V8.1: It Doesn’t Take a Cape to be a Leader

Wow, 2019 is here at last! With that in mind, it’s time to start the year off right with good habits.

Often times, we think we have to be a superhero in order to advance in our careers. This is simply not the case. You don’t have to do it all to be a great leader. In truth, you need to manage expectations, engage your teams, and only bite off what you can choose.

Avery Blank writes two tips on “how successful people achieve their goals” for Forbes.com. We definitely agree with her thoughts, so we thought it was the perfect time to share them with you.

1. “Focus on one aspect.” A good leader knows that you cannot do it all at once. Of course, it’s natural for you to want to help everyone to the best of your ability, which tends to mean taking on everyone’s screaming monkeys. You know this story, right? When an employee comes to you with a problem (a screaming monkey), your first reaction is to take it on– to save the day. But then, you’re left with ALL of the screaming monkeys to feed and take care of and those employees don’t learn how to do it themselves. A great leader knows when to step in and when to let their team learn. We’ll say it again, you cannot do everything at once. A successful leader manages expectations and understands their own limitations. An important piece in business is being realistic. 

   As you all know, we love setting goals (as we discussed a few weeks ago). When you have a big project to work on, break it up into smaller tasks to focus on one aspect at a time. You will be much more productive and successful in the long run. Remember, you will accomplish your goals by trying to achieve something, not everything.  

2. “Look to the long-term.” Success takes time, my friends. Rome was not build in a day, as the cliche goes. It will take time and effort and a lot of careful planning to accomplish your goals. A great leader is patient and understands that change does not take place overnight. Set realistic time frames for you to complete each task, sub-goal, and overarching goal. If you don’t know how long something should take you, Google it. There is plenty of research out there in Internet land. Find out how long it took other people and do what it takes for you to match or beat that expectation. 

   Remember that success does not come when you work alone. It takes collaboration and communication. Ask questions of others or find a mentor to help you find the best path for achieving what you set out to do.

A leader has many forms and trust us, there is no cape required. As the great Edna Mode says, “NO CAPES!”

When you manage your expectations and break down your goals into more realistic bites, you will tackle it with much more precision and passion.  Start your year off right with a good attitude and a fresh perspective!