Leadership coaching for software development managers
Do hard things
What is something
Really hard
That you’re avoiding?
Do it
#LeadYourself
There’s so much to say about this one, but the key here is the thing that makes any task hard is YOUR MIND.
To make big progress, you have to lead your mind. You have to take charge and do hard things.
Pick one where you’ve been procrastinating and as Nike says “Just do it”
You’ll be amazed at how good it feels to have overcome.
What’s your “big rock” item today?
Comment below to tell me how it goes.
No great thing
Is done by a single
Individual.
Ask others to help you!
Yes, you’re smart.
You’re hardworking.
You get it.
You really know your stuff.
You personally only have so much time, attention, energy and resources.
If you want to achieve more, look for ways to ask others to help you.
With help you can do far more than you can do by yourself.
Ask for help.
#LeadYourself
#LeadOthers
Who has been helping you?
Take a moment to say thank you.
Over the phone, In person,
better yet in a short handwritten note.
It works
4 Simple Steps
Be specific
Be personal
Be brief
Do it!
Be specific
Saying “Thank you for taking ownership of that data quality problem” is much more powerful than saying something general like “thank you for all you do.” It takes a little more work, but has a bigger impact.
Be personal
This one is subtle, but really profound. Saying “I appreciate YOU for” is more powerful than saying “I appreciate IT when…”
Telling the person THEY matter makes a bigger impact than you expressing appreciation for what they did.
Be brief
You don’t need to go on and on with flowery prose.
Two or three sentences is really sufficient.
Do it
Whether you say it over the phone, in person, or actually write a note, the most important thing you can do is actually DO IT!
It is never too late to say thank you. Take a moment right now to reach out to someone and appreciate them for their contributions.
As my colleague and friend Michael Maher says “What you appreciate…Appreciates!”
If you want more great work from a team member, say thank you when they do a great job!
Example:
Joe, I just wanted to drop you a note to say I appreciate you for the work you’ve been doing on the Smith project. You really took ownership of that data quality problem and got it fixed. Thank you.
Tom
PS – when have you got a sincere and specific thank you note from someone? How did it make you feel?
Priorities:
What is your “big play of the day” today?
We only have so much time and energy. We can’t do everything. We have to pick.
As you look at your day, what is the one thing you need to “hit out of the park?”
What is the one thing where you need to be your best you?
Manage your energy, thoughts time and plan to make that part of your day great.
#LeadYourself
Need a mentor?
Who do you know who can help you in any area?
Ask to buy them lunch!
There used to be internships, mentorships, even apprenticeships. Those days are mostly behind us.
You want to get to the next level, but your sensei has not appeared. What can you do?
Find someone more skilled than you in any area where you want to grow.
Maybe they seem to know everyone at work.
Maybe they are brilliant at budgets.
Maybe they run excellent, efficient meetings.
Whatever it is, they have it, and you want it.
How can you get them to help you?
A.S.K.
Ask them:
Joe, I’ve noticed that you seem to always have your budget forecasts done, and your reconciliation is spot on, too.
I’d like to be able to do that. Could I buy you lunch sometime in the next couple of weeks and ask you a few questions about how you do it?
Show up with questions
When the lunch comes, bring a pen and a pad of questions to ask.
Ask:
How do you prepare?
How do you monitor progress?
Who helps you?
What is a secret or trick you use to make it easier?
Your list will be longer, but this should get you started.
Ask for a referral:
Joe, thank you so much for your time. This has been hugely valuable for me, and I appreciate you for your generosity. I really mean that. I see some things that I can use right away. This is great.
As you know, I’m working hard on growing my skills. I’m also looking for help in areas like
Navigating HR
Running better meetings and
Getting better at managing conflictWho do you know who is really good in those areas? I’d love to have a lunch with them like the one we’re having now. Would you be willing to introduce me?
It’s a lot easier than you think.
1. Know where you’d like to grow.
2. Look for people with those skills.
3. Ask for help.
4. Prepare good questions to ask.
5. Ask questions when you buy lunch.
6. THANK THEM.
7. Ask for a referral to another mentor.
8. Use the tips you got from your mentor to grow your skills.
Don’t forget that when you go to apply the skills, you can go back to the mentor with questions. They will almost always be happy to help you apply what they taught you.
Now – go and GROW!
#LeadYourself
It takes courage to lead
but without leaders nothing good happens.
* Ask the question
* Bring it up
* Raise a red flag
It’s hard to be the leader. It takes courage.
“Are you suggesting that I directly address it with him?”
“But when I bring it up, she acts like a 10 year old”
This is the reality my clients face every day.
When I was in IT leadership I always said
“Technology is hard. People are harder.”
Technology always does what you tell it to do.
People don’t always do what you tell them to do.
Here’s the thing: unless you have the courage to say something, NOTHING will ever change.
Be bold. Be brave. Say something!
You’ll feel a lot better, and you’ll make a difference in the process.
#LeadOthers