What’s one leadership lesson you would recommend to your younger self?
The organizations that you serve have projects that people agree need to get done, but no one will take. It could include cleaning a closet that remains a mess. It might mean creating a training video on how to use social media. It could be writing a list of helpful resources.
One reflection for my younger self – Have fewer ideas and focus more on projects no one else will take.
Ideas take consensus, which sometimes never happens. New ideas can also come across as a personal preference, even if the motivation comes from making the team better.
If I went to the organizations you serve, people would agree on specific projects that need completion. When any leader takes on projects like these, they communicate care of the higher benefit to the team. Your actions and words line up to helping the organization grow.
Young leaders especially have opportunities with these projects to build credibility. Taking on tough jobs can provide a spark in the team. Your words will matter more because people know you’re willing to roll up your sleeves.
The caution becomes not taking too many of these projects that your responsibilities become secondary.
As I look back, the times I served by taking the projects no one else would take, meant so much more to the team than any “excellent” ideas in meetings.
What projects can you take that no one else will? A significant question for all of us starting this week.
Photo by Shridhar Gupta on Unsplash