Leadership Training - Lessons From The Coalface
Online, March 24, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Most new managers aren't given adequate leadership training, which means their first day in the job is often a nightmare. What memories are etched into your brain from your first day in a leadership role?
Let me take a wild guess:
"I'm feeling very nervous."
"I feel totally out of my depth."
"I don't think I am cut out to be a leader."
"I want my old job back."
"I can't do this."
"I don't know what I'm meant to be doing."
"Everyone can see I don't know what I am doing."
"Help!"
The truth is, true leadership takes a while to develop. It only comes with experience. Unfortunately, most businesses seem to equate this fact with "Throw him in at the deep end - he'll soon learn to swim!". Just think how much time and money is wasted whilst a new leader is learning to swim - that's if he doesn't drown in the process!
Wouldn't it be much more sensible if every new leader at least had a set of arm bands before they jumped into the pool? Well, Terry Starbucker has recently provided a set of arm bands in the form of 5 key leadership lessons, which he has boiled down from his 28 year's of leadership experience. Read Terry's thoughts below.
Before You Start Leading, Know These 5 Things (Learned The Hard Way):
I'll never forget my first day as an executive. I had just moved from San Antonio to Los Angeles for this "once in a lifetime" opportunity to be the head operations person for a cable TV company. I previously was an Audit Manager for Ernst & Whinney and hadn't managed more than 5 people at a time. Now I had responsibility for well over 1,000.
My new boss walked me over to my temporary home (we hadn't yet moved into a new office facility) it was about the size of a closet. But at least it had a desk and a phone. Before too long folks started introducing themselves, and giving me what I call the "boss treatment" - this tentative, wary, and a little bit surprised greeting that was filled with subtext - like, "wow, this kid is SO young - does he have ANY idea what he's doing?".
Boy, I FELT that a lot that day. Just by my look, and the nervous vibe I was giving off.
It made me wonder - was I cut out for this? Was I ever going to come off, and act, like a real leader?
Turns out I needed a little education first. An education that in hindsight, I wish I had received many years earlier (like in college, maybe?)
I got those lessons very quickly, and they've stayed with me to this day, 24 years later. They are my guideposts, my rocks, my "immutables".
There are five of them:
1. Practice Full Spectrum Management
2. Teach Instead of Tell
3. Trust The Facts
4. Know the "Secrets of Work"
5. Use the Seven Most Important Words
Visit the link below to learn Terry's 5 lessons:
http://www.managementnuggets.com/2011/03/leadership-training-lessons-from.html