A Leader’s P.A.C.E.: The 4 Keys to Leading the Pace, Expectations, & Standards Like a Leader

As a Leader, “Success” is always the vision. However, what “Success” means to you may mean something different to others. When you’re promoted to a position of Leadership, inherit a family business, or are an entrepreneur, it’s easy to take off running with your idea of “Success”. But remember, your Direct Reports and Staff are along for the ride… and it’s up to you to share your vision, maintain high standards and expectations, all while considering how “The Ride” may be impacting others.

Think of it like this, you’re driving a car. When you’re driving alone, you put on the music you like, play it as loud as you want or not at all, and get to go as slow or as fast as you like. Along the way, you pick up a person or two… and all of a sudden, your passengers are bored if you drive too slowly, and when you hit 80mph, you see them gripping their armrests, white-knuckling the experience, and having a near-heart attack as you take turns unknowingly. To add, they don’t always like your music; they’d like to know the destination and, of course, will ask the famous question, “Are we there yet?” If you have kids, you’re smiling as you read that!

Yes, as the Boss or a Boss, you have every right to go as slow or as fast as you like, play your music, and rule the car. However, the ride will be smoother and more enjoyable for you and everyone else when you Lead the P.A.C.E.

-        Path - Explain the Path

-        Attitude - Lead the Attitude

-        Communicate - Communicate Effectively

-        Excel - Maintain an Expectation of Excellence


Path - Explain the Path!

Wouldn’t the metaphorical car ride be more enjoyable… at the very least, less tense… if the driver shared the destination with the passengers, the map, the route, why the route was chosen, and what could be expected along the way?

As a Professional Speaker, Author, Leadership Training, and Founder of You Evolving Now… I not only present trainings on Vision & Vision Factors, but I must live it with my Team! A simple question for you is, what’s your Vision for your organization or team? I suggest you keep it simple enough that your 13-year-old can say it and understand it, with no corporate jargon or executive lingo.

For example:

-        We will be the best in our industry at_____!

-        We will be the best in our county regarding ______!

After declaring your Vision, what are your Vision Factors – The 3-5 things that when you and your Team do them consistently, “The Vision” has to come true? Your answer to this question will not only complete your vision but also the path… be Mindful!

For me, my vision is to be the best in the world in my space of Leadership & Work/Life Harmony. Being of impact and becoming wealthy in time and income from ideas my Team and I create in a company I run.

My Vision Factors:

1.    Create great content and products: Leadership Trainings, Speaking Engagements, Online Programs, AI Tools, Books.

2.    Networking – Where are my people/prospects, what do they want, and how do they want it? Marrying what I know they need with what they want.

3.    Passive Income Opportunities – Impactful and ongoing professional development tools for organizations to utilize post-training and speaking engagements.

4.    Internal and External Seamlessness – Smooth and Seamless processes externally for clients, customers, and internally across departments for our team members.

What’s your Vision for your Team? What are your Vision Factors? If you need help, use Ask Andre and get your answers and much more within seconds
https://www.youevolvingnow.com/askandrepurchase


Attitude – Lead the Attitude!

Have you ever given someone a ride… and they get into YOUR CAR and dare to touch YOUR RADIO, Lol? I felt your reaction as you read that! These days, everyone has their own infinite playlist on their phone. I’ll never forget when my kids were teenagers… getting in the car to go to and from sports practices. They didn’t reach for the radio, instead they all tried to put their earbuds in to listen to their own music! OH NO, I told each of them, “I’m not a professional Uber Driver and you don’t get to get in my car, put earbuds in, get chauffeured around like a celebrity, and have an attitude toward the one person who’s doing everything for you!”… Sound familiar?

However, I understood their plight: being in school all day, being told what to do for eight classes straight, eating a crappy school lunch, then sports practice, being run into the ground for hours… all while being yelled at. Yes, your kids have busier days than you! Therefore, I compromised and allowed one earbud in the ear farthest from me, allowing us to converse or say nothing… but me not being a chauffeur and them not becoming completely entitled!

My point: it’s our job as Leaders to Lead the attitude you find acceptable and externally beneficial for those you serve, and internally for those you work with… both are massively important, and what I call The 3P’s.

