Are You Being Strategic, Or Procrastinating?

By Richard Brody

Especially as it relates to being a leader, there is sometimes a rather fine line between acting strategically, as compared to procrastinating. In both circumstances, individuals review, analyze, and consider circumstances, events, needs and alternatives, but it is what one does with the information he gathers that distinguishes between strategy and procrastination. While the procrastinator avoids true and meaningful planning, will often do nearly anything to avoid taking action (or even a strand), and almost never makes a significant decision, strategy means doing something about needs, creating an action plan, and then actually proceeding forward and taking meaningful action.

1. There is nearly nothing as toxic to effective leadership than procrastination! When someone in these positions refuses or is unable to act in a timely basis, he exposes his organization to often dire ramifications, that become more challenging and dangerous the longer action is delayed. In my over three decades of identifying, qualifying, training, and consulting to well over a thousand individuals in positions of leadership, I have never heard even one individual who admitted to procrastinating. Rather, these individuals almost invariably explain that delays are a necessary part of their strategy, and they are taking the time to plan, rather than procrastinating. However, unless this strategy includes creating a step - by - step plan, and then moving forward towards accomplishing their goals, the only strategy being performed is strategic procrastination!

2. Great leaders must be extraordinary strategic planners! Without aligning their vision with their goals, and their goals with their actions, and their actions with their plans, the potential for achievement becomes severely limited. How can you call yourself a leader is you do not lead? And, how can you possibly lead if you avoid controversy, refuse to take a stand, and continuously put off decisions and/ or essential activities and actions? It is important to understand that while someone should not behave impulsively, he needs the courage of his convictions, and must be willing to stand up for what he feels needs to be done, take a stand even if it may not be immediately popular, and lead by example. Greatness comes from accomplishment, and one will never achieve anything of a meaningful nature unless he is willing to take action in both a timely, as well as meaningful, carefully thought - out nature!

You are not being a strategic leader if all you aim for is developing a strategy to avoid taking action. Great leadership follows motivating others by one's attitude, actions, and methodologies.

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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All Leaders Make Mistakes, But Great Ones Admit And Correct Them

 

By Richard Brody

Far too many individuals view those in positions of leadership as either super - humans, often expecting or anticipating perfection from these people. However, the reality is that they are merely human with the same flaws, imperfections, insecurities, challenges and concerns that the rest of us have. True leaders will always make some mistakes, because only those that do nothing avoid making errors (although even they make errors of omission or procrastination), and in order to be a real leader, one must make timely decisions and take timely action. Therefore, it is not that a great leader will be mistake - free, but rather he admits them and immediately takes action to address and correct them.

1. One of the basic rules of effective leadership is never about perfection or even believing that one can be perfect (although the great ones will always strive for the best result possible), but rather how one handles things that might go wrong (or at least not as desired or wanted), and reacts and leads others to move on in a constructive, meaningful manner. Far too many individuals who ascend to positions of leadership behave in a thin - skinned manner, often overreacting when they are challenged by others, or by negative circumstances. Great leadership is about addressing needs, motivating others, and providing value to their constituents, and other stakeholders. True leaders remain above the fray, making certain that their egos are kept under control, and that they remain capable of understanding that is both possible and probable that at one point or another, they will be prone to making some mistakes.

2. True leaders keep their heads when others often lose theirs! They realize that they are not always right, although they pursue gathering as much information, knowledge, learning and wisdom as they can, so that their level of expertise is far above most others. A great leader creates a plan based on his vision for his organization, creating meaningful goals, an action plan, and attempts to motivate others to share his vision. These plans must be comprehensive in nature, always examining multiple possibilities and/ or contingencies, and creating a number of backup plans to address the "what if's." By doing so, they realistically address that what one hopes for may not always be achieved on the first attempt, and one of the signs of greatness is maintaining the persistence and patience to pursue goals, rather than prioritizing their own vanity.

Leaders make mistakes, as do all of us. It is the great ones that address them promptly and remain on track to accomplish the overall goals in a productive manner.

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://Facebook.com/Plan2lead
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