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Leadership principle most managers don’t know
September 06, 2016

Do you know the answer to this question?

Before you start reading this Leader Newsletter issue – do me a small favor:

Hit ‘Reply’ and let me know your number one challenge with motivating and engaging your direct reports.

Your answer will help me customize my writing to better meet your specific needs.

Thanks – I truly appreciate it – sincerely.

Now – on to the content of this September Newsletter issue …

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IF you have direct reports – you must have a crystal-clear answer to this question:

“Do ALL of your direct reports make the collective goals of the team you lead – more important than their individual / departmental goals?”

I repeat …

Do ALL of your direct reports – every single one of them – make the collective goals of the team you lead, more important than their individual / departmental goals?

So … what is your answer?

For your own good, you must answer with a “YES” – or with a “NO”

IF your answer is “maybe,” or “I’m not sure,” or “I don’t know” – it means that your answer is “NO”

Once again …

What is your answer?

Is it “YES”?

Or is it “NO”?

Before you continue reading – answer the question.

So – have you answered it yet?

OK – good.

IF you answered “NO” – then my friend …

  • The team you lead might not be aligned
  • Your team-members might be rowing in different directions
  • The team you lead might not be reaching its results in the most efficient and effective way

    It is as simple as that.

    Do you see why?

    Your team (the team you lead) has specific goals (maybe one or maybe more) – and your direct reports work with you to help you reach such goals.

    The ensemble of your direct reports is there to help reach the goals of the team you lead.

    This is a simple and fundamental principle / truth.

    For true alignment to exist – two conditions must prevail …

    First:

    The individual / departmental goals of your direct reports must be 100 per cent aligned with the goals of the team you lead

    AND Second:

    Your direct reports must make the collective goals of the team you lead more important than their individual / departmental goals.

    IF some – or all – of your direct reports are making their individual / departmental goals more important than the collective goals of the team you lead – you risk to lose 100 per cent team alignment.

    And for the good of the larger organization where you work, the same is true for you (looking “upwards”) – meaning – you must make the collective goals of the team your boss leads more important than your individual / departmental goals.

    This is about everybody rowing exactly in the very same direction consistently.

    This is about organizational alignment, efficiency and effectiveness.

    Conclusion:

    Make sure all of your direct reports’ goals are 100 per cent aligned with the collective goals of the team you lead.

    Also, make sure all of your direct reports make the collective goals of the team you lead more important than their individual / departmental goals.

    And – if you haven’t done so – please hit ‘Reply’ and let me know your number one challenge with motivating and really engaging your direct reports.

    What is it?

    Thanks for your reply – I truly appreciate it :)




    Questions? Feedback?
    Reply to this Newsletter and tell me what you would like future issues to be about.

    Feel free to re-send this "Leader Newsletter" to your colleagues.

    And click here to see the entire "Leader Newsletter" Archive.

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    How to easily align your team


    See you next month!
    Joseluis Romero - Publisher
    www.Skills2Lead.com
    September 6, 2016. Copyright: All rights reserved
    I publish "Leader Newsletter" on the first Tuesday of every month
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