Copyright (c)
2009 Lisa Haneberg
Management Performance
http://www.managementperformance.com/
If
I read another article that starts with, "during these tough times,"
I am going to scream. Let's get with it, leaders, these times are why we exist.
The more we talk about how the times are tough, the greater the likelihood that
we will approach our work as victims.
We are at our best
when we catalyze progress - when we create environments that help people, teams
and processes do great work together. I invite all leaders - at all levels in
the organization - to embrace the opportunity to be great like you never knew
you could be or was possible. Here are ten questions you can ask yourself and
your team to get catalytic juices flowing:
*
What's the new opportunity that we are not seeing? How might we learn from other
organizations, both competitors and non-competitors?
* How
might new trends in how people communicate and work open up new ways to improve
our organization? What does the workplace look like when we are focused and in
action?
* When a meeting feels flat and perfunctory, what's
going on? What's on people minds that they are not saying? What question could
I ask that would open the discussion back up? What's possible if I had the courage
to do this?
* What is "my best work" and how can
I ensure I do that today? How can I enable my team to do their best work?
*
If we were starting this organization from scratch, how would we design it? What
would we do if resources were not an issue?
* What's the
craziest idea that just might work?
* What are the most
irksome/damaging barriers facing me and my team right now and how can I reduce
or obliterate them?
* What is my manifesto (driving philosophy
and passion) as a leader and how can I ensure my team understands it? What is
our team's manifesto?
* What's possible now that was not
possible last year/month?
* Do I have my team focused on
doing the work that matters most? How can I optimize how we spend our precious
time?
Create your own list of questions and
bring them into your next staff meeting or team huddle. Select one of these questions
to drill down on with a small group of peers. Put a copy of this article in everyone's
inbox! Great questions help us generate productive conversations and conversations
are our currency for getting things done.
We are leaders
because we make things happen that would not happen without us. We are driven
to create, model, and catalyze excellence. We do not maintain. We do not play
the victim. We take the initiative to do whatever it takes to make a significant
and positive difference and we have more opportunities to do this today than ever.
As the great Henry V said in Shakespeare's play, "All things are ready if
our minds be so." And let's not forget Westmorland's response, "perish
the man whose mind is backward now!" Indeed. The most effective leaders will
shine bright now because they are ready to slog through any organizational muck
that threatens to slow their team down. Let's all be a part of the leadership
revolution.
