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Developing Your Grit!

There comes a time when ALL leaders will face certain challenges. Not the everyday kind of challenges but those challenges that in the end will set you apart from the rest of the crowd; the pack. Those challenges are those that require you (as a leader) to step up and take the reins of the situation. People that follow you or will eventually follow you will see that you have the GRIT (courage and resolve; strength of character) to a leader worthy of their followership.

Developing your grit as early as possible is something that will most certainly benefit you for all the days and challenges to come. As a leader that has developed their GRIT also knows that those future challenges will NOT be easy nor will be difficult. They will be faced head on by that leader because she or he knows that the challenges must be addressed in the most direct and appropriate manner. Developing that GRIT allows leaders to see beyond the barriers and through the walls those unique challenges bring. Followers want a leader that is already working beyond the barriers long before the walls and barriers are breached. Leaders that have moved beyond those obstacles are the leaders that are continuously honing their TRUE GRIT and as always when it comes to being a better leader, a Walking Leader, honing your True Grit is NON-NEGOTIABLE.

Take a listen to episode 155 of the Walking Leader podcast as I talk about how as the Walking Leader you must develop your True Grit.

 

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LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #11: EMPLOY YOUR TEAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CAPABILITIES by David Guerra

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #11: EMPLOY YOUR TEAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CAPABILITIES

As a leader you will most likely have a team of individuals backing you, supporting you, all while doing their job. As a leader you must allow them to do so without it compromising the job they were hired to do.

In a combat situation, ground troops, the Infantry work in teams. These teams have specialist with unique functions (grenadier, machine-gunner, assault, etc.) that make the Infantry squad, platoon, company, battalion, brigade lethal on the battlefield. The same level of lethality can be applied to the workplace. Imagine a team that can unite and put together a contract winning proposal or complete the annual report in record time.

How does this happen? It happens when the leader allows the team to function as one and function as individuals that are mutually supporting each other. Where the Infantry squad members support each other by providing interlocking fields of fire. Meaning the Infantrymen do their job but recognize that others (typically to their left and right) might need covering fire.

In the Accounting firm, a group works on balancing the client’s books while others work on prepping the Federal Tax paperwork. Then there is a someone who runs the Quality Assurance and checks the figures. Then another group works on putting it all together. By having all team members doing their respective jobs the individuals complete their assigned tasks and the team keeps moving because like a well oiled machine that runs unhindered when allowed to do, the team knows what to do and does it well.

Leaders (and Managers) keep your team running by letting them do their job. It may be tempting to meddle or to tinker with the work flow but why fix something if it is not broken? Exactly, there is nothing to fix until it breaks then get it working as fast as possible. Otherwise, it may cost you more than a broken sprocket, it could cost you a gear or the well oiled machine. You know you cannot have anything less than that.

Thanks,
David G. Guerra, M.B.A.

Do you agree or disagree with this list? Let me know either by
Twitter @daveguerra or by email [email protected] or both.

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blog Inspiration Leadership Leadership Principles Mentor Motivation Walking Leader

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #10: TRAIN YOUR PEOPLE AS A TEAM

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #10: TRAIN YOUR PEOPLE AS A TEAM

While your team is composed of unique individuals, those individuals share one thing: You are their leader. They are part of your team. As the leader, it is your responsibility to ensure they are trained to work as a cohesive team, one unit and when need be they should know how to do the basic (rudimentary) functions of the other team members. Knowing the basic functions of the other team members is not for replacing them but to fill in the gaps when employees call in sick or the organization is transitioning between team members.

Training as a team creates esprit de’corps and enhances unit cohesion. Your team will develop a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty because they have shared experience(s). Having those shared experiences creates a team so strong, so empowered, and ready to be more effective than any other group in the organization that has not taken the time to train together.

Obviously, a leader will have to allow the individuals to attend training specific to their vocation in order to remain proficient and excel at their day-to-day operations and functions. However, when those employees return to the team, have them share what they learned with others.

A highly informed is team is a highly functional team. A highly functional team is a highly performing team. A highly performing is a team that is delivering and making huge impacts on the organization’s mission and vision. As a leader, who would not want to be leading a cohesive team that is making an impact on the organization? Be that Leader!

Thanks,
David G. Guerra, M.B.A.

Do you agree or disagree with this list? Let me know either by
Twitter @daveguerra or by email [email protected] or both.