Protecting your Leadership Asset

The election is over for another four years. The economy is still in a state of flux. The end of another year is fast approaching. You met all your goals and stuck to all your New Year’s Resolutions from January 1, 2008 [or maybe not quite.] With all this uncertainty, is it possible to guarantee effective leadership?

I say yes – with the proper planning. During December, many people are taking the necessary steps to ensure their taxes and financials are in order for year-end. They are planning and auditing. Might I encourage you to take similar steps in your corporate or personal leadership audit? Evaluate the state of your leaders and their leadership.

As we continue into the 21^st Century, many things have changed – technology being at the top of the list, but also how individuals become leaders within their company. In the 19^th century, they progressed up the promotion ladder. It was simply their next step. As we entered the 20^th century, we looked for those individuals who seemed to possess the most competence in their role. As their competence increased, so did their status and positional level. Now, in the 21^st century, those who are promoted and leading are the ones who can produce solid results.

That being the criteria, what are the steps we can take at year-end to place our companies and our leaders in the best possible position to succeed and produce results? At the very foundation is the willingness to develop those around you. There are several helpful tools in this development process, such as:

· Determine the end. Like anything else, you must create a roadmap – not only for your company or your department, but for you personally as a leader.

· Clearly express your Strategic and Business Plans to all company team members. How can I as a team member steer my “car” in the right direction if I do not know where we are headed?

· Review your company’s Vision and Mission and take appropriate action to ensure the company “lives” the vision and mission. Then utilize the Vision and Mission as the bridge to all other aspects of your company including resources, work processes, goals, decisions, and action steps.

· Finally, assess the overarching attitude within your organization and you personally. How does the attitude rate? If you find it swings more to the negative side than positive, it is time to make an “attitude adjustment.”

I remember vividly the wording written on the back of Bernard Trager’s name plaque that sat on his desk…“Tell me all the reasons we CAN do that!” Wow! Now that is definitely a statement that is not heard very frequently. But, perhaps this attitude is why in the last 31 years Mr. Trager and his team have grown Republic Bank to over $3.1 billion in assets and 45 banking centers in four states.

Attitude. Although formed by age 5, it can be changed to become the fuel of your growth both personally, professionally, and corporately. Changing to a positive attitude will indeed affect your goal setting and goal achieving which will produce results. And after all, results are what drive us individually and as leaders within departments, corporations, communities, and nations.

So, as you are preparing and reviewing your financial books for year-end reporting and auditing, I would encourage you to also spend some time in a leadership audit.

Last month, we talked about the important role leaders play in being the living representation of their company’s brand, and I challenged you to refresh yourself on your company’s Mission Statement, Vision, and Marketing Plan. To find three actionable goals to implement into your personal leadership role to more closely tie your company’s brand with your leadership – I would love to hear your feedback on this challenge. This month, I challenge you again:

Take some time to do an informal attitude assessment of yourself, your team, and your company.
Evaluate how your company’s mission and vision are impacting all other aspects within your company.
Take a quick quiz to assess whether your company’s leadership may be failing. [For a quick temperature check, visit our website: www.InspiredToLead.com]

Source: Fail Safe Leadership by Linda Martin & Dr. David Mutchler