As you look at and into different organizations to determine their primary source of leadership…what do you see?  Does the Executive Director/CEO provide the priorities for the agency/business?  Or does the Board of Directors “steer-the-ship” and determine steady guidance and recommendations for the future?  Which source of leadership offers the spark for all to gather around and build into a progressive flame?

My answer:  I believe organizational leadership is most often a combination of traditions and personalities.

In many cases I believe the Executive Director/CEO is the person selected and expected to offer progress action recommendations and ideas for an organizations continuous improvement roadmap.  The Board of Directors then assess the concepts, offer development support and more importantly make individual action contributions based on their own areas of expertise.  This blended style of strategy-making and future-thought creates a very strong foundation for employees to align with.

In the case of Boards of Directors assuming the larger leadership role, it is likely that timing and collective interaction may be an operational challenge.  Creating, building and maintaining a sense of continuous improvement maybe less concentrated, thereby allowing for periodic delays in progressive actions.  Please know that there are many very successful businesses and organizations that look more specifically to their Boards for leadership.  However, it is also very possible that the Executive Director/CEO is expected to not just manage the Board’s action plans…but also fulfill a “maintenance-of-effort” leadership role on a day-to-day basis.

So, what is this weeks TRIPLE III TIME real message?  Be a CONTRIBUTING LEADER in your position no matter your organizations leadership structure.  Don’t assume the Executive Director/CEO/Board of Directors  are not interested in your help/ideas!  Don’t assume your thoughts won’t make a difference!  Don’t miss the opportunity to build the future.  Don’t assume that someone else has already raised the issue that you are concerned about.

Be confident in knowing that CONTRIBUTING LEADERS are special too!

Changing jobs is challenging.  A new work family, workplace rules and expectations…I know you understand.  However, this TRIPLE III TIME message is going focus on about professionally: Keeping The “Right Stuff” as you transition. I’m talking about those documents, books, emails, whatever…that may assist you in being successful in your new position and forever prepared to excel everyday…EVERYDAY.

The easy and most convenient decision is to just take all your past work-related items forward with you.  This could allow you to reach back into history and pull out an old idea/program and introduce it as unique in your new workplace.  This action may be easy and convenient for you…but is it effective and efficient for your new workplace?  Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you take action:

1. Are your future work-based problems, persons or situations exactly the same as when your original challenges and resulting solutions were proposed…. EXACTLY?
2. Could the boxes and documents from past ideas and projects become more of a “crutch” …in your search for new solutions?
3. Are resources that are available today (i.e. technology) …and the work/community culture the same as were used to find your old solutions?
4. Will your new co-workers and associates be irritated that you are using “old news solutions” to remedy their perceived new problem?
5. Would the time taken to dig through old documents, books and/or emails be better used in researching fresh material?
6. Is the information you are holding on to…TIMELESS…and be useful even 20 years from now?
7. Would a common practice of referring to easy/convenient materials be considered leading by convenience?
8. Would it be logical to assume that your past good ideas are what got you your new position…but are not the ones that will keep you there?
9. Do co-workers and customers like to hear a discussion of “where you have been” …or about “where you/we are going”?
10. If someone asked you about the boxes, books and computer files you are saving…would you say: “It’s just old stuff?” …or “I am Keeping The Right Stuff”?

There is no easy, perfect answer.  But it is important to think about the questions!

Sometimes during the classes I teach, the sessions I conduct or the individual discussions I have with workers in any field…they ask: How do I get “restarted” each day?  What gets you energized?…Who do you talk to?…Do you have a special routine you follow?  You all understand the questions. Well, no matter the issue or question the “IT” that they/we/I are talking about is MOTIVATION.

Many of our TRIPLE III TIME messages have touched on MOTIVATION topics…but this time lets go a little deeper.  What motivates YOU: money, status, your family, colleagues or just the challenge of doing something cool?  Is it one thing or are you Multi-MOTIVATED? But what about when you feel unmotivated…where do you look for “get-up-and-get-it” answers?

BOTTOMLINE: First, take a long, hard look in the mirror.  Understand that there is no one anywhere that can motivate YOU more than YOU.  You can read books about it, go to seminars, get a life coach or even ask GOOGLE.  In the end, the person on the white horse that must ride in to help YOU will be YOU!

Second, seriously pick a source of MOTIVATION.  It doesn’t have to be just one thing or the same thing every day…but pick a MOTIVATOR.  Next, pick a point of success.  It can be small (signing up for a cool class) or big (starting a new product-line at work).  Finally, make it a MOTIVATION PRIORITY to be an example to all that you know.  The feeling of satisfaction that will come from having others learn and benefit from our commitment will keep your “IT” (MOTIVATION) going for YOU.

As I considered what the first TRIPLE III TIME message should be for 2018…my thoughts instantly circled around the traditional “New Year’s Resolution” practice.  Well I could come up with a large number of Resolutions (far beyond a TOP 10), but instead I thought it more valuable to offer a Leadership Pledge…that would feel satisfying even if recited everyday.

Here goes: As a LEADER everyday…EVERYDAY (you need to say it louder the second time) I will:

• Smile from the positives that happen today.
• Walk past the mad/angry feelings of unmet expectations.
• Practice a sense of urgency in all that I do.
• Exercise my creative/innovative muscles so they offer a “good” hurt.
• Shake hands STRONGLY with everyone that I meet.
• Think today about something to look forward to tomorrow.
• Run quickly to any new personal/professional opportunity.
• Roll around in every success so it gets all over me.
• Reach back for help/advice from true friends/colleagues.
• Remember that the word “NO” is very small.

Go ahead and say it over a few times.  Don’t just say it in your mind…say it out loud.

Now I think we are ready for 2018!