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My Leader Checklist

checklistAwhile ago I wrote my checklist and posted it! I was being interviewed the other day and one of the questions that was asked of me is do I have a particular mantra that I have when leading teams. Thinking for a moment, I was torn with answering the question with the simple leadership styles that I can use depending on the team, situation or whatever. I figured that everyone else would do the same. It is the easy way to answer the question. I decided that I wanted to really go over what I do…

Here is that leader checklist:

  • Articulate a vision: Formulate a clear and persuasive vision and communicate it to all members of the team. Most organizations may already have a vision statement or mission statement. Look it over. Don’t be afraid to ask your team to communicate it back to you. See what is missing and come up with that vision that fits the team, organization and you (as the leader).
  • Think and act strategically:
  • Honor the team: Frequently express your confidence  and support for those who work with and for you. Use your team to help with every step you take.
  • Take charge: For some, it is easy to just put words out and sit back and wait for results to roll in. You have to be active. You have to be in touch with progress, how the team is feeling and demonstrate that you are committed as well. Get out and do stuff!
  • Act decisively: Make good and timely decisions, and ensure that they are executed.
  • Communicate persuasively: Communicate, communicate, communicate. Easier said than done. Look for ways to insure that communicate happens and people never forget. This is one area that I have experimented everyday of my life. Just make sure that how you do it is simple and the messages are clear.
  • Motivate the troops: Set up a workplace environment that your team can not wait to come to work. Enjoys getting their work done. Enjoys spending time with each other.
  • Embrace the front lines: The one thing that I remembered before I was a supervisor was how most supervisors did not spend anytime with the team. They did not let the team do anything other than run the equipment. I promised myself that I would never do that. Including the team is something that I feel is necessary for success.
  • Build leadership in others: Develop leadership throughout.  Have no fear in losing your folks to higher opportunities.
  • Manage relations: Build enduring personal ties with those who look to you and work to harness the feelings and passions of the workplace.
  • Identify personal implications: Help everybody appreciate the impact that the vision and strategy are likely to have on their own work and future with the firm.
  • Convey your character: Being yourself. Make sure that in everything you do (communications and actions) should point to who you are. Your team should get to know you – through you.
  • Keeping it real: Make sure that you never let over-optimism pop into your team. Success breeds success, but watch out for threats, unresolved problems and/or taking unwarranted risks.
  • Build a diverse top team: Leadership is a team sport.. Make sure that your team is willing to be leaders in their particular area. Make sure that your team are not clones of yourself, get and welcome a diverse team.

With my answer I did not discuss everything above. That would be a long winded answer to the question. I simply said, “I start off articulating the team’s vision, goals to achieve and develop solid feedback loop to monitor performance. I insure to include my team in every way possible to accomplish our journey. I want to have a highly performing team that is made up of a highly motivated and action oriented folks. It all starts with me.

Walking into a new situation or team should be a little scary. New anything gets the heart pumping. I look forward to these opportunities. Makes me think back and reflect (and practice) my checklist…

Published inLeadershipNew To Management

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