Tag Archives: leading

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Initiative

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Each of us possesses the power to act or take charge before others do.  We can choose to take the initiative.  The opportunity for seizing the initiative always exists.

The question of whether it is worth the effort to take the initiative is dependent on the benefit.  This is a question of value and has subjective components.  It is, however, a key motivating factor which can drive our choices to act or just wait and watch.

Confidence

Not believing you can be successful when taking the initiative to get something done can be a barrier.  If judged safer to just let things fall out as they will we often choose not to act.

If not acting could lead to a negative consequence,  the perceived benefit of avoiding the consequence could override a lack of confidence.

Satisfaction

Acting on an opportunity is a powerful form of expression.  In essence, “you did it” and so you should feel good about it.  Even just trying (in the case where you are not successful) can lead to being satisfied.  I tried and failed but at least I tried.

Take the initiative can have a positive effect on your well being and I often wonder when I see others pass an opportunity where they could have taken action.

The initiative is not hard but often we perceive it as being so.   We worry others may chastise us, or we might fail or the act could require us to go beyond the limits of our granted authority.

These are legitimate thoughts but the gains from acting when you can far exceed letting your fears hold you back.

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

A guiding light

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Leadership should not focus on personal accomplishment.  A leaders prime function is to act as a guiding light.  Keeping this concept in the forefront is the number one attribute of an effective leaders behavior.

Leaders who practice “guiding light” principles influence others by showing them how to do something successfully through the exercise of impact and influence behaviors that create acceptance and understanding, not by force. 

Everyone is Important

It is critical, to be an effective guide that you recognize the value everyone brings toward achievement of groups goals and objectives.  Leaders who believe it is all about them are less likely to be able to sustain their influence over longer periods. 

If I have been able to see farther than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants

Issac Newton

The concept that everyone is important only works if founded on a deep believe.  A a personal value understanding that no one overshadows anyone else is a cornerstone of combating personal bias. 

That is not to say unconscious bias will not still be present to some extent, however deep held beliefs have a greater chance of influencing unconscious thought.

Lead by Guiding

Enable others to excel by guiding them but not in an overbearing way is the best approach for everyone.

Believing everyone is important can override your unsupported bias that arises involuntarily from your sub-conscious from environmental impacts.  

This will enable you to be an effective leader for the greater good.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Whats Next

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Are you ready for whats next?  This is a subtle variation on the boy scouts motto, “ always be prepared”.

Over the last couple of years I have posted on a wide variety of topics.  For my posts In the area of philosophy, personal excellence and leadership there are often recurring themes.  Similar concepts but different (e.g., leading from in front/ behind).

I recognize constant change and improvement are a key tenants underlying the road to success associated with these topics.

This post considers and explores ideas that can be leveraged on that road to whats next (i,e,,  raising your performance bar)

Managing your Personality

As noted in the past, personality is just the term for your natural behaviours.  Those “go to”  actions that are intuitive and form the core of all your behaviours.

A key ability to successfully interacing with others is being able to alter your behaviours ( outside of your personality) to fit best with the contextual circumstances.  To do this effectively it must be natural, not forced, i.e., your behaviour most be believed.

Forceful/ Collaborative

In the leadership concept, whether you are a natural collaborator (your personality) or a controller, one size does not fit all.  It is important to be able to navigate from a partner to an authoritative resource (exercised earned or granted power) according to what the  situation demands.

In a nutshell the oft quoted critical skill  of self awareness is the lynchpin to this balancing act.  You need to be fully, conciously aware of the situation in real time and balance your behaviour accordingly.

Not easy, but truly the best use of self awareness.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

I’ll tell you where to go

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I came across a quote the other day that really resonated with me.

“If you tell people where to go, but not how to get there, you’ll be amazed at the results”. – George S. Patton

Personally I really like the part about telling people where to go.  I do that as often as possible.  In reality though, this direction is the key to strong and effective leadership .

The Leader Within

Typically, powerful groups, whether bound by culture, geography, beliefs or common goals operate most effectively when everyone exhibits leadership capabilities.

This is a rare circumstance with the strong leader at the front and the flock following behind.  Unfortunately this autocratic style can be effective to some degree and is easier on the sheep.

Intuitively though, if everyone on your team knows where they going (the goal) exhibit strong communication skills (both outgoing and incoming), and continuously leverages self awareness and personal accountability, strong results will be the outcome.

Single Leader Not Required

Some find it hard to envision a group environment that is not structured like a triangle or pyramid with a single point at the top.  To operate otherwise must lead to chaos.

On the contrary, in fact, a group of individuals each utilizing their inner leadership skills is much more powerful than a single leadership point operating on the “monkey see, monkey do” concept.