Leadership and Management Success in 2010: 8 Key Questions You Must Answer
A new year presents a golden opportunity to take stock and set out plans for great success in the year ahead. For many, achieving the results that they want as a leader or manager is an important area, not least because of the personal rewards it brings. In reality, success as a leader or manager does not happen by chance, so what are the x key questions you need to answer to achieving greater success as a leader or manager in 2010?
What do you want to achieve by the end of 2010?
Seems like a really easy question but in truth it is one of the most challenging to answer. When people sit down to formulate their response they often fall into the trap of coming up with vague statements that are meaningless. To overcome this, take the time to write out in some detail what you want to achieve by the end of 2010. Remember that your career does not operate in isolation from the rest of your life so think broadly.
Why do you want to achieve more success in 2010?
Mark Fritz the author of a number of books talks about the importance of the why being bigger than the what. In essence what he is saying is that unless the reasons for wanting to achieve something compelling are crystal clear they will never become more than aspirations. The why is what provides the drive and motivation to keep going no matter what the barriers are. For each thing that you want to achieve keep asking and answering why you want to achieve that particular goal.
What detailed plans do you have?
Knowing what you want to achieve and why you want to achieve something is great but unless it is supported by a detailed plan or action steps the chances of success are greatly reduced. For each goal that you want to achieve list out the series of steps that you need to take to achieve it. This does not need to be 100% complete at the start and you can add to it as new ideas for actions come to mind.
What sacrifices are you ready to make?
In life and in our careers everything is about choices. By saying yes to something we are saying no to something else. To achieve anything of significance is likely to require you to make some tough choices. For example, you might need to take a short term secondment to get specific experience that requires you to spend time apart from the family. This may or may not be a sacrifice you are willing to make. Being clear about the sacrifices you are willing to make improves decision making.
What sacrifices are you unwilling to make?
We all have our boundaries or things that we are not willing to do. Don’t see this as a weakness but instead see it as a strength. If there are certain things that you know that you are unwilling to do, be clear about them and use them and stick to your guns.
What changes do you need to make?
They say that insanity is keeping doing the same things and expecting different results. If you have taken the time to reflect on the last 12 months you will more than likely have identified some changes that you need to make in 2010. These changes might be about the environment in which you work, the staff you lead or manage or project. They could just as easily be changes that you personally need to make in say your attitude, outlook or skill set.
What support do you have?
Trying to doing it all alone is tough even if you are the most motivated person around. Successful people know that it is important to have some form of support in place. This can take many forms, including working with a coach, finding a mentor, forming a mastermind group or a professional network to name just a few.
What follow up do you have in place?
One of the most important things to have in place if you are going to achieve more success as a leader or manager in 2010 is a system of follow up or accountability. This simply involves letting someone else know what you are aiming to achieve by the end of 2010 and having some sort of way of regular reporting on progress.
Bottom Line – Achieving greater success as a leader and manager does to happen by chance. What questions do you need to answer to achieve more success in 2010?
Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve results as leader and managers. For more information click here
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.