Do you need to do more to be a better leader? Let me propose some different strategies based on my leadership experiences.
The world is a fast, noisy place that is only increasing. The 24-hour news cycle has been with us since 1980. That’s over forty years of constant din in our ears. We become reactionary, and it’s designed to be that way. Social media is designed to make us react as well, to be outraged, argue, engage, etc., with others on whatever platform we are on. It drives the algorithms that show us what they want us to see to get more eyeballs on advertising.
We have such a fear of missing out that we would rather be miserable than limit the information we permit to intrude into our brains and our lives.
As a leader, especially if you are a school leader, you are pressured to give a quick, firm answer to a question. It makes sense for teachers because they have to be structured, have a plan, and execute that plan in their classroom. Even if you aren’t a school leader, your team has the same needs, and they need to be able to execute in their KRAs (Key Results Areas).
I have been reading a book by Ryan Holiday titled Stillness is the Key. The author observes that stillness, the ability to slow things down, is a powerful secret for creativity, happiness, peace, and, most powerfully, in my expert opinion, leadership.
We, especially leaders, must make time and space for deep thought and sober analysis. Leaders have to have time for exploration to craft a vision that is dynamic and fluid and then strategize how to bring it to fruition.
Giving yourself time and space doesn’t mean you’re indecisive. It’s about making the conscious decision to invest time in exploration, contemplation, and reflection. Let’s consider the saying, “Don’t just stand there. Do SOMETHING!” In a genuine emergency, that is an appropriate response. But true emergencies are rare. You often need to flip that saying to “Don’t do SOMETHING. Just stand there.” Yet, you get pressured to act. You hear the noise. If you give in to that pressure, let the noise in, and act prematurely, your decisions and actions often come back to bite you.
So how do you hold the noise and the pressure at bay? Consider the following:
- Let your mind wander: read, listen to TED talks, relevant podcasts, or journal. Whatever helps you disengage from the din around you. Above all, form a habit and give it time to pay off.
- Limit your inputs. Stop scrolling through social media all evening or during unstructured moments of the day. (Yes, I realize the irony that many of you will have connected with this through social media). “If you wish to improve,” Epictetus once said, “be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters.”
- Resist the temptation to run with the first acceptable idea you generate. If you have a high need for closure, this will be tempting. Brain research shows that your mind is still working on a problem even when you’re not consciously thinking about it. Don’t reject an idea because you’re unsure how to implement it. Logistics can come later.
- Above all, pray. No matter what your faith tradition is, or even if you do not have faith, you are a part of something bigger than yourself. Only narcissists think they are at the center of the universe. And as we’ve seen, narcissism is not an effective leadership trait.
You may say, “These are great ideas, but there’s no way I have the time.” Take a look at the following:
Implement an “Open Calendar” If you have an “Open Door Policy” – and most of us do, even if we say we do not – consider an “Open Calendar Policy.” This is where you designate portions of your calendar as “open” to those who may want to talk with you: those who report to you, faculty, staff, stakeholders, team members, etc. There are plenty of technology-based tools to implement this quickly. It may take some education and retraining – but you can do it!
Important vs. Urgent Make sure that what you are working on is actually important. We get so caught up in what is urgent that we lose sight of what’s important. Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix or the Covey Time Matrix to help you prioritize and, more importantly, discard what is unimportant and not urgent. In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius says, “Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’”
Delegation is Key Put up metaphorical “chutes” to direct the urgent and unimportant stuff to the right people. Make sure you are working on what only you can do. A good rule of thumb is if someone else can do the job 80% as well as you, then delegate it.
These tools will help you carve out the time for stillness to grow your leadership, advance your mission, and serve better.