Revisiting our priority default setting!
What it takes to be a successful leader appears to be one of the most important topics researched and discussed today. Leadership in business, in politics and in just about every area of life. Nowhere do I see however, the need to adjust priorities for leaders in the list of attributes and “must haves”.
Constant adjustment or at least frequent review to our priorities is needed as circumstances change, especially when facing head winds. Prioritizing tasks, assessing risks, communicating clearly and making the right decisions in a timely manner are four effective “how to’s” but may not be enough. Here is my short list of key decisions that reveal how setting the right priorities can help leaders succeed or fail.
Succession:
Every true leader should always prepare for succession. This is not complicated but is not always easy. A leader that does not dedicate time, effort and attention to preparing for a well planned and executed succession raises a “red flag” for me. The lack of a succession plan usually hides a leader that is inward focus rather than one putting the company, the organisation and/or the country – if a politician - as a first priority.
When and how to step down:
A real leader is one that knows when it is time to pass the baton, a well-known idiom that means to transfer responsibility or leadership to someone else. The timing of the succession should be selected in a way to optimize the execution and aiming for a smooth transition. Passing the baton in a hasty, surprising and unexpected manner reveals that wrong priorities influenced the change. Stepping down at the top of a career is usually much better than stepping down at the bottom of a career and timing reveals the internal motivation and priorities.
What comes first, second and third?
We do not live in a perfect world and we do not always have the time, the required information and the resources to make the right decisions. While many leaders have the experience, the education and leadership talents, it is character that separates the true leaders from the rest. One of my favourite inspiration words says, “reputation is what you do when everybody is watching, character is what you do when no one is watching.” Trusted leaders are not expected to be perfect but expected to have integrity, honesty and to lead by example. That is priority one!
The importance of having an anchor:
I am using this analogy to underline the importance of having an anchor. Boats are not made to stay in a harbour. They are made to sail the oceans, seas and lakes. Winds, currents and storms are part of sailing. Whether in our personal lives (moms and dads), in business (CEO’s and Managers), heading governments (Prime Minsters and Premiers), we all need to have an anchor that is reliable and ready for use. Politicians and CEO’s that put their career ahead of doing what is right for their country and stakeholders respectively, leave a negative legacy. Always check, what is your anchor?
What’s inside always comes out:
“Walk the talk" is a common phrase that means to act in a way that is consistent with what you say. It's similar to the saying "practice what you preach". Leaders can use PR (public relations) experts, publish attractively worded vision, mission and values statement and say all the right things but if they do not act in a way that is consistent with what they say... people see through all the “blah, blah, blah”. Genuine, frank and sincere people stand-out.
You may not agree with all the items on my list, but I hope you will agree with me that frequent reviews of our priorities is beneficial when making important decisions in a world of change. As a new year begin, I encourage you to revisit your priority setting.
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