During an off-season our staff went to a clinic where Marty Schottenheimer was presenting. \u00a0In one session he spoke for 2 hours on one play…2 hours! \u00a0This was a wake-up call for me at that time that more intense study had to happen.\u00a0 The feeling of not knowing what you think you should is a truly humbling experience.\u00a0 Since leaving coaching the subject that has lingered is leadership. \u00a0The key for me has been to follow that “itch” with healthy curiosity. \u00a0The most intriguing part is the intersection of the art & science of leading versus managing.<\/p>\n
There’s a lot of talking about how to lead\/manage better but for me it’s helpful to separate the two. \u00a0We’ve all heard of the rule of 3’s but 2 is one less so here we go!<\/p>\n
Manage Stuff, Lead People<\/p>\n
Stuff has no feelings. \u00a0We can manipulate it however we want with often very little risk. Working out the logistics of any process helps people. \u00a0Rearranging stuff to work better for people who interact with it doesn’t require permission from the gear.\u00a0 What things are conspiring against productivity where you work? \u00a0It can be a great puzzle to creatively solve & can be fun!<\/p>\n
People are not easy, we’re all complicated in our own way. \u00a0One thing is for sure though, people desire to be led not managed. \u00a0We aren’t boxes in the warehouse, we have emotions.\u00a0 No matter our place on the organizational chart we have control over learning everything we can about our responsibilities & getting things done.\u00a0 Leading people demands a bit of “artistic” thinking so leave the science to the stuff.<\/p>\n
Decide & Do<\/p>\n
In her book, “The Greats on Leadership”, Jocelyn Davis mentions this anecdote: 6 frogs sit on a log. \u00a04\u00a0decide to jump off. \u00a0How many are left? \u00a06, because deciding<\/u> is different from doing<\/u>! \u00a0Really…frogs? \u00a0Yep, why not! \u00a0When we decide to do the right things for our people it speaks volumes about our commitment to their growth inside the enterprise.\u00a0 Our most valuable commodity isn’t what we do it’s who gets it done!<\/p>\n
Fix the process, Coach the People<\/p>\n