Leadership takes practice. Go practice today.
1. Practice Active Listening
- Principle: Effective leaders listen more than they speak, gaining valuable insights and making team members feel valued.
- Action: In your next meeting, challenge yourself to listen 80% of the time and speak only 20%. Use the "WAIT" technique: Why Am I Talking?
- Outcome: Improved team communication and increased employee engagement.
2. Implement a "No-Blame" Policy
- Principle: A blame-free environment encourages innovation and problem-solving.
- Action: Announce and implement a 24-hour "No-Blame" period for any issues that arise. Focus solely on solutions during this time.
- Outcome: Increased team creativity and a more positive work atmosphere.
3. Conduct a Personal Feedback Session
- Principle: Self-awareness is crucial for leadership growth.
- Action: Schedule 15-minute one-on-one meetings with three team members. Ask them: "What's one thing I could do better as a leader?"
- Outcome: Valuable insights for personal improvement and increased trust with your team.
4. Create a "Quick Win" Opportunity
- Principle: Small victories build momentum and team confidence.
- Action: Identify a small, achievable goal that your team can accomplish today. Mobilize resources to make it happen.
- Outcome: Boosted team morale and a sense of accomplishment.
5. Practice Empathetic Decision-Making
- Principle: Considering others' perspectives leads to more balanced decisions.
- Action: Before making your next decision, write down how it will affect three different stakeholders. Adjust your decision based on these insights.
- Outcome: More thoughtful decision-making and increased stakeholder satisfaction.
6. Implement a "Disconnect to Reconnect" Hour
- Principle: Undistracted time allows for deeper thinking and better leadership.
- Action: Block off one hour today with no phone, email, or interruptions. Use this time for strategic thinking or connecting with your team.
- Outcome: Improved focus and more meaningful interactions.
7. Initiate a Cross-Department Collaboration
- Principle: Breaking silos leads to innovation and improved company-wide communication.
- Action: Reach out to a leader in another department and propose a joint brainstorming session on a common challenge.
- Outcome: Fresh perspectives on problems and strengthened inter-departmental relationships.
8. Start a "Leadership Library"
- Principle: Continuous learning is essential for leadership growth.
- Action: Select a leadership book and commit to reading the first chapter today. Share one insight with your team.
- Outcome: Personal growth and modeling the importance of continuous learning.
9. Conduct a "Gratitude Round"
- Principle: Recognizing others' contributions boosts morale and productivity.
- Action: At the end of the day, send a personal thank-you note to three team members, specifically mentioning their recent contributions.
- Outcome: Increased team motivation and a culture of appreciation.
10. Create a "Failure Resume"
- Principle: Embracing and learning from failures leads to resilience and innovation.
- Action: Write down three professional failures you've experienced. For each, list one lesson learned and one way you've grown from it.
- Outcome: Increased resilience and a model for turning setbacks into opportunities.
Go practice today.