Vision in Balance

“ Leaders can let you fail and yet not let you be a failure.
- Stanley McChrystal

You may have been hired for your skill set, but continued employment is based on your value to the company. Are you able to clearly state your value proposition to your current company?

Value can be built by learning new skills, by inquiring about other positions within the company/department or by helping others achieve their best. Employers value people who can identify problems and offer solutions.

By thinking 2 levels above your current position, you mentally prepare yourself for the next promotion/challenge.

What will you do in 2014 that you previously thought was impossible? When you make that choice, write down what prices you are willing to pay in order to achieve that vision. Now you will be ready to start your journey.

The most dangerous risk we take in our lives is not doing what we truly want on the hope that we can buy enough time to do it later. Unfortunately for most people, that time never comes. If this rings true and you want to "bust out" next year, visit my website and see if a personal coach might be the answer.

When facing tough decisions, leaders may consider asking themselves the following questions:
1. Can I bring value to the situation?
2. Can I create a win-win situation?
3. Have I put aside any personal agenda?

If you have answered YES to these questions, then the decision you make will be a responsible one. Even if the news/decision is not favorable, the manner in which you have arrived at that decision will leave open the possibility that the other person can walk away with dignity and see beyond the present moment.

Sometimes leading means following. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but good leaders know when to step aside and let someone else shine and take the lead. By knowing the right time to do this, you give the gift of letting another person develop their own skills and take a risk. Of course, being a good leader, you are always their to support and encourage them if they stumble. True leaders inspire and empower others to make decisive and responsible decisions. True leaders know it is not about them, but about mentoring and developing others.

This is the last installment of this series. If you want to enjoy the entire list, read "The Leadership Challenge".

What do followers want from their leaders?

1. INTEGRITY.
2. VISION.
3. COMPETENCE
4. INSPIRATION
5. FRIENDSHIP

Followers want to know that their leader cares about them on a deeper level than what they produce at work. This does not mean you need to be best friends or even socialize with them. It means that you have taken some time to learn a little bit about their families, their interests or another talent they may have. True leaders know the value of connecting on a human level. So, invite someone to lunch or sit with them in the office and talk about anything except work. You may be surprised what you discover. When things get tough, it will be much more likely that someone who feels valued will willingly go the extra mile.

What do followers want from their leaders?

1. INTEGRITY.
2. VISION.
3. COMPETENCE

Followers also want to be INSPIRED. According to the author Barry Posner, people are most often inspired by actions and example. So don't worry if you can't deliver a rousing, standing ovation type of speech. You don't need to bang the desk or even raise your voice to be inspirational. Consistently "walking the walk" will do more to inspire the troops than any public display or showy presentation. Think back to those in your past who greatly influenced you and I bet many of them could be described as "quiet leaders" who led by example. If you truly listen to others, act without an agenda, and do the right thing, you will certainly inspire.

What do followers want from their leaders?

1. INTEGRITY.
2. VISION.

And checking in at #3 is COMPETENCE.

At the very least, one should possess a core competence of the job/task at hand. But according the "The Leadership Challenge", you do not have to be an expert on every aspect of your position. In most instances, that is an unrealistic expectation. What IS expected by followers, as much as core competence, is knowing that their leaders are actively pursuing professional and personal growth. By doing so, you set the tone for the entire team that the status quo is not acceptable. Sharing your resources and knowledge is also important. The next time you read an article/book/see a quote that you value..........share it with your colleagues.

Last week I began the list of traits and qualities that followers want from leaders. At the top of the list was INTEGRITY. Next on the list is VISION. Followers want to know where they are going and what's in it for them. If you are in a leadership position, make sure you have a vision for your business, family, relationship etc. Once that is established, then as a leader, you must enroll each member of your team into the vision and help them see how their participation will be a benefit to them as well. So, as a leader, make sure you have a VISION and communicate it to the people who will help execute it.

Influence, not power, is the key to building dynamic relationships. This is an interesting read from one of my favorite sources......Daniel Pink.

How to get ahead: 5 questions for Joel Garfinkle | Daniel H. Pink Not everyone craves the proverbial key to the executive washroom, but nearly everyone wants to have influence in their workplace, have others think well of

For those that are in leadership positions or choose to adopt a leadership mentality in all phases of their life, you know what type of thinking and actions are required to get results. But it is also valuable to know what followers expect from a leader. In a study by Barry Posner (The Leadership Challenge) he asked just that question. The first expectation of a follower is......INTEGRITY. In fact, this study was repeated three times and integrity remained #1 every time. Integrity means that you do what you say you are going to do. If your followers do not experience you as a person of integrity, then everything else you do or say is perceived as suspect. Not being in integrity will make it much more difficult to get people solidly behind your vision. And in some cases, it will make it impossible.