Most people think of leadership as a guiding light. You know, that person at the front talking about strategy. The same one who gets everyone to buy into their vision and purpose and all aligned with the same goals. However, leadership is much more. It also includes the ability and willingness to make sure those goals come to fruition by rolling up their sleeves and making sure each action is implemented.
The only way we can do that is by turning that vision and strategy into an organised plan with a step by step guide to exactly how we can achieve what we are trying to do. This usually involves focused delegation of some often mundane but necessary tasks. A strong leader has one eye on the big picture and the other on the road map to getting there.
Careful organisation and planning is a necessary evil for even those who really don’t like this aspect of being in business. You cannot lead yourself, others or your business if you are not organised enough to have a clear plan and the processes in place to make sure those plans are carried out.
Being organised enough to have clear plans and procedures in place also sends a great message to those who work for you. It says a great deal about your strength as a leader and it goes a long way in building trust in your relationships. Those plans make everyone’s life easier; others will thank you for that.
Being organised and having strong plans in place is not difficult. It can be a little time consuming initially and will require a quick review most days. I like to look at them first thing each day to make sure things are happening on track and to address any areas that may not be.
So what can you do to be more organised? The following tips may help.
- Know exactly what your vision is. Where do you want to go with your business? Start with the end in mind.
- From your vision make a list of objectives you want to achieve. From there you can develop a clear plan of how you will get there.
- When mapping out your goals include both short term and long term. Clearly identify those shorter term goals and the time in which you want to achieve them. (Be sure to pat yourself and your team on the back as you achieve them.)
- Take the time to review your long term goals and how on track you are to achieving them. Revise your plans as needs be and be sure to let your team know of the changes you are making and why.
- As you go through your plan prioritise tasks and organise both people and resources you will need to achieve your objectives. Try and do this long before the task is going to be carried out. The more organised you are the smoother things will flow.
- Be prepared for the challenges that you may encounter. Try and identify potential obstacles and how you would deal with them. After the storm is gone, make sure you revisit the situation and take as much as you can from it. Those lessons learned can be very useful when it comes to future planning sessions.
- Communicate with your inner circle and those who will be impacted by your plans. Be sure to give them the opportunity to have input and make suggestions. A fresh perspective can be invaluable.
