COMMUNICATION

Tell Stories, Not Lectures

YOU KNOW WHAT’S NEVER WORKED in the history of management? Nagging. Kerry Patterson, who coauthored “Influencer”, says people don’t change because you lecture them — they change because a story shows them what actually matters. Tell them about the rush job that shipped with the wrong color profile and tanked a client’s grand opening. Share the story about the installer who went the extra mile and landed you a five-star review. Stories stick because they’re REAL. Lectures just make people tune you out while nodding politely.

MOTIVATION

Jump Before You’re Ready

Still waiting until you “feel ready” to bid on that big fleet wrap or invest in new equipment? Don’t bother. Wharton professor Adam Grant, author of “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things”, says confidence grows through action, not before it. “Put yourself in the ring before you feel ready.” The leap is the training. The bruises are the proof. The readiness is the reward.

MINDSET

Be a Little Less Positive

Endless optimism can actually block progress. New York University psychology professor Dr. Gabriele Oettigen found that people who only imagine success often lose motivation to act. She recommends “mental contrasting”: picture your goal, then map the barriers. That big-ticket wide-format printer won’t pay for itself just because you visualized it. Obstacles stop being scary when they’re part of the plan. A dose of realism beats empty cheer.

LEADERSHIP

Show What You Value

Ignoring a poor performer damages more than productivity. It undermines the values you claim to uphold, says Joseph Grenny, co-author of “Crucial Accountability”. Your best people want to work for a shop that maintains high standards — in print quality and in accountability. By acting promptly to address poor performance on your staff, you reinforce a culture your team can respect and be proud of.

MOTIVATION

Track With Small Wins

Five good minutes. That’s all it takes to shift momentum. James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits”, says five minutes of exercise, prospecting calls, or cleaning up your production floor can reset your entire day. Record progress on a chart, celebrate the tiniest wins, and don’t let one missed day snowball into quitting. Small wins add up to big momentum.