When you have your health..cont...

Signs of a healthy organization, family, business, small group, team and of course marriages all have one thing in common, they are healthy because they work at.  There are no shortcuts, no quick rich methods, no cliff notes, this is hard work.  This is where those that just buy the running shoes are separated from those that cross the finish line of the race. The best ideas and intent is great, yet in reality the daily practice of remaining healthy and "fit" for your purposes and objectives is the real work.

As a leader, and again I remind you that everyone is a leader, it is your responsible to ensure all 5 of the below are accomplished from your perspective and from those you work/live with.  Do not rely on others to set the example and tone, do it yourself.  If you take hold of each step and put it into your daily habits, others will follow you.  Let's look at them again.

1. Communicate
2. Delegate
3. Trust Others
4. Remain strategic
5. Review and Adjust as required

Communication is the key to every relationship.  I have held this to be true since I was a young adult in my teens, and I know it to be true as a middle aged man with kids now in their teens.  You cannot expect others to know what you are thinking or expecting through some magical osmosis, you need to communicate to them.  Do so with respect, yet do so.  Make sure that what is on your mind, your dreams, your expectations, your objectives are shared.  Then be open and honest and how to get there, together.

Next, you need to delegate some of the work, some of the responsibility and ownership for meeting the objectives.  No one can carry the load alone, and actually, those you lead have different gifts, talents and desires from you, so ensure you use them.  Communicate what needs to be done and accept the help, and offer opportunities for others to contribute.

Most people don't delegate the full task, they just assign things and then hover.  You need to delegate fully, trusting those around you.  You need to be honest and trustworthy first of course, yet you need to trust that they are capable.  Too many leaders fail to let go, and what holds back growth is the inability to scale.  The bandwidth of one is just that, yet a trusted resource equates to 1+1=3.  Take my word, trust me...you will get more done when you fully trust others to do what they do best.

How often do you put your feet up on the desk?  Take a break and do nothing but dream?  How often are you willing for a task to not get done just so you can look out onto the horizon?  I challenge you to do this at least weekly, if not daily.  We need time to think.  We need to realize what could be next and plan for it.  An organization that move ahead does so because of the vision cast and communicated to the team.  As we have discussed, having the client in mind and working toward those goals is forward thinking.  Now go beyond that, go further, stretch yourself to imagine what is next.  Keep the vision lofty, and don't consume yourself with tactical plans, just for a moment.  Tasks will get done, they need to, that is why delegation and trust is so important, your plate if now open to be strategic.  To see the competition, the changing market place, the wind that is changing and you have time and energy to grasp the next great strategic move for your team.  Do it today!

As you look at the world, do you notice anything?  Movement, creation, new ideas, innovation....change.  Things do not stay the same, nor can you.  You must be willing to alter your direction, your own plans and start the process again.  When clients grow and change, so must your plans.  When your kids grow, you must adapt how you lead them and parent them.  As you accomplish your goals, set new ones, adapt, change as needed and communicate the message to those you delegate, trust and strategically lead.