“Working from home is harder, with all the fun is taken out.” Is this you? If not, it could easily be an employee, manager, teacher, student, or leader you know. In this case, it was my daughter describing “Day 1” of her online college freshman classes this morning. That’s a tough way to start. To help keep your team on target, take a quick look at 3 key things great leaders do to keep a MISSION focus – especially over the long haul. These are things everyone needs to stay at their best. You will also find links to 3 coaching tools for leaders in business, education, or non-profit to keep doing the basics in times of change.
We’ve seen people step up and serve each other in amazing ways to make working and learning from home possible, often for entire families. That was the easy part. How do you maintain a positive attitude, encourage a servant’s heart, and advocate for those you are serving as the days roll into weeks? It takes more than pep talks and catchy memes.
In a world of competing priorities, getting mission right can make the difference between a team growing in loyalty to each other, or fragmenting into self-serving silos.
In a world of competing priorities, getting mission right can make the difference between a team growing in loyalty to each other, or fragmenting into self-serving silos. Which of these mission qualities are you still doing well? Where can you find a little boost in your impact as a leader?
Positive Attitude
Leaders who get this right… remain enthusiastic about human potential and helps others see opportunities for success. This is a people-centered attitude that goes beyond seeing the “glass half full.” This is a habit of mind that helps others see what people or situations can become, in spite of the situation.
It’s easy to overlook… the temptation to just step back and do a self-check or model what you want to see in others. What’s missing is the engagement with others that helps them “connect the dots” and take an active part in boosting team morale. In stressful times, helping others develop an authentic, resilient attitude is a socially intelligent leadership quality to instill in everyone you meet!
Helpful Hints: For a full description with action steps in this area, download the Positive Attitude in Action Coaching Tool.
Service to Others
Leaders who get this right… exhibit passion and energy for leading and facilitating growth in adults and youth. It’s not about you – your knowledge, experience, follow through, or other leadership behaviors. Great leaders bring out the leadership talents of their team in their areas of expertise, unified around a shared mission. Management is checking boxes, leadership is coaching people.
It’s easy to overlook… your main job as helping your team think and act like leaders. We often hear people talk about their knowledge, skills, and experience to get things done right. Those things are important, but it’s not about impressing people with your skills – it’s about teaching them to take over your job when you get promoted. The world has plenty of followers… grow more leaders!
Helpful Hints: For a full description with action steps in this area, download the Service to Others in Action Coaching Tool.
Mission Advocate
Leaders who get this right... are tactfully assertive about all key decisions creating significant benefits to those your mission serves. Who most benefits from the work you do? Great leaders remind their team as needed that it’s not about them, but those being served. Instead of “either-or” thinking, advocates find a way for decisions to benefit both the mission AND the team.
It’s easy to overlook… a teachable moment to help your team connect a decision or plan with your larger purpose or goal. It’s easy for leaders at the table (or on the screen) to get stuck on their agenda at the expense of their duty to fight off the alligators and stay on mission.
Helpful Hints: For a full description with action steps in this area, download the Mission Advocate in Action.
Using the 3 coaching tools: Attributes in Action
These downloadable PDF Tools give you a coaching tool for each of the 3 attributes discussed here. They are written for your personal growth, and to use as a coaching tool to build the leadership capacity of your team in challenging times.
Each Action Coaching Tool includes a full description of a Mission Focusing attribute, common gaps in this area, and 3 strategies on how to get a boost in how people see and experience you as a leader. Please let us know how these tools impact you and the people you serve:
- Positive Attitude in Action Coaching Tool
- Service to Others in Action Coaching Tool
- Mission Advocate in Action
As I wrap up here, please let me know what questions are on the top of your mind and I will answer them in future emails, blogs, videos, etc.
My cell number is 402-617-9066. Feel free to call me or drop me a text if you want to chat.
Stay Strong,
Paul
