Picture this: you've just been promoted to a leadership role after years of excelling as an individual contributor. You're eager to make your mark and prove your worth. You know how to get things done quickly, but you also want to be perceived as strategic. How do you strike the right balance? One of my coaching clients faced this exact challenge. As an IC, his reputation for getting things done quickly and avoiding “decision by committee” was always his strongest asset. But he quickly came to the realization that leadership required a different approach when promoted to report into the company’s CTO. He struggled to adapt and recently when a high-stakes decision came his way related to employee performance calibrations, they relied on their old approach: act fast, be decisive and figure it out yourself. But by moving too quickly, he failed to get input from a key stakeholder. The result? Confusion at the C-level, frustration, and a missed chance to show his team's value as thought partners instead of order takers. Through our coaching, my client learned a valuable lesson: Leaders need to know when to make a quick decision and when to take time for careful consideration and seeking input from the right people. Moving from an IC to a leader means knowing when to slow down, gather information, and involve others. Approaching situations with humility and openness to feedback is key to making choices that align with the company's long-term goals. With this new mindset, my client started to change their approach. They worked with their manager to set clear guidelines on when to move fast and when to get input via the RAPID model. They actively looked for ways to collaborate with colleagues and understand the company's needs better. As they found their footing, they realized that success as a leader meant balancing speed with strategic thinking. By staying humble and adjusting their style to the situation, they were able to provide the guidance and support their team and executives needed to make informed decisions. The path from top performer to effective leader is rarely a straight line. But by learning from experience and being willing to adapt, anyone can navigate the challenges of leadership with skill and impact. #promotions #strategicthinking #managingup #executivecoaching
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New to a management role? Here are the five key strategies to make sure you are as effective as possible in your first 100 days: 1. Act on Team Feedback. Leaders don't just hear, they engage in effective listening. Overlooking the insights and feedback your team gives you kills innovation and stifles morale. Acting quickly on feedback and creating a culture of open dialogue fuels trust and collaboration. And if they haven't given you feedback - ask for it. 2. Identify individual strengths. Every team member brings a unique set of skills to the table. Recognise that, work out the best way to use that talent, and adapt your style accordingly to make sure you lead them in the way that is right for them. 3. Don't Underestimate the Power of Delegation . Trying to do it all yourself only leads to burnout and your team feeling like they aren't being given the opportunities that they need to thrive. Effective delegation enhances team capacity and empowerment - don't forget that. 4. Identify Areas of Personal Development. Leadership is a journey. A new role may well identify areas of growth and development in yourself - and ignoring that can seriously undermine your ability to inspire and lead effectively. Investing in yourself allows you to stay adaptive and influential. 5. Establish Clear Goals. Without direction, teams flounder. Setting clear, achievable goals establishes effective communication and a tangible roadmap for success. This helps to align the team's objectives and keep them on track. By making sure you hit those 5 strategies, new managers can enhance team dynamics, drive success in their organisation, and pave a robust path for their own leadership journey. Are you ready to transform your management approach and lead with confidence? #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #newmanagers #newmanager #newleader #first100days
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I help sales reps and leaders go from good to great by mastering the mindset, habits, and skills needed in their careers.
Leadership is hard. As an established leader, you often have to swim upstream: - 40-60% of U.S. executives fail (Harvard) - 40% of executives and corporate officers fail (McKinsey) And new managers? - 60% of new managers fail in their first 18 months (Gartner) Embrace these insights to drive success: 1️⃣ Set clear expectations Remember the journey you took to your current role. Share the valuable lessons you learned over time. Tip: Clearly communicate your expectations regarding Goals (the what) and Approach (the how) to transform challenges into learning opportunities. 2️⃣ Delegate proactively Embrace your new role fully by delegating your previous responsibilities. This not only lightens your load but empowers your team, creating a dynamic and proactive work environment. Tip: Delegate before you feel fully ready; it’s a growth opportunity for everyone. 3️⃣ Build trust from day 1 Understand that trust builds over time, even with long-standing colleagues. But the journey starts on day one. Tip: Foster trust through active listening, consistent actions, and fulfilling commitments. Small gestures can make a significant impact. 4️⃣ Provide clarity Every aspect of your leadership – from communication to decision-making – significantly impacts your team. Be mindful of your words and actions. Remember, clarity and consistency in your approach can streamline processes and enhance team efficiency. Tip: Embrace a thoughtful approach. Deliberation leads to effective actions. 5️⃣ Act decisively While it’s important to lead with humility and gather diverse insights, decisive action is key. Know when to shift from gathering input to making informed decisions. Clarity in your decision-making process empowers your team and drives progress. Tip: Clearly distinguish between ‘Debate’ and ‘Decide’ phases for better team alignment. Remember, leadership is a skill that can be honed and developed. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow and excel. PS. What's your best piece of advice to a new leader? #leadership #growth #personaldevelopment
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In my journey as a leadership coach, I've often encountered brilliant technical leaders who excel in their fields yet struggle with a crucial element: connecting with their teams on a deeper level. Let me share a story about one of my clients, let's call him T. T was an exceptionally skilled IT professional, mastering the technical aspects of his role with ease. However, he felt something was missing – a genuine connection with his colleagues and beyond. T's interactions were primarily transactional, driven by logical and rational processes. While this approach worked for task completion, it left a void in building sense and meaningful relationships. Together, we embarked on a journey to tap into a more empathetic and connected side of T, allowing him to experience a transformative shift. This change didn't just impact his personal life but also revolutionized his professional interactions. This story is not unique. Many technical leaders face similar challenges. Roles that demand high technical proficiency often overshadow the need for empathy and connection, leading to a transactional work environment. As leaders, focusing solely on tasks can result in a lack of purpose and drive within the team. Imagine transactional work as a plain lettuce salad – functional but uninspiring. Adding empathy and connection is like enhancing that salad with vibrant ingredients, creating a fulfilling experience. The truth is, even in highly technical roles, people crave connection and a sense of belonging. When leaders bridge this gap, they unlock their teams' true potential, fostering creativity and engagement. This not only enhances team performance but also frees up leaders to focus on projects they value most. If you feel there's a blind spot in how you connect with your team, consider the impact of a more engaged, empowered team. As a coach, I help technical leaders (finance, IT, engineers) like you build these essential connections, driving both personal and organizational success. Ready to unlock the power of connection in your team? Let's connect and explore how we can make this transformation together. #Leadership #Coaching #TechnicalLeaders #TeamEngagement #Empowerment #engagement
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Executive Coach | CEO Peer Groups | PXT Select™ Authorized Partner & Certified Practitioner | Wildlife and Nature Photographer
Balancing Authority and Approachability as a Leader As an executive coach, one common challenge I see leaders face is finding the right balance between authority and approachability. Striking this balance is crucial for building trust and maintaining respect within the team. This is how I help leaders navigate this dynamic and how you can implement it in your organization: Set Clear Expectations: Start by clearly defining your expectations and boundaries. This establishes your authority and ensures everyone knows what is required. Regularly communicate these expectations during team meetings and one-on-ones to reinforce your leadership stance. Practice Active Listening: Being approachable means making time to listen to your team. Schedule regular check-ins and be genuinely interested in their ideas and concerns. Active listening fosters trust and shows your team that you value their input. Be Transparent and Honest: Transparency builds credibility. Share the reasoning behind your decisions and be honest about challenges the team or company may be facing. When your team understands the 'why' behind your actions, they are more likely to respect and follow your lead. Show Empathy and Support: Balance your authority with empathy. Show your team that you care about their well-being. Offer support when they face personal or professional challenges and be flexible when needed. This humanizes your leadership and strengthens your relationship with the team. Actionable Steps: Communicate Expectations: Clearly outline roles, responsibilities, and goals in meetings and follow-ups. Regular Check-Ins: Schedule weekly or bi-weekly one-on-ones to listen to your team’s feedback and concerns. Be Transparent: During team meetings, explain the reasons behind key decisions and be open about challenges. Offer Support: Provide resources and support for team members facing difficulties, and practice empathy in your interactions. Finding the right balance between authority and approachability takes practice, but it’s essential for effective leadership. How do you manage this balance in your leadership role? #leadershipbalance #authority #approachability #changemanagement
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Executive Wingman, Empowering Senior Executives | Strategic Vision | High-Stakes Decision Making | Personal Growth & Resilience | Transforming Leaders to Achieve Their Full Potential
Like a lot of leadership writing, I am guilty of making it seem like a management utopia is possible if we just make a few changes at work. Unfortunately, the reality often falls short. 😕 Every leader has constraints, and acknowledging the limits of what you can control from the outset is crucial—we can't fix everything at once, and it's vital to set realistic expectations when transforming leadership culture. 🔄 Common Challenges: 🎯 Decision-Making and Accountability: Teams often lack the necessary information to make informed decisions, which can hinder their ability to take accountability. 🛡 Fear-Based Culture: Overcoming a punitive environment where mistakes are met with retribution is challenging. It takes time for people to trust in a new, more forgiving approach. ⚖️ Policy Constraints: Leaders frequently don't control company policies but must work within the realms of their influence. 🎮 Micromanagement: You might still be micromanaged, receiving mandates on outputs and deliverables that may not align with your vision. Each transformation journey I've led looked different because of these varied challenges. But don't be discouraged if the vision seems unattainable right now. 🌟 A Path Forward: 🌱 Craft a Practical Vision: Identify Key Objectives: Start by defining three to five critical objectives that address the core challenges your team faces. 👥 Engage Your Team: Communicate Clearly and Regularly: Use regular team meetings to communicate the vision and its importance. Ensure every team member understands their role in this vision. 🔍 Empower Decision-Making: Define Decision Boundaries: Clearly outline what decisions team members are empowered to make on their own and where they need to consult with management. 💡 Provide Support: Think of Yourself as a Coach: Take some time to work with your team members one-on-one. Teach them how to coach their team members. ⏱ Repurpose Your Time for Operational Excellence: Delegate Routine Tasks: Identify tasks that can be effectively handled by other team members to free up your time for strategic initiatives. This is a journey of expansion—start with what you can influence and steadily extend your impact. 💪 What steps have you taken in your leadership journey to overcome these challenges? Let's discuss below! 💬 #leadership #practicalleadership #operationalexcellence Image credit: Aaron Maurer -- 🔔 Follow me for insights to empower your teams, optimize your processes, and unlock your organization's full potential. Together, we can drive meaningful change and achieve remarkable results.
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Check out a piece I wrote about leadership. #crawfordconsulting
I have found myself thinking a lot about leadership lately. A good leader inspires but a bad one creates hostile and unproductive work environments. Being a leader, I’ve always felt it was my job to let my team do what they do best, in whatever way that worked for them. To the leaders I’ve had in the last few years, I want to say thank you. Some taught me how to not be a bad leader. Leadership is a privledge and a responsibility. It's a challenging journey, often messy and unrewarding, yet immensely impactful if done with integrity and dedication. Throughout my experiences, I've encountered exceptional leaders and, regrettably, some less so. Reflecting on these experiences, I've come to understand that leadership is a choice – one that demands a commitment to mentorship and guiding others toward success. While there are numerous qualities associated with effective leadership, I believe three stand out as particularly crucial: deliberate delegation, adaptive leadership styles, and active listening. Firstly, deliberate delegation involves more than just assigning tasks; it requires entrusting others with responsibilities while providing support and guidance. Micromanagement erodes trust and stifles team dynamics, ultimately hindering productivity. Trusting individuals to execute tasks autonomously fosters a sense of ownership and collective achievement. Secondly, effective leadership demands adaptability in style. There's no one-size-fits-all approach; leaders must tailor their methods to accommodate the diverse personalities and preferences of those they lead. Embracing flexibility while maintaining core values cultivates a culture of inclusivity and empowerment. Lastly, listening outweighs commanding in the hierarchy of effective leadership. Acknowledging and learning from diverse perspectives enriches decision-making and strengthens team cohesion. Prioritizing active listening over unilateral directives fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual respect. Leadership is a continuous journey of growth and refinement. By prioritizing deliberate delegation, adaptive leadership, and active listening, individuals can embark on a path toward impactful and effective leadership, regardless of title or position. #leadership #thoughtleader #peoplefirst #growthmindset #leadershipinsights
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🚫 5 Leadership Mistakes That Can Derail Your Team 🚫 Leading a team can be incredibly fulfilling. You get to witness your ideas come to life, collaborate with talented individuals, and help them reach their full potential. But even the best leaders can make mistakes, and these can have a domino effect, demotivating your team and impacting your bottom line. To help you navigate the leadership landscape, here are 5 crucial mistakes to avoid, based on insights from MindTools 🔎 Micromanaging: Micromanagement is the death knell of creativity and initiative. Trust your team members by setting clear goals and expectations, then empower them to make decisions and take ownership. 🗯 Unclear Communication: Imagine working on a project with shifting priorities and ambiguous goals. Frustrating,right? Ensure clear communication by outlining roles, responsibilities, and well-defined objectives. Provide regular updates to keep everyone on the same page. 👁️🗨️ Lack of Recognition: People crave appreciation for their efforts. Don't wait for a yearly review to acknowledge a team member's achievements. Celebrate successes big and small, both publicly and privately. 🧘♂️ Emotional Incompetence: Effective leaders are emotionally intelligent. They manage their own emotions and respond constructively to those of others. Cultivate active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution skills to foster a positive team dynamic. ⛔ Failing to Invest in Development: Investing in your team's professional development demonstrates your commitment to their growth. Provide opportunities for training, mentorship, and skill-building workshops to keep your team sharp and competitive. By recognizing these leadership pitfalls, you can create a thriving work environment where your team feels valued,empowered, and motivated to excel. What leadership mistakes have you encountered, or overcome? Share your learnings in the comments and let's keep the conversation going! #leadership #teamwork #givingfeedback #management #leadershippitfalls 🌟 Mintools article: https://lnkd.in/d67hTxSx
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Providing Transformational Solutions for Individuals & Organisations | Executive Coach | Facilitator | Leadership Expert| Change Agent
Top Tip: Don't be too good at your job! A common dilemma faced by new leaders is feeling the pressure to solve every problem while running around like headless chickens. It's akin to juggling too many tasks simultaneously and ending up completely overwhelmed. This path sets the stage for failure and eventual burnout. The remedy lies in recognising that management is a journey, consisting of three distinct stages. Step 1: Figure Out What Matters Most As a leader, it's easy to get caught up trying to prove yourself to everyone. But the truth is, you don't need to do it all. Take a moment to breathe and focus on what's important. Identify your top priorities and concentrate on what you need to do to lead your team effectively. Step 2: Get Your Systems in Place In your second year as a leader, it's time to get organised. Spend some time setting up systems and processes to make your team's life easier. Experiment with different workflows, automate tasks, and delegate responsibilities. It might take a bit of trial and error, but finding the right system will pay off in the long run. Step 3: Look to the Future Once you've got your team running smoothly, it's time to think about what comes next. How can you advance in your career? Take some time to understand your boss's role and the bigger picture of the company. Seeing each promotion as a 3 stage cycle will help you idenfity what is important and ensure a smotth transition through to the next leadership level. REMEMBER: Don't be too good at your job. Being too much of an expert could actually hold you back from moving up. Focus on building solid systems and reporting to move through middle management quickly. #Leadership #management #careerdevelopment
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Empowering leaders to release inner power and live a successful life in both life and leadership | NLP Trainer | Mentor | MCC-ICF, Certified Life & Leadership Coach (By ICF & EMCC)
The Art of Warning: Leading with Appreciation and Direction Ever feel stuck between praising a team member's ten successes and then having to deliver a warning for a single misstep? You're not alone! As leaders, we all face this balancing act. But what if there's a way to address both effectively? This recently came up in a coaching session with a senior leader. He was hesitant to deliver a warning letter, worried about its impact on his team member's morale. It got me thinking - how can we provide constructive criticism while still showing appreciation for our team's overall contributions? Here's the key: 📌Focus on the act, not the person📌 When a team member makes a mistake, it doesn't define them. They simply took a misstep. Our feedback should reflect that. In the coaching session, we discussed emphasizing the specific action needing improvement, while also highlighting the team member's capabilities. This approach separates the action from the person, making the feedback less personal and more actionable. The result? In our next session, the leader reported a productive conversation with his team member. They were able to discuss the specific action, develop a plan for improvement, and move forward. Here's the takeaway for all leaders and managers: ➡️ Be courageous in providing both praise and warnings for the betterment of your team and the organization. ➡️Focus on the specific act, not the person. This keeps the feedback objective and avoids personalization. ➡️Think of warnings as "feed-forward" mechanisms, guiding your team members towards future success. Leaders aren't afraid of constructive criticism, and neither should our teams! Let's ditch the sugar-coating and embrace the role of true mentors, providing clear and actionable feedback that empowers our teams to thrive. What are your thoughts on delivering constructive criticism? Share your experiences in the comments! #leadership #management #feedback #coaching #communication
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Ex DirectorGround Ops and LearningCenter flybig, IOSH, NEBOSH.Airport Ops, Client Engagement
When MANAGERS are NOT leading? Being in a MANAGERIAL POSITION is NOT the same thing as LEADING. 1️⃣HOW? TO LEAD, YOU MUST: ✅️CONNECT ✅️MOTIVATE ✅️INSPIRE a sense of OWNERSHIP and SHARED OBJECTIVES in the people and teams you lead. PERSONAL REFLECTION: It is vital for any leader as it is a POWERFUL TOOL for: 🔔SELF-AWARENESS 🔔GROWTH 🔔EFFECTIVE DECISION-MAKING. 2️⃣HOW DOES IT HELP? REGULAR INTROSPECTION allows you as a leader TO UNDERSTAND your: 💡STRENGTHS 💡WEAKNESSES 💡VALUES 💡BELIEFS It helps you ALIGN your ACTIONS WITH personal and organizational GOALS. 3️⃣WHY IT IS IMPORTANT? Through reflection, a leader can LEARN from both SUCCESS and FAILURE, GAIN INSIGHTS into their leadership style and see its IMPACT ON their TEAM. 4️⃣WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR THE MANAGERS?Personal reflection encourages MANAGERS to ASSESS THEIR STRATEGIES critically, MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS, and RESPOND THOUGHTFULLY to challenges, ultimately contributing to IMPROVED COMMUNICATION, TEAM COHESION, and overall organizational success. 🚨WITHOUT KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING how effective you are at leading, you’re "FLYING BLIND" and likely telling yourself that you’re doing a better job than what's occurring in your workplace. Without this, you are simply managing others and doing it from a POSITION, POWER, or RANK. 🚦Questions Great Bosses Ask Themselves,” a MONTHLY SELF-ASSESSMENT that MANAGERS can utilize to determine how well they PERFORM as LEADERS. They focus on the following nine key areas: 1️⃣Priorities? 2️⃣Team Performance? 3️⃣Taking Responsibility? 4️⃣Leading by Example? 5️⃣What Your People are Hearing? 6️⃣What's Not Working? 7️⃣Checking Our Ego??? 8️⃣Team Collaboration? 9️⃣Maintaining Personal Sanity? GETTING FEEDBACK from those in your circle of influence will always help. Still, don't solely rely on it to make this determination. Every month, ASK YOURSELF, PAUSE, and REFLECT to see how your THOUGHTS ALIGN with those of your TEAM and your managers. #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipmindset #leadershipcoaching #leadingchange #leadingbyexample #teamculture #teamdevelopment #teamcoaching #feedbackculture #feedbackmatters
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Paymerang, LLC (formerly The Payments Company)
1moIn my opinion and experience leadership is similar to parenting. There is no written manual for either of them. There are lots of things to consider ( think it thru) to deal with uncertainty and challenges as you lead the way for a better future and the success of your teams or a child.