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Five Landmarks of Leadership

May 29, 2019 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

Five Landmarks of Leadership
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Featured article by Dave Ferguson in CEOWORLD magazine. Reprinted by permission.

Throughout history, landmarks have been used to mark important places and events. They represent boundaries, victories, memories, histories, and discoveries.

Landmarks help you know where you are and remind you of where you (or others) have been. They serve as guideposts for future generations.

Ancient wisdom admonishes us to “remove not the ancient landmarks.”

Why is this?

Because if we remove them, we remove those boundaries, victories, memories, histories, and discoveries that will protect us, guide us, and give us wisdom.

If you have been to a historic location, for example, you would never know that anything significant happened there if it were not marked. But because it is, you pause, reflect, and learn. This does not mean that all landmarks represent good memories or favorable histories. It means there is something to be remembered – a valuable lesson to be learned – from their presence.

Do you have these important landmarks in your leadership?

  1. Boundaries

An effective leader must have boundaries. What is your defined role? What are your values? What are your responsibilities? What are your goals?

Answering these questions helps you set the landmark of your boundaries.

Boundaries are important because they provide a perimeter of focus. They help you know where you “belong” and where you do not belong. They help you know when to say, “Yes” to an opportunity and when to say, “No.” They guard your character. They contain your energy, so you are operating at your best, with tight focus and high performance.

  1. Victories

Landmarks mark victories, and victories are born of challenge. Thus, landmarks are symbolic of overcoming a challenge.

Think back to the challenges you have faced in life and leadership. If you are like most, you will come to two conclusions: (1) They were some of the toughest times, and (2) They taught you some of your most important life and leadership lessons.

Mark those victories. Remember what you faced and how you overcame the obstacles. Remember who helped you during those times. Use this landmark to prepare you for future challenges. Develop your strategy and support team now before the next challenge comes. Looking back to the landmark of victory equips and encourages you for the next challenge you will face.

  1. Memories

What if you woke up tomorrow with no memory? That would be a tragic loss, to the level of losing your very identity.

Similarly, it is a tragic loss when you forget the important events, people, and experiences in your life that helped to make you who you are.

Take time to remember those who have made an impact on your life. If they are still alive, thank them. If not, share with someone a lesson you learned from that person. In doing so, you help carry their legacy forward.

Memories can be good or bad, but they all work together to make us who we are. They serve as guideposts for what to do and what not to do in life.

Take some time to write down the lessons you have learned from others and the experiences that have made you who you are. You are a unique collection of memories. Never forget. Always be thankful.

  1. Histories

History is essentially the story of civilization. Woven across centuries, it ties the past to the present and provides guidance for the future. History is the foundation of the future.

As a leader, it is good to reflect on the landmark of history.

What went right? What went wrong? And how can we make it better in the future?

The adage that “those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it” is true. You don’t have to make the mistakes of the past; but there is merit in learning from them. Before you move forward, check the historical landmark for perspective.

  1. Discoveries

Many of the world’s greatest leaders were “discoverers.” They had a natural propensity for learning and exploring, for finding new and better ways to solve a problem or meet a need.

Do you as a leader have landmarks of discovery?

What solutions have you developed? What problems have you solved? What new possibilities have you unearthed? Do you value activity over discovery?

Discovery is the creative and curious side of leadership, the landmark of significant growth and innovation. As a leader, and especially as a business leader, you cannot afford to lose this landmark.

Be a strong leader. Take time to visit these five landmarks regularly. Character, success, wisdom, identity, and innovation await you there.


Dave FergusonDave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

 

Get Prepared for the Upturn

March 23, 2017 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

Today, as markets are on the rise, the outlook for employment is looking up, and the grim economic news of recent years is beginning to be replaced by more positive reports. If you are not already prepared for the upturn, now is the time to get prepared.

As the leader of your company or team, following are seven actions you can take now to prepare for the upturn. In fact, these actions apply in upturns and downturns as well.

  1. Get creative.

    Innovation is one of two things that make money for companies. Spend time brainstorming with your peers, employees, friends, coaches, and others. Get everyone’s juices stirring around products, services, and processes.

  2. Get your operations house in order.

    Spend time with your customers, including those who are not currently buying from you. Let them know you value their businesses as well as their business. Then ask them how you can improve. Find out your strengths and weaknesses as an organization. Build on your organizational strengths, and work on your organizational weaknesses.

  3. Get your financial house in order.

    You must create a firm foundation for growth if you want to participate in the upturn. Have all the necessary documentation ready for the bank in case you need to borrow at the onset. There could be a race for the funds, and you will want to win that race!

  4. Have a strategic plan.

    Make sure you have a game plan for game day. A true strategic plan is all about tactics, techniques, and implementation. If you are going to beat the competition out of the gate and down the stretch, you need a strong strategy.

  5. Get the right people on your team.

    Evaluate your team, and if you have doubts about anyone, consider replacing them. There are many free agents on the market, and you can use this time and their talent to upgrade your team. It is wise to bring in an objective third party to help with this process, especially around interviewing and selection.

  6. Invest in your people.

    As the upturn takes hold, so will the war for talent. If you have good talent and want to keep them, invest in them now. Help them prepare themselves to be the best they can be. Provide them with more training, as well as developmental opportunities. Investing in your people now will demonstrate a commitment from you that will factor big time if and when the competition attempts to steal them away.

  7. Carry the torch of hope.

    Whether in upturns, downturns, or transitions between the two, a leader must spread hope throughout the organization. These times may be tough, but that doesn’t mean the talk has to be. Don’t let your employees dwell on the negative; rather, help them see the positive. Find ways to energize and lift them. Consider bringing in an inspirational speaker. And, always, keep the lines of communication, vision, and goal-sharing open.

Truly effective leaders don’t just strike while the iron is hot. They strike well before the furnace is lit. They see the vision and create the solution long before it is needed. If you are working your company goals and objectives, as well as planning for the good times ahead, you will not only have a better chance at surviving the downturns, you will be ready to ride the next wave.


Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. For help in getting your organization ready for the upturn, “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

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