An aspect of leadership that sets the old adage “’Tis better to give than receive” on its head is the act of actively seeking feedback. Leaders are often quick to give assessments but may have a harder time accepting them.
Every chief executive officer (CEO) wants superstars in his or her company. Superstars are high performers, innovative, creative, and they deliver outstanding results. Superstars are highly sought-after performers who make their managers look great.
What would happen if they knew how to connect every project to the organization’s overall purpose? Being promoted is often thought of as an opportunity to work exclusively from the proverbial 30,000-foot view. Yet, as many executives know, a new title doesn’t make you a strategist.
It is Saturday morning and career coaching time. One of my favorite questions to ask a client is, “What’s next for you?” A multitude of responses include, “I have more potential to leverage,” “not sure—I am exploring,” “my career has been great, but I am not sure what is next—I feel a bit uncertain,” or “my career has progressed every three to five years, and it is time for me to be CEO (COO, SVP, or VP).”
Holding oneself accountable is more than a slogan or bumper sticker. A fundamental tenet extraordinary leaders embrace is that the degree to which they hold themselves accountable dictates the extent of their empowerment and ability to effect positive change. When this perspective is primary, it forwards actions and builds trust. When it’s absent, it not only feeds a blame game but narrows executives’ perspectives about how to make an impact.