Leadership Tip:

Have you ever given your team a task – only to have them deliver incomplete (or a complete lack of) results?

While there are plenty of reasons for under-performance, the most common – by far – is this:

Your outcomes are too FUZZY. (Not “warm and fuzzy” – but unclear)

Don’t worry – it’s normal for us entrepreneurs. We’re the visionaries… and once we have a goal, we know we’ll find a way to get the job done. The problem is, there’s often a huge gap between your vision and your team’s idea of how they’ll achieve it.

The level of clarity you give your team can make a big difference in:

• the quality of results they achieve
• how quickly they get to those results
• how much work YOU have to re-do when they’re “done”

Take this for example:

You tell your team to focus on “growing our email list”. While you might know exactly how you’d achieve that, your team may take a completely different approach. Furthermore, they won’t have a clear idea of when they’ve “achieved” it. This alone can lead to wasted time and money, missed deadlines, and a serious drop in morale.

So how do you avoid it?

While it may seem simple, just doing this one thing can save both you and your team a lot of wasted time and energy. Not to mention, everyone will feel better about themselves – and their jobs – when they’re clear about what they’re going for.

Here’s how to do it:

If you want your team to achieve the results you’re after, you must define a clear, measurable outcome – so that they’ll know when they’ve hit the target.

When your team knows that their goal is to “build our list by adding 2,000 additional email contacts within the next three months”, they’re instantly more focused, more empowered, and more committed to the goal.

Think of the last time you gave your team a direction and they didn’t produce what you were expecting… could it be that you didn’t clearly explain your vision and/or describe the ideal, measurable outcome?

Next time you give instructions to your team, focus on the outcome you are going for first…define it clearly… and make sure the results measurable. Then, share the outcome with your team (this will give them a greater sense of ownership- and help them get on board with your next goals and plans more quickly).

Now, get out there and lead!
-Annie

Leadership Tip:

Today’s team tip is about high pressure situations… and more specifically, how YOU react and respond under stress.

The important thing to know about acting under stress – is that you have a CHOICE… and the decision you make about how you respond in that moment can make a huge difference in the OUTCOME.

Oftentimes, when the stakes are high and the pressure is intense, it doesn’t FEEL like we have a choice. That’s because we’re hard wired to react automatically. This is completely natural… but if you STAY in that place, things start to get pretty messy.

People get defensive, stop hearing one another, and eventually, communication breaks down altogether.

Unless… you take a step back.

In order to be a next-level leader, you have to find a way to step out of that emotionally driven space – and make choices that support your greater purpose.

This is especially important when the stakes are high.

And the best part is, when you free yourself from being reactive, you’ll be able to navigate these situations so much more effectively.

Everyone will feel better heard and understood… your ideas and point of view will be more easily accepted… and you’ll save a ton of time and energy (both in the time you spend communicating – and the energy it takes to clean up the emotional mess).

So here are a few things you can do to make a stressful situation go more smoothly:

First, you have to recognize that you have a choice to make.

Second, you make a conscious choice to respond intentionally (and not just react).

Third, take a moment to consider your options.

Fourth, think about the bigger picture – and what you’re really going for.

Here are a few things you can try:

• ask questions
• honestly share your fears and concerns
• ask for support
• be willing to negotiate

One of the things that the leaders in my Key Business Leader Program hear me say again and again – is that:

”Accountability is easy when the situation is easy, it’s harder when the situation is hard…”

…and this is an important truth to keep in mind as you navigate these situations.

When you’re about to encounter a difficult person or situation – it’s even MORE important that you take a step back. And the benefits you’ll gain from responding intentionally will far outweigh the fleeting emotional release you’ll get when you react impulsively.

Being able to show up like this will have a tremendous effect on your life… and being able to demonstrate it as a leader, will earn you more respect, less push-back, and greater support to achieve your vision.

Now, get out there and lead!
-Annie