You’re a Leader, Now What?

You’re a Leader, Now What?

Takeaways

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you’re a leader.” Jack Welch

Leadership in Action

What it Means

Why are these modules called “Leadership in Action”?

Because leadership is defined by action. Leaders get pulled in a thousand directions a day. Leaders can, and must, energize, motivate, reward, appraise, differentiate, strategize, celebrate, and deliver results. And above all, they need to do everything it takes to build great teams and pour confidence into their people.

Great leaders lead by example. They practice what they preach. They show their team the ways to the top by what they do, the decisions they make, and the action they inspire.

Why it Matters

Because if you can’t take action and if you can’t motivate your team to take action, you will never win.

Action Plan

Looking Back and Looking Forward

“Before you become a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” Jack Welch

When you started these modules, you were invited to consider a few opening questions. These questions are presented again here:

1.      What are your greatest leadership challenges right now?

2.      As a leader, what do you want to be able to do better after completing these modules?

3.      What stands in your way? What are the top barriers that are keeping you from winning? Think both about your own behaviors and about conditions at work that limit success.

4.      If you could change one thing about the way your team or your organization runs today, what would it be?

Take some time to review your answers at the beginning and reflect on where you have gotten to. These modules can’t turn you into a great leader. No one can. But it can give you the tools to start making changes. What you can do with those tools is up to you.

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

What steps can you take to get the most out of these modules and retain what you’ve learned?

1.      Go back and review. Take a look at your notes. Refresh your memory on key points and get a jolt of energy when you need it.

2.      Stay connected to Jack Welch insights and communities on LinkedIn.

·         Share your successes

·         Share your challenge

·         Gather insights from others

·         Ask questions

·         Support others

3.      Get moving. Every module has “Quick Wins” ideas to get started. Most are low-cost or no-coast and many require very little planning. Use them, try a few out, then try a few more. You don’t have to do everything all at once. In fact, you shouldn’t try to do everything all at once. But as you see the impact that even a few simple actions can make, you’ll be anxious to push on and try more.

4.      Keep notes. Revisit the material in the modules for ideas and to make notes on your progress as you implement new strategies.

5.      And last, but not least . . . always. . . always…know your team is watching you.

You lead by your actions. Don’t ever be a phony or say things you don’t mean, or expect your team to behave in a certain way while you behave the opposite. You have to live the values you want your team to live. They are looking to you to lead them. Don’t let them down.

Game Pages

“Leaders aren’t just born. They’re made.” Jack Welch

What Leaders Do

·         Make sure employees and colleagues not only see a company’s vision, but live and breathe it.

·         Reward the behaviors they value.

·         Build trust, cutting through BS, politics, and bureaucracy.

·         Deliver candid feedback at all times, and especially, in performance appraisals

·         Unleash the transformative power of differentiation in their organizations.

·         Energize and empower the people who work with and for them.

·         Use every opportunity to infuse confidence into their people.

·         Exude boundless positive energy and generate excitement.

·         Paint a picture of a greater purpose that the work is driving to.

·         Execute and over-deliver.

·         Have the courage to make tough calls.

·         Display authentic passion for their work and the work of others.

·         Recruit, hire, and motivate the best people regardless of the resources available.

·         Build teams that are creative, productive, and can find a basis for cooperation, even in contentious circumstances.

·         Rejoice in victories and rally teams with the power of celebration.