Hope everyone had a great Independence Day that lives in the United States. Today's blog is quick and short, just wanted to give you something to think about.
We have all heard that leadership is about influence, it is about influence and a lot more, but definitely influence is very important. In the military they require you to trust your leadership really fast, like day one. When I was in the military my soldiers had to trust me from the first day they met me. So I learned to do three things to establish trust very quickly with my soldiers. The first thing I did was to ask as much as possible about them and their families. The more you know about a person the more you can gauge their motivation for working, what their triggers are. This will also allow you to know upfront some of the challenges they may face in the future. When I asked more about them in that first meeting, more than I told them what I expected from them, they felt like I cared and saw them more than just a soldier, but a part of the team. The second thing I did was create an environment where they could ask any question they wanted. When you give your team an opportunity to ask questions it leads to clarity and confidence. Even when a person doesn't agree with a decision, at least they know they had an opportunity to be heard. Lastly, I tried to always praise my team in front of their peers, not only in private. Everyone likes to be praised for doing a good job. So as much as possible in our team meetings I would celebrate someone's efforts. What are some ways you increase your influence with your team. Share in the comments below. Dr. Will Author, Genius Potential America's #1 Leadership Life Trainer P.S. Thank you for all your support of Genius Potential, continues to do well!!!
1 Comment
Are you a person that makes to do list and at the end of the day feel bad because you didn't really finish anything on it? Do you beat yourself up for not finishing your to do list? Many people create unrealistic "TO DO LIST." Simply because they do not do honest assessments.
Everything on my personal to do list needs to be done, but it doesn't have to be done by me. Did you read that right? Yes it needs to be done, but it doesn't have to be done by you. Yes it needs to be done, but it may not need to be done today. Most people get tired mentally before they even start on their to do list. So here are a few questions to ask yourself about your list. 1. Does it have to be done by you?- Can you delegate the task to someone else? 2. Does it have to be done TODAY?- If you accomplish it today, will it move the big picture? 3. Do you really have the time to do it the RIGHT way today-If not, don't do it because you will have to come back to it ayway. Time and energy are two of your most valuable resources, but when you allocate your time and energy to the wrong things you accomplish nothing. Don't become the person that is always busy, but never productive. Evaluate your list against these three questions daily and position your task in the right place. Do the things that will move you toward the bigger goal. Doing less really is doing more, when the less you do produces big results. Think Better, Live Better Dr. Will Author, Genius Potential America's #1 Leadership Life Trainer Sharing Is Caring, Share With 3 People!!! 
If you are reading this blog, then I am almost certain of two things, number one, you have an interest in leadership or personal development and number two, reading my blogs is a part of your growth process. Hopefully I am right on both accounts. Each week I talk with leaders and organizations and help them develop strategic leadership programs for themselves and their companies. These individuals and companies understand that growth, and not just any growth, but proper growth is essential for lasting success.
But I also come across individuals and companies that have no process for growth, no inbuilt system that allows them to naturally grow. When I was in the Army, we would conduct mandatory training in a wide range of areas, sexual harassment, diversity, social awareness training, all types of training. This training was attended by everyone from the top down. This ensured that everyone in the organization was receiving current and up to date information that would allow the organization to run more efficiently. In your leadership do you have a natural process for growth. Maybe it is reading a leadership book once a month, or attending leadership seminars. Maybe you are a part of some social media leadership groups. As a leader, growth it is not an option, you must be intentional about proper growth. I see far too many people in positions of leadership, but they are not growing. See, what got you that promotion is not enough to keep you relevant. Just like we have to update our operating systems on our computers, the same is true for our leadership. A lot of leaders are stuck doing things in an outdated way, because they don't have a natural process for growth. Let me share with you a few things that will ensure you continue to grow. 1. Always remember it can be done better, then it is being done now 2. Have a system in place for natural growth (attending a yearly leadership conference) 3. Stay around fresh and innovative people 4. Ask others for an HONEST assessment of your leadership 5. Don't be a KNOW it all Evaluate yourself against this list and see if you are in position for natural growth. Remember, THINK BETTER, LIVE BETTER!!! Being an effective leader is all about developing, developing how you learn, lead and love those who look to you for leadership. For almost two decades I have been involved in leadership and leading teams. And what I have observed in my leadership and other great leaders I have studied is that people respond when you C.A.R.E.
