to deal with any deviations swiftly.

Giving Instructions

       The method of giving instruction matters far less than the quality of their content. If decision has been reached in concert with the team, the leader has no need to win acceptance. But having to say “this is an order” is a sign of malfunction on one side or the other. Before you issue instructions, be absolutily clear in your mind what your requirements are. This will be reflected in your tone of voice and body language and will reinforce your message. Ask people if they have any reservations about what you have asked of them, so that problems can be cleared up at the outset.

Managing By Exception

    Leaders often spend too much time double checking everything to ensure conformation with instructions and procedures. The better approach is to manage by exception, which involve concentrating on what is going awry rather than what in not. You should not expect to hear about actions that proceeds as planed, but staff or delegates should inform you immediately if there is a serious deviation from plan. For example, if a sales executive is asked to handle key accounts, and sales targets and profit margins are being missed, he or she must report the problem to you at once.      

Forming A Team

Conducting Interviews

      Allow 45 minutes for an interview, preferably without colleague, or at most, two, joining in.Keeep your own talking to a minimum. You want the candidate to say as much as possible about theit understanding of the job, your company, their past performance. What did they do best? You are interested in their strength first, weakness second. Observe them carefully, taking into account body language and appearance.

Judging Suitability

        Phychometric tests and handwriting analysis are some times used to evaluate candidates suitability. But these methods are no substitute for personal judgment reinforced by the person’s track record and references, and by any appropriate skill tests. Conflicts and rivalry within groups are counter-productive, so aviod candidate who display a degree of personal assertiveness that may fracture the team spirit.

Learing From Recruits

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF Q What did I do wrong-did I recruit poorly? Q Did the person lack the necessary support? Q Have circumstances changed so that the person no longer fits the original job? Q Is there another job in which they could succeed?

     A leader can learn a great deal from new recruits by exploiting their knowledge of other organizations, methods, or ideas. They have the advantage of an outsider’s eye. Make time for conversations with recruits, asking them for their first impressions. Acting on their suggestions is an important way of promoting their confidence.

Handling Misfits

   Recruitment failures will invitably occur, however much trouble has been taken. Whenever you contemplate dismissing somebody, always ask yourself “why has this happened?”. Learn from your analysis, and if the person can be ‘saved’ by making changes, make them. If not, don’t allow the person to stay after you have, consciously or subconsciously, decided against it. Explain your reasons fully to the individual, and be a generous as possible in negotiating severance. Also, ensure that co-workers know what has happened and why.               

Forming A Team

Forming A Team

     Establishing a team or appointing new team members is the responsibility of the leader. Find the best candidates to form a balanced and dynamic team, either through internal promotion or external recruitment, and help them to feel part of the team.

Finding Candidates

     Cast the widest possible net, and spend as much time as needed on the selection process .Draw up a list of criteria, essential characteristics, and skills that the appointee must have. Make sure that the criteria are relavant. A common mistack is to insist on ‘industry experience’, when reserech shows that it bears little relationship to success in the job. Candidate who fulfill all your criteria will be rare, so be prepared to be flexible at the selection stage.

Promoting Insiders

     Internal promation is not only cheaper, but tells everybody that they have opportunity to rise, which is the most satisfying reward. Leaders should constantly be on the look-out for abilites that can be exploited in higher-level teams. When recurting internally, give consideration to the moral of other staff, who may feel that they have been passed over. Explain clearely to all concerned why the person that you selected is right for this assignment, and emphasize that there will be other oppertunities. The allow your candidate to prove you right.

Balancing Skills

    For any team to function effectively, there must be a balance of technical, problem-solving, decision-making and interpersional skills among its members. The ideal groupe will be creative yet deciplined, able to genarate new ideas and find solutions to difficulities, and , at the same time, organised enough to paln and implement a task with in a given timescale.

Assessing Your Leadership Potentia

Assessing Your Leadership Potential

    Evaluate how will you measure up us a prospective leader by responding to the following statements, and mark the options closest to your experience. If your answer is ‘never’, mark option 4; and so on. Add your scores together , and refer to the Analysis to see how will you fared. Use your answers to identify the areas that maost need improvement.

OPTIONS 1)      Never 2)      Occasionally 3)      Frequently 4)      Always

1)      I take the lead in meeting to clarify objectives and agendas.

           1   2    3   4  

2) I focus strongly on achieving results from the tasks I undertake.

           1   2   3   4

3) I propose original ideas for discussion in meetings.

           1   2   3   4

4) I make friends easily and have many useful outside contacts.

           1   2   3   4

5) I find and tell the objective truth, even if people don’t  like to hear it.

           1   2   3   4

6) I maintain friendly relations with everyone on the team.

           1   2   3   4

7) My ability makes me want to change.

            1   2   3   4

8) I take advice impartially from above, below, and from equals.

           1   2   3   4

9) I find it easily to express genuine, close friendship.

