As a former athlete… and if you’ve ever played or been around sports, you’ve heard the term, “Speed Kills”! When players are of somewhat equal ability and speed is added to the equation, BOOM! Coaches want players with speed and business is no different… how fast can you learn, how fast can you get tasks done, how quickly can you beat someone to a problem, how fast can you respond… I could go on, but you get the point!
Speed is attractive and it does matter. However, as Leaders, there are times when speed can hurt and the saying, “Speed Kills” continues to be true; but in a negative way: when you’re in a hurry to get “It” done without proper regard of your People’s bandwidth, when you’re in a hurry to get “It” done yourself without properly delegating, when you’re in a hurry to delegate it ALL to get out of the way, or in a hurry to promote… your hurry hurts and your speed may kill your Leadership & Work/Life Harmony and that of those we’re Leading! So, what to do?
Hurry to Get It Done!
Back in my “Employee Days” I remember my workload quadrupling over a couple year span and EVERYTHING was a High Priority/Handle Now. One day, my Boss asked me to finish a task, and I snapped, “Do you want me to do that or do my job?”. Now, I’m not suggesting you respond to your Boss that way! Do not get fired because you read this and think Andre Young is telling you to respond to your Boss or Coworkers this way, Lol!
My point is, I was wrong about how I said it; however the premise was… I was stretched to the max, my Boss had no idea of my list or my bandwidth, and I didn’t have the Leadership skills at that time to respond differently. Nowadays, I teach The Priority Quadrant in my Trainings and EVERYTHING and EVERY IDEA cannot go in the first quadrant of High Priority/Handle Now!
Yes, as a Leader, you have a vision and task you expect your People or Team to complete and speed matters. In this case, do you know if the person you’re delegating this to has the emotional, physical, realistic, and/or technological bandwidth to handle the task, let alone complete the task in the timeframe you desire or expect? Let’s explore:
Emotional – Business is business; emotions cannot get in the way of meeting high standards and expectations, but they still exist and matter! Will you be curious about your people, their to-do list, the favors they may be doing for coworkers or other departments? Are they burning out, stressed out, did their pet just pass away, are they caring for their sick parent, etc.?
Physical – This is simple, where are they? In this remote work world; do they have access to what is required to complete your desired task? Secondly, I remember a time when I was fresh off surgery; literally cut down the middle of my stomach and held together with staples. It was so bad, when I sneezed, I was directed to hold a pillow over my stomach to keep my insides from leaking out. I know… gross, too much information, and way too personal; but it’s the truth! Yes, I was still able to work; but to what degree… and someone being curious and willing to check on me from time to time to ask how I was doing or understanding I may need time to change bandages would have been nice, appreciated, and remembered!
Realistic – I’m HUGE on 1-on-1 Meetings… and in my Leadership Trainings I explain how to have them like a Leader. A few months ago (depending on when you’re reading this) I had an idea for the business and was eager to share it with The World’s Best Executive Assistant… Nichole if you’re reading this, it’s you! However, during our 1-on-1, when we got to the “Mesh Goals” portion, I shared a new endeavor, wanted to get her feedback on how she could be involved, and add it to her List… and in a hurry! After introducing it…I asked what I now want you to ask, “What’s your bandwidth for this and what’s currently on your list?”.
Nichole is beyond awesome and handles quite a bit, however it was in that moment of her beginning to respond, I could see her professionally gasping for air. The simple question of, “What’s your bandwidth and your list” will give most of your People the opportunity and permission to be honest with you; allowing you to exhibit great Leadership to better help prioritize their list, hurry in some areas, slow down in others, and delegate more effectively… Be Mindful!
Technological – Do your People, Company, or Team have the proper technology, systems, process, or training to accomplish the task or project you desire… in the most time-efficient and seamless manner? If so, fantastic and GO… as long as you’ve checked-in on their bandwidth! If not, what’s your plan to upgrade, update, and how will you move fast, but not hurried and scattered? I’m a sports guy and my youngest son plays quarterback… you want to move quickly but not in a hurry; that’s when bad things happen! Think of leaving the house in the morning… when you leave quickly, no problem. When you leave in a hurry, how many things do you tend to forget that negatively impact the remainder of your day?
Hurry to Do it Yourself!
Leaders can dangerously be in a hurry is to do it all themselves! This can happen for several reasons; the main one, “I can do it better, quicker, and faster than everyone else!”. Yes, this may be true… but you’ll be doing “It” for the rest of your life, not building Leaders under you, creating a culture of laziness and ineptitude, and eventually temper-tantrumming your staff does nothing, resenting them, them resenting you, not able to vacations in peace… if at all, or move up or move on professionally… how’s that sound?
