5 Tips Leaders Can Use Today

One of the benefits of working with lots of leaders in many different organizations is the chance to see what really works, regardless of the individual personality or industry. 

So, here are:

5 Tips That Make A Difference

1. Leading starts with clarity. The time that a leader spends getting clear about what needs to be done will pay off in quickly-focused effort as a result of increased understanding. 

When things aren't clear, the day doesn't  go well. Minds and bodies gravitate toward something that does seem clear. The world abhors a vacuum. When a vacuum is created, people will fill in the blanks with their own content.That content seldom matches your fuzzy intent and is frequently a more negative interpretation.

2. The Leader is the Mediator of Meaning. Clarity is the first part of the issue. The other part is taking the time to show exactly how "what" you are proposing to do is directly connected to the success of over-arching goals.Your kids will tell you to "make it real." Your employees are thinking it.

3. Leaders Understand How People Learn and Work. Intellectually, we all acknowledge that people learn and work differently. Really successful leaders take time to pinpoint what those styles are and genuinely acknowledge their inherent value. Hands-on 'Doers,' Readers, Questioners, Ponderers. . .

4. Leading Means Knowing How to Orchestrate the Experience. When to have a meeting or not have a meeting; who needs one-on-one attention? What isn't negotiable and what will work best with a full discussion? Is the objective really achievable--at the level of quality desired--in the originally designated timetable? (Go ahead and add your favorites to this list).

5. Leaders Lead from Every Proximity. You'll spot a good leader out in front of the group; alongside of a direct report who is struggling; or standing in the back of the room listening to a discussion and only joining in when re-direction or a fact is needed. And everyone knows how they're doing in relation to what's expected.

Consistently add these five to your repertoire and you'll bump up your game exponentially.

 

Comments

[Mary Jo Asmus]

Steve, I loved this. It seemed to me to illustrate how important focus and presence is for a leader in order to do every one of these things.

[Bumper Stickers]

Thank for sharing these inspiring tips. Now doubt that effective management relies heavily on tangible measurable capabilities such as effective planning; the use of organizational systems; and the use of appropriate communications methods.

[Steve Roesler]

HI, MJ

Thanks for the encouragement. Have been thinking a lot lately about the importance of "Being Here" and how little we address it. Perhaps it seems too "un-businesslike" to start going down that path, but as I continue writing the book (almost finished), I find that success doesn't happen if you don't really "show up." And that goes for all the little things, too.

[Career Test]

Very useful tips that leaders can use. 'Leading starts with Clarity' is certainly one of the most essential things that leaders should always pay heed to. Thanks for sharing such great tips with us.

[Elizabeth]

My favorite of the 5 tips that make a difference is #1, leading starts with clarity. "The time that a leader spends getting clear about what needs to be done will pay off in quickly-focused effort as a result of increased understanding." As a Recruiter for various companies and position, the biggest part of my job is clarity. When I am resume sourcing and searching for resumes the more information the hiring manager has given me the more successful I will be recruiting for their position.

[Steve Roesler]

HI, Elizabeth

Well put, and you no doubt have a basketful of clarifying questions to gather that information. If everyone in the business food chain took time to 'clarify,' we would all be a lot more successful with a lot less friction getting there.

Thanks for taking time to weigh in--here's to a successful year!

Steve

[Stephan De Villiers]

Five Valuable tips, going a long way in helping leaders be more effective, if it can be implemented consistently. Thanks for sharing this!

[Elijah Jatovsky]

I loved reading these points, and couldn't help but wishing every Congressman were given a set of these. I think that one of the main reasons our government is not functioning properly now is because we don't have leaders who are clear, know how to mediate, understand those who are different than them, or know when and when not to speak up.

In an effort to provide the next generation of leaders with tools to be able to communicate better, I created a project called National Connect (www.nationalconnect.org) that fosters dialogue between high school students who come from highly different backgrounds, and provides them with opportunities to educate one another about their core beliefs and why they hold them. What are your thoughts on all this?