People stop trying when it’s hard to get things done. Indecision and bureaucracy inspire slumber.
Successful leaders make it easy to get things done.
20 ways to rouse the flamingos:
- Don’t use a team when an individual is all that’s needed.
- Choose a path and make it work. Don’t keep making the same decision over and over.
- Focus on people more than projects. Ask, “What are you learning about yourself?”
- Instill self-confidence. Self-doubt slows everyone. Tearing down is easy. Bold action requires confidence.
- Greet new ideas with enthusiasm. “Tell me more,” is better than, “That won’t work.”
- Adopt a learner’s attitude.
- Launch quick, safe, small, and cheap.
- Identify what matters now. A clear picture of the future informs what matters now.
- Clarify the destination. Let others determine the path.
- Connect behaviors with purpose.
- Forget the big picture. Just get something done. Checking things off the list motivates.
- Hold high expectations. Low expectations suggest you believe they’re incompetent. People rise up when you believe in them. “I’m counting on you,” instills confidence.
- Affirm more than correct. There’s too much put down going around. Give at least three affirmations for every correction.
- Release rather than control.
- Expect and reward results.
- Honor effort.
- Set deadlines. “We’ll evaluate this next month.” Time limits energize as long as they don’t overwhelm.
- Over-listen; under-talk. Don’t interrupt.
- Solve the big stuff. Forget perfection. Constantly asking, “what about this,” deflates.
- Limit options. Stop exploring every opportunity.
Elevate serving:
We’re too busy to serve. Crammed schedules prevent people from helping each other. Elevate serving.
Grab a junior member of the team and show up to serve someone for an hour. Send an email that says, “Mary and I are showing up to serve you for an hour next Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.”
How might you put feet to some of these ideas?
How can leaders rouse pink flamingos?