The most effective leaders CREATE environments where individuals can grow, develop and flourish in their given fields. Great leaders ASSESS their teams to ensure they have the tools to perform their best; they are always looking to give their team the right equipment. In my experience you need to RELEASE your team, micro-managing those you lead will foster distrust and make them feel belittled. Lastly, look for the opportunity to ENCOURAGE, even when a person makes a mistake, look for the training opportunity and be able to still see the value Follow me on Twitter @moldlegacy I have had the privilege to lead in many different leadership positions in various types of organizations. I have lead in government, church, colleges, non-profits, sports teams and the Army. In each of these arenas I was able to achieve great success, because I learned not to abuse my influence.
Great leaders understand that leadership is about influencing those that they lead in a positive way and direction. Your team looks to you for guidance, instructions and direction, you are a symbol. As a leader if you are not careful you can abuse your influence, and manipulate those you follow. I see this all the time, this can even happen in relationships between two individuals. Often I see it in churches, where the leader will use their influence to accomplish personal goals, this is abuse. So, how do you check yourself to ensure you are not abusing your influence over those you lead? Here is a quick check list to ask yourself: 1. Is what I am asking them to do, benefiting the team 2. Have I considered their goals as well 3. Will asking this individual create a hardship for them There are times when we require our teams to come out the comfort zone and push beyond the normal; I’m not talking about these times. Influence abuse occurs when we as leaders become more concerned with our own goals and lose sight of the overall vision. Don’t become influence abusers; check your motives at all times. Think Better, Live Better! As I travel and talk to audiences around the world, without fail, I am asked the same question time and time again. “Are leaders born or developed?”
I have heard other leadership experts answer this question in humorous ways, serious ways and in objective ways. I have heard some say “I have never met a leader that wasn’t born.” I know some who feel that not just anyone can be a leader, there are many answers, so today I add my billion dollar sense. For almost two decades I have studied the subject of leadership, leaders, best and worst practices of leadership and so on. I consider myself a student and teacher of the subject of leadership. I constantly glean from others as well as my mentors on the subject. So let’s tackle this common question. In short, I believe EVERYONE is a leader, so that would presuppose that leaders are born. But to reach your full leader potential, you must be developed, place in the right position and be willing to learn and grow. You may disagree that everyone is a leader because you are thinking of some people you know that had a “Leadership Position” but was terrible at leading the unit or team. The problem with that scenario is that you encountered a person who was not devolved in leadership. Many times a person is given a position because they are good at a task or with a system. But this doesn’t mean they are ready for a position of leadership. Leadership is about people, not systems and task. So a person can be recognized for their work, but may not be ready to love, lead and help others. Often times we place people in positions of leadership and they fail, because they have never been developed for leadership. Let me give you a visual if I may. If you are familiar with the game of basketball, especially team basketball, you know that on the court there are five positions, two guards, two forwards and one center. Now I’m sure you have heard of Michael “Air” Jordan, who is said to be one of the best to play professional basketball. Air Jordan was a guard, that was his position, but think for a second, if his coach made him play center. Do you think he would have had the same degree of success? Would he have won six championships, numerous scoring titles, and multiple MVP awards? I don’t think so. Why not? Because he would have been out of the proper position to bring his potential to the greatest level on the court. Think about that person that is great with systems, the boss sees them and says this person should be in charge of the unit or the team. Yet the person hasn’t been developed to lead people, the person is equipped to handle systems. Maybe they can be a lead trainer, or be a leader by example in how to run a particular system, but not ready for a position of leadership. A leader is a person that provides an example, whether that example is good or bad, that person is a leader. That’s why I believe EVERYONE is a leader. Take for example, a mother of three children may become a leader for a new mother and become an example for this new mother. But does that mean the mother of three is ready to become the head of the New Mothers Association, a leadership position. Maybe not, but she still can provide guidance and instructions for new moms. So to wrap this up, EVERYONE is a leader, but everyone should not be given positions of leadership until you know they are ready. If you are given a position of leadership, remember that it is no longer about systems and task, but about people. Moreland On Leadership Development™ M.O.L.D |
AuthorDr. Will is an author, speaker and leadership consultant.... Archives
January 2015
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
Call: 480-442-3056 or Email [email protected]
4802 E. Ray Rd. Ste 23-122
Phoenix, Az 85044
Legal Information
4802 E. Ray Rd. Ste 23-122
Phoenix, Az 85044
Legal Information