Always Under Construction

During my first month at Uptake, I held my first senior management strategy meeting. To assist with this specific offsite, I brought in a leadership coach that I’ve worked with for the past ten years. Similar to other meetings we’ve done together, he asked that I kick it off with some opening remarks. I have always fretted over this, and in most cases, overthought the message. I spent a few sleepless nights preparing for that first 30 minutes, as I truly wanted the team to be engaged, excited, and ready for our time together. 

After many attempts to create the “perfect” script, I finally gave up. I then started paging through older presentations, looking for something that could potentially spark a new idea or thought. In reviewing these older decks, I found “Laws of Leadership”— a presentation that I received during my days at Allstate many years ago. This meeting transformed my thinking of leadership and was some of the greatest management advice I have received to date. With this document again fresh in mind, I felt prepared to open and set the tone for our first meeting together. 

The actual presentation has 20 total traits for leading teams. I thought I would share those that I utilize on a daily basis and have a few personal thoughts sprinkled through out.

Do What You Say You Will Do

Great leaders always follow through. More importantly, they firmly believe there are no “simple statements.” Promises can be made, however they must be kept and delivered on. Broken promises will kill your culture in a real-time manner.

The Fish Bowl 

We live in a fishbowl every minute of every day. With social media and the internet, leaders are always being watched, listened and studied from every possible angle. Examples can include what we wear to work, our online offices, desk space in the office, pictures of our family, books we are reading, and what we do outside of work. Don’t fight this. Leverage it. Observations are taking place and it’s critical to be an authentic role model for the employee to emulate.

Communicate

Communication should be so simple; yet, it’s one of the hardest things to do in our day to day. The mis-communication machine never sleeps and consistently tries to twist and abuse your direction. Effective and timely communication is critically important. 

We should also evaluate the ways in which we communicate. Phone, email, text, Slack, etc. should be used appropriately. Furthermore, I am a firm believer in transparency. Communicating the truth, whether good or bad, creates a trusting and effective work environment.

Artistry

The best leaders constantly use words to paint the picture of tomorrow and are the dealers of hope and promise. More importantly, the employee loves nothing more than to see their impact and how they are a part of the picture. 

To Be a Great Leader, We Must First Be Great Followers

How could we ever become a leader if we didn’t learn or utilize those things that we saw from those we respected the most? A fun and enlightening exercise is to think back to your first manager and then everyone you’ve worked for up to today. What did you learn, both good and bad, that shaped you into the leader you are today? Extract the good and utilize in an authentic manner. Don't be surprised when people begin to "follow" you!

Be Human

The day has come and you are now the leader of your respective department or organization. Try to stay “human,” because, at the end of the day, org charts are really boxes and lines. The way we talk, inspire, and motivate those around us is critically important. Be prepared to wear multiple hats and play the friend, father/mother figure, or mentor in your day to day. This is necessary and one of the most fulfilling parts of being a leader. Simple things like asking an employee about their vacation, a family member, or health follow-up go further than you can possibly imagine. Prior to the pandemic, there was nothing I loved more than to walk through the office and talk to the staff about everything other than work.

Morale

As a leader, you will be the gatekeeper of good and bad morale. Remember the “Fish Bowl” effect. This is a small reminder that everyone is watching. Bad days are going to happen. However, your response to the issue, the tone of your voice, body language, and communication will directly affect everyone around you. Your job as a leader is to keep good morale in check. 

LEADERS are ALWAYS Under Construction 

In the end, we weren’t born with leadership skills. (We learned through following, right?) Leaders must always be under construction and we should be constantly adding tools to the toolbox. I have never met anyone that has stated “I’ve mastered leadership.” I crave to learn how other leaders do their job effectively and lead great organizations. I would highly encourage you to learn from those inside and outside your company and through diverse conversations, publications, and formal training or mentoring.