A Leader’s Hurry: The 4 BIG Ways Leaders Are In A Hurry and Hurting Their Leadership & Work/Life Harmony… and That of Those They’re Leading

You’ve heard the term “Speed Kills”! As a former athlete, when players of equal ability are competing, it’s speed that separates them! Coaches want players with speed, and businesses are no different. How FAST can you learn, unlearn, and learn something new? How FAST can you get tasks done, how FAST can you beat someone to a problem, and how FAST can you respond? I could go on, but you get the point!

Speed is attractive and it matters, however the saying, “Speed Kills” also has a downside! When you’re too in a hurry to get “It” done without proper regard for your People’s bandwidth, when you’re too in a hurry to get “It” done yourself without properly delegating, when you’re too in a hurry to delegate it ALL to get out of the way, or in a hurry to promote… your hurry hurts your Leadership & Work/Life Harmony… and that of those we’re Leading! So, what to do?

Hurry to Get It Done!

Back in my “Employee Days”, I remember my workload quadrupling over a couple year span and EVERYTHING was a High Priority/Handle Now. One day, my Boss asked me to finish a task, and I snapped, “Do you want me to do this task or do my job?”. Now, I’m not suggesting you respond to your Boss that way! Do not get fired because you think Andre Young is telling you to respond to your Boss or Coworkers like this, Lol!

My point is, I was wrong about how I said it; however the premise was… I was stretched to the max, my Boss had no idea of my list or my bandwidth, and I didn’t have the Leadership skills at that time to respond differently. Nowadays, I teach The Priority Quadrant in my Trainings and that EVERYTHING and EVERY IDEA cannot go in the first quadrant of High Priority/Handle Now!

Yes, as a Leader, your vision, expectations, and the speed of your Team matters. However, do you know if the person you’re delegating a task to has the emotional, physical, realistic, and/or technological bandwidth to handle yet another task, let alone complete the task in the timeframe you desire? Let’s explore:

Emotional

Business is business; emotions cannot get in the way of meeting high standards and expectations, yet emotions still exist and matter! Will you be curious about your people, their to-do list, and numerous favors they may be doing for Coworkers and other departments? Are they burning out, stressed out, did their pet just pass away, are they caring for their sick parent, etc.?

Physical

This is simple, where are they? In this remote work-world; do they have access to what is required to complete your desired task? Secondly, I remember a time I was fresh off surgery; literally cut down the middle of my stomach and being held together with staples. It was so bad that when I sneezed, I was directed to hold a pillow over my stomach to keep my insides from leaking out. I know… gross, too much information, and way too personal; but it’s the truth! Yes, I was still able to work; but to what degree? Someone being curious enough to check on me from time to time to ask how I was doing or understand I may have needed time to change my bandages would have been nice and very much appreciated!

Realistic

I’m HUGE on 1-on-1 Meetings. A few months ago (depending on when you’re reading this) I had an idea for our business and was eager to share it with The World’s Best Executive Assistant. Nichole, if you’re reading this, it’s you! During our 1-on-1, when we got to the “Mesh Goals” portion, I shared my thoughts regarding a new project and after introducing it…I asked what I now want you to ask, “What’s your bandwidth for this and what’s currently on your list?”.

Nichole is beyond awesome and handles so many projects for our company. It was in that moment of her beginning to respond, I could see her professionally gasping for air. The simple question of, “What’s your bandwidth and your list?” will give your People the opportunity… and permission to be honest with you; allowing you to exhibit great Leadership to better help prioritize their list, hurry in some areas, slow down in others, and delegate more effectively… Be Mindful!

Technological

Do your People and Organization have the proper technology, systems, process, or training to accomplish your desired task or endeavor… in the most time-efficient and seamless manner? If so, fantastic… as long as you’ve checked-in on their bandwidth! If not, what’s your plan to upgrade, update, and how will you move fast, but not hurried and scattered? I’m a sports guy and my youngest son plays quarterback… you want to move quickly but not in a hurry; that’s when bad things happen! Think of leaving the house in the morning… when you leave quickly, no problem. When you exit in a hurry, how many things do you tend to forget that negatively impact the remainder of your day?

Hurry to Do It Yourself!

