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Here's a question to consider when you've read through the list: What are your touchstones? You may find that certain items from the list jump out at you, as something you'd like to develop in yourself. It might be helpful to have some go-to thoughts, questions, or sayings that can serve as a shorthand to guide your action. One of my favorite ones is: Don't be the smartest person in the room. This can serve as a shorthand to remind you to listen and question, to consider the common-sense but overlooked point of view, to encourage participation, and to really test your ideas instead of assuming that they are correct.
Now, for the list. My students admire the person who...
Gets the important stuff done every day
- negotiates disciplines/channels to regularize communication/commitment
- asks "What needs to be done?" (Drucker)
- uses time and resources effectively
- sets clear expectations
- avoids micromanagement
- obtains resources necessary to achieve goals
- is organized (e.g., doesn't lose stuff)
- follows up
- avoids useless effort by knowing objectives and goals for every task asked
- forward-thinking about how things should be done
- controls agendas
- manages both personal and team time
- focus on completion (how?)
- gives life to ideas
- is solution-oriented
- leaves schedule open to handle emergent needs
- is flexible
- develops action plans (Drucker)
- runs productive meetings (Drucker)
Iterates
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and learns continually
- public course corrections to demonstrate learning
- creates a culture of feedback
- normalizes information sharing (especially bad info)
- builds in team and interpersonal reflection
- looks for the fatal flaws, problems, and roadblocks early
- provides structure, standards to measure success
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