1. Planning

"Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance". A solid plan should have measurable goals to determine progress and success. It should take into account the current situation and environment, and the plan should be both documented and communicated. Plans should be compared and aligned with a comprehensive strategy.

2. Setting Goals

Goals should be specific, time limited and measurable. Measurements include quantity, capacity, percentage, monetary, timeliness, completeness, ratings or similar items that can be quantified.

3. Making Decisions

The following are steps to making logical and informed decisions: Define the problem. Measure the problem or situation, gather as much information as necessary. Analyze the information that you have gathered, not the problem. Analyzing the information often leads to discoveries or perspectives of root cause issues that may have been previously overlooked by concentration on the results of the problem, so be sure to focus on the facts of the information. Implement solutions that are targeted at the root cause of the problem or opportunities. Measure the outcome, compare to the original situation, and created controls to maintain the improved performance or situation.

4. Delegation

Be willing to delegate authority as well as responsibility, obligations or tasks. Delegating authority empowers individuals who are closer to the activity to respond with more informed and more timely action. You are surrounded by talented individuals, give them the chance to perform. Maintain a constant and consistent balance between Authority, Accountability and Responsibility.

5. Support

Perhaps one of the most important characteristics of leadership is the willingness and ability to provide support for your people. You can demonstrate support by being an advocate for their ideas, be compassionate and patient, contribute with your own time, and reinforce that what they do is important to the overall success of the organization.

6. Communication

Communication is not only speaking, it is listening. Use Active Listening Skills to enhance your communication, assure good comprehension and demonstrate the value of the message. When it is time to speak, be precise and clear in your communications. Explain fully to eliminate ambiguity in instructions. In meetings, keep speeches to fifteen minutes or less. Try to keep all meetings under thirty minutes by maintaining subject focused communication and require information preparation in advance.

7. Control

If you have a plan, stick to it. Apply daily diligence according to plan, use measurements to assure progress, and keep control when the plan has been implemented.

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Words of Wisdom

"Communication is most effective when it translates a complex idea in a simple way."
- Mark Jarvis, Senior Vice President, Oracle

"If people have better information, they make better decisions - period."
- Suzanne Muchin, CEO, Civitas

"Every Leader needs to clearly explain the top three things the organization is working on. If you can't, you are not leading well."
- Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO, General Electric

About the Author:

John Mehrmann is an authority on emotional intelligence, talent management and organizational development. He is a consultant, coach and trainer with Executive Blueprints Inc., an organization devoted to improving business practices and developing human capital. His materials are available from http://www.InstituteForAdvancedLeadership.com.

http://www.ExecutiveBlueprints.com provides resource materials for trainers, sample Case Studies, educational articles and references to local affiliates for consulting and executive coaching.

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