Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC

Anarchy or Accountability

Oliver — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 03:39:51 +0000

I work with individuals at all levels of leadership, ranging from C-Suite to frontline service folks.

In one of my mentoring sessions, the leader I was working with emphasized the significance of freedom and independence in her role, mentioning it was the primary reason for her long-standing commitment to the company.

Her contentment stemmed from the fact that her own leader did not micro-manage her and in turn she did not micro-manage her team.

She followed that thought with the frustration that she and her team miss deadlines and even with the best of intentions, are always playing catch up.

I emphasized that freedom and independence are incredibly powerful forces, providing the potential for great heights but also exposing one to significant lows.

What creates the balance? Why is this leader so frustrated despite having the freedom and independence in her job to work and lead her team the way she wants?

Freedom

The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
The power of self-determination is attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity.

The First Amendment protects some of our most cherished rights, including religious liberty, free speech, a free press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition our government.

Are those rights without hindrance or restraint? Does freedom mean free from responsibility?

It is pretty obvious that there are individuals that believe exactly that. They have a right to say and do what they want. Storm the Capitol, spread hate, show a disregard for human dignity.

Freedom without accountability becomes anarchy.

I know I took a big leap from not being micro-managed to storming the Capitol. But it all comes down to the same principle and belief.

The essence of freedom lies in the power of choice, not in the freedom from responsibility. Freedom is not an all-or-nothing concept; it carries substantial responsibility, and these responsibilities, in turn, result in accountability.

During mentorship sessions and leadership training, I am constantly reminding leaders that it is a privilege to lead.

If you can’t accept the responsibility that goes with that, then don’t be a leader.

If you can’t hold yourself accountable, what gives you the confidence in your ability to hold others accountable? Even if you tried, why would they listen when you struggle to do the same for yourself?

After my mentee experienced an ‘ah-ha’ moment in our session, I gave her some homework. She was tasked with developing an accountability framework for both herself and her team. This structure will empower her to leverage the benefits of freedom and enjoy her independence.

Looking for a mentor or leadership development? Send me an email at tamara@tknappadvisory.com

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Tamara Knapp Advisory Hired by Wayne County

atterbie — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:01:27 +0000

“The new complex, off Interstate 75 near East Ferry Street in Detroit, will house the county’s 2,280-bed jail, juvenile detention facility, criminal courthouse and sheriff and prosecutor staff and administrative offices.

The county has hired consultant Tamara Knapp to help organize the move from the old buildings to the new complex, and Romulus-based Oneida Solutions Group to handle the physical moving.

“Our goal is to make the move and transition of services as easy as possible for the transition teams and stakeholders,” said Knapp, who was previously chief operations officer for Bedrock before starting Tamara Knapp Advisory in 2020.

Knapp on Thursday told members of a county commission committee that they plan to begin moving inmates and staff into the new complex at four months after the turnover date, or June 1 should turnover happen Jan. 31. The moving process then would occur over four weeks.”

View the full article here.

Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.

Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com

The post Tamara Knapp Advisory Hired by Wayne County appeared first on Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC.

2023 Leadership Skill Gaps

atterbie — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:44:11 +0000

Developing young leaders and coaching seasoned managers requires a tailored approach that takes into consideration their unique talents, experiences, and skill sets. Research and studies have consistently shown that one of the primary reasons employees leave a company is due to issues related to their relationship with their immediate supervisor or manager. Poor management or leadership can significantly impact employee job satisfaction, engagement, and overall retention.

Addressing widening leadership skills gaps in a landscape of ever evolving business operations requires organizations to take a proactive and strategic approach. By conducting a comprehensive skills gap analysis of current and upcoming leaders, organizations can recognize and address current gaps and those that have the potential of becoming more pronounced.

Potential skill gaps organizations may face in 2023:

Digital Leadership: The increasing reliance on technology and digitalization in the workplace requires leaders to possess strong digital leadership skills. This includes the ability to effectively leverage digital tools and technologies, navigate digital transformation, and lead virtual or remote teams. Leaders need to be proficient in using a multitude of communication platforms, managing data and information, and adapting to rapidly changing technological advancements.

Flexible and Transformational Leadership: In an ever-changing business environment, leaders need to be agile and adaptable to navigate uncertainties and disruptions. This includes the ability to quickly respond to economic uncertainty, changing market dynamics, a hybrid workforce, engaging multiple generations in the workplace, and making decisions in complex and ambiguous situations. Agile leadership requires flexibility, resilience, and a growth mindset to effectively lead in today’s dynamic business environment.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership: Organizations are placing increasing emphasis on DEI initiatives to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. DEI leadership requires ongoing commitment, effort, and continuous improvement. Leaders need to develop skills in managing diverse teams, fostering an inclusive culture, and promoting equity in the workplace. They need to recognize, understand, and address unconscious biases, promote diversity, and create an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

Emotional Intelligence (EI): Emotional intelligence continues to be a critical leadership skill in 2023 and remains the number one area I am asked to address when mentoring leaders and leadership teams. Leaders need to possess the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and navigate their own emotions, as well as those of their team members. This includes skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social awareness, active listening, effective communication, and authenticity. EI is essential for building strong relationships, fostering a positive culture, and effectively leading teams to achieve better results.

