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(1) Don’t Settle…
First, always aim high. Don’t settle for a job or a role that doesn’t match your strengths or interests. That doesn’t mean that you’ll always do work that you love. Every job contains some “grunt work” or work that you’d rather not do. What it does mean is that as you’re exploring job options, don’t just jump at what’s available. Be selective…make sure you follow your passions and your personal mission. See S.M.I.L.E. as You Shoot for the Stars for more information about developing a personal mission statement.
Similarly, if you’re in a leadership role, you must maintain high standards. Sometimes when you’re short-staffed and need help, the easy answer is to select who is available. I’ve made that mistake before…not being patient and waiting for the right person. Hasty selection decisions stick with you and prevent your team from reaching a higher level. I agree with Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan, who wrote in their business best-seller Execution that “leaders need to commit 40% of their time & energy to selecting, appraising, and developing their people.”
(2) Don’t Be a Copycat
As a leader, you probably look up to another leader…whether it’s a mentor or a public figure. The best advice I can give is don’t try to be them. It’s important that you bring your uniqueness to your role. For me, I’ve found over the years that I can set a positive tone for the team through singing…probably because I can’t sing… It gives the team a chance to laugh, smile, and even make fun of me. But every time, the mood in the room changes for the better…
I like Margaret Mead’s quote that says, “Remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everybody else.” So, recognize your uniqueness…bring it to your role, and make it your mission to bring out the uniqueness in each of your team members.
(3) Don’t Exhibit “More-On” Behavior
Fifteen years ago, I took a class called “Assessing Your Leadership Skills” from Dr. Mike Haro. In the class, Dr. Haro pointed out that our organization has a deep culture of “more on” behavior. We are very successful people with “can-do” attitudes and work ethics. Therefore, we believe we can conquer any challenge…and we continue to take more on…and more on…until at some point, we become stressed out and overworked. The Japanese have a term for chronic overwork—Karoshi—which literally means “death from overwork.”
As a leader, it’s your responsibility to model good leadership, which means not exhibiting “more on” behavior. Additionally, you must protect your team members from doing the same. I’ve heard strategy from a leadership context defined as when you say “no.” As a leader, it’s important that you help set the boundaries for your team members, so they can be the best they can be.
(4) Don’t Use MBSAD as a Management Style
You’ve probably heard the term MBWA—management by wandering around. Started by Hewlett-Packard executives in the 1970’s and popularized in the 1980’s by Tom Peters’ In Search of Excellence, MBWA refers to a style of management which involves managers wandering around through the workplace in an unstructured manner to check in with employees. The emphasis is on the word wandering as an impromptu act, rather than a plan where employees expect a visit from managers. This method helps facilitate improvements to the morale, sense of organizational purpose, and productivity of the organization.
In contrast, MBSAD is a term I’m coining for “Management by Sitting at your Desk”. Unfortunately, MBSAD has become easier and more common with the advent of personal computers and the proliferation of e-mail and other electronic communications. Too many organizations claim, “It’s all about the people…” But how many managers are more comfortable sitting at their desk? “My door is open,” they think…but they haven’t built the trust with their team members to enter the office!
photo credit: JD Hancock Darth Grader via photopin (license)
So, the bottom line is that if you heed these “Don’t Do’s” in honor of Opposite Day, you’ll go far as a leader:
- Don’t Settle…
- Don’t Be a Copycat
- Don’t Exhibit “More On” Behavior
- Don’t Use MBSAD as a Management Style
Keep reading future posts for the “Do Do’s” of Out of This World Leadership…OK, I couldn’t help it!
One final thought…what if you were married on Opposite Day? I married Jennifer Leigh Smith 17 years ago today…and said, “I Do” on Opposite Day. Fortunately, my fingers were crossed…and I’m still having fun learning how to be an “Out of This World” husband!