Being the Best Leader You Can Be

While the challenges of the past year have been many, the topic of leadership and what it takes to be a leader in the current environment is one that needs further examination. Many organizations have not spent an adequate amount of time examining the minefield of maintaining proper leadership in business today. Leadership in my mind includes: hiring, directing, guiding and developing your team or organization.

While this is too large and exhausting a topic to fully cover in a single blog, I’d like to share some of the characteristics I feel are important to have as a leader. I have gathered these from countless conversations with Owners, CEO's, President's, Mangers and staff personnel. Several themes are consistent regardless of the level of individual I hear from.

Whether you are an individual contributor or manage many, take some time to reflect on your leadership style and think about ways to improve in the coming year.

Below are some of the qualities I feel are more important than ever to have as a successful leader:

1) Accept your Role
Employees are looking for leadership and for someone to advise them on how to be most successful in an organization. People are hungry for direction and a leader to communicate this to them. Commit yourself to studying the dynamics of successful leadership as much as you do to the day to day aspects of specific job. If you are a successful leader business success will follow.

2) Be Proactive
Don’t lead from a reactionary mode – anyone can do that. Get ahead of the curve. Understand the difference between tactics and strategy and plan for both the long-term and short-term future. Consistently reassess your plans and strategy to make sure they are still on point and that your goals and direction are still applicable.

3) Drive Change
Your competitors’ leaders are always looking for a way to do things differently. If you aren't willing to change they will pass right by you. Don't fear the failure that may come with change. Accept that as part of leading. People aren't looking for perfection from their leaders, just answers.

4) Be Human
Create commitment from others by recognizing them, communicating honestly and rewarding them.

5) Be a Sponge
I know the information age seems overwhelming at times. However, we must take advantage of it. Learn new business and technical skills. Are you using social media to your advantage??? LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are only the beginning. We must use the resources around us.

We must ask ourselves:
*What are we doing to develop and improve our leadership skills?
*Are we doing enough to help those around us improve their leadership abilities?
*If we are taking some steps, what more can we do?

I hope you have found some items to reflect upon as we approach 2010.

Enjoy the Holidays!
David Lammert

Keeping Motivated During Your Job Search

It can be difficult to stay focused and motivated if you are out of work and are seeking a new opportunity. During the transition period between jobs there is typically an abundance of free time. Managing this “found” time can have a tremendous impact on your mental well being, as well as your ability to find new opportunities.

This blog is dedicated to providing you tips to staying fresh and motivated:

1) Stay Focused
This is not the time to become a cable news junkie, reality TV junky, or to start your Netflix account. Finding a new job is a full-time job all on its own. The time and investment it will take to become employed once more will likely be far more extensive than you might expect. Today, the average job search takes from 4.5 to 14 weeks. The higher you have been and are looking to be on the food chain, the longer it will take. Plan accordingly.

2) Polish Yourself
Rejection will be plentiful. My recommendation is to find an activity where you know you can achieve success and better yourself at the same time. Spend some time in the gym or acquire a new skill that will be relevant to your career. Surround yourself with positive people and activity.

3) Stay Current
Keeping in tune with events within your industry is extremely important. Attend ASIS meetings, reconnect with industry colleagues, and study new trends in your industry. Stay connected to avoid feelings of isolation and to remain relevant.

4) Identify Your Specialty
The work place is becoming more and more specialized. Do you know what you are really good at? If you don't, how can you market yourself to recruiters and employers? Many on-line self-assessments can help you identify your talents. One of my favorite experts on this subject is Markus Buckingham. Check out the book by he and Donald Clifton titled “Now, Go Discover your Strengths”.

5) Find balance
This is a stressful time. Do your best to find balance between activity related to finding your next position and taking some time for yourself and allowing yourself some moments of mini- vacation.

I look forward to your feedback and hearing what you or someone you know has done to help get through a job transition. Please send me an email at david@pinnacleplacement.com with your tips and suggestions.

More to come!
David Lammert