I’ve been learning (not a new way to lead) but a different approach to leadership from the business world and I’d like to share some it with you. We have all had experiences with or in leadership at different times in our lives. Some very positive others not so. Some with great vision and direction from the top but not implemented very well on our level. The other day I was reading a list of CEO’s first job, their current job and the advice for those working their first job where Herman Cain, CEO of consulting company The New Voice, said, “Don’t be picky. Experience is cumulative.”. That’s where I am at this point in my life and learning some new things and seeing it implemented differently than in other places in giving me some insight on leadership, work flow and systems that I’d like to share with you.
Great Leaders Serve
-You hear this a lot but rarely see it played out. Most of the time we are handed orders either in the form of job descriptions or memo’s in the form of to do lists but I’ve only been in a few places where the leaders were in the trenches getting wet and dirty with me. This has to change, no matter whether you are over volunteers, a committee or at the top of it all, we have get down and show we are as invested as we are asking them to be. Service minded leaders produce buy in, which leads to better work performance and efficiency, not to mention it’s humbling affect.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
-Choosing to communicate clearly is more important than the task, idea or statement you are trying to get across. If it’s not communicated clearly chances are very high that what needs to be done won’t happen. Find ways to communicate clearly, communicate to leaders the expectations of clear communication down the line and make sure to talk about it frequently.
Performance Indicators
-Where I’m at now we have very bright performance indicators and the ability to track them daily. This is not as easy in every sector (whether business or ministry) but some guidelines for performance needs to be established and ways to track it so we can see if expectations are met or we are dropping the ball. Which leads to the next topic.
Right People in the Right Places
-One of the biggest lessons I’m learning right now is about having the right people in the right places. There are sophisticated methods to figure this out (Myers Briggs, DiSC, Church Planter Assessments, and the likes) or more low key methods like trial and error. For some error or failure is to big a risk and way to much is placed on assessments when they are not really needed, while in so cases, trial & error and failure are not big deals and while that’s ok, how much (productivity, profit, fill in the _______ ) was lost or burnout occurred because we didn’t have the right people in the right places. Finding a way to get your spots filled so that your expectations are met and the level of performance is reached requires leaders taking time to understand the jobs under them and what the right person looks like to fill that spot and then training them so that they know what needs to happen and what success in that position looks like. I recently talked with a guy who gave me this acrostic D.I.R.- demonstrate, imitate, and replicate. Finding the right person and training them is of highest importance.
Goal Sheets (glorified to do lists)
-So much talk goes on everyday in businesses, churches, on blogs, twitter and the likes about GETTING THINGS DONE. Whether you subscribe to David Allen’s philosophy about “Getting Things Done” or you have found a system that works for you, we know how important it is to know what needs to be done and have a way to get it out of our head and onto paper. I know it semantics but when I think of ToDo lists my mind and body is less enthused to get through them. But for some reason I have become more ok with calling them “Goal Sheets” (wheather daily, monthly, quartly or yearly). Maybe it’s the word “goal” as in something I want to achieve. Whatever you call them everyone in your organization needs to have them and understand what needs to be accomplished for you all to succeed.
Maintenance Schedules
-The idea of maintenance schedules may seem more mechanical in nature but if we were to start thinking of all the things that need to be done but slip through the cracks because we have no where else to put them a maintenance schedule begins to make sense. You need to restock your office supplies, renew your magazine or website subscriptions, clean and restock your Nursery Sign-In kiosk, whatever it is. Whatever maintenance needs to occur (mechanical or not) it could be put into this new category, place on a calendar and reviewed to make sure these like things do not fall through the cracks anymore.
These are just somethings I’m learning about leadership, leading, work flow and systems and I wanted to share them with you.
What are you learning about in these areas now? What do you have to share with us as we work at becoming better in these areas? Can you shed any light on what I was talking about to help me?
Come on and join the conversation!