My expectation for my Team is that everyone is Positive, Passionate, and Productive. All of the P’s matter; as one without the other two… will always lead to disaster. When someone is positive, but not productive or passionate… nothing gets done, business suffers, and “Busy” will beat “Better”. When someone is passionate but not positive or productive… passion doesn’t equal ability, and your team’s or company's professional reputation will suffer. When someone is productive but not positive or productive… internal chaos and cliques will ensue, as your people won’t feel protected from backstabbing, cheating, gossip, etc… Be Mindful!

Protect your people from themselves, from you, and from the positive and negative flow of business with The 3P’s or your own “Attitude Expectations”. What was your BIGGEST TAKEAWAY from The 3Ps and how will you institute it to best lead your preferred professional attitude?


Communication - Communicate Effectively… and A Lot!

Here’s a Leadership Nugget I wish I'd known sooner… just because you said it, doesn’t mean your People got it… and just when you’re tired of saying it, your people are just starting to hear it!

Early in my career as a Leader, when I was still in the Mental Health profession, I remember having a vision of creating an elite team of therapists well-versed in multiple clinical modalities, eager to impact our clients' lives through planned, scheduled individual and group therapy sessions. The only problem was, I didn’t know what I know now!

I had the Vision, but no Vision Factors! I failed to address the attitude and 3Ps, and undercommunicated my Vision, why it was important, and its direct and indirect benefits. I was on the right track, but I eventually burnt-out and learned a few valuable lessons along the way.

Be sure to not only KNOW your Vision & Vision Factors, but also to over-communicate them with your People and Teams. As your People are back in the metaphorical car with you… they tend to focus on what’s important to THEM. Your eyes are on the road; while they’re focused on reading that book, looking at the GPS, listening to their music, chatting with each other, fighting with each other, or asleep!

Never assume your people see what you see. They most likely didn’t see that turn coming, that pothole, that speedbump, the detour that extends the trip. That’s your job as a Leader to communicate the road, the changes, and the expectations… and how each benefit them, the Team, and then the Organization!

So, how do you over-communicate?

-        Announce what’s important in team meetings, at the beginning and end

-        Announce busy-seasons, slow-seasons, building-seasons, and what each means for Staff, you as a Leader, schedules, and the organization as whole

-        Review and plan in 1-on-1 meetings and tie the plans to the Vision & Vision Factors

-        Clarify and document in emails

-        Make your goals, vision, and expectations visible around the building

-        Make your goals, vision, and expectations known by rewarding people publicly and privately for exhibiting desired behaviors and attitudes

-        Use intentional phrases in your email signature

-        Begin or close meetings with your Vision & Vision Factors

-        Whatever you choose, when you get tired of saying it or think you’re driving your People crazy by saying the same thing over and over… keep going! They’re just starting to hear you and will begin to echo it to each other and to new employees without even knowing it!


Excel - The Expectation of Excellence!

This is short and sweet! Whatever you choose to do, as a Leader, choose to do it great, better than anyone else, and excel! The rules to excel are simple:

1.    Lead and protect your time – Share your list, and, as a Leader, be curious about “The List” of your People; never assume your people know what you’re focused on/working on, or that you know their “List”. Their list may be so long, they’re about to burn-out and leave… or burnout and stay. Or, their list may be too short and uninspiring that they’re about to bore-out and leave… or bore-out and stay! Be mindful, curious, and help lead their pace like a Leader; asking for their suggested solutions to best help prioritize or reprioritize when necessary.

2.    Follow-Through and meet deadlines!

3.    Explore ways to always make your People, Product, & Processes better!

 
You know now how to set a professional pace as a Leader; while maintaining high standards and expectations? What was your BIGESST Takeaway? What will you incorporate NOW; enhancing not only your Leadership & Work/Life Harmony, but also that of those you’re Leading? Let Ask Andre assist you through the real-life professional issues with world-renowned suggested solutions, scripts, and more https://www.youevolvingnow.com/askandrepurchase


“When someone is positive, but not productive or passionate… nothing gets done, business suffers, and “Busy” will beat “Better”. When someone is passionate but not positive or productive… passion doesn’t equal ability, and your team’s or company's professional reputation will suffer. When someone is productive but not positive or productive… internal chaos and cliques will ensue, as your people won’t feel protected from backstabbing, cheating, gossip, etc… Be Mindful!”

-        Andre Young

 

Written By: Andre Young