Tools

#Beingaleader means you need to learn to use tools. Technical tools. Software. Messaging. Keyboards. Calendars. The things that help make keeping you organized a possibility. Now, many of the younger generation don’t even think twice about this. They likely don’t even know what life would be like without those tools. They are ingrained into their lifestyle.

However, some seasoned leaders may have become too comfortable with the way that has worked in the past and less comfortable with the way of the present and the future. This needs to change or your reach will be limited. And thus your impact.

Tools are constantly changing. And it’s often hard to keep up. Some of you struggle with email without realizing that email isn’t really an effective tool anymore in many contexts. Business seems to hang on to email but many people do not use it anymore. But for the right context email can still be used. It still surprises me when people say “I haven’t checked my email…” I don’t understand that. I have multiple email accounts for different purposes and checking them is a constant thing. Receiving hundreds per day would make it impossible not to keep up.

But keep in mind, this is not a statement about everyone. It’s a statement about #Beingaleader. As a leader, you need to know the tools that everyone is using in order to effectively communicate. Texting, Messaging, various social media platforms. Yes, paper calendars and ‘remembering’ worked fine. But that’s not how your teams live and work anymore.

Become familiar with the various tools that cross your teams’ path. Become comfortable with using them. Change. It’s the best way to continue to have an impact.

#Beingaleader means you need to learn to use tools. Learn them now.