Monthly Archives: December 2014

Best Leadership Advise for 2015

 

inspirational_quotes_WhenYouDontUnderstandYourself

As we reflect on the great successes and opportunities for improvement discovered in 2014, let us commit to growth, learning and continued pursuits towards excellence in 2015. Consider the following advice. It will improve your leadership, your relationships and your personal well-being. Happy New Year!!

  1. Make time to think. Thinking must be intentional and a priority. It should not be something we do when we have the time. We must make (take) the time to think!! In his book, How Successful People Think (2009), John C. Maxwell interviews Chick-fil-A, President, Dan Cathy. Cathy, a highly successful multi-millionaire, shared that he had a ‘thinking schedule’.  He scheduled half a day every two weeks and one full day every month and 2 – 3 full days every year specifically for the purpose of thinking. Having these personal operational pauses allows us to maintain focus, clarity and resolve about key and important things vital to winning – in business, as professionals, personally, spiritually and within all relationships.
  2. Leader, know (and align) thyself!! Before a leader takes on the task of aligning the organization, building, managing and leading teams and corporations, he or she must first align themselves. As leaders, our strengths are our team’s strengths, and our weaknesses are our team’s weaknesses. Leaders shape the vision, the values, the objectives and culture of the organization. Yet, many have never taken the time to sit down and write out their own personal vision, mission, goals, values and non-negotiable beliefs. Getting clear in this area provides clarity in all dealings (Ramsey, 2011). Clarity breeds consistency, which establishes dependability and trust, resulting in more productive, happier, resilient organizations and teams.
  3. Embrace and accept that you (and your leadership) are unique. In the Power of You (2013), Chris Michaels, makes a keen and profound observation when he writes, “There’s never going to be another you!! God made just one. Nobody talks like you. Nobody thinks as you do….. You’re an original piece f work, created by a Master Artist.”

I can only be me. No one else on this planet will ever have my voice, my thoughts, my perspectives or prerogatives. These things make me – perfectly unique. You can only be you. Give the gift of you to your team, to your loved ones, to the world  – EVERYDAY!!

References:

Maxwell, J. C. (2009). How Successful People Think: Change your thinking, change your life. New York: Center Street.

Michaels, C. (2013). The Power of You: How to live your authentic, exciting, joy-filled life now! New York: Penguin Group.

Ramsey, D. (2011). EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches. New York: Howard Books.

Leadership Involves Common Goals

leaders-createmoreleaders

In his book, EntreLeadership, Dave Ramsey (2011) shares how, “Goals are visions and dreams with work clothes on.” He goes on to observe how goals force practical steps into our lives which make our dreams come true. Goals help make great leaders, teams and organizations. Essentially, goals convert vision into energy, motion, excitement – ACTION!!

In the previous blog, Leadership Occurs In Groups, we note that leadership requires more than one person. In order to lead, someone must be following, this is not a permanent state of being as the mark of a truly great leader is that they will develop more leaders, not more followers.

Understanding that leaders have groups and that they lead these groups towards common goals, thus creating teams. Leaders ensure teams achieve big common goals by first recognizing their support to their teams is vital. Teams must feel and see their leader’s commitment in everything they do. Words are not enough, goals are about ACTION!! Second, leaders must ensure their teams receive adequate training  and coaching support so the learn how to operate effectively! Just assigning someone to a team does not make them a an active, productive member of that team. Training is one part – it expands the team’s perspective on its roles, and builds cohesion from the shared experience. Coaching ‘gels’ the team together by facilitating the building of a shared vision, mission and goals unique to the specific team. Coaching also helps teams gain clarity on not just their role but how their team unit fits and aligns directly with the overall organization mission and objectives (Taplin, Foster and Shortell, 2013).

Shared goals create unity. Leaders inspire their teams to think and dream bigger – to act in ways that far exceed their own expectations. In doing this, the team witnesses the power of goal setting. Team members, start developing their own personal goals. They start planning. They develop their own visions, missions and dreams and thus future leaders are born!

References:

Ramsey, D. (2011). EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches. New York: Howard Books.

Taplin, S.H., Foster, M.K., Shortell, S.M. (2013). Organizational Leadership For Building Effective Healthcare Teams. Annals of Family Medicine. 11(30). pp. 279 – 281.