Tag: solutions

You can’t manage time…

Time Management is one of those things people spend lots of time trying to figure out. The reality though is that the clock keeps going regardless of your efforts. The only thing you can manage is yourself and how you use or invest the hours of your day.

Here are some tips for using your days wisely:
time management

Take a break

Surprisingly, you get more done if you’re rested and refreshed. Spend an appropriate amount of time sleeping, in recreation, and in activities that develop your mind and capacity.

Think priorities

What is most important to you? If you focus on this first, you’re more likely to accomplish that. If you are unfocused, time will fill up, but likely not with the most important things.

Make decisions

Lingering over decisions will slow progress, sometimes needlessly. I’m not suggesting adopting a reckless posture, but there comes a time when decisions need to be made. At that point, make it and move on.

Take notes

I have heard it said that the dullest pencil is better than the sharpest mind for permanent recall. I carry a notebook with me almost everywhere I go. I also use EverNote as a tool on my phone so I’m rarely without some capacity to keep up with things discussed in a meeting. I’ve found that taking notes makes meetings much more productive. It also reduces the likelihood of needing to revisit things repeatedly.

Involve others

This also makes the work fun. Delegation and teamwork will enable you to accomplish more with your time.

What else?

Any other insights you’ve found for getting more done?

President’s Day – Famous One Liners

I have been fascinated for years with the role of the President of the United States. This has to be one of the most challenging jobs in the world and you have to spend years convincing the American people that you’re the right one to have it. Today, as a nation, we recognize President George Washington’s birthday and honor all the past presidents. In no order and with no recognition of political position, here are some of my favorite presidential one-liners:

  • “The Buck Stops Here” – Harry S. Truman: Leaders have to take responsibility for their own decisions and actions and for those of their team.
  • “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” – John F. Kennedy: We must challenge ourselves to pursue selfless ambitions rather than selfish ones.
  • “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent” – Thomas Jefferson: Leadership means speaking up when things aren’t right.
  • “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?” – Abraham Lincoln: His decision to recognize the political and leadership value in his presidential opponents gave him one of the most unique Cabinets ever, and came in handy as he worked to heal a fractured nation. (Book recommendation – Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of my favorites)
  • “Above all, tell the truth.” – Grover Cleveland: Leaders should prioritize honesty and integrity.
  • “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Diagnosing the hidden nature of challenges you’re facing is the first step toward resolution.

Lastly, a quote that I came across when looking some of these up. This isn’t one I had ever heard, but it speaks to our call as leaders: “Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.” – George Washington

What about you? Any other presidential quotes you appreciate?

Here’s a list of lots more: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/presquotes1.html

Defer or Initiate?: Tips from the MIddle

Many leaders find themselves in the middle of an organization. Depending on your past experiences, this can be a challenging place to operate. You are not the boss, but you also aren’t just taking orders. You are expected to lead the team of people you are responsible for in the right direction, while also being mindful of the guidance and direction set for the organization at the top.

In many organizations, this requires finding a unique balance:

  • When you look to the leadership of the organization, you are expected to defer. Simply, this means not focus on your own preferences, but work toward the goals which have been set for you. This requires less creativity, but can still be challenging if you would prefer to be driving on your own.  The way you honor and serve those ahead of you in the organization will set an example for your team; watch this carefully.
  • When you look to the members of your team, you are expected to initiate. You will rarely get 100% of the guidance for operating your sphere from the leadership ahead of you. If they had capacity to do that, they wouldn’t need you in the role you’re in. So you must identify strategies, create systems, and lead the team forward. You can’t wait for everything to work out and hand itself to you in a package with a bow. Solving challenges is why you were hired, and that means studying the situation, praying for wisdom, and experimenting with possible solutions in dialogue and in implementation.
In my experience, most people are more comfortable with either defer or initiate. Finding the balance of both in your culture and organization will create room for you to succeed.
A personal note: If you’re like me and prefer to defer, the balance will likely include a lot more initiate than you’re comfortable with. And yet, that’s the adventure!