Leadership Can Be So Darn Tedious

The practice of leadership can be so darn tedious today. I mean we’re supposed to do 360 evaluations and DiSC assessments, then we have coaching sessions and leader development training, ahhhhhhhh! When is there time for my REAL work?!

Ah hem, that IS a leader’s real work. Leading is about getting things done through others and those “others” need and deserve someone who takes the business of leadership seriously. Part of that business is completing the 360 evaluations, scheduling coaching sessions, and attending leadership development training to hone or refresh your skills. The later I’m a big proponent of. If the most important thing in your organization is good leadership then shouldn’t we expect leaders to continuously seek to improve their skills? We expect healthcare professionals, engineers, accountants, human resource professionals and countless others to maintain proficiency don’t we? Why not YOU, Mr. Leader?

Go ahead – stick it out there!

I worked with some young pros recently who inspired this article. When was the last time someone senior to you had to reel you in? In military circles you might hear “man you really stuck your —- out there and got it chopped off.”. Well, I say good for you! I’m certainly not talking about doing something foolish or destructive, but if you haven’t gotten reeled in or your head bashed about lately, are you really trying to lead? Are you showing any initiative? If you’re in an organization that doesn’t encourage innovation then you might get really discouraged after awhile. Let me encourage you to press on.

Reflection Improves Us

Reflection. We don’t do much of it. Why not? Don’t we all complain about how busy we are and long for a break? Well…take one..daily preferably, but at least weekly. Personal reflection can accomplish a number of things, but most of all it helps you learn from the interactions you’ve had with others.  Were you well received by those you came in contact with or did you default into some bad habits such as gossip or complaining?   Did you ask more questions than made statements? Did you listen twice as much as you spoke in meetings? It’s a good time to pull out that goals list or coaching map, too and check your progress.

Optimal Creativity and Leadership Implications

I had to good fortune to facilitate an annual strategic ideation meeting recently with a Hawaii-based training and development organization.   Like before at another workshop, I asked the 20 participants when they did their best, creative thinking.  Amazingly (tongue in cheek), none of them mentioned “while at work.”  Like audiences before, the responses included “while running,” “just before bed,” “in the shower, ” etc.  Could this be because their state of mind at the time of greatest creativity is when they are emotionally relaxed?  It takes only a few minutes on an internet search to find credible data linking stress to all forms of ills.  Is it any wonder therefore that a work environment full of stress is devoid of innovation and creativity?

Do you question or dictate?

I was speaking with a senior Army colonel yesterday comparing the effectiveness and popularity of two general officer leaders.  The junior of the two generals speaks twice as much as he listens, while the more senior officer listens twice as much as he speaks.  The later is both more popular AND is the most effective.  Most will understand that by the word “popular” I mean that subordinate officers like working with him and find him approachable.  It is because he listens, considers the expertise of the speaker, and makes a reasoned judgement or decision.  He is also the officer more likely to hear of potentially bad news early so it can be acted upon more proactively.  The staff members serving the more junior general, by contrast avoid him at all costs since he has the propensity to direct and not listen to subordinate recommendations.    Which one are you?

Often times new leaders (out of immaturity) and those who have assumed a new senior position of leadership (out of a false sense of superior intellect) believe they must or should “tell” more about how something should be accomplished.  Although a leader MAY may know more, asking questions is STILL the more effective form of leadership.  By doing so you earnestly, you can both improve your subordinates “game,” develop or maintain healthy relationships, AND guide them in some direction (assuming your way is best).  However, by listening more than you speak, you may uncover new information or new ways of doing business that will make you and whatever it is you’re doing more successful.

Ask good questions and listen twice as much as you speak.

Office Rules: “Getting it Done” meets sensitivity

A short note today about managing in the office for efficiency.

Making email work for you:  If your email box gets overloaded quickly, set up some rules in your office whereby email messages must be prefaced with a few key letters.  I use the following:

“Come check me, Boss”

Do you cringe at the thought of your boss visiting?

Bosses, does your presence cause anxiety in your people?

If yes, here’s an old Army lesson and advice for you:

When I was a young lieutenant

Does your leadership style create or suppress innovation?

There are thousands of books on being a good leader and I will not begin reinvent the wheel.  However, no matter how many of these books you’ve read, chances are you could use a coach now and then