Strategic Thinking and Innovation: Organizations are competing for business, talent, and innovation. Leaders need to possess the ability to analyze complex situations, think critically, and develop innovative solutions to address business challenges. Strategic leadership is a critical competency for leaders to effectively guide their organization towards long-term success. It involves a clear understanding of the company’s vision, aligning resources, setting strategic direction, and driving innovation and change to achieve sustainable results.

Ethics and Social Responsibility: Organizations are increasingly focusing on ethical leadership and social responsibility. Leaders need to possess skills in making ethical decisions, promoting responsible business practices, and leading with integrity. This includes understanding ethical implications of business decisions, demonstrating ethical behavior, and promoting a culture of ethics and social responsibility within the organization.

By investing in leadership development through regular skills gap assessments, targeted leadership programs, fostering a culture of continuous learning, promoting DEI and succession planning, organizations can build a talented and agile leadership team that is well-equipped to effectively lead their organization in 2023 and beyond.

Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.

Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com

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“The Best Corporate Creative Innovator Around!”

Tamara Knapp — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 21:25:29 +0000

“There is no better way to build culture, camaraderie, and collaboration than taking our show off the road and parking in a great space downtown for the day. Our property management team spent the day yesterday working with the best corporate creative innovator around: Tamara Knapp.

We always say, “There’s no time to work on the team, the culture and to perfect what we do”. But the truth is, every time we do it anyway, we don’t know why we waited so long.”

Lynnette Boyle
Principal, Beanstalk Real Estate Solutions
www.BeanstalkRES.com

View the full post on LinkedIn here.

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ABRACADABRA!

Tamara Knapp — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:41:01 +0000

Leadership Team, Executive Team, Senior Leadership Team, Management Team – there are many different names organizations call the team that defines and drives their vision, mission, and culture. It is typically comprised of c-suite and senior executives, all of whom lead the major functions of the business.

I like to equate this team as the owner of a Passenger Train – they decide what materials are used to build it, how often it is renovated to keep its passengers (customers) happy and buying tickets, the locations that it serves and travels between, what amenities are available, and how much it costs to run it.

General Managers, Directors, Department Managers, Division Manager, Regional Director, and sometimes VPs depending on the size of the organization, are often referred to as middle management.

Using the same train analogy, this team is comprised of jobs like, Conductor, Lead Engineer, Customer Service Director, Railroad Operations Manager, Senior Network Engineer, and Controller. They are the reason the engine runs the train, the train can run on the tracks, the passengers are happy, and the train arrives on time to it destination.

In any organization, middle management is responsible for developing and implementing policies, daily workflow of their teams, driving culture, team member development, and holding people accountable. Collectively they integrate the strategy and vision of the Executive Team into day-to-day operations.

Unfortunately, the value or efforts of middle management are often unappreciated by leadership, and/or they lack awareness of the strength middle management has working collectively as a team.

We know that success in hitting organizational goals requires clarity and alignment.

Imagine the alignment and effectiveness created when, just like your Executive Team, your Management Team has a meeting pulse – meeting on a consistent basis, focusing on issues and finding solutions.

Who would know better but those that run the operations of the organization, to understand unintentional consequences when putting new policies in place.

Using my example, they solve why the train was late, why customer service rating have dropped, why costs are high, or how to implement a new destination available to customers.

I have experienced and witnessed the magic when managers work collectively to IDS TM issues

(I) Clearly identify what your issues are
(D) Thoroughly discuss to clearly understand the issue and possible solutions
(S) Hold yourselves accountable for solving them

EOS Entrepreneurial Operating System

Invest in your managers, create a space for them to lean on each other, value the roles they play, and lean into the magic they can create together.

Not sure how to get started? Let me help you put your team together, ensuring the right people are sitting at the table, guiding the team in creating trust amongst each other, and the ability to have open and honest conversation. Let’s make magic!

Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.

Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com

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Team Trust

Tamara Knapp — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:24:39 +0000

We have all heard about, if not experienced, the age-old “Trust Fall” activity. One partner stands facing away from the other, and then the first partner falls back, trusting (hoping) that the second partner will catch them.

Personal view – I am not sure of the effectiveness of high-adrenaline team exercises. Absolutely trust plays a role in this team-building activity, but it takes a back seat to testing your courage. As a leader, I would be more focused on someone getting hurt rather than the effectiveness of the team building activity!

Whatever your thoughts are on the Trust Fall, the one thing experts agree on is that trust in a team is crucial to its success and effectiveness.

