Master the Top 15 Leadership Resolutions

 

No matter what your role is, these principles will steer you toward remarkable leadership.

1. Recognize Achievements

   • Why: Celebrating success fosters a culture of recognition and motivates continuous effort and achievement.

   • Question: Am I consistently acknowledging the hard work and successes of my team members?

2. Cultivate Empathy

   • Why: Empathy builds trust and understanding, which are fundamental to effective teamwork and leadership.

   • Question: Do I actively strive to understand and consider my team's feelings and perspectives?

3. Enhance Communication

   • Why: Clear and open communication is the cornerstone of a functional and united team.

   • Question: Are my communication channels clear, open, and accessible to everyone on my team?

4. Empower Through Autonomy

   • Why: Autonomy encourages responsibility and innovation, allowing individuals to take ownership of their work.

   • Question: Do I provide enough space and trust for my team members to make their own decisions?

5. Respect Personal Time

   • Why: Balancing work and personal life reduces burnout and increases overall job satisfaction.

   • Question: Am I respecting the boundaries between work and personal time for myself and my team?

6. Promote Diversity and Inclusion

   • Why: A diverse and inclusive environment leverages a broader range of talents, experiences, and perspectives.

   • Question: Have I created a workspace that values and incorporates diverse thoughts and backgrounds?

7. Combat Toxicity

   • Why: A healthy work environment is essential for the well-being of employees and the effectiveness of a team.

   • Question: How promptly and effectively am I addressing negativity and toxicity in my team?

8. Develop Quiet People

   • Why: Quiet team members often offer unique insights and contribute significantly when given the right opportunities.

   • Question: How am I enabling the quieter members of my team to thrive with their strengths?

9. Mentor and Guide

   • Why: Mentoring shapes future leaders and creates a legacy of continuous growth and learning.

   • Question: Am I actively investing time in mentoring and guiding my team toward growth and success?

10. Share Success

    • Why: Sharing success reinforces a sense of collective achievement and team unity.

    • Question: Do I ensure that credit is fairly distributed and team accomplishments are celebrated together?

11. Be Present and Engaged

    • Why: Being fully present demonstrates commitment and sets the tone for the team to do the same.

    • Question: Am I fully attentive and engaged during interactions with my team?

12. Foster Innovation

    • Why: Encouraging innovation keeps a team forward-thinking and competitive.

    • Question: What am I doing to create a supportive environment that nurtures new ideas?

13. Manage Workloads

    • Why: Proper workload management prevents burnout and ensures sustainability in productivity.

    • Question: Am I regularly checking in on my team's workload and making adjustments as needed?

14. Cultivate Thoughtful Leadership

    • Why: Thoughtful leadership is about reflecting on and refining your approach based on feedback.

    • Question: How often do I reflect on my leadership style and actively seek out feedback for improvement?

15. Lead by Example

    • Why: Leading by example inspires trust and sets the standard for the behavior expected within the team.

    • Question: Are my actions reflecting the standards and ethics I wish to see in my team?

Real-Life Examples

Combat Toxicity

In our sales department, tensions were high, and the negativity from one team member was spreading.

As a leader, I addressed this head-on by first having a private conversation with the individual, setting clear expectations for behavior.

Then, I facilitated a team workshop on positive communication and mutual respect.

It wasn't overnight, but the shift towards a supportive atmosphere increased team morale and productivity, proving that a no-tolerance stance on toxicity will rebuild a healthy team dynamic.

Being Present and Engaged

During a particularly challenging quarter, I noticed our project team was disengaged, missing deadlines, and the quality of work was slipping.

I realized I had been preoccupied with my own projects and hadn't been truly present with my team.

I decided to change this.

I started listening more than speaking.

I got back to showing more genuine interest in not just the work but the team's well-being.

We got back to our weekly engagement activities.

These small but significant gestures had a massive ripple effect.

The team noticed the change in my approach.

My presence and engagement demonstrated that I was there to support them, not just oversee their work.

Morale improved, and so did our project outcomes.

The team felt more connected and committed than ever.

Choose one of the 'Top 15 Leadership Resolutions' that strikes a chord with you.

But here's the twist: Instead of simply committing to it in thought - translate it into a tangible daily action.

Here's how you can make it real:

1. Set a Daily Reminder: Put a daily alert on your phone or calendar with the resolution as the title. Let this be your prompt to act.

2. Journal the Journey: Each day, take five minutes to jot down how you applied the resolution. What did you do? How did it feel? What was the reaction?

   1. I like to use Notion for journaling, or you can try the prompt below.

      1. ChatGPT Prompt: "Generate a reflective journal entry template for daily tracking of my progress on a specific leadership resolution. The template should include sections for describing actions taken, feelings experienced, and reactions observed."

3. Reflective Questions: At the end of each day, ask yourself:

   • What did I learn about myself by following this resolution?

     • This ChatGPT prompt is also helpful: "List introspective questions I can ask myself to uncover key self-discoveries from practicing [add leadership resolution]."

   • How did this resolution impact my interactions today?

     • Try this ChatGPT Prompt: "Suggest analysis points for evaluating the effect of [add leadership resolution] on my daily interactions."

   • In what ways did this resolution change the outcome of my day?

     • Give this ChatGPT Prompt a try: "Help me draft a set of questions to assess the tangible impact of [add leadership resolution] on the outcomes of my day."

4. Share the Experience: At the end of the week, share your most powerful insight or story related to the resolution in a team meeting or on social media.

By making your resolution actionable, reflecting on it daily, and sharing your experience, you’ll not only enrich your own leadership skills but will inspire others to do the same.

Final thoughts

As we conclude, remember that every act of leadership is a brick in the bridge to a better future.

Build diligently, lead compassionately, and the path will unfold before you.

https://tinyurl.com/2rwa9zwn