Simple Things
As we run-up to the new year, I offer this post as a culmination of some leadership thoughts from 2021. The beauty of my job is that I get to work with a lot of aspiring leaders who are really intuitive about what it takes to really help people right now. We’re all under intense stress from the pandemic. One thing I have noticed is that the simple things are being overlooked. We must make sure we are doing the common sense things and get back to being human. These are really the intrinsic things such as caring.
Our human capital is the most important part of all organizations and businesses. Amazingly it does not take much! Again, I don’t think we’re doing the simple things; like asking instead of guessing what individuals need or want. It might be as simple as asking the teacher how things are really going and really caring about the answer and wanting to help. This takes knowing people and reinforces what we already know – relationships matter most. This is more than just a transactional relationship. Seeing each other as whole persons is primarily a choice that we can make. These relationships depend on and foster openness and trust. We must work really hard at building trust. We do not have a relationship if you trust me, but I don’t trust you. Don’t forget that our level of trust reflects the degree to which our behavior and the behavior of the other are consistent. Never forget, relationships are the most important determinant of fulfillment and happiness.
By building strong relationships and building trust we are better able to recognize each others’ uniqueness. Our organizations are communities. We must tend our relationships and rally bringing people together. We all need to feel connected again and have a shared sense of what is valued. As we move into 2022 let’s make a renewed commitment to being present and proactive about doing the simple things to provide help.
The Road To Being Proactive
I ran across the “PROACTIVE PKWY” sign pictured in this post while at Sallie Jones Elementary School in Punta Gorda, Florida facilitating professional development workshops for Charlotte County Public Schools this week. I used the picture I took as one of my morning inspirational tweets. Then I began to think about how important it is for us to be proactive. I’ve spent the week working with teachers and I am reminded that great teachers make everything look random for their students, but nothing is random. The great teacher has been proactive and already anticipated what will/can happen. These great teachers are great leaders because they proactively respond to the strengths and weaknesses of their students and put them in a position to succeed.
To be proactive we must start with the end in mind. The end must be clearly defined. It is the role of the leader to push their team towards the end goal. And that end goal must be both motivating and inspiring enough to cause us to want to act. Proactiveness is not just a skill for leaders. The world of work is changing, and it is now essential that everyone begins to develop this skill. The proactive person recognizes the importance of varying viewpoints and are open to new ideas. Finally, proactive leaders approach a crisis with calm determination rather than chaotic panic. Are you a proactive leader?
Byron's Babbles 
1 comment