Sunday, January 30, 2011

Self-Mastery

The best leaders are thoroughly comfortable in their own skin.  They have developed an understanding and perspective about themselves that allows them to accept each day and all of the challenges that it brings as an opportunity to improve and grow.  They have mastered the four "Self's".

Self-awareness
Self-control
Self-management
Self-development 

Self-awareness is the ability to clearly and honestly assess your own strengths and weaknesses, drivers, passions, values, and persona or style. Since no person's personality is etched in stone, it is also the willingness to continually reflect upon one's self and to react to what you see.  Having this clarity in your life makes it easy to communicate your priorities and perspective to your team.

Self-control is the ability and desire to consistently be the "island of calm" in a stormy world.  Patience, empathy, discipline, and respect are the skills that added together project self-control.  Remember that this isn't just about verbal communication, but also about controlling your look, mood, and non-verbal cues as well.

Self-management involves constant reflection upon your personal skill set.  How effectively you delegate, take initiative, hold yourself and others accountable, goal set, and your general overall wellness. Reflecting on your world view gives you the opportunity to make adjustments and improve day after day.

Self-development is the ability to sustain the three attributes above.  Lots of people have done one or more of the selfs, but for true leaders it is an everyday thing.  As with most things in life, starting is hard, finishing is harder still, but sustaining it day after day takes dedication.

Leaders who have mastered the self's have a positive aura that people feel almost instantly, call it confidence, charisma, charm, or whatever you like, Self-Mastery allows you to build a team of willing followers.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Accountability for All

Strong leaders gain the trust of their team by being accountable, responsible, and dependable. Being accountable means having the unwavering willingness to accept responsibility for one's actions.  However, as a leader you must not only be accountable for yourself but you must be willing to consistently and fairly hold all the team members accountable as well.
Good leadership is demonstrated by refusing to shift blame when problems arise, it means admitting when mistakes are made and taking steps to correct one's short comings.  Accountability also means supporting your team when things don't go as planned.  Singling out a scapegoat, "throwing a team member under the bus", will utterly destroy any semblance of teamwork and ruin any hope you have of leading effectively.  If the group knows you are there for them, they are much more likely to be there for you. 
Similarly your subordinates must be held accountable.  As the leader you must find effective methods for monitoring the teams status. Having this ability will allow you to monitor their progress from a distance and wisely choose the moments when your input is vital.  There must also be a steadfast willingness to hold people uniformly accountable.  Playing favorites, or even remotely giving the appearance of having unequal standards for different team members, will also dash a team upon the rocks and kill their chance of success. 
In this case it helps greatly to remember a few simple rules.
Don't allow the use of vague, unmeasurable words when discussing action plans.  Words and phrases such as "I'll try", "as soon as possible", "I'll do my best", and "by the end of the week" are unacceptable.  Lead with details, when reviewing performance and making plans, stick to details, not platitudes.  When discussing group actions look for the Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How's. Nobody should ever get off the hook, the plan should always include:
Who's responsible,
    What the goal is,
         Why its necessary,
             Where the activities take place,
                 And How it will be accomplished - the necessary steps
Its best to remember the great Yoda, "There is no try, do or do not".
It can't be much more straight forward than that.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Enthusiasm is Contagious

Its important to remember that there are many successful leadership styles and not all styles are suitable for all organizations.  Military demeanors don't always translate well to the private sector just as not all business leaders would find success as the coach of a basketball or football team.  Similarly the leader of a prison gang may not possess skills that would be found in the leader of a non-profit organization.

However, some traits appear to be universally present in the greatest of leaders.  Prominent among these is zeal or enthusiasm.  No matter how you slice it leaders don't get far without it.  It may not always be a positive, bubbly zeal, but call it enthusiasm, drive, or determination, when present in the leader it will spread rapidly through a team.  People are naturally attached to the energy that enthusiasm projects.  This sense of energy drives people and teams to higher and higher levels of effort and achievement.

Soooooo... just how and in heck do you get it?  Most leadership guides will tell you to love what you do and it will come naturally.  Of course, that is clearly the easiest and most direct way, but even then no job or task is ever totally infused with things we love.  Players may love the games but hate the practices, doctors may love helping people but hate the paperwork, its a part of life that with the good there is also the bad.  However, being mindful of some simple concepts can fuel your own enthusiasm and that of your team.