           1   2   3   4

10) I like people to express geniune, close friendship to me.

           1   2   3   4

11) I can work easily with all types of people.

            1   2   3   4

12) I take time out each week to recharge my mental batteries.

           1   2   3   4

Analysis

   Now that you have completed the self assessment, add up your total score, and check your ability by reading the corresponding evaluation. However great your potential as a leader may be, remember that there is always room for improvement.

Identify your weakest areas, and refer to the relevant sections in this blog, where you will find practial advice and tips to help your understand what it takes to lead others and your leadership skills.

12-24: You are potentally competent, but you need to do a lot of work before you can excel in a leadership role.

25-36: Although you have the making of a good leader, some areas still to be improved. Identify and work on them.

37-48: Your leadership promise is high, but don’t become complacent. Strive to realize it. 

Developing Strength

Developing Strengths

    All the attributes that you willl require as a leader can be developed, even drive and energy. Self-confidence and selfdetermination, combained with an ability to manage people and money, will make you a strong leader able to attain your targets.

Setting High Goals

    You can’t hope to achieve without the selfconfidence  to take risks, which should be carefully calculated, on paper, to ensure that they are acceptable. This will enhance your ability to form high but realistic and achievable goals. Evaluation on paper helps put you in control of your own destiny, and will aid long -term vision  of your own future and that of the business.

Eliminating Weaknesses

      Facing up to your own mistakes and weaknesses is the first step towards eliminating them and raising your leadership ability. You may need help from a mentor,as well as feedback from your people. List aspects of your people management that are unsatisfactory, and work out  how to improve them. Ultimate success means getting othet to work with you and for your productively.

Mastering Figures

       Some leaders are uncomfortable with money. If this applies to you, make sure you take a course. No sensible employer will refuse to pay for this education. There is no substitute, though, for sitting down and working out the figures of a real business, and seeing in real life how reality is reflacted and portrayed by the nos.

BUILDING PERSONAL STRENGTH

STRENGTH	HOW TO DEVELOP THEM
Drive And Energy: The ability to put maximum mental and physical effort behind reaching objectives and to keep going until the aims are achieved.	●Keep physical fit. Join a gym or take up a competitive sport. ●Constantly work through lists of tasks And ensure their compleation.
Self-Confidence: A belief in your ability to carry out self-appointed and other  tasks to your satisfaction and that of colleagues.	●Learn to calculate and accept moderate risks. ●Review your work at frequent intervals,comparing plans with outcomes.
Managing People: Understanding how to get the best from your staff, and encouraging them to use their initiative to achieve better results.	●Ask regularly for feedback from your superiors, peers, and subordinates. ●Learn to look at situations through other people’s eye.
Goal-Setting: Knowing how to set targets that are high enough to stimulate exceptional effort, but are still in acievement range.	●‘Benchmark’ organisation in your own and other industries to see where and what improvement can be made. ●List your goal and reassessing them.
Self-Determination: The belief your destiny and that of the business are in your hands, noy subject to others or outside forces.	●From long-range aims for youself and the organisation. ●Put your aim down on paper, complete with plans for implementation.
Self-Evaluation: The ability to recognize and learn from mistakes and failures, while also analysing the lessons of success.	●Contect regular, honest examinations of recent decisions and actions. ●If you discover any weaknesses, draw up plans for rectifying them.

Becoming A Strategist

Becoming A Strategist

11. Keep a checklist of key leadership duties and ensure that you do them.

12. Always look beyond the detail and consider the bigger picture.

      As a leader you need to focus on the wider issues that may affect your team’s effectveness, as well as the day-to-day business of getting things done. With your team, plan what you want to achieve in a given time, and break this down into attainable goals and objectives, ensuring that everyone is aware of their responsibilties. Unexpected problems may require adjustments to elements of the plan, so always leave plenty of room for revision.

Promoting Change

13. If you are resisting change, ask yourself why.

       Change is vital for the success in the future. By seeking to lead change, you are helping your organisation to remain compatative and grow, and creating opportunities for individuals to enrich their careers and persional levels. Dare to be different-if everyone in your industry is stuck in the pattern, search for changes that will be welcomed by customers and that will enable you to stand out. Encourage staff to generate ideas for change,and evolve your team in the planning and implimentation of change programmes.

Focusing On People

        The effective management of others is paramount yo success. As a leader you must be, a people person who has the best interests of staff,as well as the organisation,at heart. Seek to develop a climate of openness in which people are not afraide to express their openions and share their ideas with you. Constantly encourage them to adopt the values and behaviour  that help the team and the organisation to reach its goals. Above all, ensure that your people get training they need to achieve their maximum potential.

