Lee talks about the crucial concept of connection within the framework of successful change initiatives. He reflects on his frequent use of the term "connection" and emphasises its importance as the first of the Four Cs: Connection, Conversation, Collaboration, and Celebration. Lee shares insights on how to foster genuine connections with team members, highlighting the significance of understanding individuals on a personal level, communicating transparently, and adapting communication styles to suit different audiences. He also discusses the value of creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and the importance of celebrating small wins to maintain morale. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Importance of Connection: Connection is the foundation of effective communication and change management. It is essential to prioritise building relationships before introducing tools or processes.


Person-Centric Approach: To foster connection, it's crucial to view team members as individuals with unique experiences, challenges, and motivations. Taking the time to understand them enhances trust and openness.


Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication is vital for building trust. Clearly explaining the reasons behind changes and how they benefit both the organisation and the team encourages engagement.


Adaptability in Communication: Tailoring communication styles to suit different audiences is important. Understanding how individuals prefer to receive information can significantly enhance connection and engagement.


Fostering Inclusion and Celebrating Wins: Creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued strengthens connection. Additionally, recognising and celebrating small wins keeps morale high and encourages ongoing engagement.

BEST MOMENTS

"Connection is the start of the Four Cs: Connection, Conversation, Collaboration, Celebration."

"Tools don't lead people. Tools can't influence. Tools can't inspire. People do these things." 

"Open and honest communication is the cornerstone of connection." 

"Finding common ground takes time, takes your ability to ask questions, but also having a genuine interest in that person." 

"Connection is far more than a word. Connection is a feeling between two people."

HOST BIO

You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.

Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the crucial concept of connection within the framework of successful change initiatives. He reflects on his frequent use of the term "connection" and emphasises its importance as the first of the Four Cs: Connection, Conversation, Collaboration, and Celebration. Lee shares insights on how to foster genuine connections with team members, highlighting the significance of understanding individuals on a personal level, communicating transparently, and adapting communication styles to suit different audiences. He also discusses the value of creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and the importance of celebrating small wins to maintain morale. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ol>
<li>
Importance of Connection: Connection is the foundation of effective communication and change management. It is essential to prioritise building relationships before introducing tools or processes.
</li>
<li>
Person-Centric Approach: To foster connection, it's crucial to view team members as individuals with unique experiences, challenges, and motivations. Taking the time to understand them enhances trust and openness.
</li>
<li>
Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication is vital for building trust. Clearly explaining the reasons behind changes and how they benefit both the organisation and the team encourages engagement.
</li>
<li>
Adaptability in Communication: Tailoring communication styles to suit different audiences is important. Understanding how individuals prefer to receive information can significantly enhance connection and engagement.
</li>
<li>
Fostering Inclusion and Celebrating Wins: Creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued strengthens connection. Additionally, recognising and celebrating small wins keeps morale high and encourages ongoing engagement.
</li>
</ol>
BEST MOMENTS
"Connection is the start of the Four Cs: Connection, Conversation, Collaboration, Celebration."
"Tools don't lead people. Tools can't influence. Tools can't inspire. People do these things." 
"Open and honest communication is the cornerstone of connection." 
"Finding common ground takes time, takes your ability to ask questions, but also having a genuine interest in that person." 
"Connection is far more than a word. Connection is a feeling between two people."
HOST BIO
You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/
For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack &amp; India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business &amp; personal development material.
Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

WARNING - This podcast WILL challenge your thinking.

Welcome to Business Problems Solved!

In this podcast we help you solve your business problems by providing real examples and practical approaches to make today better than yesterday. 

Introducing your host, the multi-sector, self-professed ‘most improved improvement person’ and qualified Business Problem Solver

Lee Houghton (pronounced Hawton)

You can contact Lee on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter by searching for Lee Houghton THE Business Problem Solver or via visiting www.leehoughton.com for more content and to solve your business problems.

And remember – saying you know how to do it, is not doing it …

Business Problems Solved Podcast

Business Problems Solved

How Do We Connect?

Lee explores into the often over looked aspects of training sessions, emphasising the importance of aligning language and definitions to ensure effective learning. He challenges listeners to think differently about their approach to training, whether as participants or facilitators and highlights the necessity of creating actionable plans that integrate learning into everyday practices. Lee shares practical strategies for fostering accountability, such as assigning ownership of action items and encouraging personal commitments from participants. By focusing on these elements, he aims to help organisations maximise their investment in training and achieve meaningful, lasting change.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Think and Do Different: To achieve different results, it's essential to not only think differently but also to take actionable steps based on that new thinking. Training should inspire participants to implement what they've learned.


Alignment of Language: Ensuring that all participants have a shared understanding of key terms and concepts is crucial. Misalignment in definitions can lead to confusion and ineffective application of knowledge.


Action Plans for Application: Capturing tangible actions during training sessions helps cement learning. Each action should have a designated owner and a timeline for accountability, ensuring that the knowledge gained is applied in the workplace.


Integration into Existing Routines: Actions derived from training should be integrated into regular meeting rhythms to maintain focus and accountability. This prevents the need for separate discussions about training outcomes and promotes ongoing application.


