Great Leaders Master 2 Critical Skills

Over the years, I've enjoyed working with clients across various industries and locations worldwide.

Whether working with a professional services firm in Malaysia, a manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom, or a healthcare business in the United States, I've noticed that the top performers master two essential skills.

These are the leaders who master the?map?and?compass.

Not sure what I mean?

Let me explain

Some leaders amass tremendous knowledge about a given organization or type of work. They've been in the business for a long-time or have worked in the general industry for decades. These people have paid their dues and climbed the ladder. They've "been there and done that" many times. As a result, they are good with a?map.

Others may have less experience but are ferocious learners. They learn big lessons from even the smallest of incidents. These leaders are constantly reading about their craft. They ask good questions to gain better insight. They put themselves into new, often challenging situations to gain exposure quickly. What these leaders lack in quantity of time is made up for in quality of experience. They, too, are good with a?map.

So, what does being good with a?map?get them?

When challenges arise, the organization turns to leaders who can read the?map. Map readers can plot just the right course. They can guide a team around an obstacle or an organization into the best position to seize an opportunity.

Map?readers are lovely; but arguably insufficient.

In addition to drawing from experience, making connections, and using a?map, a great leader also must master the?compass. This is the ability to set a course and navigate an organization through new terrain. A leader who uses a?compass?can keep the organization moving and people on track through unfamiliar experiences.

People who master the?compass?know where they are going.

They don't get bogged down wishing for things of the past that are no longer available or fretting because something outside their control is holding them back.?Compass?users ask questions that stop people in their tracks, make comments that bring immediate clarity, or inspire others to achieve something once thought impossible. It is like they have the unique ability to push a?truth button.

Take a moment to consider yourself.

Are you good with a map, a compass, or both?

Here are a few thoughts to get good with both:

Steps to Improve Your Map Reading Skills:

• Embrace a learning mindset. Take the time to conduct critiques, 'hot washes', and after-action reviews to glean new insights.
• Look for opportunities to expose yourself to new situations. Choose to volunteer for the next challenging project that will cause you to work hard but learn a great deal.
• Keep a journal to capture experiences and reflections on what you gained from a given situation.
• Read. Even if you don't like to read, do it anyway!

Steps to Improve Your Compass Using Skills:

• Gain clarity on the goals for your team and organization.
• Write a contribution statement for your efforts. What is it that you will uniquely bring to your role?
• Make time to reflect regularly on the first two bullets. Doing so will help keep things in perspective.
• Find a mentor who can both teach and challenge you.

I wish you all of the best as you work to master these two critical skills!

Make it a great day!

Patrick

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Motivate Your Leaders

Leadership is a learned skill that can be honed and improved over time. Patrick Leddin's keynotes are designed to bring out the best in you as an individual and develop skills so you and your team can contribute more to your?organization. Whether you’re leading yourself or others, Patrick will help you become more successful right away and into the future.?

If you are looking for a keynote to inspire your audience to achieve new levels of performance, book Patrick for your next event by clicking?here?and connecting with his speaker management team,?Michele Lucia?or?Canesha Appleton.

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