Canoeing on Christmas 2015

Canoeing on Christmas 2015

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Leadership Multipliers

Last week I posted about "Leadership Destroyers."  Today I will talk about leadership Multipliers or "Things you can do to increase the effectiveness of your leadership (much easier to say Leadership Multipliers).  Hopefully this will not simply be a converse of the list of destroyers, but I am sure there will be some overlap.  Bear with me and try to improve in just one area.

Leadership Multiplier #1 - Be a nice person.  Don't be a Jerk. It sounds simple but it can actually be difficult to do.  Whatever you were before you gained some influence/power/position you will be more of as a leader.  If you are a nice person you will continue to be a nice person.  If you were a jerk, you will be more of a jerk as you gain some influence and power.  A few tips that fall into the "Be Nice" category for me:  Return your own shopping cart (Don't leave it in the middle of a parking space), Hold doors for people, look people in the eye and say "Thank-You" and "Hello".  Basically this rule boils down to "Treat all people the same regardless of whether they can do something to help you or not."  In fact, treat the people who cannot reasonably be expected to help you better than the people who have something to offer you.

Leadership Multiplier #2 - Be on time.  Nothing says that you value and care about people more than when you are on time to meet them.  It is selfish to be late for meetings and appointments.  When you are on time it sets the tone that you have concern for their needs and that you value their time.  Also, start and end meetings and practices on time.  Nothing bothers me more than a coach or leader who keeps kids (and most of the time their parents) waiting around after the assigned ending time.  Organizing your time is a key to Being on Time.

Leadership Multiplier #3 - Help your followers be better.  People will follow you when you can make their lives better.  If you are a coach help your players play better.  If you are a sales director help your salesman sell more effectively.  If you are a Pastor help your church members live a fuller life through Jesus Christ.  Whatever type of organization or group you led you will always have followers when you add value to the lives of your people.

Leadership Multiplier #4 - Serve.  Nothing sends a more powerful message to your followers than a leader who asks "What can I do to help you?"  The next time you are leading a meeting ask your key followers "What can I do to help you accomplish the mission?"  You might be blown away by the results.  Serving doesn't mean weakness, it means strength.  Are you secure enough to get your hands dirty and spend some long hours in the trenches.  It will greatly increase your effectiveness.

Leadership Multiplier #5 - Listen and then Act.  Your followers are on the front lines.  They know what is going on.  And trust me, they have opinions about how to produce results more effectively for your group.  Take the time to ask them their opinions.  Take their suggestions and implement changes.  For me it is difficult to listen without defending.  I typically will hear what a player or a student has to say, but I will quickly come up with defenses for why something I am doing is being criticized.  Give your followers room to express themselves, feel heard and emotionally breathe.  This can be a tremendous source of info for you and a great way to communicate your care and concern to your followers.  By listening and changing they will feel more invested in the organization and that they have the power to change things.

Leadership Multiplier #6 - Empower - Give your movers and shakers the opportunity to get their job done.  Support them with resources and get out of their way.  Salespeople need to be selling, High Scorers need to get the ball and volunteers need to be trained and turned loose to accomplish the mission.

Try implementing just one of these suggestions this week.  See what happens.  Maybe tackle another in a week or two.  In a month you could slowly begin to see amazing results in your organization.

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