LEADERSHIP: ARE YOU AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL?

Heading for work recently, I ran into a neighbour I don't see very often.  He was leaving for his Wednesday, early-morning game of golf.  I noted his smart, all-weather jacket and his bag of high-quality clubs.  Clearly a serious player, I thought.  But, from our brief conversation, I soon learnt that though he'd played for years, he was still a hacker.  Sadly, many of us are like that with our leadership.  We do it every day and we've been at it for years.  But we make little improvement.  We're paid (and are therefore professionals) but we lead unthinkingly, like total amateurs.  So, what do serious golfers and leaders do?  And, could you do the same?

• Be professional.  We play sport and work at our hobbies in our own time.  But, as leaders in business, we're paid!  So, being less than serious (and professional) is dishonest.
• Analyse what you do currently - and how people respond.  Ballet dancers practice in front of a mirror to see what needs correcting.  As a leader, your team, peers and other colleagues are your mirror.  So check what they're reflecting.  Are they enthusiastic about the sales plan you put forward; are they making suggestions; and, getting started?
• Ask for feedback.  Why be shy?  Most people will be flattered you asked them; and, impressed you care.  Seek their suggestions: actions you could take to address the concerns and issues holding them back.  Listen carefully and ask for illustrations.
• Seek advice.  Who are the two or three best leaders in your organisation?  It doesn't matter if it's Mary, who runs marketing, or Bill, who runs the factory.  Ask them (or one of their team), what their effective moves are.  It's not about copying, but starting your thinking.  Pick up ideas.  Then be creative - about both the what and the how.
• Set priorities.  Identify the highest leverage action you could take, or do differently, which would motivate people better.  Don't take on everything at once.  Like a golfer, work at improving one stroke at a time.  Give it your focus and commitment.
• Test your new approach.  For example, run the weekly meetings differently.  And, make sure you're watching the mirror (your team) to see how they're responding.  And, if the more structured approach still isn't engaging them, then reflect and adapt.  It takes time.
• Never stop the cycle of analysis, feedback, planning and action.  Leadership is a journey, not a destination.  Good leaders, like good golfers, keep at it.

Categories for this Potshot:

Career planning, Excel as a technician, Build competitive advantage, Be EQ-effective, Show self-leadership, Lift benchmarks and IP, Demonstrate efficiency, Re-jig priorities,

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