As a Leader, your job is to do the People who are doing the task, plus your administrative tasks, and get results. If you’re doing all the tasks… take the demotion, put your blinders on, and knock yourself out because that’s not Leadership!
Therefore, delegation must become a skill… as well as an art! In short:
- Why are you delegating this task?
- Who are you delegating it to?
- What’s their bandwidth? What may you need to assist with regarding prioritization?
- Do they have the knowledge and ability to do the task? If so, great! If not, what do they need?
- What will you be doing with your time as you white-knuckle the experience of letting them do the task their way; allowing you to come up with ideas and plans to propel your Team and the Business forward?
Hurry to Get Out of the Way!
I must admit, this is the one that still gets in my way and I must be aware of to be an effective Leader! In my Trainings I often share The 5 Types of Leaders! Remember, a Great Leader is all 5 Types depending on the person that needs it or the situation that calls for it. However, we all have a Top 2 of who we are at our core… and that may change over time. Currently, I’m a Visionary and Motivator… sounds cool? It is, however mixed with my ADHD… it means I have BIG Ideas, want to motivate my Team to do them, and get out of the way as soon as possible!
To be honest, EVERY TIME I’ve been PASSIONATE to tackle a project, I’ve been a better Leader. However, the times I’ve liked the idea and it made sense to do (but I wasn’t SUPER PASSIONATE about it), I’ve had the ability to visualize and motivate… but HURRIED out of the way TOO FAST! This hurry has always led to problems, hiccups, and mishaps… and as a Leader, that must totally be on me… and it must totally be on YOU!
Therefore, know yourself! When you’re in a hurry to step out of the way… Why? Do your People still need you? To what degree? How will you make time and take time to check-in on the thing you like but aren’t super passionate about: your 1-on-1’s, Team Meeting, random visits, Tests of the product as a customer/client, sit in on Team Meetings about the project to observe and learn? Don’t let your hurry to get out of the way taint your Leadership, because the end result will always be a reflection on YOU; not your People… Be Mindful!
Lastly, when you’re in a hurry to get out of the way… it’s easy to believe because your People are experts in their field, they’re also experts in your culture… that may not be true! Just because someone is great at what they do; doesn’t mean they are great within your Team, with coworkers, within your desired culture, or that they’ve been around you long enough to develop the superpower of reading your mind: what you’d approve, disapprove, or to know what you meant when you ask the inevitable question of “You got this?”… Be Mindful!
Hurry to Promote!
Too often in too many organizations… someone sells a million dollars worth of product, they will inevitably be offered the Sales Manager Position! Just because a person can sell, doesn’t mean they can lead… and too many times the company loses its best Sales Person, gains their worst Leader, and everyone under them is miserable.
Keep in mind, many Employees don’t know how to turn down more money, a better title, a bigger office, and perks. Therefore, let’s not be in a hurry to promote due to skill set; as Leadership & Work/Life Harmony are on the line for them, their staff, and your organization overall!
Yes, there are times when you see something in someone that they’re struggling to see in themselves, and you’re willing to be there for them every step of the way. What a beautiful, impactful, and rewarding experience… when it takes… if it takes! Be sure you’re with those you promote in that same way; understanding:
- What are their strong points?
- Where do they struggle?
- What’s your Vision, Expectation, and Rules… do they know?
- What training do they need? Where are they getting it from?
- What’s their Authority Span = decisions they can make without you and up until what point and why?
Hurry to Promote is one of the biggest reasons I prefer to bookend a company with Leadership & Work/Life Harmony Training! Most organizations will send their Top Leaders or Emerging Leaders to The World’s Best Training… only to send them back to work (retaining 10% of the info) to lead a bunch of Employees that didn’t attend the training, aren’t excited about anything, and simply trying to make it through another day… sound familiar?
I enjoy Training in cohorts and giving a similar Leadership Training to Front-Line Employees for two reasons:
- It makes the company better and more positively impacted when everyone can move forward together with a motivated and willing mindset; without Leaders having to drag so many people Success Mountain!
- The Front-Line is where you’re most likely to promote, right? So, why not give them some great Leadership Tools to already have in their toolbox?
You now know a Leader’s Hurry! What was your Biggest Takeaway? What homework are you giving yourself to apply to your Leadership, your Team, or organization right NOW? Enjoy your Evolution!!!
“Don’t let your hurry to get out of the way taint your Leadership, because the end result will always be a reflection on YOU; not your People… Be Mindful!”
– Andre Young
Written by: Andre Young
Are you looking to impact your Organization, Leaders, Teams, and Employees with Leadership & Work/Life Harmony Trainings or a Speaker? Click www.youevolvingnow.com to connect, chat, and customize with Andre Young!
