I enjoy photography. I'm far from being really good at it, but I like the process of focusing, finding the right subject, trying different angles, refining pictures, and enjoying the results. Yet, there is also the frustration when I thought I had everything "just right" and the picture ends up being out of focus, or focused on the wrong thing. As a leader, have you ever found yourself focusing on the wrong thing? Is your focus out of focus? Is it where it should be?
Take 10 seconds to think and answer the following question. In the last week, what has gotten 75% of your attention? If your answer is meetings, strategy, problems, e-mails, or similar things, you need to change your focus!
Yes, a leader needs to plan and manage things. You need to give direction to what the organization intends to do, how to get it done, and what resources are needed.
Yet, at the end of the day what makes the biggest difference is not technology, markets, competitors, systems, and strategies. It’s not that the necessary things are scheduled and happen on time, on budget, and to acceptable quality standards.
As commendable as it is to “take care of business,” you need to make sure you take care of people first. Because,
Great leadership is about people.
Your success as a leader depends mostly on how you lead people, make sure then that you focus on:
- seeing that the right people are in place
- stimulating the, to exceptional performance
- handling under-performers promptly as needed
- providing inspiration and guidance
- rewarding fairly and keeping your promises
- communicating with your people, without letting dissatisfaction and misunderstandings build up
- providing a clear personal example
When you focus on your people, when they know you have them in your heart and want the best for them and from them, they will give you their loyalty and their best performance.
Remember. . .
Keep your focus on your people. Build relationships with them. Connect with them at the heart level and you will be a successful leader.
Photo by: Logos Noesis