Present a positive outlook.  Looking for negatives is easy, critics are easy to find.  The leader is the one who knows that success is attainable, and who digs in the hardest when the going is toughest.  Help your team look for the "here's how we'll make it happen" rather then making the list of why "it can never happen".

Live and lead with passion.  Leaders want to be leaders, whether they know it or not.  They get out in front and eagerly push the envelope.  Passion is easy to spot but not always easy to achieve, but just by remembering how important it is you can find your way to becoming "passionate about passion".

Above all else, perseverance.  No one is perfect, and no leader is either.  For all the times things are going great, there will be not so great times as well.  Never dwell on the failures, examine them, vow to not repeat them, but don't become engrossed in them.  Make yourself and your team push on, people follow the one who refuses to give up!

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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Listen to Lead

"Genuine" listening is a human relations skill that can improve not only your professional reputation but your life as well.  It will enhance your image as a leader, letting you be known as a caring, courteous, and thoughtful person.  You will find a wide range of people from your organization, not just those in your immediate sphere of influence, seeking your sage advice and counsel.

How can such a simple concept be so powerful?  Genuine listening fulfills several human needs at once.  It communicates your respect for, and desire to hear another's thoughts and opinions.   They also feel more connected to you as a  person who values their judgment.  And it lets them hear the sweetest sound they know, that of their own voice.

However, genuine listening is not an easy concept to master.  Remember that the goal is to communicate well and hear the "complete" message.  Therefore, it is not just about hearing, but also about seeing, sensing, and feeling what the other person is attempting to communicate.  Watch the body language, tone and inflection, overall attitude and emotion, and anything else that can provide clues to the deeper context of the message.  At the same time make sure that your nonverbal communication sends the proper signals.  Pay attention, don't be distracted or let outside influences interrupt the conversation.  Make eye contact and listen patiently with an open mind.  Focus on what is being said and analyze it clearly so as to prepare to respond as necessary.

Do not feel compelled to respond to every comment or to jump in and fill the silence with commentary.  Let the other person complete their thoughts and take the time to evaluate and consider what was said.  Extended silence will give you an air of seriousness and contemplation as well as giving you time form complete thoughts as a reply.  Silence can also draw others out causing them to elaborate and volunteer more information.

When responding, reflective questioning can prove your attentiveness and works to draw out and clarify the other person's opinions.  Ask "open-ended" questions that provide the opportunity for more elaboration.  This proves you have been attentive and also shows how much you value the discussion.

Lastly, acknowledge the message.  Don't be satisfied with the first comments made but strive to more completely understand where the other person's viewpoint lies.  Responding with  simple comments and audible clues such as  "I see", Hmm, or "Really?", solicit a response and the opportunity to hear more details and gain more insight.

Genuine listening will not only increase your stock as a leader in the world of business but can also show your loved ones how much you really care.  Pause for a moment and consider just how many family disputes in some way involve someone feeling uncared for or ignored.  Whether it is a parent, child, or a spouse, the phrase "you don't listen" is more common than we like to admit.  To those you love, genuine listening may not show leadership, but it will certainly show how much you deeply and truly care.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Patience Is A Virtue (Part 2)

I would be remiss if I didn't follow up the last essay with a quick comment.  Practicing deliberative thinking and maintaining a calm demeanor in all your day to day interactions is the best way to earn a reputation as a strong leader and a person to be reckoned with.  Remember that the key is to be patient at all times and in all things.

This is especially important when dealing with difficult people.  We all know how easy it is to get exasperated, frustrated, and blurt out some comment that we come to regret.  In these situations, always take the time to think things through and to carefully consider your words before speaking.  While this may lead to long pauses, don't worry, these just add to air of a contemplative mind at work.  And it allows you maintain control of your emotions while considering what is being said and what your best options are for moving forward.  Resist the urge to react and decide quickly, 9 times out of 10, the pressure to react is a self-imposed one. When in doubt, when you are frustrated, when you are overwhelmed, draw back, slow the train down, and think.  A patient approach always helps the decision making process, and projects the image of a strong willed person at the helm.

Also don't be afraid to table a difficult matter for some period of time, be it a few minutes, hours, or days.  Letting issues move off the front burner gives your subconscious time to mull things over.  It also gives you a chance to come back to a problem with a fresh set of eyes.  