“On a team, trust is all about vulnerability, which is difficult for most people.” Patrick Lencioni

The very foundation of an impactful team has to be built upon trust. Lack of trust in a team creates fear of conflict, whereas trust creates a sense of safety. When a collective team trusts each other and can lean into the discomfort of vulnerability, they create an opening for healthy conflict. The results of healthy conflict and open and honest discussion allows everyone to be heard, producing better decision-making and commitment of the entire team.

Many teams flounder once they have put in the hard work getting to a place of trust amongst each other. The team is committed to moving forward; everyone feels good about their decisions – but nothing happens. Why? Because the team walked away without making anyone accountable to move the decision forward. Minimal results are created when no one is held accountable – no one is driving the decision or task.

A leader who puts in the work and builds a healthy team based in trust, vulnerability, commitment, and accountability creates one composed of empowered individuals. The results produced from this team of individually aligned contributors will be staggering. I know this for a fact, as I was once a part of a team like this, and we accomplished what others thought impossible.

How healthy is your team? Let me help you find out.

Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.

Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com

The post Team Trust appeared first on Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC.

Your Future Company Headquarters

Tamara Knapp — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 15:33:39 +0000

It is time to think today about tomorrow. Not everyone wants to work remotely and for those companies that want to retain and recruit new talent, it is no longer just about money and culture. Employees want the entire experience. Where they sleep, how they get to work, the environment that they work in, and what they do after work.

Let’s start a conversation.

Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.

Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com

The post Your Future Company Headquarters appeared first on Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC.

Commitment Issues?

atterbie — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 15:02:23 +0000

While life long commitments to a job may be a thing of the past, it doesn’t mean that your organization has to give up hope of building an excellent team. What it DOES mean however, is that you need to up your game when it comes to hiring and retention practices.

Not sure where to start? I can help. Let’s talk.

Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.

Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com

The post Commitment Issues? appeared first on Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC.

Case Study: Team Building

Tamara Knapp — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 05:04:54 +0000

Teamwork and team building are an increasingly important part of the corporate culture.

The objectives of team building boosts team member engagement, establishes solidarity by creating a shared memory, breaks down barriers, enhances social relations and connects remote teams and workers. When team building exercises are designed around development or team training, they tend to fall flat and feel more like just another day in the office.

What are you hoping to achieve outside of the basic objectives; relieving tension, rewarding achievement, problem solving, goal setting, fostering interpersonal relations or simply to just have fun?

Answering that question will help determine if your team building session is a volunteer project, picnic, destination outing, scavenger hunt, structured indoor activity (game, discussion topics, cooperative assignments, group brainstorming) or virtual activity.

This is an outline of an off-site I did with one of my client’s teams. They were struggling with emotional intelligence and working in silos. Fun, easy team building exercises and Ice Breakers were incorporated throughout the day as well as videos to break up the sections. Each segment included Skill Building, in which individuals then shared with each other their perspectives/answers.

Click HERE to see a case study of an all-day session I had with one of my client’s teams.

Not next week, not tomorrow, NOW!

Schedule a team session today and show your team your commitment to their personal development!

Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.

Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com

The post Case Study: Team Building appeared first on Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC.

Does data lie?

Tamara Knapp — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:28:20 +0000

What really drives profitability in your organization? Ever heard the phrase “data doesn’t lie”? It may not lie, but it does not necessarily tell the truth. Here is an example.

Pets R Us puts on an event in an effort to increase adoption rates of abandoned pets. They are excited to have two local celebrities host the event and the turnout is huge! Double the number of attendees from any other event they have had. Success right?! Wrong. Only two pets were adopted, the least amount from any prior event. They were focused on driving the number of attendees, and not the number of adoptions.

Measuring things for the sake of measuring them or measuring the wrong thing like Pets R Us did, is not only a waste of time but a waste of resources, and it happens more often than not. How do you know what to measure? This can be a daunting question for a small company, especially when they are given the answer – You need to set KPIs.

“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” Albert Einstein

What is a KPI? KPI stands for Key performance indicator and refers to a set of quantifiable measurements used to gauge a company’s overall long-term performance.

Yep, sounds overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. There is a difference on what can be measured and what should be measured. Start by identifying areas of improvement, priorities, or growth. What areas are critical to the success of your company? They need to be easily accessible and easy to measure. Less is more – too much data is overwhelming – what data is most impactful today?

What areas of the company do you want to target?

Want to turn existing customers into repeat customers? Develop a Customer KPI.
Want to understand high employee turnover rate? Develop an Operational KPI.
Want to understand the profitability of your company? Develop a Financial KPI.
Want to know your conversion rate from a marketing campaign? Develop a Marketing KPI.
Want to know your lead conversion rate? Develop a Sales KPI.

Once you have set your 3-5 KPIs, determine how often they will be reported, who is accountable for reporting them, and to whom will they be distributed. Transparency will result in laser focus and your team all rowing in the same direction.

Not sure where to start? Let’s have a conversation so I can help.
Email me at letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com.

Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.

Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com

The post Does data lie? appeared first on Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC.