You cannot become a good leader until you have learnt how to manage the day job.
Trying to be a leader when you are struggling to manage your deadlines, complete your projects, and deal with conflict, just doesn’t work. Regardless of the amount of leadership training that you have had, or books that you have read, it is likely to be a waste of time until you have become proficient in the day job.
Perhaps you have been on your organisation’s Leadership Development Programme. I have no doubt that it put forward some magnificent content and you left feeling pumped up and ready to go — destined for great leadership, and perhaps a little fame. How long before reality slammed the leadership book shut again?
Few leadership positions come without challenging, stretching, and tangible objectives that need to be delivered immediately.
Many blame the lack of leadership in organisations today on excessive short-termism. The pressure for results right now pushes out the opportunity to demonstrate great, or even good, leadership. I think that is true, but the answer is not more leadership training. The answer lies in learning to deliver those results so well that it leaves time for leadership to flourish.
This is one reason why I have emphasised the need for progress in my new book, Influential Leadership: A Leader’s Guide to Getting Things Done.
The Gautrey Influence Blog
Ever felt overlooked, unheard, or stuck in office politics? You’re not alone. The Gautrey Influence Blog breaks down the real-world strategies behind leadership, influence, and power—giving you the tools to be heard, respected, and successful. Join 35,000+ professionals getting ahead the smart way—subscribe now.
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Personally, I believe that the very best leaders have exceptional clarity on the purpose that they are driving towards. The passion they build for this generates tremendous tenacity. The combination of purpose and passion makes progress almost inevitable. However, it is extremely difficult to find your purpose without time to think, to dream and to create. Vision comes from within the mind of the leader.
Time is rarely given to this cerebral activity unless the day job is well under control. As the deadlines are met, confidence rises and space appears. The time is then available to dream of that better future, to create a vision of tomorrow which is the hallmark of great leadership, the compelling stimulation for exceptional effort, innovation and success.
If this is what you want, if this is what you aspire to, get really good at influencing, because that is the easiest way to make the kind of progress you need today in order to build your tomorrow.
The Gautrey Influence Blog
Ever felt overlooked, unheard, or stuck in office politics? You’re not alone. The Gautrey Influence Blog breaks down the real-world strategies behind leadership, influence, and power—giving you the tools to be heard, respected, and successful. Join 35,000+ professionals getting ahead the smart way—subscribe now..
💡 Benchmark your Influence: Take the Master of Influence Assessment (Free for Subscribers!)
👉 [Subscribe & Take the Assessment]