The word “coaching” is often used to describe any profession that mixes training, counseling, and advising for business, leadership, or sports. “Coaching” can also refer to a management style of how you communicate with all the people around you. The opposite of the coaching style of management is the directive[Read More…]
Columnists
Never Trust a Skinny Manager
Show me a skinny manager and I’ll show you a man who is neglecting some of his true management responsibilities. I’m exaggerating, of course, and perhaps I am just jealous of anyone who can still see the tops of their shoes. But I do struggle at times to explain to[Read More…]
The New Guy
Remember your first experience in the shed industry? That day you walked in, not knowing much, and trying really hard not to do something stupid. I remember… Vance called and asked me to help him build a building on site. I was 16, and didn’t have a job, so I[Read More…]
The Summer of the Skunks
How many skunks does it take to make too many? Let me tell you about the summer of the skunks at our shop in Byars, Oklahoma. First, you should know that Byars is not a bustling metropolis. The population hovers around 250. Better Barns, where I have been gainfully employed[Read More…]
Working with Family Members
The majority of businesses that I work with have some family members working alongside each other. That gives me a fairly good seat in the house when it comes to observing what works, what doesn’t work, and how to fix it. The family member could be a cousin or a[Read More…]
Not So Concrete
I began building portable buildings at the ripe old age of 17. For more than a decade I’ve breathed in the rich aroma of sawdust and sweat. I’ve nailed, sawed, carried, thrown, caulked, painted, swept, and even laughed a few times. I have read stories about bold adventurers or famous[Read More…]
Calling It Tight Part 3
In the last issue of Shed Builder Magazine, we covered the first rule experts follow for having a difficult a conversation with someone in your business is to make it safe, creating an environment of mutual purpose and mutual respect. The next rule is to watch your words, to replace[Read More…]
Calling it Tight Part 2
Just like every play years ago on the football field wasn’t a disaster, every conversation is not critical. In fact, most conversations are simple. You can recognize that a conversation is about to turn critical with a couple of clues. The first clue I noticed was any kind of reaction,[Read More…]
Calling it Tight
There is not a single part of the shed industry that doesn’t involve more than one person. Every step, from production to delivery, relies on multiple people. Unlike tennis, golf, or wrestling, the shed business is a team sport. Over the years I have seen stellar leaders declare bankruptcy because[Read More…]