One last thing, in a difficult conversation or situation, ask three questions of yourself before you let your lips move:
                        Is what I want to say true?
                        Is it kind?
                             Is it necessary?
                                   If not, let it be left unsaid.

While this may not always be practical, its one heck of a good way to approach things!
[The three questions are not an original thought, you might call them my Mom's advice, but I'll be darned if I know where she picked them up]
          


 

Patience Is A Virtue

In our increasingly fast paced world there is constant pressure to move quickly, respond quickly, react quickly, and decide quickly.  The sense is one of "Go, Go, Go".
However, if you consider leaders of note, the one's people look up to, you will find an ability to "Keep one's head, when those around you are loosing their's".
Demonstrating the ability to face any situation with careful consideration will help your team perform in the most difficult situations and will give others cause to look to you for guidance.
Achieving a reputation for patience doesn't require Zen like powers of mind control, but does require the application of a few simple principles.  Always remember, in the business world it is the very rare situation that demands split second decisions and actions.

When facing any important decision or crisis take the time to understand the situation and establish the facts.  Look at the total landscape surrounding the issue and establish the key, relevant details. Remember during trying times, your team will be just as anxious as you.  Therefore it is vital to remain open and accessible while soliciting their help in expanding the knowledge base.
As more information becomes available, carefully evaluate it in relation to your organization's mission and goals. Keeping these in mind allows you to maintain a clear focus on what's important.  Constantly having a "steadfast application to a fixed aim" , this consistency to the mission, will establish you as a leader of thoughtfulness and patience.
Maintaining this fixed aim, review and evaluate all the information / facts, taking care to consider all aspects of the matter at hand.  A deliberative manner in accessing the available information adds to the team's effectiveness and willingness to be lead.  People don't line up behind the hand-wringer or the panicking loud mouth for direction and answers, they look to those who can remain calm under fire.

Once the information is analyzed, the temptation will be strong to take the reins, be the leader, and do something, anything, to show action is being taken.  DON"T do it!!  This is by far the worst thing one can do. Facts in hand, true leadership consists of taking the time to prepare a Plan of Action.
The key to planning well is to establish objectives that are specific, measurable, realistic, and tangible.  Continued attention to aligning the objectives with the organization's long-term goals, mission, and commitments cannot be overstated.  Demonstrating a dogged determination to these core principles instills your team with confidence in you as a leader.  It allows them to know that by focusing on the values themselves, not only will they be acting in the best interest of the organization, but they will be acting in unity with you!  As much as possible, involve the team in the planning process.  This is not only central to good problem solving, but it also develops support within the group for what needs to be done.  Having input boosts the team's confidence in the plan and the leader.
When developing the plan, recognition of potential roadblocks and obstacles is essential.  As the pitfalls are enumerated, possible counter-measures and solutions should be identified. This listing of "points and counter-points" should diligently and thoroughly addressed.  Actively identifying weaknesses early in the game is another key business leadership trait.
Last but not least, list the action steps needed to execute the plan.  These steps should explicitly assign responsibilities and timing.  A reluctance to "make people responsible" can doom you to fail.  As the leader, holding people accountable is one of your most important actions; fairly, consistently, and patiently doing this will give you your best chance for success.

Once the planning is complete, clearly communicate all aspects of the plan to the team.  Repeatedly emphasize each members' roles, duties, and performance expectations.  Voice your confidence in them, and your commitment to success.
Then comes the most difficult task of all:

               Put the plan in motion and have the patience to let it work.

Clearly a leader must monitor progress and make course corrections at times, but resist the urge to over analyze or micro-manage.  Trust the people and trust the process, only step in when you are sure something has changed which is outside of the original considerations that went into the planning steps. When making any change don't assume anything, communicate the when's, why's, and what's of any change to the entire team, respect their need to know and understand, and they will respect you.

So, this sounds like a long, exhaustive, and involved process, no wonder you have to be patient.  Well, consider this, the time needed maybe 10 minutes, 10 hours, or 10 days.  The situation will dictate the response.  Just remember that short of life or death predicaments, snap judgments are rarely warranted.  Be patient when accessing your options, and you will earn a reputation as a clear thinking, calm, and thoughtful leader... Who could ask for more?