Welcome to Minute with Mallon!

Something I Taught:

In our last newsletter, I introduced you to my assistant Rebecca. We talked about how working with her has helped me to really focus in on what's important in my business and how this has helped me to accomplish so much more, thus conserving energy and enhancing my life!

Today I'd like to share with you a practice that Rebecca and I do each week:

The True Magnetic North Call

Years back, I was working with a large company that flew me in to work with their team. They wanted me to get everyone on the same page. All the different departments were pulling in their own directions, leading to a lot of chaos within the organization.

There were about 40 people in the room. I asked every person to stand up, get a little room between them, and shut their eyes. I then asked each person to point with their right finger.

I told them that there is a place near the North Pole called True Magnetic North. It's where compasses point.

Then I asked them to turn, with their eyes closed, and to point to where they thought True Magnetic North was. "Don't open your eyes!"

They all hesitated, then started turning. After about 10 seconds when everyone stopped turning, I asked them to open their eyes.

They busted out laughing.

Everyone was pointing in different directions. Some were even pointing towards the ceiling! 😆

I asked them if they ever felt like this at work. Heads started nodding.

"Now, I want everyone to turn towards the door going out into the hallway and point toward the exit sign over the door."

They did.

"Now, what would it look like if we got everyone in the building going in the same direction." More nodding. "And how would that feel?" I asked.

"Less confusing! Like we were all on the same team. Like we were rowing with each other instead of against each other," they said.

“So that's what we're going to do. We're going to get everyone on the same page, moving in the right direction – together!"

I think you get the picture…

It's easy to get off course over time. So each Monday morning at 11:00 a.m., Rebecca and I take a moment to get on the same page and make sure we’re both moving in the right direction. It’s our chance to get back on track towards accomplishing the goals that we set together. And we literally call it our TNM Meeting. (True Magnetic North.)

Reflect on the concept of True Magnetic North and its implications for your team's alignment and direction. Consider implementing a weekly TNM Meeting, like Rebecca and I do, to ensure everyone is moving together towards common goals. This practice can foster unity, clarity, and momentum, and will move your team towards greater success.

The first step is scheduling your first TNM Meeting. Then watch as it transforms your team's performance and outcomes.

Something to Ponder:

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

Jim Rohn

Something I Learned:

The book First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman offers groundbreaking insights from Gallup's research on effective management. It challenges traditional practices, emphasizing the importance of leveraging individual strengths over fixing weaknesses.

In the book, Buckingham and Coffman suggest always hiring for Talents over Skills or Knowledge.

"Skills are the how-to's of a role. Your knowledge is simply what you are aware of. Talents are different phenomena altogether. Talents are the four-lane highways in your mind, those that carve your recurring patterns of thought, feeling, or behavior."

A person with the right talents can learn the skills and knowledge.

Next time you need to hire someone, think about this. What are the talents needed to do this job at a high level?

Hope that helps!

Something I Saw:

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Hope you have an incredible week!

Robert

Minute With Mallon: The True Magnetic North Call!