A Leader’s To Do List

 

 

Love it or hate it, college sports completed its annual men’s basketball tournament this past Monday with the team from Duke University surviving as the victors.

 

You may or not be a basketball fan, but this event provides us with many valuable leadership and life lessons.

 

My focus is on the coaching.

 

The coach of the winning team, Mike Krzyzewski, surfaces in an American Express commercial with this line; “I don’t look at myself as a basketball coach, I look at myself as a leader who just happens to coach basketball.”

 

It’s my belief that leaders who excel at coaching, produce exceptional results.

 

The coaching results of ‘Coach K’ of the Duke team has grown to legendary status. It’s also not a coincidence that the 4 – coaches involved in the last round of the tournament had been there before multiple times before. They are on to something.

 

Exceptional leaders provide coaching and inspiration to accomplish the desired results. They are also mindful to attract and recruit the best available talent.

 

My leadership tip for you this week is to adopt the practices of exceptional leaders; coach, inspire, attract and recruit the best available talent.

 

I hope that you’ll agree, coaching is critical to the success of any organization. There is always exceptions, some organizations are successful despite themselves. In most cases, we’ll never know how successful they could have been had they made an effort with individual and team development.

 

Here’s a few things to think about.

 

Coaching for leaders is about setting a direction, teaching, meshing talent and caring. Ask yourself how well are you doing in each of these areas and where do you need to improve.

 

As a coach, you must find ways to inspire your team to greatness. Ask yourself how well you are doing at getting your team committed and excited to deliver results for you. Then ask, what is the one thing you can do differently to provide inspiration?

 

By creating an environment where high levels of self-motivation kicks in and fully engaged employees are running through the halls, you will attract and retain the best talent to your organization. Do you have this happening? Do you know what you need to do to become the preferred employer in your area or industry?

 

How is your recruitment of best available talent going? Do you spend any time on recruitment? You really should because you really want to continue to grow. Think about the one recruiting effort you’re not making but you should. Then go do it.

 

Coach, inspire, attract and recruit … a pretty short to do list for leadership success.

This article was used with the permission of leadership development expert, Randy Goruk. Visit his website and register to receive his complimentary leadership tips: http://www.LeadersEdge360.com