“Build a network of people who inspire, challenge and motivate you to make bold, fearless moves.” – Jo Miller***
America has just gone through an incredible electoral process, culminating in the inaugural celebration of a new president. The new president, Joseph R. Biden and the new Vice President Kamala Harris, have their work cut out for them as they face multiple challenges, which include, among other major concerns, an economic crisis, racial injustice and yes, a global pandemic, which has taken its toll on the U.S.
The inauguration took place on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 and on Thursday, January 21st the two newly sworn in leaders of the executive branch of government, along with their administrative team, hit the ground running. Some work actually began Wednesday afternoon, between celebratory events. There is a great deal that has to be done. Some people will applaud their efforts and accomplishments and some will be critical, but nonetheless the work must get done. This is the case with anyone who walks into a new leadership position. Whether one is taking on the leadership of a program, department, organization or a country, it is a challenge that must be met head on and with the faith and determination to win.
The Challenge Begins
Taking on new leadership challenges is just that, a challenge! It takes vitality, vision and vigor to get it all done and in the long run it is quite satisfying to see the accomplished work completed. In addition, the people you serve and serve with, should be happier as well, knowing that the outcomes of all that work has yielded maximum results for them as well.
So how do we get from point A to point Z, when, we are facing… well… a hot mess?!
I have had the pleasure and sometimes the pain of going through that process myself or walking with others as they muddled through the muck and mire of messed up areas of responsibility. There is much to consider and of course, I have witnessed the right way and the wrong way to go about it. Here are four phases to recognize and consider in getting things done the right way:
1. The Acknowledgement Phase
The Acknowledgment Phase is when you take the time to get your head in the game. When you accepted the offer or started the project, you had time to take in the joy of what was to come, now take time to think realistically about what you might face. Be thoughtful and prayerful about it. If you are walking into an existing situation, where someone was there before you and you will be filling their shoes, be realistic about the fact that you may have tall boots to fill. Some of the existing team members will love you; some will not trust you; some will not be sure how to take you and some may be determined to see you prove yourself… ok I didn’t want to say it but I have to be straightforward, some will be determined to see you fail. A new leader walking into a new role should acknowledge what they are about to encounter and consider all possibilities without creating self-fulfilling prophecies – don’t make the worst happen – so they are prepared for whatever comes.
Some would say, “I don’t want to be negative,” but I’m not asking you to be negative. I am suggesting that you prepare for the best and the worst of what may occur and consider possible responses so you are not blind-sided by anything that occurs. The best of us and the worst of us meet with challenges in life and in business, trust and acknowledge that you will be no different.
That is the Acknowledgement Phase.
2. The Assessment Phase
Whenever we start in a new role, we must do our homework. That homework starts before day one and extends throughout our role as a leader. We must always assess where we are and as time goes on, come back and check this again. There are various ways this can be done but SOAR is one way. In days gone by we used to do a SWOT analysis where we looked at Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats but SOAR, Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results takes a more positive and forward thinking approach to analyzing the current state of things. SOAR focuses on the whole of your area of responsibility as well as what you are already doing well, while propelling you forward to do it even better. It requires input from multiple others to build this picture so it works well with what the Assessment Phase should entail.
The Assessment Phase is a learning phase. Learn what is being done, where, how, why and how well. If any of those questions cannot adequately be answered because the data is missing, you will know that is an opportunity for improvement that you must incorporate in an action plan.
- Learn the program, department or organization you have now been given charge
- Meet with the right people
- Establish Trust
- Get to know likes and dislikes; expectations; needs
In gathering all categories of information, talk to all the right people so you can have a well-rounded learning experience:
- Learn from other leaders
- Learn from team members
- Learn from customers (current and past)
- Learn from current documentation and literature
- Learn from the previous leader if at all possible or appropriate (This is not always an ideal option but may be a worthy consideration; if the previous person left on bad terms disregard this suggestion)
In 2021, the Coronavirus is a valid consideration when assessing current trends and current needs for working teams and organizations. Next year may bring new challenges. Find out how your new team may have been affected by such external influences.
