Leadership top 10

Credits to Gene Scarnese

10. Vote with your time.

If you see me in a meeting, it’s because that topic is important. If I’m there, I’m in. Equally, if it’s not important, do not have a meeting. Be ruthless about this. If you are in a job interview with a candidate who is totally unsuitable, end the meeting.

9. Assign one person to be responsible for important things.

Groups of people can’t be responsible for things. Data can’t be responsible for important things. If it’s really important, then individuals… specifically one individual, has to be on the line. Make sure your most important things are assigned to someone you trust completely.

8. Come with solutions.

Anyone can diagnose that there’s a problem. If you bring me a problem, also bring me your solution; how are you going to do to solve it?

7. Trust but verify.

I like data. Actually, I like data a lot. However, I don’t trust data. I trust people. So you have to put them together: track and review the data while talking with the actual people responsible for the data. That’s a meeting worth attending.

5. Surround yourself with great people.

Let everyone else go. It isn’t fair to you or to them. Nearly everyone is a good match for somewhere, help them find that place.

4. Retain your great people.

Great people are wanted everywhere. They will not stay with you if they do not feel appreciated. They will also leave if they are surrounded by people who are not great. See #4 above.

3. Say thank you… in public.

Even though people are being paid to do what they do, they still deserve regular public recognition when they are doing it right. Saying thank you is worth its weight in gold. Make it a habit.

2. Have a plan.

Hope is not a strategy. Always have detailed plans with owners, dates and deliverables.

1. Make decisions.

Make decisions and move on. Do not waffle, do not defer, do not consternate. But above all else, make decisions and own them. That’s what makes you a leader.