barryfutch.com

If you’re in leadership in any way, shape or form, regardless of position, be it CEO, midlevel manager, overseer of a project, or parent. You will want to reread, review, and meditate on what you are about to read. It’s my humble opinion from holding numerous and various leadership roles and positions there are three core responsibilities of any leadership role.

Leadership is defined as an action of leading a group of people. In writing about this subject or topic, the information could go on for pages. But my intent is to drill down to what really matters, the core responsibilities of leadership and what leaders need to know and to put into practice to be highly successful in their leadership role. There are three areas, once mastered that will create winning teams, develop other leaders along the way, build a culture of integrity, and create an incredible environment for continued success. However, you must remember as a leader being anything other than an exemplary example to the people you lead in these three areas is non-negotiable.

I’m going to take for granted that as a leader the end goal has already been created either for you or by you and thus, you are at a point of implementation or maybe somewhere in between the beginning or the end. No matter, these three areas of the core responsibilities are but a framework to be studied in more detail and expanded upon at your leisure. The more of an understanding you have of each will lead to greater success. Let’s get started!

First, understand that in order to be effective in leading, you must know and I mean know the people you are leading. Their strengths, weaknesses, personalities, hopes, dreams, hardships at home and in life, children, etc. Knowing the people you lead thoroughly really matters and being fair and just with each will create loyalty, trust, and a culture of caring for one another. This and this alone will lay the foundation for all things related to the success.

To begin with you must create belief in what you and your team are pursuing. If a positive expectation of a desired outcome is not encapsulated in belief, struggle and frustration are imminent. To be clear, creating belief can be challenging especially with the different personalities you are leading, so preparation is a must, which includes:

1. The motivation for the goal… the team or company must understand the why. Why the goal and what will it mean for them, the target objective, and the future upon completion.
2. Information and evidence that the goal matters.
3. The goal resonates with those involved. There should be evidence presented arousing curiosity and belief.
4. Overcoming and acknowledging the skepticism. Challenge the doubt. Address the issues with solution and answers that promote success.
5. Creating a culture of belief by reinforcing your belief.

Next, there must be a confident expectation of a positive outcome. This expectation must consistently be feed to build confidence through:

1. Stories… like the great adage says, “Facts tell but stories sale”. Always be prepared with stories that motivate, inspire, are positive, overcome doubts, are easily remembered, and that assurances a positive outcome.
2. Goals that are realistic but challenging
3. Managing the difficulties that arise, step by step, minus the trepidation.
4. Celebrating the small victories along the way.
5. WORDS… WORDS MATTER! There’s an old proverb that says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue”. So, watch what is being said, from your mouth and the mouth of others. Words can either build up or tear down. If the words being spoken are not reenforcing a confident expectation of a positive outcome, you’re hindering your possibilities for success. ALWAYS be positive in your words, the stories told, and the difficulties that may arise.

Last and the final core responsibility, A FLURISHING CULTURE, which is consistent reveals itself through:

1. Transparency… nothing should be kept from the team or group. To do so would create a negative environment. One of gossip, innuendos, weak relationships, and reduced trust. There must be transparency to build trust, relationships, and improve all aspects of the culture.
2. Patience in reaching the intended goal, and with one another.
3. Kindness toward one another.
4. Not demanding its own way.
5. Not letting jealousy, boastfulness, pride, or being rude dominate.
6. Never giving up, losing belief, or sight of the confident expectation of a positive outcome.
7. Enduring to the end, no matter the circumstances encountered.

A Leader that incorporates these three core responsibilities into their style of leadership. Along with complete preparation for each of these responsibilities and the actions required, will increase their opportunities for success. When implemented, a confident expectation of a positive outcome is assured.

Tags: belief, business, coaching, core responsibilities, culture, expectation, faith, hope, leadership, management, personal-development