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10 Things Extraordinary Bosses Give Employees
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5 Unlikely Tools for Your Leadership Bag
by Monica Wofford
We proverbially “pack a bag” when we lead others. But what you pack in your bag makes more of an impact than you think. And some of these tools just might not be the first things you think of…
Typical Tools:
Skills
Knowledge
Processes
Experience
Expertise
Of course, mistaken outsiders might even think that leaders should bring things like:
Accolades
Awards
Recognition
Status
Prestige
Power
Influence
and Control ontheir leadership trip.
But whether or not these items are appropriate for a leader to take with them on their mission, they all are certainly predictable. Take a quick look at some of the unlikely tools that SHOULD definitely make it into any leader’s go-bag.
In fact, these should probably be kept in an outside pocket for quick access and use!
5 Unlikely Tools For Your Leadership Bag
Your Sticky Notes
Use these for the things that you want to stick. More of a symbol than paper with a purpose, let sticky notes remind you to reduce your expectations to just those few words that fit on a mini-note. Make your message one that stands out and sticks like these do not only on their computer or wall, but to how they behave overall.
Your Pom-Poms
Perhaps these simply sit on your desk as a reminder to point out when employees are at their best. Some will need the excitement that pom-poms bring and others will simply need you to quietly say thanks when they do great things.
Your Megaphone
You’re not going to do a cheer, but nor are you striking fear by yelling in this cone or using that “manager tone”. Your megaphone can sit in the corner, but let it be your reminder that what you don’t say, they can’t hear or understand and telepathy is highly overrated.
Your Mute Button
Sometimes you’ve said enough and no amount of further explanation will change what they think. In those times, hit the mute button and take the time to listen.
As is said in Contagious Leadership:
“Those you lead are closer to the problem than you are” and have valuable data to share that you want to hear.
Your Bench
In your office or on the field, figuratively or physically built, you need a bench to remind you of many things. Sometimes it serves as a place to share and be the guide on the side. Sometimes it’s a reminder of the team on which you take pride. And finally, it’s a symbol, as the strength of your bench is about the team you develop.
Your leadership “tool kit” contains a wide array of things, but sometimes it’s the small symbols and reminders that keep you sharp. They help you to remember it’s PEOPLE you lead even when things are moving at high-speed and your list is far longer than the time you need.
Monica Wofford, CSP, is CEO of Contagious Companies, Inc.
She serves her clients by getting business results and ROI for training functions
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5 Leadership Roles To Get Your Team Walking Through Brick Walls
by Terry Starbucker
“Wow, they would walk through a brick wall for that guy!”
I’ve heard this sentence a few times in my career, spoken about great leaders I have known and respected. I’ve even uttered it myself on a couple of occasions. It’s one of the highest complements a leader can get, because of its underlying connotation – that person is an uppercase LEADER. There’s no question of the cohesiveness and esprit de corps of the team. Their loyalty is on their sleeves.
They trust that their leader will do right by them, always – that translates to results, and ultimately, greatness. And perhaps even some gaping holes in a few brick walls.
How can you get to that place with YOUR team?
I’ve observed 5 critical roles that a leader must play to get their teams “walking through brick walls” for them.
The Counselor – Not every day is going to be a good one, and not everything is going to go the right way. The team needs a way to relieve the pressure brought on by these ups and downs – but it can’t happen in public. That’s where the leader comes in behind the scenes, making themselves available to their team when the chips are down, letting the steam come off honestly through active listening, and then offering quiet and steady encouragement.
The Defender – When the leader is in public, and the arrows fly about the team’s performance, the leader takes the hit – or, if the critique is unjustified, the leader passionately defends the team’s honor. The blame is never on the team – it’s on the leader. Conversely, when things go well, the praise is always on them (Think Jim Collins and his concept of the Level 5 leader in his book “Good to Great”).
Read about the other 3 roles here: http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2012/11/25/5-leadership-roles-to-get-your-team-walking-through-brick-walls/
Go, Leader, Grow! 