20 Steps to Successful Leadership Frank Besednjak The Training Source, Inc. “Great Ideas for Great People” *Some Concepts & Ideas from “10 Steps to Be a Successful Manager” by Lisa Haneberg & “Lead Right” by Steve Ventura

But First.... Audit Your Company

Here are some signs of an ailing workplace. How many do you find in your company? ► People aren’t very excited about their work ► People feel very negative ► People only do what they are supposed to do ► Nobody ever says what is on their mind ► People are suspicious ► People aren’t willing to help each other ► People keep ideas to themselves ► People think they don’t matter

Here are some signs of quality workplace. How many do you find in your company? ► People are excited about their work ► People feel positive ► People try do more than what is expected ► People regularly provide input and ideas ► People trust each other ► People always help each other ► People take initiative ► People take responsibility for their results

► Okay... Let’s see what we can do about it Steps to Successful Leadership

1. Clarify and Communicate their Role and Yours ► What do people expect from you? ► Execute great moments of leadership  Stand by your employees’ decisions when they are needed  Take control during emergency or dire circumstances ► Are you an ethical role model?  Poor ethical role models encourage employees to cheat, lie and steal  Be the role model your employees need to mirror

2. Establish Guidelines and Methods of Operation ► What are the rules of the road ► Methods, steps procedures need to be established and communicated ► What happens when things go well ► What happens when things don’t go well ► Process map to establish the best methods of operation

3. Know Your Business ► Know why you exist ► Know the numbers and measurements ► Post the measurement results regularly ► Acknowledge and celebrate successes ► Tune up as necessary ► Teach the business

4. Do Right for Those Who Do Right  There are two things that people want more than sex and money: Recognition and Praise ► Mary Kay Ash

5. Let Them Know How They are Doing ► Clarify your expectations and theirs  People don’t need to learn as they go if it isn’t necessary  Ask them what they need and want from you  Tell them how they are doing  Give them a voice and say, let them know they are a partner in this  Do right by those who do right Take out a piece of paper and write down the name of each team member and the date of your last meeting with them. Did you discuss with them how they were doing and what they could do to be more successful?

6. Ask Them How You are Doing “What one or two things can I do or stop doing, that would make me a better leader in your eyes?” better leader in your eyes?”

Make 7. Make sure they have the tools they need ► Ask... Is there anything we need to make this work better, faster or easier ► Safety is more important than productivity

8. Deal With Performance Problems Early ► The best way to escape problems is to solve them ► Things never fix themselves

9. Be flexible and “zero tolerant” ► Know when to stand your ground ► Know when to bend ► Be “zero tolerant” on ethical, legal and organizational values and rules

► Conflicts do not improve with age ► Keep your eyes and ears open for potential conflicts 10. Nip Conflicts in the bud

► Invest in your most expensive resources ► What have you done to help your workforce learn and grow in the last six months? 11. Help them learn and grow

12. Choose Employees Wisely ► Define Job-Fit Criteria ► Interview Deeply and Well ► Take Reference Checks Seriously ► Get Excited About Your Choice The Training Source, Inc.

13. Define & Model Excellence ► Define what excellence is ► Create an environment of excellence ► Communicate the definition of excellence ► Be consistent ► Don’t contradict your self when defining excellence (oh, that was last month)

14. Plan the Work and Work the Plan ► Not just a to-do list ► Communicate what is expected ► Practice!!!!! ► Act with perseverance and agility  Be relentless but be flexible  Know when to kill your plan

15. Embrace Diversity ► Accept the fact that people are different ► Different strokes for different folks ► Minders, Finders and Grinders ► “The real death of this country will come when everyone is alike”  James T. Ellison

16. Stay Connected and Accessible ► So, do you have an open-door policy? ► Maintain regular contact ► Make sure people know how to best contact you ► Return all calls, messages and s from your team members

17. Proactively Manage Change ► Begin with the ending ► Understand that there will be resistance ► Know the neutral zone – this is the transition period ► Don’t make it a marathon ► Help others transition ► Know when your reach the end

18. Keep Your Promises ► Are you dependable, reliable & trustworthy? ► As a leader, your word is only as good as the last promise you kept or broke ► If you keep your word, they must also keep theirs

19. Keep Improving Yourself ► When do you reach the point where you know everything? ► Read publications, attend workshops and use the information

20. Leave a Legacy ► Create a legacy vision ► Visualize what it will be ► Become what you seek ► Leave things in great shape