Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “tone at the top.” It’s been around for decades in management accounting, even prior to 1992 when I first studied for the Certified Management Accountant exams.

Back then, “tone at the top” was used in a context of ethics, compliance, and governance.

But a leader’s tone—what you model as a leader—influences so much more than compliance, ethics, or governance.

20376

I’ve been thinking a lot about management and leadership these days and you’ve heard my call to action to help all managers lead better.

Two added thoughts on this:

1. Managers must also be good leaders. I am not saying that management is bad. (But some do think management is bad, and I take issue with their thinking.)
2. Many individuals in positions of authority may love the management aspect of their roles too much, to the detriment of leading well.

20363

What might you do—today, and each day—in order to be a better leader? Feel gratitude about others, and share your appreciation with them!

 

“Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

~ William Arthur Ward

20349

You are a leader. And you are likely an excellent problem solver.

What many new leaders must learn is: what is needed most from you is different than it was when you were closer to the actual problem.

20346

As a leader you may feel under a microscope. All. The. Time.

Guess what, you are! It’s part of the role you’ve stepped up and into.

This doesn’t mean, though, that you’re leading well if you’re focused primarily on you. To lead better, take the focus off of you.

20341

Sometimes, everything feels like an obstacle or a distraction. This happens when we are not focused on our own purpose—the steps or tasks we are completing are aimless.

But other times, everything in a day seems to fall into place. Great things come one after another like dominos, and you can’t help but think, “yes!” That feeling comes when you are in flow. You are able to navigate your day with a sense of ease, achievement, and excitement.

Getting to that place—being in flow—requires you to be both open minded to possibilities, and focused on what you want. And once you are in that state, you will feel that “yes!” continuously.

20336

In your strategic planning, do you consider:

• • Your workplace culture?
  • Your ability to adapt talent to what your future vision will require?
  • What learning or innovation is required to execute your strategy?

20327

Everyone experiences overwhelm at some point. There will be times when all that is happening weighs heavily on your ability to show up in the way you want to be perceived. Your emotional intelligence may suffer.

It may be that you close up and avoid showing any of the emotions you feel.

Or you say something you wish you hadn’t.

20318

Leaders have tenacity. Tenacity means you have what it takes to get through ridiculously tough stuff as you strive to achieve your goal.

Great leaders also inspire others to build tenacity in themselves, so that everyone crosses the finish line together.

When you look back at your journey, can you recall times when you pushed through what was ridiculously hard?

20303

We expect managers (with teams) to lead better, but are we providing them with what they need to do so?

 

Management is not leadership.

 

Most organizations have many means to manage work, which includes asking people to share, measure, and report on their progress.

20306