How do you know if you are a good leader? Step one, lead without ego. I just saw “ego is not your amigo” somewhere. First I laughed, and then I thought how true, and how unfortunate more of us don’t realize that. Ego can not only get in the way of your success, it can block your talent overall. If you are more interested in if you are going to get or are getting the credit, than actually getting things done, you have an ego issue. The problem with ego, is it spins into all kinds of unattractive behaviors which in turn will lift the veil on your “leadership” or more likely the lack there of. Once people get a whiff of your ego, they’ll write you off as inauthentic. Once people sense it is about “you” rather than “we” they’ll drop their level of engagement. We operate in a very ego driven culture; subsequently, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that approximately 51 percent of employees are unengaged, and 17 percent are actively disengaged. That is significant, and obviously a huge drag on productivity. Einstein said it best, and I’ll leave it at that…
Unknown Cost of Compromise
The struggle is real people. Everyone has had a moment when they ask themselves, ‘do I address the issue, or do I let it slide?’ The ‘slide’ option is most often the easiest path to take. Afterall, if the issue isn’t addressed it either goes without notice (or minimal fuss) or it goes away faster-in theory. This ‘theory’ plays out nicely on paper in Seth Godin’s blog Counting Beans , which illustrates nicely what the cost of compromise can be. The blog frames ‘compromise’ as the moment one decides to place ‘win’ over ‘worry’. The moment you short change what is right for what is easy and/or a short-term win. Bottom line, every action has an outcome. So the question becomes what is the long-term outcome of compromise for the sake of perceived ‘wins’ or ease? What is your desired outcome? How are your decisions framing the culture in your organization’s culture?
Your Lens
What lens are you looking through? If you are talking about bringing people into your community to live, or engaging people in their work in your company, are you looking through your lens or their’s? If you’re not sure, just look at your results. I once consulted to an international nonprofit that focused on advocacy, education and change through action. They had all the tools they needed. When I look at their progress today I see clearly other organizations focused on the same or similar causes have ‘lapped’ them. Why? Because they are looking through their lens, not the lens of those they want to engage. If you want to reach your goal, and if that goal involves engaging others, the path to sustainable success is meeting folks where they are, not where you wish them to be.
Web Site, Succeed or Fail?
As interactive social media continues to increase its marketplace impact, where does that leave the traditional web site? Should you have one? The answer is, ‘it depends.’ Yes, to a web site if you have a web site that weaves together other social media, as well as offers current information. If your site does, then you are on the right path. The benefit can equate to consumer confidence. Depending on price points and messaging, consumers often feel a level of comfort in a media source, in this case a web site, that has a more traditional stability. No to a web site if you have a site that no longer looks contemporary, is out dated, and/or is not intuitive in navigation. Such a site will undermine and errode your brand. Depending on the size of your organization, you may or may not have time to create and update all social media platforms. It is much better to err on targeting one or two and doing them well, rather than doing multiple platforms poorly.
Edit. Then Edit Some More
When in doubt, edit. And then edit some more. If you want your stuff read remember this…people are busy. Busy people (and we are all busy people) like bullet points, brief, and don’t have time to read all the adjectives and adverbs you may be including. Edit.
You Don’t Have To Be A Boss To Be A Leader
You don’t have to be a boss or manager to be a leader. Communicate. Engage. Inspire.
Self Promotion, Introvert Doesn’t Always Equal Shy
“A lot of people assume I’m an extrovert because I’m not shy. I associate more with introversion because I am energized by being alone–in both my work and free time.” The link below is currently my favorite article, with my new favorite “go to” reminders. I’m an introvert, but unless you know me very well, you would not sense it. There in is the glitch as others’ expectations might not jive with my needed mode of operation, and at times, it is challenging to draw the line. Frankly, that can be an issue for extroverts too, the “how do I say no” scenario. So the following article while written by an introvert has something for everyone. http://www.inc.com/paul-jarvis/7-ways-to-promote-yourself-when-you-re-introverted.html Added bonus: There is excellent advice for self promoting and/or marketing in the article that applies whether you are an introvert or extrovert.
Good Advice, For Good Managers
I’m a huge fan of Seth Godin. This certainly isn’t the first quote of Godin’s that has surfaced within the blog posts on this site. While Mr. Godin is all about marketing, his thoughts expand far beyond just that topic. I promise you, if you read his posts and/or books you’ll pull great information from them, and find them relevant beyond marketing. Godin’s work will contribute to building upon your current skill set, regardless of your field and/or focus. The quote below, I believe, is a great piece, reminding managers and leaders of all sorts, that the goal of the organization, is greater than the goal of the individual, or heaven forbid, the individual’s ego.
Who Is Driving The Bus?
If you ask your boss or those you manage/lead, what their performance strategy is, what do you anticipate hearing? If you ask yourself what your performance strategy is, what is your answer? Who is setting the tone, and bar, relating to performance strategies in your organization?