Brushing Up On Your Personal ROI: Improving Your Leadership Skills

Published: Thu, 07/10/14

"Do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." -- Benjamin Franklin, American Founding Father.

Despite what some seem to believe, few of us leap into our careers with our abilities fully formed. Yes, exceptions exist: writer Robert A. Heinlein sold the very first story he ever wrote, then proceeded to rule as one of the Big Three science fiction writers for close to 40 years. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a child prodigy, seemed capable of plucking melodies out of the air.

But they were exceptions, and as the saying goes, the exceptions prove the rule. Most of us must grow into our jobs—even leaders. Leadership may come easily for you, but it's always good to brush up on your skills:

1. Continuous Use. Complacency ruins teams, killing productivity. Rather than issuing orders and assuming things will go your way, actively seek out your teams' input. Take the initiative to schedule 1-on-1 meetings and ask for input. Listen to their needs and requests, as well as their gripes. Tools you use continually might require more maintenance, but they also become more familiar, easier to use, and fit your hand better as time rolls on. Listening is one of these skills.

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12Books Discussion Group on Execution IS the Strategy

Join me as I lead the discussion at 12 Books on my latest book, Execution IS the Strategy: How Leaders Achieve Maximum Results in Minimum Time (Berrett-Koehler, 2014). 12 Books is the largest online business book group, introducing readers to leadership books on a monthly basis via an author-led discussion forum.

In today's world of rapid, disruptive change, strategy can't be separate from execution—it has to emerge from execution. You have to continually adjust your strategy to fit new realities. But if your organization isn't set up to be fast on its feet, you could easily go the way of Blockbuster or Borders.

I will show you how to quickly drive strategic initiatives and get great results from your team. I use my L-E-A-D Formula™ to outline the Four Keys to Successful Execution: the ability to Leverage your talent and resources, design an Environment to support an agile culture, create Alignment between strategic priorities and operational activities, and Drive the organization forward quickly.

Join the book group for free and chime in on the discussion. To learn more about becoming a member of 12 Books, visit 12booksgroup.com.

Also, join me for a live webinar on July 30, 2014. One hour attending this live webinar is going to save you countless hours in the future. Sign up for free today!

Looking for a productivity boost? Go back to school this fall!

Laura Stack has all-new programs starting this fall. The Productivity University one-year program will begin with a live kick-off event, The Productivity Academy, in Denver on September 26, 2014.

If you're seeking peak performance, personal productivity, life balance, and success, The Productivity Pros individual coaching program provides a forum to discuss your challenges and gain insights from a group of like-minded colleagues and a personal consultant.

Are you a financial advisor, management consultant, or executive coach? Do you need to help your clients run more productive practices? Join Laura Stack's Productivity Pro® Elite Advisor Program™: A Licensed Distributorship of Productivity Pro® Content.

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(C) 2014 Laura Stack. Laura Stack is America's premier expert in personal productivity. For over 20 years, her speeches and seminars have helped professionals, leaders, teams, and organizations improve output, execute efficiently, and save time at work. She's the author or coauthor of 10 books, most recently, Execution IS the Strategy. To invite Laura to speak at your next meet or register for her free weekly newsletter, visit www.TheProductivityPro.com.