No More Waiting
“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”
So — let’s get after it! The world has waited for you long enough. No more hiding, holding yourself back with negative self-talk, polishing your timeworn excuses — let’s go!
“But I don’t know how,” you may say. Leadership is not about knowing “how”. Leadership is about being committed to moving forward, and this commitment comes from those traits that both you and your team recognize as a necessary part of your organization’s success.
Be a Creative Visionary
• Your job as a leader is to ask, “What is our company’s purpose? What does it look like now? How do we want it to show up in the future, and what would the future look like if we achieve our vision?” Does your vision light you up? Does it light up your staff? Great passion yields great results. Passion is the fuel that drives your vision. It’s the F-U-N in life! If you aren't in love with what you do, then why are you doing it?
Teach Others What You Know
• For you to have the time and energy necessary to be visionary, you must teach others so they can achieve the vision. Leaders teach others through their actions. What are you teaching them?
Be the Question, not the Answer
• Effective teaching means being the question, not the answer. When your staff approaches you with a question, you have a teaching opportunity. Don’t lose it! Ask them, “What actions would you take if I weren’t here?”
Be a Master of Change
• Conditions are rarely “just right” and are always changing. Leadership is about moving forward, no matter what changes in circumstances you face along the way.
Be an Effective Communicator
• Leaders use straight talk—open and honest communication. First, ask your team members for permission to shoot straight, which sets up their listening. Communication is a two-way street, so you must give your team permission to do the same.
Be Committed to Getting What You Want
• Being unstoppable means giving up knowing the “how” about everything. It is all about keeping your passion alive and being driven to accomplish whatever your goals are (even in the face of fear). Being unstoppable is taking actions consistent with your heartfelt desires and commitments. It is where freedom, aliveness, security, creativity, and fun dwell.
Now, who do you know that can be all of these things (and the many others that aren’t listed here) at one time? No one! It’s crucial as a leader to also be a dynamite team builder! You need a team of people around you who helps you make it all happen.
You need:
Team members you trust.
Team members who are passionate about your mission.
Team members who are clear about the direction you (the leader), want to go.
Team members who are willing and capable of moving the troops forward when you cannot.
In the end, your team makes it all happen! There is an old Ethiopian proverb that describes the power of a team, “When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” Wow! Let’s get busy making a team like that!
What are you waiting for? It’s your time, right now. Let’s get going!