Tag Archives: leadership

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FFP 036: Patience and Tenacity in Leadership

In this episode of The Future Focused Podcast I breakdown how patience is not a force of opposition to tenacity but rather fuels it. You’ll learn how to build patience to fuel, better execute actions with tenacity to become a better leader at home, at your job, and in life.

Tenacity is one of the six core elements of leadership, but it is fueled by patience. Patience is a skill that can be acquired and built. I’ll show you how in this episode.

Patience is one of the greatest skills we can learn as a leader.

Thank you for taking the time to listen. Thank you for being a leader. I hope you will share this out and reach out to me.

Stay safe and healthy friends.

You are a leader. This is our time. Our best days are ahead of us, not behind us.

Kelly

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Future Focused Podcast.

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. Want to learn more? Send an email. • Sign-up for Kelly’s Newsletter. Listen to Kelly’s other podcast The Wired Educator Podcast with over 160 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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5 Things You Need to Lead Your Team in Uncharted Territory

Every day I hear people use words like ‘unprecedented’ and ‘uncharted territory’ to describe our current global pandemic and the crisis it has created. I do not question the accuracy of these descriptors, but we cannot allow them to become excuses for inaction. While we may truly not know ‘exactly what to do,’ we know we must provide leadership, whether in our home, of our self, our organization, or community.

This must be a time of compassion, understanding, and forgiveness, both in others and of ourselves. The challenges upon us are real, varied and dire. We need to assume everyone is doing their best. We must empathize and realize every person’s challenge, situation, mindset, ability to cope, and resources are all different.

This is not a time to be selfish; be selfless. This is not a time to seek profit; serve. This is not a time to hustle; help.

While the 6 core elements I wrote about in my book, Along Came a Leader, have served me well in life: Attitude, Wisdom, Communication, Tenacity, Vision, and Authenticity, I wanted to provide leaders some insight on how to help their team during this tough time. Here are the 5 things I believe leaders NEED to lead their team in uncharted territory:

1. Vision: Leaders need to provide their team with a compelling vision of what the outcome could be if everyone does their part. The vision needs to be realistically optimistic, but a bit grand in some ways too. Everyone needs something to look forward to in a crisis. Everyone needs clarity and direction. Everyone needs a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Without a vision, a team meanders, stalls and becomes lost in the crisis.

2. A Good Crew: Hopefully you have built a great team but during a crisis even the best need coaching and professional learning. Clarify your expectations. Deliver accurate feedback. Provide opportunities and resources to help them to continue to grow and improve. Columbus could not hire a new crew in the middle of the ocean during the many trials on his exploration to discover the New World; he had to coach them up each and every day.

3. Flexibility: You have to roll with the punches. You have to get back up after getting knocked down. You have to adjust and adapt your plans and procedures. The way you did things before a crisis worked for that time and situation; they may not be appropriate now. Reflect, evaluate, test, execute, and continually adjust.

4. Tenacity: Have you ever seen someone freeze or just shut down in a time of crisis? Tenacity is not something we are born with, but rather something we build. A crisis demands tenacity and so does leadership. I live in a state of permanent beta. I am always trying to improve myself. It is something I admire in others. I not only expect to make mistakes, I understand they are paramount on the journey to success. They are the feedback we need to achieve. Be relentless. Celebrate failures. Keep getting back up and trying.

5. Attitude: Without the right attitude in a time of crisis you are lost and helpless. It is the single most important quality of a leader. It is the single greatest characteristic of success. It is the antidote to a crisis. Your attitude is contagious. Those you lead become infected with the way you approach the crisis. An awesome attitude is one of the most impressive and admired traits of exceptional leaders.

I do not write these words with ease nor approach our crisis lightly. My heart is full of admiration for our nurses, doctors, first responders, and all of the many essential workers providing all we need to keep the world running. My heart aches for the sick and all that is yet to come.

I fully understand that what lies ahead will be tough, trying and at times bleak, but I know that leadership, personal and professional, is the requirement of all, as we stand in the shadow of a crisis. It is leadership that will get us, and those we love and care for, through it.

Neither a book, a course, nor a title makes you a leader; action does!

I hope this post provides you with some assistance during these tough times.

Wishing you great health & happiness, peace & prosperity, and love & laughter.

Stay safe and healthy.

Stay away from one another.

Kelly

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. Want to learn more? Send an email. • Sign-up for Kelly’s Newsletter. Listen to Kelly’s other podcast The Wired Educator Podcast with over 148 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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FFP 035: Leading in a Time of Crisis

“Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.” Wise words by American novelist, James Lane Allen, and words each of us should reflect on deeply during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, more than any other time in our lifetime, we need leadership. We not only need leadership; we need more leaders. We need more people to stand up, speak up, and take action.

This episode of The Future Focused Podcast is a live recording of a Facebook Live presentation I did earlier in the week. I focus on how to lead in a time of crisis. I review the six core elements of leadership as they apply to a crisis. I reflect on the importance of both our circle of focus and mindfulness. I offer my advice on how to lead yourself, your home, your business, and your community.

