Vision in Balance

You may have been hired for your skill set, but continued employment is based on your value to the company. Are you able to clearly state your value proposition to your current company?

Value can be built by learning new skills, by inquiring about other positions within the company/department or by helping others achieve their best. Employers value people who can identify problems and offer solutions.

By thinking 2 levels above your current position, you mentally prepare yourself for the next promotion/challenge.

The most dangerous risk we take in our lives is not doing what we truly want on the hope that we can buy enough time to do it later. Unfortunately for most people, that time never comes. If this rings true and you want to "bust out" next year, visit my website and see if a personal coach might be the answer.

When facing tough decisions, leaders may consider asking themselves the following questions:
1. Can I bring value to the situation?
2. Can I create a win-win situation?
3. Have I put aside any personal agenda?

If you have answered YES to these questions, then the decision you make will be a responsible one. Even if the news/decision is not favorable, the manner in which you have arrived at that decision will leave open the possibility that the other person can walk away with dignity and see beyond the present moment.

Sometimes leading means following. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but good leaders know when to step aside and let someone else shine and take the lead. By knowing the right time to do this, you give the gift of letting another person develop their own skills and take a risk. Of course, being a good leader, you are always their to support and encourage them if they stumble. True leaders inspire and empower others to make decisive and responsible decisions. True leaders know it is not about them, but about mentoring and developing others.

What do followers want from their leaders?

1. INTEGRITY.
2. VISION.
3. COMPETENCE

Followers also want to be INSPIRED. According to the author Barry Posner, people are most often inspired by actions and example. So don't worry if you can't deliver a rousing, standing ovation type of speech. You don't need to bang the desk or even raise your voice to be inspirational. Consistently "walking the walk" will do more to inspire the troops than any public display or showy presentation. Think back to those in your past who greatly influenced you and I bet many of them could be described as "quiet leaders" who led by example. If you truly listen to others, act without an agenda, and do the right thing, you will certainly inspire.

What do followers want from their leaders?

1. INTEGRITY.
2. VISION.

And checking in at #3 is COMPETENCE.

At the very least, one should possess a core competence of the job/task at hand. But according the "The Leadership Challenge", you do not have to be an expert on every aspect of your position. In most instances, that is an unrealistic expectation. What IS expected by followers, as much as core competence, is knowing that their leaders are actively pursuing professional and personal growth. By doing so, you set the tone for the entire team that the status quo is not acceptable. Sharing your resources and knowledge is also important. The next time you read an article/book/see a quote that you value..........share it with your colleagues.

Influence, not power, is the key to building dynamic relationships. This is an interesting read from one of my favorite sources......Daniel Pink.

How to get ahead: 5 questions for Joel Garfinkle | Daniel H. Pink Not everyone craves the proverbial key to the executive washroom, but nearly everyone wants to have influence in their workplace, have others think well of