Doing the Right Things Right

Leaders don’t just issue commands; they inspire their team to achieve their goals while staying on the path of progress and integrity.

1. Clear Goals Fuel Productivity

Every effective leader ensures their team knows where they are headed. Goals provide a sense of purpose that drives a team’s performance. When employees can see how daily tasks fit into the broader strategy, they stay engaged and motivated.

Having clear objectives shows people why their work matters. It transforms mundane duties into meaningful contributions, boosting morale even when challenges arise. However, goals must align with the company’s mission to guide employees toward progress without wasted efforts.

Communicating these goals is just as essential. Without clarity, teams might work on projects that don’t align with company strategy. For example, a client’s request for a specific spelling in a marketing piece went unnoticed due to poor communication, leading to unnecessary reprints and lost money.

Examples

• A clear mission helps a team focus even on tough or dull projects.
• Miscommunication led to a costly printing error in the example above.
• Written and verbal instructions ensure everyone understands expectations.

2. Adapting to Change is Non-Negotiable

Markets, technology, and consumer preferences evolve. Leaders must embrace change to keep their companies relevant and profitable. Those who resist change risk losing their competitive edge.

History shows us how staying flexible is key. Yahoo passed on investing in Google when it was just a start-up, a decision that remains a painful lesson. Sticking to outdated practices blinds companies to emerging opportunities and can even lead to failure.

When it’s time to act, leaders need confidence. Overanalyzing or delaying decisions undermines progress. While action involves risks, thoughtful planning and readiness for potential setbacks can mitigate failures while spurring progress.

Examples

• Major corporations embracing online models thrived during retail evolution.
• Yahoo’s missed investment opportunity in Google is a cautionary tale.
• Planning ahead allows leaders to act decisively without unnecessary delays.

3. Equip Teams with the Right Resources

Teams perform well when they have all the tools they need. Leaders play a key role in creating an environment with minimal obstacles and friction. Whether it’s ensuring reliable technology or streamlining existing procedures, removing barriers makes a team more productive.

Underperformance often stems from poor resources, not laziness. For example, outdated software and slow internet can bring productivity to a halt. Leaders must proactively address such issues to help their teams do their best work with less effort.

Motivation ties into this. Asking employees how they want to be challenged or rewarding time-saving ideas can spark interest and energy among team members, further driving results.

Examples

• A slow internet connection often reduces efficiency in teams.
• Cutting unnecessary paperwork helps everyone streamline their tasks.
• Rewarding good ideas encourages innovation and engagement.

4. Motivation Drives Outstanding Results

Employees who care about their work perform better. Motivated teams tackle even the hardest jobs without hesitation. Leaders hold the responsibility of creating this drive by helping teams see why their tasks matter.

One way to accomplish this is by avoiding micromanagement. Employees need space and trust to take ownership of their responsibilities. Leaders who demand constant micro-approvals not only slow progress but drain motivation.

Celebrating completed milestones is another effective strategy. Shifting from one goal to another without acknowledgment can demotivate teams. Simple gestures, such as office parties or public kudos, can reinforce enthusiasm for ongoing and future work.

Examples

• Removing micromanagement allows employees to take ownership of tasks.
• Acknowledging success with celebrations keeps teams motivated.
• Encouraging team members to explore their impact ensures they focus on more than paychecks.

5. Respect Fuels Loyalty

While many employees search for the next top job, mutual respect builds loyalty. Leaders earn this respect by valuing team input, honoring commitments, and working as hard as the team.

Open communication is paramount. Ignoring employee concerns harms trust. Taking their opinions seriously and acting on feedback demonstrates respect. Equally, when leaders fail to meet promises, they should expect to lead a disengaged workforce.

Leading by example seals mutual trust. A leader who works with the same dedication they expect inspires loyalty and camaraderie among their employees.

Examples

• Giving weight to team feedback shows respect and care.
• Leaders who break promises short-circuit morale.
• Teams mirror the work ethic of leaders who actively contribute.

6. Prioritization is Key to Staying Efficient

Time management becomes a challenge when leaders juggle multiple responsibilities. Developing a system to rank tasks ensures the most valuable work gets done. Borrowing the concept of medical triage, tasks should be sorted based on importance and urgency.

Leaders must also avoid distractions, like incessantly checking email. Switching between unrelated tasks wastes time as it requires refocusing. Scheduling time for emails and other secondary tasks keeps attention on what truly matters.

Abandoning low-value activities clears space for purposeful action. Revisiting tasks that don’t add significant returns is often more draining than productive.

Examples

• Triage-based prioritization guarantees attention to tasks with the greatest impact.
• Scheduled email times prevent consumption of mental energy.
• Removing low-value tasks helps preserve focus.

7. Overloading on Information Stalls Action

Attempting to learn everything about a problem can sidetrack decision-making. Leaders may feel thoroughness is responsible, but too much information can muddy decisions rather than clarify them.

Productive leaders limit data consumption by setting specific time limits to gather insights. This habit avoids paralysis by analysis and maintains focus on problem-solving.

Clarity in decisions doesn’t depend on perfect information. Instead, leaders succeed when they act with enough data to make informed yet timely choices.

Examples

• Spending too much time collecting data often delays effective solutions.
• Limiting data intake establishes clarity for quicker decisions.
• A focus on actionable steps trumps endless research.

8. Self-Care Enhances Leadership Capability

Leaders face immense stress as they bear the weight of their teams’ success. Neglecting personal health has cascading effects on their ability to lead. Physical and mental wellness must be prioritized.

Fatigue impairs decision-making and causes mood swings. Restoring mental clarity, through sleep and breaks, increases productivity noticeably. Leaders can only give energy to their team when their energy is not depleted.

Having fun and relaxing helps re-establish the drive to lead effectively. Fun injects positivity, which then trickles down to the rest of the team, keeping morale alive.

Examples

• Sleep-deprived leaders are prone to errors and irritability.
• Taking breaks recharges focus and productivity levels.
• Relaxed leaders pass down positive energy to their teams.

9. Acting Decisively Beats Wasting Time

Leaders often get stuck contemplating multiple choices. However, waiting too long to make a decision can be more harmful than making the wrong one. Comparing the impacts of each option and trusting instincts allows for faster, better leadership.

No decision is ever risk-free. Even the most seasoned leaders know not all plans land perfectly, but execution and reflection on results spark long-term growth.

Procrastination harms momentum. A leader’s resolve sets a powerful example for their team. Quickly identifying a direction encourages everyone to step forward into action confidently.

Examples

• Inaction wastes momentum, even when a plan is in place.
• Teams value leaders confident enough to act without long delays.
• Growth comes more often from action than analysis paralysis.

Takeaways

1. Communicate goals and expectations clearly in multiple formats to avoid confusion among your team.
2. Reassess your priorities daily to ensure you focus on tasks that align with your goals.
3. Prioritize self-care, including regular rest and breaks, to stay sharp and lead effectively.