What Matters Today
Leadership is all fluff when you neglect what matters. Busyness causes you to miss what matters today.
7 things that don’t matter much:
- Sitting behind a desk.
- Excuses.
- Answering email the moment it comes in.
- Controlling people.
- Pretending you’re perfect.
- Talk without action.
- Remembering offenses.
Connecting with people matters:
Leadership is influence. Influence requires connection. Influence grows when relationships strengthen.
Connection requires humility. Isolated leadership is arrogant leadership.
Secluded leaders use secrecy and distance to create the illusion of status. Connected leaders build respect. Respect eliminates the need for position and title.
10 ways to do what matters today:
- Practice MBWA. Manage by wandering around.
- Consider interruptions opportunities. Ask, “What do you suggest?”
- Highlight reasons. Explain the reason you’re solving problems. Shared purpose strengthens relationships.
- Seek feedback regarding off-putting behaviors. Reflect on:
- The way you talk, tone, content, intent.
- The way you listen.
- How people feel when you leave the room or call.
- Reject know-it-all leadership. Constantly seek input and perspective from others.
- Compensate for weaknesses. Everyone who has it all together is hiding something.
- Share information lavishly because secrets block connection and suggest inequities.
- Help others connect. Ask, “Who might be helpful,” not, “What might be helpful?”
- Share stories.
- Be transparent about your weaknesses and failures. Don’t whine. A healthy way to reveal failure is to say, “One thing I learned….”
3 ways to find time to connect:
There are only three ways to find more time.
- Eliminate. Do less of what matters less.
- Accelerate. Improve at what matters more, connecting, for example.
- Delegate. Get someone else to do stuff.
What’s one thing a leader can do today to connect with people?
Still curious:
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Ask two questions and listen, before making your first comment.
Ask about their thoughts and ideas as well as how they are feeling about current conditions and future opportunities.
Thanks, Paul. Practical and actionable. The deeper power is in the second question. For example, “What are your concerns about this,” followed by, “What makes that important to you?” (There are many forms of second question. This one focuses on values.)
What’s one thing a leader can do today to connect with people?
– Listen. To anything others want to talk about – it is important to them. Not for hours, but for a few minutes.
Great list, Dan. Challenged by several, but particularly encouraged by 1. Practice MBWA. This often feels like unproductive time or like I’m “checking up”. I am careful to stop by just to say hi with no agenda. Glad to hear confirmation of the importance of it.
Thanks, Ryan. Gallup’s research indicates that just noticing people is useful. I hear you on “checking up.” Too much of that is destructive.