EVALUTING KEY LEADERSHIP ROLES

KEY ROLES	HOW TO FULFIL THEM
Expert: Has indepth understanding of his/herfield.	Strive for the best possible perfomance, and increase your knowledge in specific field. Use you’re your experts to improve technical perfomance and technological strength in key areas.
Administrator: Ensure the smooth running of operations.	Cut down on paperwork, and devise progressive systems to increase efficiency. Set rules,systems, boundaries, and values inorder to ensure effective control.
People Person: Makes staff and their training a top priority.	Believe and avct on the principle that success follows from the effective management of others. Seek to develop a climate of openness, and work with, and for, everybody equally.
Strategist: Things long term and looks to the future.	Always ensure thatyou plan ahead,devising strategies and goals for  future success. Cocentrate systamatically on where the organization need to go and how it will get there
Change Agent: Using change as the key to progress and advancement..	Be adventurous, and endeavour to focus on enterprise and intiative rather than control. Seek to lead change, and actively encourage the generation of new ideas in others.

Using Diffferent Styles

           There are many leadership styles, and to be trully effective in any given situation, you should not only be aware of them all, but be able to use elements of each simultaneously. For example, while managing and developing people, you still need to keep your eye on the strategic future at all times. If you are implementing a major change programme, do not neglet your adminstrative duties or you run risk of  being unable to implement the changes effectively.

14. the greater you expertise,the more authority you will have.

Mastering Roles

9. Think carefully about the best way to behave in every situation.

Mastering Roles

             Leadership is a multi-dimensional function, requiring knowledge and understanding of many organisanal needs.As a leader, you must master the variuos roles that are required to handle different people and circumstances with skill and effiency.

Taking The Overview

10. concentrate on getting things done, not on trying yo show that  you are the one in charge

            A leader’s role differs materially from that of the manager. While a manager must focus on implimenting specific tasks, the leader must act as a grandmaster, a strategist, directing the game as a whole, and organising the players. All leaders have different talents, and may be stronger in some skills than in others. To be successful you must be able to fill a number of roles, using a range of skills and leadership styles according to the task, the situation, and the people involved

QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF Q. Do I communicate directly with my team and also with other departmants? Q. Am I sure that every member of the team undestands his or her role fully? Q. Am I setting sufficiently ambitious goals? Q. Do I have procedures in place that allow me to check on team progress instently?

Being An Administrator

             Administation is the key role of the leader, and nowadays there is much more to the role than simpley “running a tight ship” on a predetermined course. The modern administrator is expected to be creative, devising processes and streamlining activities, not only to ensure the smooth running of procedures, but also to increase efficiency. To get the best from the team,set aside time to organise systems that will minimise time-wasting and improve productivity. Look for ways to reduce paper work-direct communication is usually more effective. Liaise with other departments to ensure that every one knows what is expected of them, and keep an open team diary for instant checks on current tasks and deadlines

    

Comparing Leaders And Managers

LEADER	MANAGER
Adminster	Implement
Originate	Copy
Develop	Maintain
Inspire trust	Control
Think long term	Think short term
Ask what and why	Ask how and when
Watch the horizon	Watch bottom line
Challenges status quo	Accept status quo
Are their own people	Are good soldiers
Do the right thing	Do  right thing

Gaining From Others

Gaining From Others                    

7. Use project as a way of learning more about other disciplines.

        Promotion to leadership positions used to depend on rising up the company hierarchy. Now  vital work is increasingly carried out by temporary teams working on specific projects, which provide ideal opportunities for learning leadership skills.

Joining Project Skills

       Widen your knowleadge and learn new skills by joining a project team. These are usually set up  to work on new projects within an existing organisation. Such teams can become permanent if the prroject takes off, and are independent of the vertical hierarchy. The longer the project lasts , the more likely it is that team membershisp and roles  will change during the projecter’s life. This means you can join a project in a sabordinate position, but with the hope of finding a leadership role later.The large the team, and the wider its remit, the greater the chance to change roles or be promoted within the team. Gaining experience on projects led by other people is also an invaluable education in how to lead your own project.

8.Make friends with people in different departmants, and get to know how they operate.

Learining Flexibility

        The leadership of a project is often passed to different people at different stages. For example, it could move from the design department to the production staff to the marketting people, each passing on the baton in turn. This gives you the opportunity to learn crucial lessons in how to organize and collaborate with different functions and depatrmants, from finance to sales, engineering to purchasing. Although the baton changes hands, everyone still works as part of a harmonious team at all times. The abilities to be flexible and to understand other departments work are essential in leadership.

Broading Knowleadge

       Use your experience in multi-disciplinary project teams to broaden your general business skills. It is too easy to become and stay a specialist. The Japanes, for instance, believe that every manager shuld be a proper businessman or women, able to lead any part of the businise, successfully. So a personnel head can can move easily into sales, or a financial expert into marketing. Get to undestand the principles of business successfully. So  a personal head can move easily into sales, or a financial expert into marketing. Get to understand the priciple s of business and what part each component  skills plays in achieving sales and profits. Broaden your knowleadge by reading, and by establishing,and nurturing contacts in different departments- such efforts will pay great dividends in future.