For example, Covid may have spotlighted weaknesses in your team’s ability to function effectively because everything either stopped suddenly, creeping gradually into the online world or was immediately catapulted into the online world, like houses of worship. Many Houses of Worship and small businesses found they had to take the leap before securing the ability to check off all the boxes, i.e. website, updated website, social media, streaming platforms & structure in place, Online Communication Methods, Updated Virtual Databases and last but not least enough motivated and qualified individuals to manage each of these areas. This doesn’t even include the normal day to day operations and programming that still needed to continue and in many cases needed to transition to online availability or hybrid options as well.
All of these considerations contribute to the Assessment Phase.
3. The Arrangement & Assignment Phase
Arrangements & Assignments are all part of the planning process. Take what you have learned and the advisements given in the assessment phase and develop your plan and who is most appropriate to take on the lead responsibility and carry out the assignment on behalf of the team.
Delegate tasks according to the insights you’ve gained in the assessment phase and the talent that you have working for and with you. Do not take on every task yourself. To do so will make you a lone wolf and you will undermine any attempt to build trust with others who are hopeful that you will give them opportunities for growth and to prove their abilities.
Please, please, please do not make the mistake of thinking that because you have assigned someone to lead a task, that you have no culpability in the matter. It is ultimately your responsibility and while someone else has the responsibility of getting it done, you still have the responsibility to stay on top of that person or persons and hold them accountable. That means, regular one on one updates, team meetings and group briefings. This keeps everyone on their toes and keeps you apprised of what is and is not getting done. People often get frustrated at how often leaders are tied up in meetings, and while this may sometimes be a bit overkill, it is still a necessity. In today’s virtual world, however, there are multiple ways of sharing information and keeping teams and individuals updated. Face to face meetings can even occur by electronic means, saving travel and other time wasters and when all is said and done, there is still something to be said about the telephone call.
The Arrangement & Assignment Phase is the Plan Development Phase.
4. The Action Phase
The Action Phase is just what it sounds like. It is the time to act, the time to get things done. Now is the time to start getting the important tasks done. Make sure they are done completely and competently. You have the right information and the right people in place to get the work done. So get busy.
Actions Will Be Determined by Current Needs
I admire the energy and expertise exhibited by the Biden Administration as they began to roll out plans and provide updates and information leading up to and following the inauguration. They knew they had a lot of work to do in putting things back together or getting things newly implemented in all categories. They clearly gave much time, energy and expertise to every subject. What was also made clear as Administrative Cabinet members were announced in previous weeks, the individuals chosen for key positions on all levels are no rookies. They are all individuals who are highly educated, trained and experienced at what they will be doing. This gives them an edge. They can walk in and will know exactly what to do. These are not just individuals who have read books on these jobs but these are the individuals who could pen the books and the white papers on how to do these jobs. They are what we call, experts; and they were not selected by accident. If things were in a better state of affairs, a different team might have been assembled but not the case.
Is It Too Much Too Soon?
Changing things right away is not usually a good idea because easing into the role and into the hearts of those who are already there should be a highly valued priority. If you come in and start changing too much too soon, you can create resentment and opposition where there would not otherwise be any. There is however, a time when coming in and making changes right away is more than appropriate and that is when you have a mess to clean up that is driven by vision and urgency.
Address the most pressing issues immediately. While some may be happy with this, know that others may not be. You have to move forward with the confidence that you have heard the voices of those around you and have considered the opinions of those who are close to the situation as you made decisions and plans. Not only that but you must move forward with the vision in mind. You cannot let the voices of those who want to stand still, be the voices you adhere to. If you do, you will be out of a job or worse, the organization might fall further into the abyss. The world is ever changing and to remain relevant we must choose advancement and all that accompanies it… at this point just reach back into the acknowledgement phase because you prepared for this.
The Action Phase is characterized by… you got it… ACTION!
Closing Thoughts
New roles, new responsibilities. We all have them at some point in our lives. Even if we are not in a position that has a leadership title, we still have assignments that require us to lead. It might even be leading our families through a pandemic! Who was prepared for that? Consider the phases, Acknowledgement, Assessment, Arrangements & Assignments then Action. Even if we got caught off guard when we were thrown into the lead, we can still implement the phases and get things moving in the right direction. Once that’s done, we can breathe in preparation for whatever live brings in the next phase.