This FABI Nugget is brought to you by the letter A. If you want an “A Team” of “A Players” then you need to be an “A Leader”. It’s that simple. Your Ability to lead is critical to the success of your organization and your Apathy toward leadership and your role in the output of your team could be your downfall. So let’s focus on the essentials to ensure you get a straight A education.
Attitude: A positive Attitude is perhaps the number one quality of a successful leader. Positivity breeds positivity – a negative attitude can kill morale. You are the authority in your organization. So keep the altitude of your attitude as high as possible. There’s a popular motivational quote that reads “what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”. That’s the attitude necessary to win and the example you must set for all those around you. Attitude not only sets the tone – it can set the path.
Actions: You demonstrate your positive attitude through Actions to support your desired result and those actions speak louder than words. Too many people talk a good game, but are unable to actually play the game. You must be an athlete and demonstrate to others how the game is won. Your actions should be consistent with your core values (something we talk quite a bit about in FABI). The actions you take reflect your authentic self.
Alignment: Actions taken with a positive attitude will assist with Alignment of the team. Articulating your vision with the team and asking them to be in alignment with you and the organizational values are key steps in accomplishing your aspirations.
Acceptance: Your positive attitude and actions cannot control everything around you. You must learn to Accept things that are out of your control (illness, accidents, disabilities) and focus on what can be controlled. This does not mean you have to accept poor performance from an employee, but you do have to accept that the underachieving employee will not last long in your organization and move on to A players. It’s always best to accept the reality you want to change, then take action to change it.
Availability: What if the poor performance of an employee is actually your fault because they weren’t trained appropriately? Being Available means you spend the time necessary to mentor your team and show them (through attitude and action) the expected way to achieve success.
Accountability: If you have a positive attitude and your actions align with your values and you’ve made yourself available to those who need you, you must be able to hold your team Accountable. Your team needs this and I believe actually wants this. Accountability weeds out the poor performers and allows the A players to rise up. Find ways of holding yourself and your team accountable and watch the awesomeness that follows.
Appreciation: Always appreciate those around you, supporting you, assisting you as you lead them. Appreciation can be shown when things go right and also when things go wrong – appreciation for the effort put in goes a long way. You’ll never find lasting success without appreciating those that helped you along the way.
I hope I’ve accomplished an accurate account of “A Leadership” and how you can go from amateur leader to absolute rockstar with your newly acquired acumen. Now get off your arse and act appropriately.
As Always…I Appreciate your time.
Matthew Dairman, DPM MS