#Beingaleader means you need to focus. Not just on the end prize of a project or task completion but on the specific step in front of you. Studies have shown over and over that we are not really as good as we think at multi-tasking. If we are trying to accomplish a task, it is … Continue reading Focus
Category: Decision Making
Delegate
#Beingaleader means you have to learn to delegate. Your job includes finding the right person with the right skill set(s) to achieve what needs to be done. You often don't have the time nor the right skill set(s) to get the job done yourself. You need others. Your job is to identify them and delegate … Continue reading Delegate
Different Than Me
#Beingaleader means you need people around you that are different than you are. Different in perspective. Different in style. Different in skill set. Different temperament. We hear a lot about diversity and inclusion. In the marketplace. In church. In politics. In society at large. This is not a post about racial or gender diversity specifically … Continue reading Different Than Me
Keep Going
#Beingaleader means you get tired. Keep going. I've touched on this topic before but it's forefront in my mind. My month has been full of funerals/memorial services. Sometimes you just get tired of it all and want to quit. Is it really worth it? Keep going. Press through. The darkness will dissipate. God's mercies are … Continue reading Keep Going
Stress
#Beingaleader means you live in a world of stress (defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.) Changing circumstances. Pace of life. Unforeseen issues. Volume of issues. Loudness of the questions. All of these can lead to stress. How you handle it will show how … Continue reading Stress
Lead Something
#Beingaleader means you lead. Something. All the time. Small. Big. It doesn't really matter. You hone your skill in the doing. There is no substitute for this action. Reading and listening to the advice of others are important and good and can give you examples of how you should do things. But you learn more … Continue reading Lead Something
You’re Fired
#Beingaleader means that sometimes you have to let people go from your team. It's not fun. It's not easy. But it's sometimes necessary. There are plenty of euphemisms for this: reduction in force; it's just not working; we're going in another direction; etc. Lots has been written about being on the receiving end of such … Continue reading You’re Fired
Decisions
Decisions. How often do you make them? Does the feeling of responsibility overwhelm you? Being a leader means you make a lot of decisions. Interestingly enough, most decisions once made can be wrong and still not cause irreparable harm. I would guess that 80% or more of a leader's decisions are not critical in content … Continue reading Decisions