Springboard Leader @Springboardlead

John F Kennedy famously said: 'We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard'. We must expect failure, and the reason we fail is because it is hard. But we make huge progress by persevering!

Am I a leader when I don't lead anyone? The simple answer is yes, you are. At the very least you lead yourself. Mastering your self-leadership is one of the most important traits that a leader can possess. Effective leaders are able to take charge of themselves and self-regulate.

Chameleons are able to change their skin colour to blend in to their surroundings with ease. People can behave in this way too. They change their behaviours depending on the environment and who they are engaging with, particularly if they are engaging with seniors. Avoid them!

Leaders must fully understand the interfaces that need to be managed between their department and the rest of the Company. That's up, down and sideways. It's important to know what information is exchanged and what people are involved.

I once worked for a company that offered a 4 day week. As long as you completed your mandated hours then they were happy. Money is an important part of any remuneration package, but it's not the be all and end all. Terms and Conditions are equally as important!

Do you have any single points of failure in any areas of your life? If so, what are you doing to make yourself more resilient? One area that springs to mind is income. How are you making yourself more resilient to economic shocks?

When recounting responses from people in discussions it can be an eye-opening experience. Some people 'tailor' their response depending on the seniority of the person they are talking to. It often changes the meaning of the conversation. Take note of who does this and challenge!

Are you aware of the knowledge levels within your team? Who holds the expertise? Who has gaps in their knowledge? Who would benefit from exposure to the Blinding Glimpses of the Obvious? Did you miss the issue? Grab a copy below 👇 buff.ly/4cvHkl0

One of the best ways to make your mark in a new role is to show that you are able to add value. You may not have the in-depth knowledge that someone would have if they had been in the role for some time. However, what you do have is experience from previous roles and judgement.

What are your team members bringing in to work? Modern life is stressful without a doubt! The separation between life and work is becoming increasingly hard to maintain. As a leader it helps you to understand that, for some, work/life separation may not be a binary existence.

When receiving feedback, no doubt some may be discarded almost immediately. But the majority should be taken on board. If opinion is consistently telling you the same thing from multiple sources, then be in receive not dismissive mode. People are trying to help you.

We have valuable knowledge and experiences that others would benefit from. We assume they know it. In most cases they don't. Tomorrow I'll show you how to bring those Blinding Glimpses of the Obvious (BGOs) to life. Subscribe here: buff.ly/4cvHkl0

Are you a long screwdriver, turning the screw from afar instead of letting the team get on with it. Delegation is hard. In fact it's an art form to do it properly. But nobody likes a micro-manager looking over their shoulders. Even worse is one that does this from a distance!

'Jekyll and Hyde' - Are you consistent in your behaviour towards your team? Or can they expect to meet a different personality every time they come into your office to brief you? If it's the latter that's not good! Behavioural inconsistency in a leader is destructive for a team!

Opportunities and Threats...are very similar in nature. They can be hard to recognise and even harder to address. Both are forms of risk; a risk with a negative impact is a threat. A risk with a positive impact is an opportunity. Both need to be managed with care.

Mission Command encourages innovation, flexibility, agility and initiative with minimal recourse to senior leaders. It is extremely effective because the Commander outlines his/her intent. It's up to whoever is tasked to come up with a plan to achieve the desired outcome.

What projects have you got running in the background to set you up for the future? There are a lot of podcasts out there which talk about side hustles. It seems that everyone is at it, trying to give themselves and their families a boost. So what are you going to be working on?

Life can be frustrating for sure, work frustrations can sometimes be overwhelming. But it's important to maintain control of your emotions. Outwardly, deploy your Poker Face and exude a calm, considered demeanour. Trust me, it pays off!

Is it possible to completely delineate/pigeon-hole your responsibilities as an employee from those you have as a parent/spouse? That is, can you maintain separation between the work and home environments or is there always going to be overlap, or at least a blurring of the edges?

How much dead time do you have? And how do you use it? When I say dead time I mean the time you spend travelling, either sat in an airport or driving/sat on a train etc. Do you read, listen to podcasts or music, plan your week? Or do you just sit and enjoy the calm?