The Leader's Day
Manage episode 449058155 series 3577050
If leadership is a behavior and leadership is 24/7, how and when does the leader’s day begin?
Leadership is also an attitude and that attitude drives behavior.
If leadership behavior is 24/7, then typically the leader will be looking forward to the day ahead.
The leader might begin the day by reflecting - “what can I do today to be a better leader than I was yesterday? “
Remember – leadership requires ongoing learning.
The leader might begin the day by thinking “who can I help today to achieve more than they thought they were capable of?”
No, NOT “who can I make work harder today? “
Because leadership is a relationship, when the leader arrives at the office most likely, they will smile at the security guard, greeting warmly, and the same with the receptionist and other staff that they walk past.
Arriving at his own workspace, if other team members are already there, of course, they will greet them warmly.
This behavior has team members instinctively think: “I’m really pleased I’ve come to work today.” “There might be challenges, but I know it’s going to be a good day.”
There may will be a team meeting early in the morning. Of course, the leader will arrive early if not on time. And because the leader does that, the team members will also be there on time and with a positive attitude.
During the team meeting, the leader will be encouraging input from every team member and importantly, as the team members know, the leader will be listening to everything they say and valuing their input.
It’s the way the leader lives his values -
and ‘Models the Way’ - every day - that builds trust and credibility with the team.
And, during the day, the leader will be asking “is there a better way?”
It’s the way the leader empowers, enables others to act, gives them a belief they can achieve more than they thought possible, which creates an environment where people want to perform at their best.
Throughout the day, the leader will see opportunities to recognize the good work individuals or the team has done that day.
They may even find an opportunity to send a handwritten note personally acknowledging what’s they’ve achieved.
Maybe at the end of the day, the leader will stand near the door as the team or the staff are leaving and simply say : “Thank you for all you did today.”
Those simple words - and that the leader moves out if his or her office to say this - makes a real connection.
So the leader’s day is very much about connecting with people.
On the way home at the end of the day they may spend a little ‘quality time’ reflecting on the performance of the team that day.
And they may then think “it’s been another really good day“.
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