Should you add these to your Leadership tool box - 6 Leadership Lessons To Learn By Next Year?

2015-07-27T11:26:33-04:00

Should you add these to your Leadership toolbox - 6 Leadership Lessons To Learn By Next Year? SEE ENTIRE ARTICLE BELOW

By Aleksandr Noudelman
Experienced Educator & Fitness Coach

Here are 6 leadership lessons we should all learn by 2016.

1. Make Time For Personal Growth
As a leader, you already know how important of a resource time is. As you work to grow your organization in 2016, you will notice that time will become even more valuable. Free up some time to learn, grow and lean in to what's important to you, and inevitably, your business as well. As well, challenge yourself to be more open to opinions, ideas and suggestions from others.

2. Avoid Isolation
Effective leaders know that isolating yourself from the rest of your team is like shooting yourself in the foot. Being transparent about your goals, challenges and vision is important to developing a strong team as well as organization.

3. Understand Motivation
Effective leaders are motivated by different things and in different ways. Taking the time to figure out how you can motivate the various personality types in 2016 throughout your organization will make for more productive and satisfied employees.

4. Take Risks
In 2016, don't be afraid to take risks. According to Seth Godin, if you never take risks, you will never succeed. Effective leaders know how to take calculated risks because they know that it is in the best interest of their organization. No matter what happens, remain confident in your ability to lead and be steadfast in your decision-making skills.

5. Preach Selflessness
Effective leaders will always put others ahead of themselves, take santa claus for example. They believe in working as a team and know that there's strength in numbers.

6. Lead With The Why
Find the meaning and make connection between the work you do and why it affects a lot of people. Be sure to share your vision with employees and clients so they can help spread it.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 27 at 2015 11:32 AM

2015-07-27T11:32:04-04:00

Good advice.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 11:37 AM

2015-07-27T11:37:05-04:00

Great post as usual Sir. These are very important and great points to consider and implement to increase your overall success as a Leader and as a person. I think that 1, 2 and 4 have personally helped me as a growing Leader throughout my career.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 27 at 2015 11:38 AM

2015-07-27T11:38:53-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I like each individual point, but I struggle to see the connection intended by the author. Each must be adopted as stand alone components.
Time for Personal Growth
Avoid Isolation
Understand Motivation
Take Risks
Preach Selflessness
Lead with the Why

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-07-27T12:02:31-04:00

Good article....great rehash of key things all leaders at every level should do.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 27 at 2015 2:12 PM

2015-07-27T14:12:38-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, thank you for sharing. I have added my editorial comments in {brackets}. I concur with LTC John Shaw's post.
I think there is some utility in the points raised but I believe they should be generally tempered to focus on the relationship of leader with the team versus the focusing on the leader.
1. Make Time For Personal Growth - As a leader, you already know how important of a resource time is. As you work to grow your organization in 2016, you will notice that time will become even more valuable. Free up some time to learn, grow and lean in to what's important to you, and inevitably, your business as well. As well, challenge yourself to be more open to opinions, ideas and suggestions from others.
{Personal growth is important; however, the personal and professional growth of the members of your unit and the growth of training and proficiency of your unit as a whole are much more important}
2. Avoid Isolation - Effective leaders know that isolating yourself from the rest of your team is like shooting yourself in the foot. Being transparent about your goals, challenges and vision is important to developing a strong team as well as organization.
{while physical isolation from subordinates is not necessarily good, ensuring that the overall credit and blame for executing your plans as a leader falls on you}
3. Understand Motivation = Effective leaders are motivated by different things and in different ways. Taking the time to figure out how you can motivate the various personality types in 2016 throughout your organization will make for more productive and satisfied employees.
{some people are externally motivated which requires more firm measures to push or pull them to the goal while others have an internal motivation that can be leveraged}
4. Take Risks - In 2016, don't be afraid to take risks. According to Seth Godin, if you never take risks, you will never succeed. Effective leaders know how to take calculated risks because they know that it is in the best interest of their organization. No matter what happens, remain confident in your ability to lead and be steadfast in your decision-making skills.
{Take risks yourself and do not deliberately send those under you on foolhardy or glory seeking missions. Count the cost and ensure you are coordinating as best you can before you use your unit to execute the operation. When appropriate lead your force physically and when that is not appropriate be nearby - physically or by direct communication}
5. Preach Selflessness - Effective leaders will always put others ahead of themselves, take santa claus for example. They believe in working as a team and know that there's strength in numbers.
[Demonstrate selflessness to your unit. Many but not all will follow your example - learn that is okay}
6. Lead With The Why - Find the meaning and make connection between the work you do and why it affects a lot of people. Be sure to share your vision with employees and clients so they can help spread it.
{Why is important many times for context however I would lead with the what, how and when and incorporate why where it makes most sense}

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 27 at 2015 3:02 PM

2015-07-27T15:02:02-04:00

I would not argue against any of them. I would add mentoring subordinate leaders, cross training, having fun, have genuine care for people, communicating.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 4:28 PM

2015-07-27T16:28:23-04:00

Sir I like these and I would like to add one.
Who is they and what relevance do "they" have. Have you ever heard yourself say "They said...."

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 8:10 AM

2015-07-28T08:10:11-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I think all of the thoughts are worth adding to my toolbox for sure. Of the six I think making time for personal growth and understanding motivation are two key points I will take away. Self reflection and growth are vital to success as a leader and understanding your audience or force are vital to being a quality leader.