I was looking for a document on my computer the other day and stumbled on a file titled, Leadership Thoughts. I looked at the date, 2015. I had written it for a leadership development institute. A lot changes but also, a lot stays the same – these elements are still valuable – over 7 years later.
- Lead by Example – Your team looks to you for how they should act, dress, feel, react, etc. Leaders not only lead by what they say, but also what they do and how they do it.
- Responsibility – Own your area. Pass on the accolades to your team and own your results. Be transparent with the barriers and ask for help not a pass.
- Relationships – Leadership is relational. You have the ability to influence through your relationships and set others up for success. This is inclusive of people, programs, services, partnerships, etc.
- Performance Management – A leader has multiple opportunities to lift up performance each day. Great leaders (like great coaches) use each opportunity to make their team members and collective team better. Taking interest in another person’s development is caring, it creates trust while also improving outcomes.
- Change Management – Do a personal gut check when hearing about a change, especially when it involves your area or responsibility. There can be a lot of emotion. Are you too close to the topic? Talk to a mentor or trusted colleague. As a leader, it is important to own the change. Referring back to the first bullet, leading by example, how you react to the change will determine how your team reacts.
- Own the Message/Decision – Avoid the we-they when sharing messages with your team. You are leadership. Blaming or dumping tough messages on others only creates discord in your organization and undermines your leadership.
- Human Element – Most importantly, remember the individual person. As a leader, you are in the people business. The best leaders truly care about the people they work with.