Filling the shoes of a leader

Filling the shoes of a leader

 I volunteered to register attendees for the 2019 PMI Metrolina Professional Development Day as I’d been light on attendance for events this past year. I didn’t need the contact hour credits but it was an opportunity to reconnect with fellow members and to let them know I was still in the area. In the past I’ve chaired the event and supported others that were hosting but this weekend my efforts would be limited to taking attendance and introducing speakers in the Leadership track. It was a great line up of five outstanding speakers but it was the last one who I found most inspiring. Nealand Lewis, the VP of Governance for our PMI Metrolina chapter spoke on the topic of Leadership Effectiveness. His presentation was titled ‘Getting the Job Done without Breaking as Many Eggs.’ For me, it wasn’t so much about the presentation as it was about the history of Nealand’s giving back and leading our organization to prosper.

 Long before I enjoyed the opportunity to lead a successful Professional Development Day for the Charlotte Chapter, Nealand pioneered the very first event. I had a roadmap for success with several events before me and he had nothing but a clear slate and determination. He did the hard work. He pointed his finger out over centerfield, stepped up to the plate, took a mighty swing and delivered the first pitch over the fence and the professional development day event as we now know it was born. He showed others that it could be done. And thanks to Nealand it has been done successfully for many years.

 It wasn’t until I introduced Nealand to speak that I learned about his influence over what has become a major annual event for the Charlotte Project Management community. It was quite an honor to present him to the audience and with his permission I will share with you a few memorable messages including ‘the ten things that require no talent’, ‘the greatest gift of leadership’, and the ‘PEACE’ initiative.

The ten things that require no talent

 If you want to stand out, before you expend effort on the things that require talent consider doing these things first and you might just find these ‘ten’ may very well set you up for success:

 In the past most professionals seemed to come equipped with Nealand’s top 10 list ingrained in their behavior. Today, these attributes are in short supply, more uncommon than they should be, but for those who put the list to good use, you have an opportunity to stand out from those that do just enough to clear whatever the hurdle. Many don’t even clear the bar but in a pack of like-minded folks they blend in and for some that is good enough. As you assess your strengths and weaknesses remember it doesn’t take any talent to rise above the rest if you consider the list Nealand has shared.

The greatest gift of leadership

 All managers want you to help them succeed but few consider that the most valuable gift they can provide is their desire for you to be successful. For in your success they too enjoy the spoils and the privilege to be seen as a leader. I’ve witnessed many managers ascend on the backs of others, using their reports as stepping stones to some higher corporate plateau. Behind them, the twisted bodies of used up individuals that remember what it was like to be a part of that success only to be left behind without a hand reaching back to lift them up. Sometimes Karma enters the arena and introduces some corrective measures. For those stepped on it brings some brief joy but it doesn’t change their lot. Why is it that so few managers understand that leadership is achieving success through the team and not by using the team? Do they not understand that having a team of successful people is the measure of their own success? A leader gets it but a manager doesn’t. Maybe that’s the differentiator between the two.

The PEACE initiative

 Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation – We all know a Dave or a Debbie Downer and they suffer from being in the same rut with little opportunity to move forward, upward or in the direction of a more fulfilling purpose. When you radiate positive energy and a can-do attitude others see it and it becomes a self-fulfilling truth. Do more of this and shift the odds in your favor.

 I remember early in my career I worked with a group of talented people in a rather poorly run company. The tone amongst the group was mostly negative except for one guy. No matter the circumstances this one guy seemed to take it all in stride and he volunteered for most everything that needed done. I watched him get promoted over others with more talent but it was his attitude that set him apart. A few years and a few promotions later he announced his departure from the company. Everyone was surprised because he seemed to really enjoy the place but he revealed to us that he was as unhappy as anyone. He wanted to rise up so he could broker a better job someplace else and for him this positive approach worked. He was viewed as a company guy and given preference over others.

 I also recall another individual who decided to adopt a positive attitude to advance. His mental shift allowed him to view things differently, he embraced his work and he excelled. His new attitude was like a new pair of glasses, letting him see more of the good than the chaff. It is all about perspective. Consider how you would view the job you have now if you were unemployed. Would it look like a good job to you? I’ve had great jobs that I found issues with only to wish I had them back when I was struggling to get an interview for a lesser job. Be thankful and focus on the good. It might just reveal how lucky you are in the position you have.

 There are three other points that Nealand shared that I really took to heart. The first is the concept of being a mirror of your environment. To surround yourself with those you would like to mirror. This speaks to character, values, the meaning of your word, honor and other qualities that we should all embrace.

 Setting the bar and knowing your limits often holds us back from doing much more than we are capable of. Instead of using the bar as a limit, think of it as the hurdle that you need to clear. Exceed it, don’t settle for doing less. Challenge your limits!

 A leader is remembered not for the great things they have done but the great things that have been done by the people under their care. In a world of bosses and managers only a rare few will be seen as a leader. They do not get to claim the title; it is applied by those who perform under their guidance.

 Nealand is a local leadership evangelist. He didn’t stop with creating the Professional Development Day; he continued to drive new events including Skillfest, a wonderful venue connecting job seekers and companies in search of the best talent. When others thought about a job fair Nealand saw the opportunity to promote it as something more positive and that is how the first Skillfest came to life. He is a man of vision, of purpose and character; a mentor and a teacher, and as humble as they come. He continues to be a member and leader of the Charlotte PMI chapter and a person whom we can all look up to on our journey to achieve and to be better.

What’s Next?

 I haven’t lost sight of the other articles I mentioned in prior weeks–My eye-opening customer visit on providing great, and not so great service, what I learned from a former colleague about a poorly handled separation from their employer, and from another colleague, the ongoing saga of leadership that lacks the ability to allow good people to do the right work. Here’s your opportunity to influence what comes next.

 To those of you who take the time to read my efforts I sincerely thank you. I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you that this is a two way conversation so put your comments in and let’s have a volley of ideas so we all continue our intellectual growth.

  Mr. Gray is a seasoned business strategist experienced in PMO stand up, business transformation, process development, and best practice guidance. He has developed industry-leading methods for staff modeling, project deployment, financial performance, onboarding, and business readiness. Mr. Gray is a problem solver at heart, a sharer of knowledge by choice. He has authored more than four dozen thought provoking articles which are all available on Linked-In.

If Mr. Gray makes you think then he considers the effort worthwhile.

Your PMI Guy can be found on LinkedIn at: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/yourpmiguy/

And on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/YourPMIGuy