CLARITY

Jan

2024

Thinking – A Leaders Weapon

As leaders, we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of work. From meetings and calls to emails and deadlines, the noise and constant activity can be overwhelming at times. But what if I told you that the key to success may lie in the power of silence and thinking time?

At first, the idea of silence and thinking time may seem counterintuitive to the go-getter mentality we’ve been conditioned to embrace. If you are like me, you like to keep going. There is always another goal to accomplish, a task to do, and life to impact. Maybe we can go fast by slowing down. Let’s look at a few benefits of slowing down to think.

Clarity

One of the most important benefits of silence and thinking time is the opportunity for clarity. In the midst of our busy schedules, it’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of day-to-day tasks, losing sight of the bigger picture. Taking time to quiet our minds and reflect allows us to gain a fresh perspective and see our work from a new angle. This helps us make more informed decisions and set strategic goals for the future.

Creativity

Silence and thinking time also give us the space to tap into our creativity. When we’re constantly on the go, it challenges our ability to access our creative potential. By allowing ourselves the time to be alone with our thoughts, we create an environment that is conducive to innovative thinking and problem-solving. Whether it’s brainstorming new ideas or finding solutions to existing challenges, the power of silence can be a game-changer for our businesses.

Well-being

Silence and thinking time are essential for our mental and emotional well-being. The constant noise and busyness of a leader’s life can take a toll on our mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Taking time for silence and reflection allows us to recharge our batteries, reduce stress, and foster a sense of inner peace. This not only benefits us personally but also has a positive impact on our leadership abilities and decision-making.

So, how can we incorporate more silence and thinking time into our daily routine? It’s all about making intentional choices to prioritize these moments. This might involve scheduling regular breaks throughout the day to step away from our work and simply breathe, or setting aside designated periods of time for quiet contemplation.

Ultimately, as leaders, it’s important to recognize that silence and thinking time are not a luxury but a necessity. By embracing these moments of stillness, we can find greater clarity, creativity, and emotional well-being, ultimately leading to more success in our businesses. What will you do in the next week to create space for silence? Need a tool to guide your thinking specifically on your business in these silent moments? Check out https://bit.ly/6WaysLead to get a free e-book on Six Ways to Think Into Your Leadership. Lead well.

Aug

2023

Keys to Effective Delegation

As a business leader, you understand the importance of delegating tasks and trusting the process. It can be difficult to manage every aspect of what you lead, so it’s important to recognize when you need to delegate some of your responsibilities to someone else. Delegation can be challenging, but when done correctly, it can be incredibly beneficial to the success of your business.

Clarity

When delegating tasks, be clear and concise about what needs to be done. Outline the job that needs to be completed, the timeline for completion, and any specific requirements or criteria that need to be met. This will ensure the task is completed correctly and within the time frame needed. It’s also important to communicate your expectations for the task. This gives the person you are delegating to the best chance of success.

Trust

One of the most critical aspects of delegation is trust. This may require you to take the time to get to know the person you are entrusting the task to. Ask them questions about their experience and skills, and find out how they would handle different situations. Provide them with smaller tasks to test them and grow your trust. When you’ve determined this person is capable of handling the task, you can know they will complete it correctly and on time.

Feedback

Provide feedback and support to those you have delegated tasks to. This helps ensure tasks are completed to the best of their abilities, and that the team is working together efficiently and effectively. If you have provided clarity on what you expect up front then feedback will communicate how well they are meeting your expectations.

Patience

Remember, trust is earned over time, so be patient and consistent. Don’t expect perfection; mistakes will happen, and that’s OK. When they do, teach, correct, and encourage them so they feel empowered to continue to stretch themselves. Showing respect and understanding will go a long way in building trust and creating a successful delegation relationship.

Which of these areas do you need to grow in with those you lead? Need help thinking into your leadership and growth? Contact me for a no-cost to you coaching session. Keep delegating and lead well.

Jun

2018

Leading in Fog

“I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust.”

Mother Teresa

I was washing the dishes and listening to a talk that applied to business when the person being interviewed stated the above quote. I paused the lesson and had to reflect. I am a recovering perfectionist and this hurts me when it comes to leading others into action.

As a child I never had to have clarity. I’m sure if I asked my mom I didn’t sit on the floor thinking of all the possible consequences of trying to stand up and take my first step. I’m pretty sure I tried, failed, got up again and kept trying until eventually as I followed the process I got it and am now an expert at walking. The only clarity I had was that I wanted to move faster and probably I figured the “big people” use two feet so maybe I should. I would guess I also trusted my parents wouldn’t let me get hurt or I learned the fall wasn’t too bad and that built my trust.

What happened?

It seems as we get older we trust less because we want to control everything, but can we really control everything? Being in control and having complete clarity and control is great leadership, right? Maybe our need to control and have perfect clarity holds us back. Here are three ideas that can help us lead others better even when the picture is not perfectly clear.

Have a plan. When we were toddlers we had a plan . . . take one step and then try to take the next. That was about as clear as it probably got in our small brains. As leaders we must have a plan and a sound one that makes reasonable sense and maybe has been proven if what we are trying to lead has been done by others. BUT . . . do we hesitate because the plan isn’t perfect or mistake–proof? As one of my mentors Paul Martinelli who is president of the John Maxwell Team says: a plan could just be one step.
Let Go. Control . . . that could be a whole post in itself. As leaders we like to be in control (or at least feel like it). In our need to have control I wonder are we failing to trust? Trust others, trust our instincts, or trust that if we go to a meeting where we do not know anyone there will be a positive outcome. In letting go of our desire to control we are able to free ourselves to lead in our strengths as well as empower others to do the same.
Trust. Who do we trust in? Is the source of our trust worthy of it? When I was in college I saw a quote on a professor’s desk: “To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.” George McDonald. As a leader when we trust someone else we are truly empowering them. Entrusting another person will enable them and you to have greater clarity of purpose and direction.

What about you? Do you hesitate to act until you have a perfect plan or are you willing to move into action and even enable those you lead to move into action so that clarity will come? What do you need to let go of in your leadership at work or home today or simply trust, move and believe clarity will come? Lead well.