Building future leaders

If you are a leader in your organization or even a percieved leader you have a responsibility to build the future leaders. Probably not new news however what are you DOING to build the future? For me it means spending time dedicated to the leadership development. There are two parts. First is to go over some tactical parts of Supervision. Not necessarily to be confused with leadership (Not all supervisors are leaders) but how to handle difficult conversations, tactical parts of leading a team and lessons you have learned over the years. Second taking leadership topics and walking through them. For me this is talking about events that have happened to me, or I have witnessed and walking through them (These can be good things and bad situations) The key is to protect this leadership time from the day to day business. I do struggle keeping these things out of this time but I try my best. (Hey, I don't have a problem discussing this with you but can we set a separate time to cover? I want to keep this time focused on you and development.) This is done for my team by spending 1 hour per month per person and 2 hours per month as a group. Key is, make it a priority. It is your future.

Number One Priority of a leader - Bring Clarity - But it isn't that simple?

You say sure it is, just tell people what they need to know. OK, fair enough but the trap is when people want rules. The problem with rules is that they live in a black and white world. This would look like always and never. (PS Not a fan) I believe the best clarity you can give is guidelines and have your teams back. Coach through the tough decisions and that will bring clarity. Versus telling them what to do and having them having to check with you to make sure they get the direction.

Focus - Stay on Target - Make sure the target is clear

Sometimes I have that scene in Star Wars where they are attacking the Death Star and the guy keeps saying "Stay on Target" playing over and over. It is so easy to get distracted. I was speaking to my dad this last weekend and he was telling me how he was working on some touch up paint but then went to the basement and was distracted by another project and completed that task from earlier and went back upstairs only to realize that he forgot to ge the paint. Heck, I do that all the time - distracted all the time! But in business I see it different. You lay out the vision, put together a plan then get distracted by so many other things. Recently it has been constant distractions (Not to say they arn't real) - COVID - Product Constraints Just to name a couple small things, but it is the tactical day to day items that tend to get the team distracted and impact business. Shiney deals that do not align to where we want to go and we sink tons of time only to get to the end and understand it was a waste. Or others trying to distract us in swim lanes that are not ours. Maybe my most annoying is discussing process and process change, minor change only to not do anything. Sometimes acting like you are a startup for short stretches can gain the momentum we need to jump gaps. Our pants are on fire, we are running out of time an money and if this thing doesn't happen the we will fail. Get the momentum up and see how far you can fly. "The key to flying is to throw yourself at the ground and miss"

Number one thing for hiring?

Last week I was infront of a group of college students (In which Caden my son happened to be part of) and was ask what the number one thing I look for in a potential candidate was and it was quick to come to my mind. EQ - or Emotional Intelligence. There is about as much online about this than you can possibly read. Yet what does it mean to me. - The ability to control your emotions - To be self aware - a link to empathy for others I am keeping this list simple on purpose. Why is EQ most important to me? I can teach other skills, still I believe that you can enhanse somesomes EQ but if they do not have a good foundation you cannont start on sand.

Number one thing to building a successful team?

Ok at least in the areas I deal is confidence. The confidence to do the right thing, to activate without having to ask permission. (Sometimes a wrong decision is better than a delayed or no decision) Another way I have seen this put is that people with FU equity are some of the most powerful. They are doing the job because they like to do it, or it is the right thing for the customer. Not the money or security. Ultimately if you build trust with your team that you have their back they will out perform those who are simply there to collect a paycheck.

The best over time?

I have a friend and coworker that I have been working with for 25 years and recently we have been traveling together. I am thankful for so much in this relationship but here are the quick ones. 1. He keeps it simple 2. No drama 3. Ability to handle almost any situation 4. Blending into any enviornment 5. Able to have fun 6. Consistent OK not mind blowing but sometimes you appreciate the simple things in life like a good friend.

Business Lessons from Facilitating and interacting with businesses around the globe

Can it really be that simple? A question I was ask earlier this month. Well...Yes. What I have seen is the most successful businesses simply execute on business objectives using proven methods. OK you say proven business objectives? In the peer groups you see others execute or you see Subject Matter Experts come in and present how they were successful. The successful businesses follow their method (And let me be clear, pretty much exactly) The opposite is what I see more often. 1. Businesses that are too busy to be successful - They just keep doing the same thing with the same results. 2. They take the template and think they know better and take short cuts or change it in some way then not creating the same successful results 3. Looking for silver bulets. Something easy that knocks down all the problems. Most of the time this is not something you can find 4. Don't stick with it long enough. Many times getting a business flywheel rolling it takes at least a quarter if not a year. Recently I heard a presentation that said (Abbreviated) Take care of your customers, charge well and make it simple. That is success. Remember your business is perfectly organized to produce the results it is producing today.