Leading Does Not Mean Doing It All

Not only does this lead to burnout and a disconnected team, it also prevents your team from functioning at its best.

The first thing you need to remember is that you need to trust your team and share with them what your needs are. They may not even realize that you want to give them more responsibilities.

If you are finding it hard to communicate how you wish to share the load, start with small steps by selecting a co-leader to help you manage the team. You can pass the torch to this trusted person and they can keep you in the loop.

From there, together you can communicate on ways to continue to even up the load by distributing duties among the team to those that are the most capable to complete them.

This way you can get more done without doing it all and train others in the process.

There is power in effectively communicating what you need from your team.

 

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Mentioned in Passing

Nothing is ever mentioned in passing.

While you are leading the helm at some point, one of your team members will casually mention concerns, but they don't want to be the bearer of bad news so they may just “pass on information”.

Later when what was mentioned turns into a valid concern, someone will inevitably say that they had mentioned it to you prior.

You cannot chase every rabbit, but it is important for you to keep your finger on the pulse of your team.

Here are some ways to stay in the know without micromanaging:

  • Hold a small private meeting to encourage open communication. 
  • Offer opportunities to explore options, which may allow team members to feel like they have more options.
  • Form a small focus team to look into what's not being said, or
  • Have a team meeting and just put it all out in the open.

This will show that you are involved and interested in nurturing your team. If you are looking for ways to use your natural strengths to energize your team the Tilt Profile Assessment is just what you need.

Leadership communication

Is inefficient time management the source of your stress?

Time, once it arrives, you can never ask it to wait.

This is exactly why you need to focus on your larger priorities first and if time allows, your next pressing priority.

I know this sounds easy, but managing time is a stressor for many leaders. Putting some simple strategies in place will help relieve the stress, allow you to work more efficiently and actually have time to work on some things you have been putting off.

 

1. Set up a routine. Plan for time where you will focus on completing certain tasks. Stick to this schedule until it becomes routine.

2. Break larger tasks into smaller parts. You cannot eat an apple in one bite; remember this when you are trying to accomplish a task that is really too big to do all at once. Which brings me to the next point…

3. Utilize your team. Remember you are not a one woman or one man show. You have your team with their diverse talents that are there to help. Allow them to help.

 4. Get support. Even if you are creating something new to you, someone has done it before or has helped others do it.

Here is a simple and effective training on time management that may be useful. Proficient time management execution is certain to make an impact in your organization.

 

Your Support?

Leadership Tip!

Who are the people that you surround yourself with that will challenge you beyond your comfort zone, talk to you about your blind spots, and encourage you to take that step when the journey is challenging?

Each one of us needs that special group of people that will will support us in that way. It makes a difference and really challenges us to grow. Take time to think who they might be in your life!

Pause and Listen

Bridging the gap from simply managing to leading requires leaders to listen to the heart of the matter. Come from a place of curiosity, suspend judgment, work with a coach to help sharpen your listening skills.