From Manager to Leader #2

Leadership skills can be developed at any stage in your career.  Some people naturally possess these skills, others do not.  Here are some additional shifts to make when you’re aspiring to be a leader.

Shift 6:  Trust yourself to trusting others.  Managers often think they have to come up with the ideas they create.  Leaders enlist the big thinkers for ideas and let them contribute.  Create an outrageous plan to grow the business or your career.  Show that plan to trusted associates who are big and smart thinkers.  Listen to their ideas and advice.  Trust others, not just yourself.

Shift 7:  Attached to results to enjoy creating results.  Managers are producers, leaders enjoy the process of getting the results.  When you learn how to enjoy the process, you will be less hooked by the results and able to create solutions and set much better goals.  Put enjoying the process ahead of getting the result.  Get both, but don’t live for the future; rather, enjoy the now.  Become more action-oriented vs. results-oriented.

Shift 8:  Should want to doing.  Managers are full of shoulds and are not always clear on what they want.  Leaders do what they want and have a clear direction.  Make what you want to do a priority.  Start small doing something each day that is just for you.  Putting yourself first will open up the channel to knowing what you want and fosters creativity.

Shift 9:  Mange change to cause change.  Managers focus on the short and medium term, given the results focus.  This causes the organization to be reactive to change and the future rather than being the source of those changes.  Change is inevitable, either you’re managing it or creating it.  Leaders create the changes they want.  Leaders are innovators within their company and industry which means extraordinary, sustainable and profitable ideas.

Shift 10:  Solve problems to stopping them.  Managers get adrenaline by solving problems for their company and staff.  Leaders create a “no problem” culture.  Have the staff design the systems to put in place that will eliminate the problems.  When something comes up as a problem, ensure the “fix” eliminates the problem from occurring again.

Shift 11:  Manage resources to create additional resources.  Managers work within the framework of what they have before them.  They manage as they have before and don’t look for blockbuster solutions.  Leaders raise the standards of what they already have creating additional productivity from the same asset.  Get more out of what you already have by paying attention to every detail and make sure your people have everything they need for outstanding performance.  Have your staff tell you how they can double productivity.

What do you need to make the shift to leadership?  Of the 11 shifts that I’ve shared, which one would be the hardest for you?  The next blog will cover still more shifts needed on the path to leadership.  Leave your comments below.

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