Priority is Action: Success in the Future Doesn't Look Like Success in the Past, Part 2

Priority isn’t what we say we want to do. Priority is action.

Thanks for subscribing, and exploring the critical gap between talk and action, with ideas from Priority is Action: 7 Principles for Better Strategies, Decisions, and Outcomes.

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Become an Innovation Leader, Not a Reactive Leader

The sixth principle of priorities that I explore in my book, Priority is Action is that the methods, tools, and other approaches used to achieve our initial success will almost never work to get us to further and greater success in the future. Thus, we need to have the humility to admit we don’t have all the answers, and the curiosity to try new things.

Leaders play a pivotal role in dispelling the myth of resistance to change and fostering a dynamic culture of innovation within their teams. By leading by example and advocating for continuous improvement, they inspire their employees to embrace change wholeheartedly. Effective leadership encompasses several key strategies, each designed to empower teams and encourage open-mindedness.

First and foremost, leading by example is a powerful tool for inspiring change. When leaders demonstrate their openness to new approaches and willingness to take risks, their employees are more likely to follow suit. This entails experimenting with cutting-edge tools and technologies, and challenging existing processes and methods to unearth innovative improvements.

It's your job to create a culture of continuous improvement

Another critical aspect of inspiring change is creating a culture of continuous improvement. Leaders establish clear team goals and objectives, providing regular feedback and coaching to fuel employee growth and better performance. By fostering an environment that values progress and embraces transformation, leaders motivate their teams to strive for excellence and view change as an opportunity for development.

Leaders can also employ data and analytics to effectively advocate for change. By identifying areas of inefficiency or ineffectiveness in existing processes, leaders can paint a compelling case for change. Analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) and other metrics sheds light on areas that hold the potential for significant improvements.

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Actively listen and prove it every day

Also, leaders must actively listen to their employees and incorporate their feedback into decision-making processes. By involving employees, leaders foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the change process. This involvement cultivates trust and buy-in among employees, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Effective leadership is paramount in inspiring teams to embrace change and drive innovation. By embracing leadership strategies such as leading by example, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging data and analytics, and valuing employee feedback, leaders can create an environment that welcomes change as an enriching opportunity.

In the next edition, we're going to keep looking at the seventh principle of priorities: that a "hack" isn't a sustainable solution.

Make sure to get the book, Priority is Action: 7 Principles for Better Strategies, Decisions, and Outcomes, now available in print, digital, and audio.