In our last newsletter, we spoke about our responsibility to a newly promoted individual and how, as a leader who has made the promotion recommendation, you have two clear responsibilities to the person who has been promoted. The first is to clearly define the expectations you have for them, their role, and responsibilities. The second is to believe in them until they are ready to believe in themselves.
In this newsletter, we will continue this discussion from a broader, organizational perspective.
Every organization strives to be an Employer of Choice. This starts by setting clear expectations for the leaders in the organization. It is important for all members of the management team to be consistent in the way they hold themselves, their peers, and employees accountable.
To set that leadership standard, you may consider setting Leadership Expectations. These clearly defined expectations, combined with your values and workplace policies, all provide guidelines for you to model what “Exceptional Leadership Looks Like.”
With that in mind, you are the model for “What Good Looks Like”. Your actions reflect upon your people, and their actions reflect upon your customers and, more important than anything else, become your reputation. As we know, reputations can be created and destroyed in an
instant, by even the simplest of acts.
You can take this a step further by asking each person to reflect on the Leadership Expectations, commit to them, and lead their people every day by adhering to them. Ask them to take inventory of their current style and practices. Are they in sync with your overall Leadership Expectations? These answers will help you and your team understand your leadership style and expectations and your relationships with your people and them with theirs.
No matter what your leadership role is, you have a tremendous impact on your people. It is all about alignment and commitment.
Let us start with Values. They are the foundation from which everything we have to offer as a company is based – our processes, services, daily work actions, and commitment to excellence. Our Values, and our adherence to them, set the direction and establish the necessary culture for our organization to succeed. Let us take a look at how we achieve these goals:
Balanced Leadership supports all we do. Our Values provide clarity about who we are as a company, how we will conduct ourselves, and how we wish to be viewed by others. Again: who we are, what we stand for, what we aspire to be, and what we will never compromise. Here are some ways we do it:
We recognize that our people are our most important asset, and we will be regarded as an Employer of Choice.
We believe integrity and excellence are the core of all we do.
Each of us will conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity.
We will adhere to our policies and guidelines. If there is something we doubt, we will raise that doubt until it is addressed.
We make tough decisions, accept responsibility, and report bad news.
We do not stop at the first right answer. We focus on new ways to create solutions.
We embrace change and thoughtfully use processes, technology, and tools for results.
We have a vision and seek ways to transfer that vision into action.
We are committed to supporting a climate for success for all and providing a safe work environment for employees, customers, and the general public.
We are humble and support each other.
We work together as a team, are flexible, and will adapt to changing conditions.
We will be respected leaders among our peers and within the industry.
We will learn and grow from our challenges, and we will celebrate and recognize our success.
We are a company that lives its values.
These values are crucial and define Who We Are, What We Stand For, and What We Will Not Compromise.
What is equally important is our Leadership Expectations. Like Our Values, they have to be consistent in the way we hold ourselves, our peers, and our employees accountable.
The Leadership Expectations clearly define the expectations we have for our entire management team:
Use only acceptable language when engaged in conversation with your staff and peers.
Follow the rules. All of our rules and policies apply to everyone.
Provide open and honest communications.
You are responsible for communicating important information and providing necessary accountability and oversight.
Each year, the senior leadership team selects important measures, targets, and key priorities for the Company. You may add to these, ensuring they complement not contradict Company priorities; you are not authorized to delete any.
Adhere to salary, promotion, and relocation procedures.
Our Company should and will value diversity.
You expect a level of communication where there are no surprises.
Do not leave extended voicemails or unprofessional emails. Talk with the right person directly. We should expect complete confidentiality of information. Avoid and put a stop to unnecessary gossip.
Avoid situations where employees are given instructions or are led to believe that they should hold or hide information from Corporate or the next level of management.
Your people will seek guidance from you. Take care of how and to whom you communicate. Seek counsel when you are unsure. Do not get caught up in your position.
Finally, no matter what your leadership role, you have a tremendous impact on your people. It’s all about alignment and commitment and the Tone You Set From The Top.
LOOKING TO BOOK A SPEAKER FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT?
Let’s work together. I am a practitioner as well as an educator and motivator, and an experienced senior leader and CEO with over 45 years of boots-on-the-ground experience. I led one of the largest rebranding initiatives in franchising history – The UPS Store, revolutionizing the $9 billion
retail shipping and business services market.
I believe that none of us can achieve success without some help along the way. For each of us, there is a person, a mentor, who we are grateful towards and who can help us get to where we aspire to be. Sharing stories and experiences as a speaker is a way of recognizing the value of these experiences and giving back to the next generation of leaders. It also is a way of demonstrating in words and deed the value I am placing in mentorship. As for me, I have been fortunate to have worked with and mentored by some incredibly special people, and none more incredible than Coach John Wooden.
I have broad experiences to share that can help others as they grow and take on new challenges. During my time as president of UPS Supply Chain Solutions, I integrated over 20 acquisitions that became UPS Supply Chain Solutions. I steered UPS’s entry into the health care industry and created the mantra, “It’s a patient, not a package. ®” With the ability to see a clear vision of the changing business landscape, the passion to develop strategies, tactics, and metrics to drive desired results, and the passion to develop the Best, The Brightest, Most Informed, and Best People in the industries they serve.
Please give me a call today at 610-322-0720 or email at
[email protected]
THE LEADERSHIP LIBRARY PODCAST
Looking for quick morning leadership advice in under 5 minutes?
Check out Rocky’s leadership library podcast.
https://tightenthelugnuts.com/podcasts
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: YOU ARE THE LEADER, THE ROLE MODEL
For more information visit our website https://www.3sixtymanagementservices.com/. My book,
Tighten The Lug Nuts, will also serve as a workbook for these important topics and discussions.
Read my latest Forbes article:
Don’t see the image? Click here to read the article.
Visit our web site, https://3sixtymanagementservices.com, as well as my
book, Tighten The Lug Nuts, for additional information.
Contact me at:
[email protected].
Our Sales Training Workshop Includes Classroom Training and Actual
On Road Training as we spend a day with each sales professional.
Looking to become a better leader or get noticed at your job? Buy Rocky’s best selling book:
Looking for quick morning leadership advice in under 5 minutes? Check out Rocky’s leadership library podcast.
Have a leadership question for Rocky? EMAIL ROCKY TODAY
For more information or to book Rocky at your next event, visit our website at https://3sixtymanagementservices.com
Our Sales Training Workshop Includes Classroom Training and Actual
On Road Training as we spend a day with each sales professional.
Remember, People don’t quit on their jobs, they quit on their bosses.
