4 Ways to Seize The Greatest Opportunity Leaders Miss
Good things get in the way of great things.
Day-to-day “good stuff” prevents leaders from seizing their greatest opportunity.
7 good things leaders do:
- Articulate, promote, and live organizational values.
- Seize opportunities.
- Avoid blame and own problems. (Don’t allow problem-fixing to persistently overshadow opportunity-seizing.)
- Rise out of the weeds to reconnect with the big picture.
- Gather information and make decisions.
- Deliver results through others.
- Move forward by learning from mistakes.
(And much more.)
4 ways to seize the greatest opportunity leaders miss:
Talent development is the greatest opportunity leaders miss.
Yesterday, after a two hour session, I asked a team what they’re learning about developing talent. Here’s some of their feedback.
#1. Embrace the awkward silence.
Silence in coaching is good. Space to think is opportunity to take responsibility.
Filling the awkward silence for someone blocks their growth.
#2. Shift to forward-facing curiosity.
The real opportunity is next time, not last time.
It doesn’t take a genius to give excuses.
“What will you do next week,” is better than, “Why did you fall short last week?”
When strategies are repetitions of ineffective behaviors, say, “That didn’t work last time.” After challenging ineffective strategies, generate alternative approaches. “What will you do differently next time?”
#3. Say what you see.
Development requires feedback.
Describe behaviors that reflect resistance. When someone leans back and crosses their arms, say, “I notice you just leaned back and crossed your arms, what’s going on for you?”
Describe behaviors that serve others well. “Your ability to learn from failure and move forward is powerful. How can we apply that in this situation?”
#4. Judge people through the lens of their aspiration and values, not yours.
Bring out their best. Don’t impose your aspirations on others.
- Choose language they use.
- Define their goals for their growth.
- Challenge people to challenge themselves.
People do things for their reasons, not yours.
What have you learned about developing talent?
Great post as always, Dan. My leadership nugget on development is the power of self-discovery and asking the “right questions right” to foster that phenomenon. How much more are we likely to implement an idea when it comes from our own minds versus being pontificated about by another. Powerful!
Thanks Marcia. “Ask the right question right…” That’s so useful. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Good morning, Dan,
I LOVE this blog! While reading #2, I thought of something I tell my novice junior golfers in a league that I help run…. I ask the players, “Do you know which hole is the best hole to par on the golf course?” They guess, but they are incorrect! The best hole to par on a golf course is the hole you are on. Focus on this one hole at this time. The second best hole to par is the next one. Applying this to leadership works well, too!
I liked #4. In general it can be a challenge to see another’s perspective on an issue or situation. So it is so important to consider that person’s values or goals when trying to be a part of their growth and development as a person and professional. Thanks Dan!