How's the Summer going, have you recharged you batteries?

We hope that you have been able to enjoy some downtime and recharge your batteries this summer.

Maybe you have used some of the time to set new goals? Maybe you have reflected on your leadership journey, and the training and tools that you might need going forward? At Crack On Coaching, we have recently worked with clients to highlight the importance of honesty in leaders. It made us think....

Calling all General Managers…are you a radically honest leaders?

Last month, Jon Saunders, Founder of Crack On Coaching, had the privilege of training leaders from Muntons Plc on the power of radical honesty combined with genuine care. It was inspiring to see their commitment to fostering a culture of trust and support within their teams.

What does radical honesty mean?

Radical honesty is all about being real and open in your communication with the people around you. It means sharing your true thoughts, feelings, and actions, even if it’s somewhat uncomfortable or means admitting mistakes.

Radical honesty takes guts and a willingness to be vulnerable. This is something not every leader is ready for. But the benefits can be life changing. By being honest with ourselves - and others - we can create deeper and more meaningful relationships, build trust and integrity, and reduce stress and anxiety.

In today’s fast-paced work environment, radical honesty is a game-changer. Here’s why:

·       Builds trust: When your team sees you as an authentic leader and everyone knows they’ll get honest feedback, they feel more secure and valued.

·       Improves communication: Clear and open conversations reduce misunderstandings and foster a collaborative culture where productivity strives.

·       Promotes growth: Even tough feedback helps us all to grow and improve – as long as it is constructive and delivered sensitively.

But remember, radical honesty should go hand-in-hand with genuine care for your team. Show that you care about their well-being and growth. Here’s how:

Active listening: Really listen to their concerns and ideas – and take action.

Support and encouragement: Be there for them, especially during tough times.

Recognition and appreciation: Regularly show your appreciation of their hard work and achievements in a way that is appropriate to the team and the individual.

It was amazing to see leaders at Muntons Plc put the concept into action, and commit to building a culture of trust and support.

When you mix radical honesty with genuine care, it creates a powerful combination that can transform team dynamics, creating a more productive and happier work environment. In our experience, General Managers in particular can sometimes find it challenging to truly connect with their teams. Radical honesty paves the way for more meaningful relationships with your teams.

Why not connect with Jon Saunders, Founder of Crack On Coaching, today, and explore how radical honesty could help your team to know that you not only value their contributions but also care deeply about their success and wellbeing? After all, which General Manager wouldn’t want a happier, more productive team?

New Podcast Sponsors – Welcome Kurve Kiosks!

 We are excited to announce that the Crack On Podcast has onboarded another new sponsor. Thank you to Kurve Kiosks!

Known for their innovative approach to self-service technology from retail to hospitality, Kurve Kiosks has been transforming customer experiences with their state-of-the-art design.

The experienced and passionate tech professionals at Kurve are keen to share their expertise in technology solutions with their amazing customers, aiming to revolutionise customer interaction and streamline operations.

Their commitment to always deliver a great client experience perfectly aligns with the values at Crack On Coaching. We’re excited about the possibilities this partnership will bring and are grateful for the trust and support from the entire team at Kurve.

And the icing on the cake? Steven Rolfe, the CEO of Kurve Kiosks, agreed to be a guest on the Crack On Podcast.  

Steven Rolfe and Jon Saunders, Founder of Crack On Coaching, met each other through Men & Mountains. The group of around 400 seek to create a “connection through conversation, promoting positive wellbeing, and providing a space for likeminded men to walk, talk and share openly their experiences.”

Please tune into this candid conversation where Steven talks about his incredible journey in the tech hospitality business and explains how Kurve Kiosks came into existence. Steven says: “It’s all about quality and consistency”, and he truly embodies this mantra.

Steven freely shares valuable insights and lessons on topics such as handling failure, the importance of consistency and the willingness to take risks.

Listen to the episode now to find out more.

Thank you to Kurve Kiosks and Metroguard Oxford Ltd for the sponsorship!

Special episode on the Crack On Podcast

The upcoming episode of the Crack On Podcast is a very personal one. Over 30 years ago, Jon Saunders, Founder of Crack On Coaching, went to Croesyceiliog Secondary School where his PE teacher, Mr. Gwyn Morris, changed the course of his life forever.

It’s been a huge privilege for Jon that Mr. Morris accepted his invitation to come on the Crack On Podcast. It gave Jon the opportunity to thank this teacher for the profound impact he had on Jon and so many others.

While Gwyn Morris might describe himself as an ordinary teacher, anyone who knows him realises that he is so much more. He’s been a mentor, guide and an inspirational coach to countless students over the years. He worked hard to instil an ‘I can’ attitude in his students.

“I always say to my students that somebody has to be a gold medal winner or the Welsh rugby captain… so why can’t it be them?”

And Gwyn Morris is proud to have coached some to the world’s best athletes such as the Welsh ex-professional football player Gareth Bale and the Welsh former international rugby union player Sam Warburton. His influence has truly been far reaching.

“As a PE teacher I get a buzz from students achieving something they didn’t feel possible.”

In his conversation with Jon, he delves into the importance of having the right mindset, behaviour, and pursuing excellence. The sign of a great leader!

We are beyond excited to share this conversation on 28 August 2024. Stay tuned, and don’t miss this special episode!

Thank you again to Kurve Kiosks and Metroguard Oxford Ltd for the sponsorship! 

Team Engagement – Bear Inns Ltd

Last week, Jon Saunders, Founder of Crack On Coaching, had the pleasure of spending time with the amazing team of General Managers at Bear Inns Ltd. They own some of Cheshire’s most esteemed pubs, The Swan at Tarporley and The Lion at Malpas.

Jon was struck by what a difference 15 months of hard work and collaboration - interlaced with some fun along the way - made to the team’s engagement. Amazing!

Huge thanks to Woody Barlow for continuing to trust Crack On Coaching with the team! At Bear Inns, the team’s dedication is obvious. It creates an environment where people are motivated to give their best. That’s truly transformational in any business!

As Simon Sinek says: “When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.”

Of course, your role as a General Manager is to balance both types of investments. While you need to deliver financial results and ensure profitability, you are also tasked with cultivating a workplace culture where employees feel valued and heard.

When people feel emotionally connected to their work, they care deeply about the success of the company, and they want to be part of its growth and success. For a General Manager, fostering this emotional investment is crucial because emotionally engaged employees are more motivated, happy, creative, they want to contribute, and they stay with you!

Is your team as emotionally invested as they can be? Are you a General Manager and you don’t quite know where to start? Why not connect with Crack On Coaching for an informal discovery call today? We can help your team to become even more engaged and set them up for success!

We’d love to hear from you.

Crack On! See you next month.