Leaders can dangerously be in a hurry to do it all themselves! This can happen for several reasons; the main one, “I can do it better, quicker, and faster than everyone else!”. Yes, this may be true… but you’ll be doing “It” for the rest of your life, not building Leaders under you, creating a culture of laziness and ineptitude, and eventually temper-tantrumming that your staff does nothing, resenting them, them resenting you, not able to vacations in peace… if at all, and can’t promoted because the company now over-depends on YOU… how’s that sound?

As a Leader, your job is to do the People who are doing the task, plus your administrative tasks, and get results. If you’re doing ALL the tasks… take a demotion, put your blinders on, and knock yourself out because that’s not Leadership!

Therefore, delegation must become a skill… as well as an art! In short:


Why are you delegating this task?

Who are you delegating it to?

What’s their bandwidth? What may you need to assist with regarding prioritization?

Do they have the knowledge and ability to do the task? If so, great! If not, what do they need… in-house training, outside training, shadowing opportunities, your patience, etc.?

What will you be doing with your time as you white-knuckle the experience of letting them complete the task their way; allowing you to come up with ideas and plans to propel your Team and the company forward?


Hurry to Get Out of the Way!

I must admit, this one still trips me up from time to time! In my Trainings I often share The 5 Types of Leaders! Remember, a Great Leader is all 5 Types depending on the person that needs it or the situation that calls for it. However, we all have a Top 2 of who we are at our core… and that may change over time. Currently, I’m The Visionary and Motivator… sounds cool? It is, however mixed with my ADHD… it means I have BIG Ideas, want to motivate my Team to do them, and get out of the way as soon as possible!

To be honest, EVERY TIME I’ve been PASSIONATE to tackle a project, I’ve been a better Leader. However, there are times I’ve liked (not loved) an idea and it made sense to move forward. Therefore, we started the project and I hurried out of the way too fast! This hurry has always led to problems, hiccups, and mishaps… and as a Leader, that’s totally on me… and it must totally be on YOU!

Therefore, know yourself! When you’re in a hurry to step out of the way… Why? Do your People still need you? To what degree? How will you make time and take time to check-in on the thing you like but aren’t super passionate about? Will it be:

-       1-on-1’s Meetings?

-       Team Meetings?

-       Random visits?

-       Testing of the product from the point-of-view of the customer/client?

-       Sitting in on Team Meetings about the project to observe and learn?

 

Don’t let your hurry to get out of the way taint your Leadership, because the end result will always be a reflection on YOU; not your People… Be Mindful!

Lastly, when you’re in a hurry to get out of the way… it’s easy to believe because your People are experts in their field, they’re also experts in your culture… that may not be true! Just because someone is great at what they do doesn’t mean they are great within your Team or that they’ve been around you long enough to develop the superpower of reading your mind: what you’d approve, disapprove, or to know what you meant when you ask the inevitable question of “You got this?”… Be Mindful!

Hurry to Promote!

Too often and in too many organizations… someone sells a million dollars’ worth of product, they will inevitably be offered the Sales Manager Position! Just because a person can sell, doesn’t mean they can Lead.

Keep in mind, many Employees don’t know how to turn down more money, a better title, a bigger office, and perks. Therefore, let’s not be in a hurry to promote due to skill set; as Leadership & Work/Life Harmony are on the line for them, their staff, and your organization overall!

Yes, there are times when you see something in someone that they’re struggling to see within themselves, and you’re willing to be there for them every step of the way. What a beautiful, impactful, and rewarding experience… when it goes right and if it goes right! Here are some important Leadership Questions to slow down your hurry:


What are their strong points?

Where do they struggle?

What’s their Leader’s 3: Their Vision & Vision Factors, Expectation, and Rules… do they know?

What training do they need? Where will they get it from?

What’s their Authority Span = decisions they can make without you and up to what point?


You now know a Leader’s Hurry! What was your Biggest Takeaway? What homework are you giving yourself to apply to your Leadership, your Team, or your Organization right NOW? Enjoy your Evolution!!!


“Don’t let your hurry to get out of the way taint your Leadership, because the end result will always be a reflection on YOU; not your People… Be Mindful!”

                                              – Andre Young

Written By: Andre Young