Personal Commitment: Encouraging participants to make personal commitments to change fosters accountability. Sharing these commitments with the group increases investment in the learning process and encourages follow-through after the training session.

BEST MOMENTS

"You have to think and do different to achieve different." 

"When you get back from holiday, the first day back it then seems like it's been months since you've had a holiday." 

"Alignment of language is key, especially in a training room." 

"We want applied learning. We want people to take the knowledge that they're getting in the training room and apply that learning in the workplace." 

"If you don’t do that, then you’re going to have to have another meeting to just talk about the output of that meeting." 

HOST BIO

You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.

Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores into the often over looked aspects of training sessions, emphasising the importance of aligning language and definitions to ensure effective learning. He challenges listeners to think differently about their approach to training, whether as participants or facilitators and highlights the necessity of creating actionable plans that integrate learning into everyday practices. Lee shares practical strategies for fostering accountability, such as assigning ownership of action items and encouraging personal commitments from participants. By focusing on these elements, he aims to help organisations maximise their investment in training and achieve meaningful, lasting change.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ol>
<li>
Think and Do Different: To achieve different results, it's essential to not only think differently but also to take actionable steps based on that new thinking. Training should inspire participants to implement what they've learned.
</li>
<li>
Alignment of Language: Ensuring that all participants have a shared understanding of key terms and concepts is crucial. Misalignment in definitions can lead to confusion and ineffective application of knowledge.
</li>
<li>
Action Plans for Application: Capturing tangible actions during training sessions helps cement learning. Each action should have a designated owner and a timeline for accountability, ensuring that the knowledge gained is applied in the workplace.
</li>
<li>
Integration into Existing Routines: Actions derived from training should be integrated into regular meeting rhythms to maintain focus and accountability. This prevents the need for separate discussions about training outcomes and promotes ongoing application.
</li>
<li>
Personal Commitment: Encouraging participants to make personal commitments to change fosters accountability. Sharing these commitments with the group increases investment in the learning process and encourages follow-through after the training session.
</li>
</ol>
BEST MOMENTS
"You have to think and do different to achieve different." 
"When you get back from holiday, the first day back it then seems like it's been months since you've had a holiday." 
"Alignment of language is key, especially in a training room." 
"We want applied learning. We want people to take the knowledge that they're getting in the training room and apply that learning in the workplace." 
"If you don’t do that, then you’re going to have to have another meeting to just talk about the output of that meeting." 
HOST BIO
You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/
For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack &amp; India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business &amp; personal development material.
Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

How to Help People Take Action After a Training Course

Lee talks about the importance of asking the right questions as a leader and the impact it has on coaching and developing people. He emphasises that effective leadership is not just about managing tasks or providing answers, but about fostering thought and reflection in others. Horton discusses the need to balance managing, leading, and coaching, highlighting that change should be an everyday part of business rather than a one-off project. He advocates for a humann centered approach to improvement, where continuous growth and respect for individuals are paramount. By connecting on a personal level and engaging teams in meaningful conversations, leaders can inspire a highly engaged workforce dedicated to making incremental improvements every day.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Coaching Through Questions: Asking questions is a powerful tool for coaching, but the true success lies in generating thought and reflection in the individuals being asked, rather than simply obtaining answers.


Situational Leadership: Effective leadership requires a balance of managing tasks, leading people, and coaching gaps. The approach should be tailored to the specific situation and the needs of the individuals involved.


Continuous Improvement: Change should be integrated into daily operations rather than treated as a one-off project. Engaging employees in continuous improvement fosters a culture where everyone contributes to enhancing processes and outcomes.


Respect for People: Emphasising respect for individuals and their contributions is crucial. A highly engaged organisation thrives on mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improvement.


Holistic Engagement: To achieve organisational success, it is essential to engage employees' heads (through thought-provoking questions), hearts (by inspiring them towards a common goal), and hands (by involving them in meaningful work).

BEST MOMENTS

"The success of asking a question is not in receiving an answer, but in generating thoughts in the people that we've asked the question of."

"Change needs to be, or should be, an everyday business as usual part of every single role because those who do the work know most about it."

"If we truly embraced those two principles, joined them together and made them business as usual for everybody, then everybody will be working to do the right thing at the right time every single time."

"It's about improving that task at hand as well in a collaborative way."

"Change and leadership is not black and white because not every person is the same."

HOST BIO

You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.

Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the importance of asking the right questions as a leader and the impact it has on coaching and developing people. He emphasises that effective leadership is not just about managing tasks or providing answers, but about fostering thought and reflection in others. Horton discusses the need to balance managing, leading, and coaching, highlighting that change should be an everyday part of business rather than a one-off project. He advocates for a humann centered approach to improvement, where continuous growth and respect for individuals are paramount. By connecting on a personal level and engaging teams in meaningful conversations, leaders can inspire a highly engaged workforce dedicated to making incremental improvements every day.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ol>
<li>
Coaching Through Questions: Asking questions is a powerful tool for coaching, but the true success lies in generating thought and reflection in the individuals being asked, rather than simply obtaining answers.
</li>
<li>
Situational Leadership: Effective leadership requires a balance of managing tasks, leading people, and coaching gaps. The approach should be tailored to the specific situation and the needs of the individuals involved.
</li>
<li>
Continuous Improvement: Change should be integrated into daily operations rather than treated as a one-off project. Engaging employees in continuous improvement fosters a culture where everyone contributes to enhancing processes and outcomes.
</li>
<li>
Respect for People: Emphasising respect for individuals and their contributions is crucial. A highly engaged organisation thrives on mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improvement.
</li>
<li>
Holistic Engagement: To achieve organisational success, it is essential to engage employees' heads (through thought-provoking questions), hearts (by inspiring them towards a common goal), and hands (by involving them in meaningful work).
</li>
</ol>
BEST MOMENTS
"The success of asking a question is not in receiving an answer, but in generating thoughts in the people that we've asked the question of."
"Change needs to be, or should be, an everyday business as usual part of every single role because those who do the work know most about it."
"If we truly embraced those two principles, joined them together and made them business as usual for everybody, then everybody will be working to do the right thing at the right time every single time."
"It's about improving that task at hand as well in a collaborative way."
"Change and leadership is not black and white because not every person is the same."
HOST BIO
You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/
For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack &amp; India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business &amp; personal development material.
Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Questions, Right Thing Every Time and Leadership

Lee explores the critical concept of empowering the right person to do the right thing at the right time, every single time. He emphasises the importance of clarity in roles and responsibilities within an organisation, highlighting that not everyone is the right person for every task. Lee discusses how leaders can create an enabling environment through clear expectations, open communication, and trust, allowing individuals to act confidently based on their awareness and experiences. By fostering a culture where responsibility is shared and acted upon with urgency, leaders can ensure their teams thrive. Tune in to discover practical approaches to enhance operational excellence and empower your team effectively.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Empowerment of the Right Person: It's crucial for leaders to identify and empower the right individuals within their teams to take responsibility and act at the right time, rather than assuming that everyone should handle every situation.


Clarity in Roles and Responsibilities: Clear communication of roles and responsibilities is essential to prevent confusion and ensure that team members know when they are the right person to act.


Setting Clear Expectations: Leaders must establish clear standards and expectations for what constitutes the "right thing" to do in various situations, aligning these with the organization's goals and values.


Creating an Enabling Environment: An environment that fosters trust, open communication, and support is vital for empowering team members to act confidently and appropriately when they are the right person.


Understanding Timing: Knowing when to act is as important as knowing what to do. Leaders should cultivate a sense of urgency and awareness of timing within their teams to ensure actions are taken at the appropriate moments.

BEST MOMENTS

"A successful environment is one where the right individual steps up at the right time, without confusion over roles and responsibilities." 

"The right thing really should align with expectations and standards." 

"Leaders must provide clear expectations of what the right thing looks like for various roles and situations." 

"When the right person does the right thing at the right time, it's a reflection of the environment that the leader has cultivated." 

"You want the choice to be crystal clear and you want them to act appropriately at the right time." 

HOST BIO

You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.

Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the critical concept of empowering the right person to do the right thing at the right time, every single time. He emphasises the importance of clarity in roles and responsibilities within an organisation, highlighting that not everyone is the right person for every task. Lee discusses how leaders can create an enabling environment through clear expectations, open communication, and trust, allowing individuals to act confidently based on their awareness and experiences. By fostering a culture where responsibility is shared and acted upon with urgency, leaders can ensure their teams thrive. Tune in to discover practical approaches to enhance operational excellence and empower your team effectively.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ol>
<li>
Empowerment of the Right Person: It's crucial for leaders to identify and empower the right individuals within their teams to take responsibility and act at the right time, rather than assuming that everyone should handle every situation.
</li>
<li>
Clarity in Roles and Responsibilities: Clear communication of roles and responsibilities is essential to prevent confusion and ensure that team members know when they are the right person to act.
</li>
<li>
Setting Clear Expectations: Leaders must establish clear standards and expectations for what constitutes the "right thing" to do in various situations, aligning these with the organization's goals and values.
</li>
<li>
Creating an Enabling Environment: An environment that fosters trust, open communication, and support is vital for empowering team members to act confidently and appropriately when they are the right person.
</li>
<li>
Understanding Timing: Knowing when to act is as important as knowing what to do. Leaders should cultivate a sense of urgency and awareness of timing within their teams to ensure actions are taken at the appropriate moments.
</li>
</ol>
BEST MOMENTS
"A successful environment is one where the right individual steps up at the right time, without confusion over roles and responsibilities." 
"The right thing really should align with expectations and standards." 
"Leaders must provide clear expectations of what the right thing looks like for various roles and situations." 
"When the right person does the right thing at the right time, it's a reflection of the environment that the leader has cultivated." 
"You want the choice to be crystal clear and you want them to act appropriately at the right time." 
HOST BIO
You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/
For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack &amp; India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business &amp; personal development material.
Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

How Do We Connect?

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