When we seek to increase the success of individual team members, rapid overall growth is the predictable outcome.
Success is something we all want and there’s nothing mysterious about it. It’s achievable utilizing realistic everyday practices. Whether it’s personal, professional, relational, or career success, many of us strive to be as successful as possible.
But, of course, even though it’s not mysterious it’s not always easy. So what do we do when we are responsible for the success of others? How do we navigate the waters when the road to success is turbulent? Listed below are six practical ways to be successful yourself while leading others to find their own success.
1. Set realistic expectations.
A pivotal rule of thumb for achieving success is to set realistic expectations. You don’t want things to fall apart quickly. One way to steer clear of this is to avoid assigning projects that are too complicated. No one wants to disrupt progress during projects, so it pays to be mindful of your limitations. Be honest about your capabilities and the capabilities of others.
Being eager to contribute and help the team is a noble desire. However, you must also take into consideration the amount of work you are capable of performing in an allotted time frame. Do what you can. Trust your team to do the rest.
2. Establish a timeline for individual success.
It’s very important to set timelines and deadlines for your projects. We want to meet expectations and remain on schedule, especially if others are involved.
There are few things more frustrating than trying to figure out what needs to be done without any direction or guidance from others. Oftentimes it can feel like you’re swimming in circles, looking for a way out. With clear directions and an emphasized timeline, everyone will have what they need to work diligently — and at the required pace — to complete the job.
As a leader, whenever you set a timeline, you are modeling authority and the need for structure. This habit will be respected by your peers and team members. Many will adopt the practice themselves both at home and at work. It’s a great way to get things done and keep ourselves and others accountable.
3. Create an action plan with deadlines and responsibilities.
Action plans with deadlines are important to the success of any project, especially if you have multiple team members working on various tasks. It’s very important that everyone knows what they need to do, by whom, and when it needs to be done.
It’s also important to share these deadlines with team members and stakeholders. That way, everyone knows the overall goal of the project. Clear direction will help alleviate stress on any one person who may be carrying a large load. It also allows others to provide support where and when necessary.
4. Communicate progress regularly for individuals to succeed.
Keeping everyone in the loop is important. Communication with the team and stakeholders about what’s happening on your project will sustain accountability. It will also drive an internal motivating factor to perform as expected. This ensures that no one is left wondering or guessing, which can only lead to problems further down the line.
If you know something needs to be changed or if there are challenges when creating an action plan, communicate these things as soon as possible. You want everyone to be in the know.
Another added benefit of communicating frequently is the possibility of recognizing colleagues who are doing great work during the project timeline. Don’t wait for the project to be complete before recognizing great work! This practice builds camaraderie, goodwill, and motivation, all of which go far in ensuring a successful atmosphere.
5. Ask for help when you need it.
When you feel like you need help, ask for it immediately. Don’t delay.
You shouldn’t feel bashful or worry that you are bothering another team member. It’s important to realize when you don’t have the knowledge or experience necessary for a certain task. Yes, it can be tempting to try and take it on anyway. However, this will only lead to more confusion in the long run and we want to increase individual success as together we move forward.
You need to be confident in yourself, even if you’re not quite sure what’s going on. After all, you need to become the person that has the final say and input when it comes to personal decision-making. The sooner you can come up with a plan for any situation, good or bad, the better off your team will ultimately be. Alert your team, presiding superiors, or your colleagues that you need support. That way, you give everyone a chance to solve the problem in a collaborative effort. A request for help can even increase team rapport as well as contribute to your positive team culture.
6. Make decisions quickly and confidently.
The ability to make decisions quickly and confidently is a necessary skill for any leader. If you’re a business owner, you regularly make difficult decisions on how to invest your company’s time and money. Sometimes these decisions require more information than what you currently have, but the time to make a choice is at hand.
Do you ever feel like your business is at a standstill because you are second-guessing yourself and stalling on making decisions? Think about how valuable it would be to know that every decision was made with conviction. Imagine what an impact this would have on your team, organization, and bottom line. When you make decisions quickly and firmly, you will gain the respect of the people you are leading.
Increase Individual Success by Leading Others Well
It’s a lot of hard work being successful. There are so many unconscious ways that we sabotage ourselves from achieving success in our personal and professional lives. We have been taught by society, family, friends, and even the media that if you work hard enough for something, you will get it.
Unfortunately, that’s not always true. In fact, most of us settle far short of what we could achieve. We do this because we don’t know how to go about setting goals in a way that makes them achievable for ourselves, let alone the people we lead.
Hard work will always make a difference, yes, but if the activity isn’t the right one, you’re spinning your wheels. As a leader, knowing the right things to do, then applying urgent calls to action in fulfilling your workflow will be where success is most likely.
Identify your core objectives. Lead from that foundation. Apply the six principles listed above to guide your leadership approach.
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