"I've told them more times than there are stars in the sky!"

Are you making it "okay" to get it wrong?

I think this is a phrase I first heard when I was running a newspaper commercial department in the 1980’s… I know! No emails, no computers, no mobiles, it was great! One morning I was concerned to see one of our receptionists opening our post on the front desk, in full view of the general public. Not good. I asked my deputy why that was happening and she rolled her eyes and said, “Oh bloody hell, I have told them more times than there are stars in the sky”.

My concern switched from the receptionist behaviour to my deputies ability to manage. The receptionist knows what to do and the purpose behind it; remind her once, twice maximum after that you need to take action. Every company needs to follow some protocols so things don't go badly; some are legal, some common sense and a lot to protect people. Projects need to happen, momentum needs to build, repeat errors or team members going off on a tangent can very costly.

One of the worst things you can do in a leadership position is to repeat yourself, repeatedly. It is using time you haven't got, it slows progress and allowing your team to develop sloppy habits because they know there are no consequences. A quick way to cement in good habits is to reward it, even just verbally is great. Look for things going right and make a fuss. Reward the positive.

When I have taken on companies and had my first board meeting I do a little speech about expectations. My climatic point is my pet hate is “the need to repeat myself”. If we talk about something and agree it, why revisit it. It slows everything down and in business that is going backwards.

1. Be clear

2. Check understanding

3. Notice good work and shout about it!

4. No repeats of bad stuff