Nugget: “Leadership is the wise use of power. Power is the capacity to translate intention into reality and sustain it.”
~ Warren Bennis, American scholar and pioneer of the contemporary field of leadership
Reflection drill
Leaders are vision holders. Their ability to see the “big picture,” communicate it, and rally others around it is one of their main tasks. What is your vision? How does it relate to your goal or mission? As a leader, it’s your job to paint the picture and help your team see the crucial role they play in achieving it. Work together with your team to get their input and buy-in, and then give them the room they need to execute.
Remember that it’s your team’s project, right? Delegation is critical. Whenever you can, delegate entire projects rather than individual tasks. A leader’s job is not to do it all yourself, but to provide guidance, a system for measuring and tracking, and above all, to hold your vision banner high. Remember, the vision contains the description and purpose of the work at hand. Refer to it often as you use the talent and brain power of your team to move the project ahead.
Why it matters
Multiply your productivity this month by delegating larger and larger amounts of responsibility and authority to others.
Thinking drill
Will delegating an entire project create more motivation or less for your team member?
Which areas of your work could benefit by delegating entire blocks of responsibility?
Are there any new projects you could start if you delegated entire jobs more often?
What’s your take away?