Sometimes a clear message from God is followed by a period when
no change in the situation is apparent. During that time, seeming setbacks
may turn people away from wanting to hear more about God. If you are a
leader, don't give up. Keeping bringing people God's message as Moses
did. By focusing on God who must be obeyed rather than on the results to
be achieved, good leaders see beyond temporary setbacks and reversals.
When the chances for success appear slim, remember that any one
can obey God when the task is easy and everyone is behind it. Only those
with persistent faith can obey when the task seems impossible.
Who do you know who needs an encouraging reminder or promise of
God's power and presence? How will you model your message to that person
today?
Be clearly stated and attainable.
Be measurable.
Be realistic
Have deadlines.
Require action steps for each goal, prioritize them.
Be revised and changed as necessary.
In order to achieve your goals you must have a clear picture
of what they entail.
Goal setting is a tool that helps you accomplish the results
you want. Goals should be big enough and exciting enough to challenge
you, but not so big or so challenging they become intimidating and
unattainable.
Define each of your goals exactly, describing the what, where,
when, why, and how of each goal. Make each goal so clear, it becomes a
verbal photograph of what you want to achieve. What will life be like
when you get there? How will it feel? With which organization?
Use affirmations to support your goals. Develop action
steps for them. An affirmation is an "I" statement that uses
present tense-it reads as if you have already achieved your goal.
Example:
"I remain cool and level-headed no matter what happens
around me."
Make a list of your goals then write out an affirmation for
each. Read your affirmation at least once daily.
Getting Organized
It is a means to get where you want to be:
Focus on where you want to be and what results you want to
achieve.
Analyze what you spend time on that contributes to the
results you want to achieve.
Organize to meet your goals.
Analyze habits and attitudes that block your effectiveness
and learn ways to overcome those habits and attitudes.
Time Management
Effective leaders do not travel at reckless speeds; instead
they:
keep a steady pace
expect the unexpected
know how to delegate for results, and
don't waste other people's time.
Controlling time begins with planning. Every
work-related action you perform should take you closer to achieving your
goals. These actions should also be prioritized according to the
relative importance of your goals.
You should maintain a calendar or desk journal that allows you
to write action steps for your goals each day.
Set aside some time each week (i.e. first thing Monday
morning) to go over your goals and determine action steps that need to be
taken during the following week. Schedule those steps as if they were
appointments to be kept during the week.
Group common tasks together. For instance, try to set
aside a specific time each day to make and return phone calls.
Plan your activities DAILY.
Do high priority actions FIRST.
Group similar activities to save time.
Learn how to handle interruptions efficiently.
Learn to delegate effectively.
Learn to say "NO" to non-critical tasks.
Eliminate inefficient habits.
Mark appointments, meetings, and deadlines on your
calendar and review it daily.
Do ONLY those tasks that are appropriate for God's plan
for YOU.
Learn the difference between "urgent" and
"important."
Avoid:
Extra time tacked on to breaks and/or lunch.
Frequent trips to the bathroom.
Lengthy personal phone calls.
Procrastination
Low morale causing negative attitudes.
Delegation
When you delegate intelligently, you not only exhibit
leadership, you also develop the leadership skills of your trainees. As
a result, your job gets easier and your team becomes more productive.
Effective delegation takes time, patience, and follow up; but
it is worth the effort. Delegation can motivate trainees by giving them
greater ownership in the organization's success.
Delegate tasks when:
You need more time for your work.
You want to develop a trainee's potential by delegating an
assignment to him or her and observing the results.
You need to restructure responsibilities to handle a heavy
work load.
Select the project carefully - make a list of assignments
you feel can be delegated. These may be assignments that take to0o
much of your trainees. Most assignments should not require constant
monitoring or follow up.
Select the person for each task carefully. -
Consider all factors involved before selecting the person to whom you will
delegate the project. What is the person's current workload?
Will the task be accepted with enthusiasm? How will others
react? Explain why the project was delegated.
Prepare others for the change.
Make the assignment thoughtfully. - Go over
the assignment carefully and use examples if possible. Ask the
trainee if they understand the assignment. Ask the trainee to
explain the assignment. Give the trainee the opportunity to explain
the assignment. Give the trainee the opportunity to ask
questions. Convey confidence in the way the trainee will handle the
new responsibility.
Follow up - Make yourself available to answer
questions. Make suggestions when necessary, but allow the trainee
freedom to manage the assignment. Compliment the trainee when the
task has been satisfactorily completed.
As long as you are responsible, you must know how things are
going.
Decision Making
Most decisions involve an element of risk or
uncertainty. No matter how much information you have, you cannot
absolutely guarantee the outcome. Good leaders are good decision makers
even when it means taking a risk.
Identify available options before making a decision.
Seek alternative options from team players.
Encourage discussion over alternative options to stimulate
creativity.
Test each option against the situation.
Identify who will assume responsibility for taking action
based on a decision.
Build in feedback mechanism to assess the effectiveness of
the decision.
Make a decision.
Problem Solving
Accept the problem as an opportunity to improve a
situation.
Solicit the perceptions of those affected and identity
differences.
Define the problem as specifically as possible.
Analyze why the problem exists, obtain facts and identify
barriers to resolution.
Brainstorm possible solutions.
Set criteria for the ultimate solution.
Select the solution that meets the criteria.
Make the decision and install a means to measure the
outcome.
Homework
Professional Development
What are your personal career objectives?
What new skills have you learned recently which will help
you achieve your goals?
What training have you taken to enhance your
professionalism?
What training do you plan to take this year?
What professional literature have you read in the past few
months?
What networks or organizations do you now belong to?
What are your plans for professional development in the
next year?
How do you intend to apply what you have learned from this
course to your leadership skills?
