Alan demonstrates the way a frequently-moved sticky note can be a simple yet effective tool to aid your commitment to self-improvement. Related post: Sticky note idea. Another use for sticky notes to stay organized.
A visual example of using a simple system to take ACTION on what you’ve learned at a conference or other professional development event. Previous post on this topic (including bonus downloadable tool): Organizing professional learning.
Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Here’s an easy way to organize it quickly and get to work! Previous posts on this topic: The A,B,C method. Another idea for when you are very overwhelmed.
Leaders must have vision. Not just in the “creatively imagined future” way, but also in the way of “I have an accurate assessment of the way things are right now.”
Leaders must (in the words of those wise men, Kouzes and Posner) “inspire a shared vision.”
Last week’s blog talked about the value of vision as a leader. With vision, you have a clear destination; a clear destination can aid in motivating your team.
But with vision, comes goals. Goals serve as checkpoints on the way to your vision. But how do you know you have a goal worth pursuing?
“Employees want to constantly be better at what they do. If not challenged, they will look for challenges elsewhere.” –Ilya Pozin
As a leader, you have a job to do: lead people (sounds simple enough, right?). Where you lead them requires vision. Knowing your destination makes it possible for you to challenge them in a “directionally appropriate” manner.
So many believe that leaders are “visionary”. It’s true – but a problem is this:
The concept of vision is “out there”, esoteric, hard to grasp. Aren’t visionary leaders somehow “special” in that regard? How can you “teach” vision?
A working definition of “Vision” as it applies to leaders:
Vision is a two-fold ability:
1) the ability to accurately see the current reality of the organization/situation, and
2) the ability to creatively see the possibilities of the organization/situation.