The Morning After

I spend a lot of time focusing on action in my work. Building plans, developing complicated and sensitive relationships, and making decisions quickly to keep a long list of priorities moving forward.

Lots of time, energy and words invested in my daily life.

Action
One of the greatest leadership failures in my opinion is when a decision is not made. The never ending quest to ensure success; or rather, lack of mistakes, is a clear signal that the leader is anything but one. 

The ability to make timely decisions is a mandatory competency for leaders today. (It has always been this way!) But sadly, we see many who show their fear of leading with phrases like "review" or "take a closer look at" or "we'll follow up on that" instead of deciding.

Why invest so much time and energy into a plan and not execute it?
Why set expectations with your colleagues and not meet them?

Words
The ultimate test of any leader is their ability to deliver. If you have a terrific plan and never execute it what is your worth as a leader?

Nothing.

If you talk up how great things will be once you set your plans in motion but never actually build those plans let alone launch them, what is your worth as a leader?

Nothing.

If you are the classic all talk no action member of the team what is your worth to the organization?

Absolutely nothing.

How About You
The words we say are powerful. They represent who we are and what we do for our organizations every day. Don't be the one who wakes up the morning after it's all slipped away and wonder what happened.

Don't just talk about the work, get started. It doesn't matter if the plan is perfect. Get started now before a different decision is made about who the organization believes in to lead the way.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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First Strike is Deadly

Have you ever said something, and just as those words were leaving your mouth, you knew you’d made a mistake? It’s not easy to take words back. In fact, it’s impossible. Since this issue could be applied in just about every facet of life, let’s focus specifically on the workplace.

You can’t take words back.

Watchers and Listeners

One of the biggest challenges to leadership is not so obvious. We (read here => “I”) often get so caught up in saying just the right words at just the right times to make sure I look like I’ve got it all together that I forget about the real impact on those around me. The teams of employees in our organizations are watching what we do, how we react, and whether we’re calm under pressure…or not.

People we influence pay very close attention, just as you and I do when we observe our supervisors. Do you see what’s happening here? You and I are no different than all of the other employees who walk in the front door of the building each day. Did you think we were special? Really?

Think First (this part may be hard)

One of the techniques that has helped me innumerable times is the one second rule. Simply put, I try (usually unsuccessfully) to give myself one second to either affirm what I am about to say; or, to make that all important change to what is about to come out of my mouth.

You can’t take words back.

How About You

In today’s fast paced world of instant communication, how do you ensure that you’re saying what you want to say versus saying what first pops into your mind? I could sure use your help.

I’d love to hear from you .

No Excuses.

pic courtesy of flamingtext