Discover the Top 10 Tips for Leaders of Growing Companies

1. Top$10$Tips$for$Leaders$of$Growing$Companies$
1
WRITE a 100 Day Plan. New CEOs typically develop what is called a “100 day plan.” In
times of fast change perhaps this concept would be helpful for ANY leader. Whether you
manage a department or the organization, consider making your 100-day plan.
2
HUDDLE Daily with your Team. Whether your team is newly formed or seasoned, you
need to confer often and ask, “What questions should we be asking?” Consider that the real
power of good information is in asking good questions. A wrong question leads to bad
information. See tip #3. The huddle should provide focused, clear next actions.
3
Ask Better QUESTIONS. John Miller wrote a book getting at the Question behind the
Question, Click here for QBQ — don’t settle for thinking your first question is the right
question. Successful team members don’t settle, they probe until they find the real issues.
4
Don’t ASSUME ANYTHING. To get behind the assumptions, challenge yourselves to really
understand the assumptions. When you’re growing fast, execs often don’t have time for
strategic planning — at those times challenging your assumptions may save your hide from
operating on faulty premises.
5
REFLECT on the Day’s Decisions. Take a minute to capture the relationships, the
thoughts, your plans in something like an executive planner — the kind scientists keep, as
well as relationships made. Note what you learned today.
6
Don’t BURN Bridges. Sometimes, in the heat of work, it is possible to say something you
regret. If you have done this, pick up the phone and make it right with that person — you
can count on that someday they will be sitting strategically across from you.
7
Have STRAIGHT Talk. The sooner you know what works for you and what does not work for
you, say so. Say it all — say it in a way that will not offend, but say it all! Conversations you
do not have are the ones that later bite you in the butt.
8
READ Great Books for Guidance. Some of the best books for leaders come in small
packages — Click here for Transparency, a classic to be dog-eared, and read over and over.
Authors are names you should know – Warren Bennis, Daniel Goleman, James O’Toole.
9
DON’T take “NO” for an Answer. The Japanese are great at saying, “Yes” and meaning
“Maybe.” If you hear “No,” think “Maybe.” Who else can you ask? Where else can you
garner support? What other probing questions would generate a more favorable response?
10
ASK for help when you Need it. I’ve saved the best for last — like dessert. Too many
successful business leaders believe their own press, and close themselves off from “the
masses,” thinking they are now above it all. They aren’t, and the fall is hard. Get a coach to
keep you honest with yourself. Every great athlete has one, you should too.
Click here to get the eBook, Senior Executive Team Conversation Starters.
Would a Seasoned Advisor be helpful? http://www.accountabilitypays.com