Let’s face it: sometimes leadership feels like juggling flaming
swords while riding a unicycle—blindfolded. But here’s the good news:
leadership isn’t about being perfect every single day; it’s about getting back
up, dusting yourself off, and jumping right back in when you’ve fallen off the
“strong-leadership wagon.” Missed a day? A week? A month? Years? Hey, no
judgment! Just pause, laugh at how heroic your comeback is about to be, and
prep yourself to get back in the game. It’s all about one person, one conversation,
one day at a time—like eating an elephant, just one bite at a time (though I’d
recommend something tastier).
The secret sauce to overcoming nearly every management conundrum is
simply this: practice the fundamentals like a pro—even on days when coffee
feels like your only lifeline. That means setting up regular, meaningful
one-on-ones and/or on-the-fly spot coaching with team members. Consistency isn’t glamorous, but it works
wonders: you’ll see your team’s performance soar, morale lift, retention of top
talent rise (and low performers gracefully exit stage left), and yes, those
pesky fires that used to eat up your calendar will begin to fizzle out.
Eventually, you’ll spend less time playing “whack-a-mole” and more time
actually leading—imagine that!
Now, here’s the honest truth: practicing fundamentals with gusto
isn’t easy. Three big hurdles stand in your way, kind of like getting out of
bed on a chilly Monday morning. First, you have to make the leap—find that
hidden stash of energy and determination (maybe behind your leftover holiday
cookies). Changing your habits, communicating your plan, and rolling it out to
your team takes guts. Second, it’s time-consuming at first. You’ll be fighting
old fires and investing in new systems simultaneously. Think of it like the
gym: those first few weeks are rough, but soon you’ll be flexing your
leadership muscles with pride. Third, staying ahead of the “vicious cycle”
requires discipline (and maybe a good playlist). You need to put in the work
upfront, before anything starts to go sideways.
If you commit to this journey—embracing high-structure,
high-substance, ongoing one-on-one dialogues—things will get better faster than
you expect. In just a few weeks, you’ll notice smoother days, happier teams,
and—best of all—your precious time coming back to you. Maybe you’ll even
reclaim enough hours to pick up a hobby, like competitive origami or extreme
napping!
But let’s be real: the hardest part is sticking to your fundamentals
when the heat is on. When everything feels like it’s on fire, don’t panic and
run for the nearest exit. If you slip up—have a bad day, week, or year—just
bounce back. Recommit, laugh at your missteps, and get back to leading with
energy and consistency, one step at a time.
Consider your top performers. They’re like pro golfers—focused,
skilled, but still in need of a coach who can spot what they can’t see (like an
unfortunate slice into the water hazard or a tendency to lose their cool during
budget meetings). A coach provides feedback, accountability, and the occasional
metaphorical pat on the back. This kind of support builds champions. So ask
yourself: when was the last time you got some outside perspective? Maybe it’s
time to engage a coach and raise your leadership game—plus, it’s a great excuse
to say, “My coach says I’m a rockstar!”
In today’s fast-paced world—where change is the only constant and
your team’s group chat is always buzzing—the best leaders are those who keep
leveling up. Give your best to your team, and then find ways to make your best
even better. Otherwise, you might find yourself stuck in the land of average,
where coffee is cold and meetings never end.
Ready to renew your commitment? Here are some creative examples:
·
Set a leadership “date night”—schedule monthly check-ins
with yourself to reflect, laugh about missteps, and set new goals.
·
Start a “fail forward” scoreboard for your team;
celebrate little stumbles as learning moments. Bonus points for funniest
mistake stories!
·
Ask your team for feedback with a twist—like a
suggestion box labeled “Ideas, Complaints, and Dad Jokes.”
·
Commit to a weekly “leadership workout”—read a new
article, watch a TED Talk, or role-play challenging conversations with a buddy
or coach.
·
Host an “Office Olympics”—teambuilding games to boost
morale and remind everyone that work can (and should) be fun.
Don’t forget these resources to keep your motivation soaring:
R
Pro
Tip: You Can Treat Any Day Like New Year's Day to Realize Your Best Self
R Unlock Your
Potential: The Transformative Power of Leadership Coaching
As we leave one year behind and leap—with a grin—into the next, make
the commitment to become a stronger, more playful people leader. With a renewed
sense of purpose, you’ll make a bigger impact on your team and your
organization. Remember: greatness is built one day at a time, and a little
humor goes a long way. Let’s lead, laugh, and lift each other up in the new
year!
The new year is here and
it's the time for hope and renewal. In this spirit of new possibilities, why
not commit to becoming a stronger people-leader by starting some or all of your
management and peer relationships anew?
To your greater impact as a leader !
Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT
Take the Next Step...
Interested
in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability,
culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative
discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To
request an interview with Peter Mclees please
contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com or Mobile:323-854-1713
Smart
Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers,
ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food
production facilities, wealth management services, energy storage and facilities services, real estate services,
nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong
culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork
necessary for growth.
Having worked with several companies
throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies
that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company
achieve sustained growth and prosperity.
