We are one nation with a single President, a nation of 50 different states, each run by their own governor who works with many city/town mayors that support the neighborhoods and their families. That's a lot of leadership levels, a lot of trust, and a lot to govern, not to mention a lot of areas for miscommunication, a lack of clarity, and missed execution.

Let's put it another way: We are one company with a single CEO, a company of 50 different office locations, each run by their own Vice President, who work with department leaders that support the teams and people.

Maybe this feels too much like your organization—or your household.

(And you were scared this this was going to be a political post.)

This single company CEO is not required to and doesn't plan to connect daily or even weekly with each location VP; there are simply too many priorities, responsibilities, and decisions. The VPs don't usually have enough strategic connection to the department leaders; there are simply too many priorities, responsibilities, and decisions. The methods of communication to bring True Clarity™ to each of the 50 office locations on a regular basis is scattered, let alone the challenges in shared leadership and communication between each department leaders and each of their respective team leaders.

(This seems like it's getting political again. Maybe it is.)

All of these people are doing what they can to lead their part of the organization, but they each have their own approach, leadership styles, levels of trust, communication challenges, and so on. Panic is contagious; but so is leadership. It’s time to rise up and be the leaders our organizations and families need us to be right now.

Here are 11 leadership principles we need now.

Provide True Clarity™

LIVE YOUR VISION & VALUES. Take the time to figure out what's Really Most Important™ to you as well as (1) your people, (2) your organization, (3) your customers, and (4) your marketplace. We call these your Four Cornerstones. As a leader, you want to be aware of what's going on with each cornerstone, starting with your vision & values so that you can act on purpose, lead by example, and come with compassion.
FOCUS ON RESULTS. It's nonsensical to make a plan, manage a project, or build an event without understanding the end result and how that connects to your Four Cornerstones quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily. Try solving a maze that has no finish. No matter what decisions you make, you're not getting out. Focus on the results you want, not the initiatives you plan.
LEAD WITH HOPE & TRANSPARENCY. No, hope will not solve all of your problems, but people want a sense of trust and confidence towards the future. Give them something that raises their spirits and gives them something to look forward to. This starts with you. Make sure everyone knows your true intentions, the reasons and motivations behind your actions, and how they fit into the vision for the future. Be a source of inspiration.
BE REALLY HONEST & GIVE PEOPLE A VOICE. Is the media telling the truth? Is Twitter a source of facts? That doesn't matter. You as a leader need to maintain an honest approach with your people so that your people can create context vs chasing headlines. This means empowering your people to tell their truth by sharing and harnessing their insights, ideas, and improvements when it comes to our future possibilities and our immediate day-to-day opportunities.

Foster Aligned Accountability™

BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS. Leadership is a relationship. It needs comfort, connection, direction, respect, and eventually fulfillment. This is what we call motivational psychology and a leader must be able to relate to who each person really is while sharing who they are. It's all about communication, cooperation, and collaboration.
DEVELOP THE TEAM. A quarterback doesn't catch the ball that they throw. A drummer doesn't play every instrument. A teacher isn't the expert on every subject. We must build a culture and team that focuses on Core Genius where everyone does their best work using their unique talents—relentlessly and almost exclusively while ensuring it brings out the best of our organization externally and internally. That's the only way to achieve Aligned Accountability™.
TAKE 100% RESPONSIBILITY. Whatever happens and whatever doesn't happen is "on your shoulders." Take the blame; give the credit. As a leader, you have a part in the culture, the teamwork, and the results. Maybe not all of it, but a part of it for sure.

Activate Purposeful Execution™

CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS. Your thoughts determine your emotions; your emotions determine your decisions; your decisions determine your actions; your actions determine your impact; your impact determines your reaction. It all starts with your thoughts and the words you use that influence how you feel. (Empathy is a good one to start with.)
MAKE QUICK DECISIONS. What happens when you try to book a flight or a popular restaurant or a vacation at the last moment? You aren't left with the best options—if there's any reservations left at all. By making quick decisions, you still have time to change your mind and course correct. How do you know if you're making the right decisions? Have standards that start with ensuring that what you and your people are executing on is both relevant and compelling to who you are, the needs you solve, and the value you create.
LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES. Not all of your decisions are going to be the right ones. Course correct. Build a culture that focuses on progress, not perfection. Make the learning bigger than the experience. It's not crap; it's fertilizer.

Everyone has a Top Ten list. We have 11. Here’s another for you to ensure we transform insights to actions…

#11 Your First Step

Maybe you're a bit out-of-practice on some of these leadership traits. It is critical that while we work IN our business day-to-day we also work ON our business at the same time. Here is how to put this into action.

Review your top organizational and departmental goals and what is Really Most Important™ to your people.
Each month, pick the one principle in each of these areas you and your people need the most right now to ensure you have True Clarity™, Aligned Accountability™ & Purposeful Execution™ toward your goals.
Make a plan. Take action. Learn and grow from your challenges. Celebrate and build off your successes.

(Yes, our country can use a little bit of practice in aligned leadership as well.)

Okay, go take action.