What makes the most effective Leaders; whether it be at the front line, shop floor, middle manager or the glass ceiling is simply…

…The Ability to LET GO!

The only way to become more effective at what you do, to focus on the direction and the vision of your path is to let go of the things that keep you from moving forward. This means:

1. Delegating to those around, under and above appropriately,
2. Dumping anything that is absolutely non-essential to what you absolutely need to focus your time on which will allow you to start
3. Doing the things that you must absolutely do that no one else should be held accountable for. These can also be the things that are actually in your capability, skill and potential.

This is not easy. While I and all of you are most likely overwhelmed, overloaded and overworked; an exercise to help figure out what you must (1) Delegate, (2) Dump, and (3) Do is even more essential then ever.

An Exercise for Delegation

Take a moment to list all of the activities you perform in your role. Then take each thing and categorize it under one of the columns. You may realize how much you need and don’t need to DO, what you should DELEGATE to help those around you become better, and then focus on what you absolutely need to DO!

SELF ASSESSMENT

Now it is time for your to assess how much you hold onto. Follow the instructions below and think about what you listed and what you can realistically prioritize! Good luck.

Try this! After you do it let me know what you thought, took away, or maybe even changed!

To make a decision is good. To understand how we make that decision is better!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2iJF2I94pg

Some opportunities no one wants. So they will delegate, pass them off or just dump them on you.

When you are tagged, you can do exactly what the previous person did. You can dump it on someone else or you can take it. You can own it and make, what that bad situation was to one person, and create a great opportunity for yourself.

When you make lemonade out of the lemons from what someone else passed off to you, they will sometimes be envious of the good results you created…. or they may want the credit for that outcome.

They may also be happy for you.

Regardless, when you are faced with this at work or in life do me a favor… try to make that ‘situation’ better!

At the most surprising times you might just be chosen. Just trust yourself and your ability when it does happen! That is when it is good to be “it.”

What do you do when you get a lemon project?

If you are a manager, leader of people, find yourself guiding the performance of anyone…

The Number 1 question you should ask yourself…

“Would I want to be managed… by me?”

So… would you? Let’s discuss.