What Matters Today
Leadership is all fluff when you neglect what matters. Busyness causes you to miss what matters today.
7 things that don’t matter much:
- Sitting behind a desk.
- Excuses.
- Answering email the moment it comes in.
- Controlling people.
- Pretending you’re perfect.
- Talk without action.
- Remembering offenses.
Connecting with people matters:
Leadership is influence. Influence requires connection. Influence grows when relationships strengthen.
Connection requires humility. Isolated leadership is arrogant leadership.
Secluded leaders use secrecy and distance to create the illusion of status. Connected leaders build respect. Respect eliminates the need for position and title.
10 ways to do what matters today:
- Practice MBWA. Manage by wandering around.
- Consider interruptions opportunities. Ask, “What do you suggest?”
- Highlight reasons. Explain the reason you’re solving problems. Shared purpose strengthens relationships.
- Seek feedback regarding off-putting behaviors. Reflect on:
- The way you talk, tone, content, intent.
- The way you listen.
- How people feel when you leave the room or call.
- Reject know-it-all leadership. Constantly seek input and perspective from others.
- Compensate for weaknesses. Everyone who has it all together is hiding something.
- Share information lavishly because secrets block connection and suggest inequities.
- Help others connect. Ask, “Who might be helpful,” not, “What might be helpful?”
- Share stories.
- Be transparent about your weaknesses and failures. Don’t whine. A healthy way to reveal failure is to say, “One thing I learned….”
3 ways to find time to connect:
There are only three ways to find more time.
- Eliminate. Do less of what matters less.
- Accelerate. Improve at what matters more, connecting, for example.
- Delegate. Get someone else to do stuff.
What’s one thing a leader can do today to connect with people?
Still curious:
Set Goals That Strengthen Relationships
A Simple Approach to Relationship Building
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