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Sitting and having dinner with friends this week, we started talking about all the challenges we are each facing with our families and professional lives. One of my friends blurted out:

“I know that I should be taking action.”

“I know I am feeling stuck and out of sorts.”

“I know I need to change things up right now.”

“I know I need to focus on me rather than on everyone else.”

Then in my Coaching workshop this week a similar conversation ensued with the managers:

“I know some of my team is very unmotivated.”

“I know people feel they are not feeling challenged.”

“ I know my team members have amazing talents.”

I am sure you could add your own “I know” statements that may be swirling around in your head. When we want to lead, we need to move from an “I know” position to “I will act” stance. We stop spending our time finding new things to dream about and instead explore ways to be proactive.

[Tweet “Leaders move from”I know what to do” to “Here’s what to do”.”]

Here are some strategies that just might jump-start your leadership action:

WRITE DOWN YOUR “I SHOULDS”

The first step towards making things happen is releasing the “I should” ideas from your brain and putting them down in writing. It will feel like a relief and give the storage in your mind a rest. It also validates what you sense is at the heart of some of the challenges you may be facing. While getting these “I should’s” out, don’t judge, don’t evaluate just let them go.

 CHOOSE A FEW TO REWORK

Next step is to choose the most urgent ones and think about them more deeply. Decide:

  • What are the real issues?
  • Who is involved and who needs to be involved?
  • How can I best resolve this unworkable pattern?
  • Do I need to bounce this idea off of anyone else for more perspective and before taking action?

 SET UP STEPS TO ACT

The third step is putting together a realistic but ambitious strategy to tackle the “I should” choices. We might be inclined to just “wing it” at this stage but doing that will not clearly map out a successful plan. My friend decided to take a course on ways to open her mind to new possibilities. The managers are setting up one-on-one coaching sessions to better understand what motivates each of their team members. Whatever your proposal, list the actions you will take to move yourself forward.

 BUILD CONNECTIONS WHILE “DOING”

The final step in this transformation is to cultivate new relationships with other leaders to form a deeper network. The managers in my workshop depend on their teams to turn out innovative deliverables and knowing more about each person’s strengths and talents can often enhance the outcomes. When my friend participates in a course and forms a new network of like- minded people, she will grow with their wisdom and guidance.

[Tweet “Leaders build connections by learning about people’s strengths and talents.”]

How do you lead by changing your “I should” ideas to “Here’s what I do” actions?

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