Expect 3

Lately I have been struggling mightily with what “leadership” means.  I do not think there are many out there that do.  Just look at the dearth of “leadership” in this country.  There are tons of “leadership” books, seminars, DVD’s, CD’s, professors, think tanks, and how many other resources that are out there I could not name in this space.

If all these resources are out there then why is “leadership” so bad?  Companies and individuals pride themselves on putting on, and attending leadership conferences, and seminars.  Obviously they do not need to be told to continuously educate themselves on how to be a leader.

You know what I think the problem is?  I think everyone wants to be a leader and that just can’t happen.  Ever hear the phrase “too many chiefs and not enough indians”.  Of course you have, we all have.  But it seems that it is demeaning to be considered an indian and not a chief.  But that is another post.

Here is all you need to know about being a good leader.  It is what I call the “Expect 3″.

1. Develop Expectations

2. Communicate Expectations

3. Verify that Expectations are being met. (Credit to Ronald Reagan, “Trust but verify”.)

Those three things is all a leader needs to do to be a successful leader.  Don’t get me wrong, you can be considered, and notice I said considered, a successful leader without doing all three, but you would be wrong.  You would be a lucky leader if you did not do all three and still saw good results.  Your followers need to know what their expectations are,  those expectations need to be communicated clearly, and you need to follow up on your followers to make sure they are meeting the expectations.

Nothing else is important to leadership.  Everything else will flow from “Expect 3″.  There are volumes written on how to develop goals. there are volumes written on communication, and there are volumes written on evaluation.  Go to those seminars, read those books, but if anyone wants you to go to a leadership seminar be clear about what they are really going to teach you.  More than likely they  will only focus on either the communication or development aspect of “Expect 3″.  Very few will cover follow up and evaluation in a leadership seminar. 

Try those three principles with your employees/followers and see if it works and if you are even plopped down in a leadership postion make sure you do those 3 things.

Next up.  Visionaries vs. Leaders, those who see the dream and those who make it happen.