One topic area we have not ever addressed in our special blog format, is finding progress during The Absence of LEADERSHIP.

Think real hard about what is being stated in the TRIPLE III TIME opening sentence… The Absence of LEADERSHIP.

I am NOT referring to times when certain people are on vacation…dealing with an extended illness or having to address a special personal issue that requires a longer time away from work than planned.  No…I am thinking about the fact that we are all leaders in some way-shape-or form in our workplaces (no matter the position we hold)…and how do WE respond to The Absence of LEADERSHIP situations.

And just for the record-books…I will admit that I have had my own The Absence of LEADERSHIP moments.  Are they frustrating…kind of numbing…and sometimes even anger-generating when you are unsure of who to look to for guidance. However regardless of the feelings…finding the best way forward is totally on YOU!  But in case you need a little help…consider and appreciate these unique TOP 10 factors:

1. Admitting you need LEADERSHIP help is progress.
2. Realizing even the greatest leaders you admire have needed LEADERSHIP help on occasion.
3. Appreciating that people in your circle really do rely on you for LEADERSHIP growth.
4. Understanding extended LEADERSHIP stagnation can become a bad habit quickly.
5. Trying even baby LEADERSHIP steps…is better than zero steps.
6. Reaching back into your network for reliable LEADERSHIP help is always a good strategy.
7. Not ignoring that you are often someone’s special LEADERSHIP example-setter.
8. Prolonging LEADERSHIP absence results in unrecoverable development-time shrinkage.
9. Delegating to a colleague for inspiration is an acceptable LEADERSHIP absence recovery option.
10. Accepting new LEADERSHIP priorities is a critical part of your professional responsibility.

I hope this TOP 10 helps reverse The Absence of LEADERSHIP for you.

When you hear and think about the term “Strategic Leveraging”…what are the definitional points your consider?  Well if you think about strengths, resources, knowledge, experiences and of course comfort with innovation and change…you are closely describing the key factors that generate “Strategic Leveraging”!  Unfortunately however, I believe the use of quality “Strategic Leveraging” has been a regular growth weakness in all sectors both public and private!

Think about it?!

Do YOU do a good job strategically leveraging all of your personal and professional resources to better serve your customers?  Do you take professional advantage of the added value your network of co-workers, colleagues and partners can bring to your products and services?  Do you occasionally “change-chairs” with business partners to determine their areas of strengths and resources to possibly identify a common “Strategic Leveraging” plan that could move both forward??

Keep in mind effective “Strategic Leveraging” is NOT a single person/entity activity.  Instead creative, innovative entrepreneurial “Strategic Leveraging” may include multiple groups and individuals.  This type of network action will ensure that:

– Everyone is clear on “what do WE want” to happen

– Everyone engages so that any leveraging does NOT create unwanted reactions.

– Everyone commits to their level of obligation comfort.

– Everyone understands that “change” is a righteous result.

– Everyone agrees to OWN the results (good or not so good).

Taking part in “Strategic Leveraging” is a calculated risk but contains many great partnership benefits.

When people think and strategize about improving products and services in both the public and private sectors… how often does the term Co-Production come up?  Maybe I can accept that Co-Production is not first… second… or even third on a leaders list of priorities.  But lets be honest… does it even come up in the progress discussion?

Well before we get too far into this week’s TRIPLE III TIME topic:  “Co-Production”… REALLY MATTERS!… here is a basic definition of what is meant by the term Co-Production.

“Co-Production refers to a way of working where service providers and users work together to reach a collective outcome.  The approach is value-driven and built on the principle that those who are affected by a service are best placed to help design it.”

Think about Co-Production in any marketplace.  Not only is cooperating in the building of products a very  useful, economic practice… but also it makes sure every marketing option is maximized…everyday…everyway!  With the ever-challenging profit-margin being “squeezed-down” in all customer-service sectors, it is just common understanding that “Co-Production”… REALLY MATTERS!

What about the public sector?  Unfortunately today, funding for public service programs…no matter the customer-base… is being reduced.  So what’s the best alternative strategy.  I believe better partnering with other organizations is the most solid option.  Because “Co-Production”…REALLY MATTERS! especially in public service programming, the practice of blending one or more opportunities often services to create an even better product for every client customer.

Bottomline:  Often during my consulting times I hear from my customers that they practice Co-Production “all the time”.  But when I ask the more specific questions about WITH WHO… FOR WHAT… and HOW OFTEN… the “all the time” earlier answer becomes a little questionable.  Well the goal for this “Co-Production”…REALLY MATTERS! TRIPLE III TIME message is to encourage everyone to consider Co–Production opportunities in ALLaspects of your business/agency operations.  Also, try and move Co-Production up on your scale of new/old business practices and hopefully have it make a major contribution in effectiveness and efficiency in everything that you do.

According to my GOOGLE request for a definition of “Evidence-Based”… the response went something like this:

​“Evidence-Based:  Data on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood.”

So what does that definition REALLY mean to program planners, service managers, teachers…and anyone trying to find that “Always A Better Way” option/opportunity?  Simply put it means that you need to take a look at qualified information and available stats related to a new project you may be considering…FIRST!  Then more confidently move forward on your “Evidence-Based Creativity” initiative!

As a life-long innovator in multiple professional areas, today more than ever before the call has gone out for quality evidence-based support for new/re-designed programs/products/services.  Creativity costs related to both time and money have become an ever-growing concern in both the public and private sectors.  Therefore, the opportunity for experimenting via a “trial and error” methodology has become a much narrower road toward progress.

The most important part of this TRIPLE III TIME message is to USE “Evidence-Based Creativity” in your future planning.  Specifically don’t be easily led to immediately cancel  progress plans just because there have been relatable failures in the past.  Rather emphasize the Creativity part and make appropriate corrections… know that no two situations are exactly the same when innovating…and lastly remember that when innovating in any product/service area… to also use innovative “measuring-sticks” for your initiative!  In my history, too often people use old measurements to assess a NEW (maybe similar but still new) project.  The result is an inaccurate/less fair evaluation.

Bottomline:  First, embrace the importance and value of including evidence-based components in whatever innovation you pursue.  Second, also recognize that innovativity must be infused into any and all measurements of your new product/service to be experimentally correct.  And finally adapt a precedent of “Evidence-Based Creativity” as a modern day standard of operation.