The important tools of our success can take many forms. Perhaps they are communication skills, strategic planning time, connecting with our customers, maintaining equipment or continuing our education. Two years ago we may have been frantically working to supply consumer demand, feeling that we did not have time to sharpen these important tools. Fall 2009 we may find ourselves in a position where the economic state gives us some breathing space. Use that space to become better than you are, by sharpening the tools of your trade.

In the matrix of activities, there are either important or urgent items. We have become conditioned to act on the urgent things, like the ringing telephone, the filling of orders, the delivery of our products and services or resolving crisis after crisis. On the contrary, the important items do not act on us – we must act on them. We must take action to sharpen our communication skills and strategic planning; we must take action to reach out to connect with our customers, continue our education, and maintain our equipment. The key here is that we must act on the activities that are important, that are not urgent.

This morning I came into the office convinced that I needed to get my new digital voice recorder figured out and fired up. As a speaker and writer, I need to capture ideas, thoughts and words as they come to me, which is why I purchased this device a year and a half ago. Unfortunately, I never took the time to read its manual and figure out how to use it properly, so it did not perform for me. Duh! After a brief investment of time and mental energy, I now have a sharp tool to enhance my business, and the inspiration for this month’s leadership tip to pass onto you. A double bonus.

To get a better idea of what tools you can sharpen, think of one thing that you are certain would have a significant and positive result in your business if it was very well done, and performed consistently. What would that one thing be? A lumberjack may sharpen his axe, a manager may do performance review meetings with their team members, a progressive company may invest in software training or leadership training for their team. Think of one thing, and sharpen it now.