RALLY CRY: THE ART OF LEADERSHIP, Part 2
Continuing with Part Two (for the previous post, please click here).
Management…
“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” —Theodore Roosevelt
Delegation is one of the most important attributes of a good leader, and yet it can be one of the most difficult tasks. Managers occasionally believe they can handle all tasks by themselves, and power through them all like Superman. Hey, even Superman needed the Justice League from time to time.
When you begin to delegate tasks, lean on your notes from mentoring your staff. You should have a good idea of strengths, and where challenges may lie. Delegate a portion (bite-sized, perhaps) to your staff that excels in that area, and allow them the time and support to accomplish the task! Don’t micromanage. Looking over a shoulder is going to create nervousness and anxiety, and potentially more problems. It’s absolutely fine to check in and see how things are progressing, but let them come to you for questions.
Empower your staff with opportunity, let them discover how awesome they can be! I believe every person has a measure of greatness in them, they just need the chance to be able to obtain it.
Team Potential…
“A good leader is one who can tell another how to reach his or her potential; a great leader is one who can help another discover this potential for him or herself.” -Bo Bennett
In some ways, managers have the biggest responsibility for progress — we are the ones who mold and shape our crews, for better or worse, and are responsible for the successes, and the failures. We must ensure access to resources, not just for accomplishing tasks, but extending the growth, strength, and efficiency of a team’s (or team member’s) skill sets.
Embrace what you do, enjoy what you do, watch as your staff grows, and allow yourself to become overjoyed when “one of your own” gets picked up for a promotion! Learn to lead effectively, and you become an invaluable asset to anyone, and everyone.
Brian Fuhrman
Project Manager