This is a common question that I receive from my clients and seminar participants. I keep on researching, however, I am not surprised to find that a lot of ‘new stuff’ is really ‘old stuff’ packaged differently.
There is no doubt that speed, mobility, technology, good education, and availability of knowledge – all somehow inter-connected – have an impact on how we lead. Otherwise, I would think if you get the basics right you are doing a great job as a leader and can deal with the other challenges much easier.
THE BASICS according to my view:
LONG-TERM GOAL
Make sure that the long-term goal for your team is defined and known to all. This provides focus and is the base for empowering your staff.
CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS FOR INDIVIDUAL STAFF
Make sure the goals are clearly defined, measurable, and time sensitive. For many jobs a good job description is as suitable. Again, just make sure that is well defined, measurable, and time sensitive.
VALUES
Values define the working culture. I suggest establishing values, find a definition for each value, and establish a list of supportive behaviours for each value. This is important in order to ensure clear understanding by everybody.
HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Expect from your staff two things, namely to meet the goals and live the values. If that is not the case, YOU need to do something. Always, your first responsibility is to coach and enable, however, if that does not show results, harsher decisions need to be made. Again, this is YOUR job.
Be very thorough when employing new staff. Spend time on the interviews; ask colleagues or staff to help you to interview and select.
REGULAR FEEDBACK SESSIONS WITH EACH STAFF
Meet once a month with each staff member for a performance review and address all issues required for your staff to perform. For conducting good performance reviews, please refer to another write up in this blog ‘Performance Review’.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Look for the write up ‘Leadership’ in this blog.
FAIR PAY
Money is not everything, but for most it is very difficult to be motivated if not adequately paid.
CONCLUSION
I would argue that any new leadership initiative will be very difficult to initiate if the above basics are not in place. Or, maybe, if the above basics are in place that is all you need to do in order to be a good leader. What remains is to work hard.
There is no doubt that speed, mobility, technology, good education, and availability of knowledge – all somehow inter-connected – have an impact on how we lead. Otherwise, I would think if you get the basics right you are doing a great job as a leader and can deal with the other challenges much easier.
THE BASICS according to my view:
LONG-TERM GOAL
Make sure that the long-term goal for your team is defined and known to all. This provides focus and is the base for empowering your staff.
CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS FOR INDIVIDUAL STAFF
Make sure the goals are clearly defined, measurable, and time sensitive. For many jobs a good job description is as suitable. Again, just make sure that is well defined, measurable, and time sensitive.
VALUES
Values define the working culture. I suggest establishing values, find a definition for each value, and establish a list of supportive behaviours for each value. This is important in order to ensure clear understanding by everybody.
HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Expect from your staff two things, namely to meet the goals and live the values. If that is not the case, YOU need to do something. Always, your first responsibility is to coach and enable, however, if that does not show results, harsher decisions need to be made. Again, this is YOUR job.
Be very thorough when employing new staff. Spend time on the interviews; ask colleagues or staff to help you to interview and select.
REGULAR FEEDBACK SESSIONS WITH EACH STAFF
Meet once a month with each staff member for a performance review and address all issues required for your staff to perform. For conducting good performance reviews, please refer to another write up in this blog ‘Performance Review’.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Look for the write up ‘Leadership’ in this blog.
FAIR PAY
Money is not everything, but for most it is very difficult to be motivated if not adequately paid.
CONCLUSION
I would argue that any new leadership initiative will be very difficult to initiate if the above basics are not in place. Or, maybe, if the above basics are in place that is all you need to do in order to be a good leader. What remains is to work hard.
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