Leadership for newbies... and all that other good stuff.

Who loves surprises or how about a good challenge... well I am always up for a good challenge. About a year ago I was handed a very important piece of the business at the company I work for and along came two teammates that reported directly to me. How about that for a challenge. Well, not the ROI I was required to reach, not the budgeting, not the strategy, and not the implementation of the strategy... the real challenge came with the two teammates reporting to me. I could not believe that I was entrusted with the responsibility of managing and leading this team. NERVES... NERVES... and more NERVES. I was one hundred percent in over my head and so nervous about the managing part more so than anything else.

What many do not realize (or maybe it was just me who did not realize it) is that when you become a manager your job isn't to exactly manager. Your role becomes more complex and requires strategy and care. Your role requires you to do less managing and more setting expectations while leading and your team manages themselves towards those shared goals and expectations. Over the last year I have learned a ton... seriously a ton but thought I would share how I have grown and a couple of steps as you embark on your new role in management.

1. Having a team that can "fly" is the key to be successful. Well, by "fly" I mean having a team that is can do and be as successful without you around as they are with you are in important. You should always empower your team to be their best and leverage their strengths because you cannot and will not be the smartest on the team and that will be your greatest weapon... having a team that have strengths in various areas. Smart people...hire smart people!
2. Learn the values of your team and what is important to them. Having a clear understanding of what makes them "tick" and what their "passions" are will allow for better communication and give you all a foundation to trust and get to know one another.
3. Create an environment of learning and growth. (ALWAYS IN BETA). In most fields things change everyday and its crucial to someone's personal brand as well as the company's brand to have employees that are sharp and students of their field. Helping my teammates and leading by example by learning new things and consistently being in the growth path allows for innovation, creativity and though leadership.

My leadership skills are still growing but I was tasked with creating and writing down my leadership philosophy. While I know this philosophy will change as I grow and change here it is as it details where I am now as a leader:

"Progress is personal; it comes from individuals demanding more of themselves a and everyone else." - Richard Koch

Never allow doubt and fear to be the answer to your challenges and problems. Always look to each person and embrace their individuality while empowering them to move beyond their comfort zones for what will bring them to new heights. Stress the importance of being a "forever student" because learning and growth are the foundation of excellence and striving to do your best will always get you to the next step. Understand that everyone's best changes from day-to-day and see the beauty in the journey leading to the goal.