For your business to really prosper, you have to get deep down and dirty to ensure that really get clear on issues you are facing. And those your people are facing too.

Susan Scott has written a tremendous book called 'Fierce Conversations'.

It is not a book for the faint-hearted.

However, it is a fantastic resource, whether you want to take a long hard look at your career, your business or yourself.

One interesting question that she suggests organisations (and the same can readily be used for teams, small businesses etc.), is as follows:-

1. 'What attitudes will lead to success in our company?'

   Together with some really deep down consideration of this, within the context of the group you are leading, follows a second question:-

2. 'To what degree do our employees exhibit these qualities?'

   Yet there is a proviso in these questions - and one which is the most challenging and telling issue for most businesses, organisations and teams.

3. 'How honest are you prepared to be?'

   If you are the lead of your group - how honest will you be about what needs to come out.

There's more.

It's about you, in fact. How willing (and able) are you going to be to let everyone, including yourself, get to the whole truth about the circumstances you find yourselves in?

How well do you, yourself, exhibit the required attitudes to make your business successful?

They are seriously challenging questions. Which John Tompkins, the example in the book, is able to work on - with surprising results.

It's definitely worth checking out.

Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com.

...helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow...