Be Proactive Rather Than Reactive

Are you someone who often reacts negatively to challenges? Do you feel trapped or like you have no options?

A more effective approach is to let your core values steer your actions. Don’t allow outside influences to dictate your feelings and behaviors. Instead, recognize that you hold the power over your emotions. There’s always a solution to every problem, and it’s your responsibility to uncover it. Think of it this way: true heroes never give up; they explore every possible avenue until they find success.

This mindset not only helps you maintain clarity but also boosts the morale of your team. As their trusted leader, if you show signs of defeat, they may lose faith in your guidance.

Set Clear Goals

As a leader, envision the outcomes you desire before embarking on any journey. Essentially, you can’t create a path if you don’t know your destination. Many successful individuals emphasize the importance of visualizing your goals and taking incremental steps toward them.

Having well-defined goals keeps your team focused and aware of their direction, motivating them to follow the path you've laid out. Without this clarity, you risk being perceived as a controlling figure rather than an inspiring leader.

Remember: there’s a significant difference between being a BOSS and a LEADER!

Prioritize Effectively

It can be tempting to offload minor tasks onto your team members. “Oh, Mike can handle that.” But at what cost?

Did that task really need immediate attention? Will this disrupt other assignments? Is Mike feeling overwhelmed? Such questions are crucial. Small tasks can accumulate and create unnecessary busywork.

Establish a clear list of priorities for your employees. Simply communicate their main and secondary responsibilities. For instance, “Hey Mike, I may pass these tasks to you occasionally. However, focus on (blank) first, and tackle this when you can.”

While this may seem straightforward, miscommunication here is a common reason employees choose to leave their jobs. By providing clear guidance, you’ll be seen as a supportive leader.

Bonus Tip: Your team appreciates when you’re willing to pitch in with the more mundane tasks. If you’re seen sweeping the floor, for example, it becomes a lot easier to ask Mike to do so too.

Always remember: Leader > Boss

Avoid Power Trips

Never compete with your employees or colleagues. Maintain a positive outlook; you are in your leadership role for a reason. No one is aiming for your position, and no one is out to undermine you.

Instead, foster collaboration, especially with your team. They handle tasks regularly that you may not be familiar with, which means they likely have valuable insights for improvement. Engage with their ideas and encourage open communication.

If you allow your ego to take control and go on a “Power Trip,” you risk being viewed as unapproachable and difficult to work with, making it hard to retain a solid team.

Listen to Understand

Do you truly listen to your team, or do you merely hear them? When you’re only hearing someone, you might already be crafting your response before they finish speaking. However, active listening allows you to grasp the full meaning of their words, enabling you to explain how they contribute to the overall goal.

Most team members don’t want to offend you; they often drop hints about their needs. Understanding these subtle cues varies from person to person, so it’s essential to know your team well. If you fail to comprehend their needs, you risk losing them.

Recognize Individual Strengths and Weaknesses

It’s crucial to remember that everyone is unique. What motivates you may not resonate with Chris, and what works for Chris might not suit Mike. This diversity is a strength, and there are countless routes to achieving the same goal.

Take the time to learn about your team members and understand their work styles. Once you have this insight, incorporate their preferences into your overall strategy. Collaborate effectively to keep everything running smoothly.

Commit to Personal Growth

Never allow yourself to become complacent! Continuously seek knowledge and self-improvement. Your physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual health is essential for fostering a positive work environment. Engage in activities like exercising, journaling, empathizing, or meditating—whatever helps you stay balanced.

You cannot guide your team toward success if you aren’t in a good place yourself. Covey refers to this as “Sharpening the Saw.”

In Conclusion

I once had a supervisor take over leadership of a team after I had been unofficially leading during a period of absence. I didn’t mind this change, as my resume lacked the credibility at the time. However, the team struggled to adapt to the new authority. This resistance stemmed not from bitterness but from the new boss's attempts to assert dominance, disrupting our previously smooth operations.

The team viewed this new leader as overbearing and counterproductive. In contrast, my leadership had been effective because I adhered to Covey's principles and the strategies outlined above.

The takeaway? Don’t be just a boss—be a true leader. Your team will appreciate and respect you for it, allowing you to cultivate and maintain a talented and successful group.