Your Greatest Commodities

If you want to develop just two aspects of leadership then
these are two of the most important.

1. Develop a vision for the future.
2. Get those you lead excited about and committed to that
future

There is so much to consider when planning and strategising
the way forward. But today rather than focus in on what that
strategic plan will look like, I would like to draw your
attention, focus and understanding to what are your most
valuable commodities

By this I mean; what are the things you are going to need
which will allow you to do your job?

The following is not meant to be a 'must-have' list but
more of a prompt. In other words, a list that will get you
thinking about what you consider to be as your most valued
commodities.

Now, like a lot of what I put forward to you there are
probably no right or wrong answers here. But nonetheless,
there is a responsibility not to just put anything down
but to think through and come up with a list that is
relevant, specific and in line with your primary purpose.

So let's just throw a few around between us and see what
you come up with.

1.Time

No matter what you do and how well you do it there always
seems to be a shortage of time. Now before you go out and
buy The Idiot's Guide to Time Management (not sure that
book exists!), ask yourself where the problem of your
lack of time comes from.

Lack of discipline
Lack of efficiency
Lack of prioritising
Over-extending your self
Non-delegation of relevant tasks

Remember you cannot manage time. It is constant. You can
only manage yourself and what you do with the time you
have available.

2. Knowledge

This is the second commodity that we are constantly looking
for more of.

Where will you increase your knowledge, both general and specific?

From --

Those around you
Self-development CD's, DVD's, Books etc
The Internet
Observation of everyday life
Conferences
The Library

The bottom line here is that there are opportunities to learn
in a thousand and one ways every single day. The question that
probably needs to be answered most is this:

"Will your increase in knowledge happen because of a planned
approach or will it ëjust happení?"

3. Opportunities

Watch for them
Take advantage of them
Create them
Don't let any pass you by
Offer some to others

All of these points are part and parcel of dealing with the
opportunities that life presents to you.

However, once again the question that has to be answered is
how you will deal with them. Or will you deal with them?
Will you be so busy that the majority of opportunities will just pass you by.

4. Energy

High performance motor: high performance fuel. Where will
your high performance fuel come from?

The people around you
The goals you pursue
The challenges you will face
The personal time you create
The gym programme you have
The holidays you will take
The food you will eat
A combination of all of these and more

The bottom line here is that if you do not look after yourself
you will not be in a position to look after anyone else.

You have to have a re-fuelling station. It doesn't matter what
form or shape this refuelling station takes, what does matter
is that it provides you with high-quality fuel.

5. Discipline /Motivation

There will be things you will do and there will be other things
you won't want to do.

But what will the driving forces be for you?

Goals
Challenges
Outcomes
Income
Pride
Developing others
Responsibility

Once again, there are no right or wrong answers, but there is
a need to understand that others are relying on you for your
leadership. Therefore, your primary driver should be
something in line with helping others, but at the same time
it is OK to have a look at what is in it for you as well.

So there you have it: A couple of areas just to get you
thinking how you will attack it.

The Journey Continues!