This recording has already made an impact when it went live. The comments I received immediately told me I needed to share it out in podcast form, so people could listen while they drive, do chores, and workout.

Thank you for taking the time to listen. Thank you for being a leader. I hope you will share this out and reach out to me.

Stay safe and healthy friends.

You are a leader. This is our time. Our best days are ahead of us, not behind us.

Kelly

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Future Focused Podcast.

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. Want to learn more? Send an email. • Sign-up for Kelly’s Newsletter. Listen to Kelly’s other podcast The Wired Educator Podcast with over 148 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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FFP 034: Innovation’s Greatest Challenge

Leaders are Innovators! What is innovation? How to Overcome Innovation's Greatest Challenge!

This episode of The Future Focused Podcast was recorded before most COVID-19 restrictions. I have been unable to post it due to work and family obligations from the COVID-19 pandemic. I am excited to share it with you now. I believe it is timely, but the intro oddly does not reference the current state of our global situation well.

This episode of The Future Focused Podcast is all about innovation. Innovation is a buzz word that quite often gets misused or tossed around without people fully understanding it. The purpose of this episode is to define what innovation really is, how it plays an important role in leadership, and I’ll identify innovation’s greatest challenge. By the end of the episode, you will fully understand what innovation is and will be excited to make it a part of your leadership style.

People admire innovators. People want to hire innovators. People want to become innovators.

Listen to this episode and learn what true innovation is, why it escapes so many, and what a leader can do to make innovation part of their organization’s culture.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Future Focused Podcast.

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. Want to learn more? Send an email. • Sign-up for Kelly’s Newsletter. Listen to Kelly’s other podcast The Wired Educator Podcast with over 148 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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FFP 033: Leadership Agility

How agile are you as a leader? It’s important to know.

There are a lot of important leadership traits leaders need, but how is your leadership agility? Our current time and our future as a leader is demanding that leadership inside the home, community and within any organization be agile. Not sure what leadership agility is? You’re not only going to find out in this episode, but you’re also going to learn how to summon it and apply to get ahead.

One observation that I repeatedly reflect on as leaders share their goals, challenges, and success, is their necessity to be able to move from one challenge to another quickly and make solid leadership decisions. All shared the enormous variety of issues and responsibilities that a leader must tackle daily.

This ten-minute episode will help you improve as a leader in big ways.

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. Want to learn more? Send an email. • Sign-up for Kelly’s Newsletter. Listen to Kelly’s other podcast The Wired Educator Podcast with over 148 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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FFP 032: Basic Beats Sophisticated!

Crush Your Goals! Complete Your List! Get Results!

Are you tired of writing down the same goals every year? Listing the same to-do items on your list every day? Not making gains in the areas of life that mean the most to you? If you really want to make progress, this is the episode for you.

This episode of the Future Focused Podcast to help you level-up your leadership and design a more dynamic life.

We live in a time that can provide us with a vast amount of information instantly on any topic we choose! We can consume vasts amounts of information easily, quickly, readily. It really is an amazing time, but I caution you: Information only goes as far as our commitment to putting it into action. It’s our application of the information that increases productivity and success. That is what this podcast is all about!

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. Want to learn more? Send an email. • Sign-up for Kelly’s Newsletter. Listen to Kelly’s other podcast The Wired Educator Podcast with over 148 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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FFP 031: How Far Can Leaders See?

The Importance of Vision in Leadership!

In this episode of The Future Focused Podcast, I highlight the importance of vision in leadership.

Vision is the navigation system for an organization. Vision is the navigation system for a leader. Vision guides what we are to do and lets us know when we are off track.

How well do you know your organization’s vision?

What is the vision for your life?

Of the six core elements of leadership, vision is the element that most quickly distinguishes a leader from a manager.

In this episode, I will discuss not only the importance of vision but how to create a compelling vision. I will also hare the six most important ingredients of a vision.

You will also be given two leadership challenges this week.

This episode of The Future Focused Podcast will help you personally and professionally level-up and live a more dynamic life.  Your investment of twelve minutes in this podcast

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. Want to learn more? Send an email. • Sign-up for Kelly’s Newsletter. Listen to Kelly’s other podcast The Wired Educator Podcast with over 148 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

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Plant the Flag! Leaders Celebrate Wins!

Great Leaders Celebrate and Promote The Accomplishments Within Their Organization. Big or Small!

One of the greatest actions you can take as a leader is to celebrate and promote the people within your organization and their wonderful accomplishments. Too often leaders move on to the next initiative, the next goal, the next task, or the next challenge, without planting the flag and saying, “We did it!”

People within your organization need to know that the work they did was good. If we don’t celebrate what we do from time to time, how will people know they are doing the right work? 

Everyone seeks feelings of purpose and fulfillment. When leaders take the time to celebrate an accomplishment they are sending an incredibly important message to everyone in the organization.

Planting the flag is celebrating an accomplishment within your organization. It is a very important type of communication. It tells everyone that they are: on the right track, doing good work, an important contributor to the organization, part of a team, they matter, noticed and recognized, needed, and appreciated.  

Good leaders celebrate big milestones and achievements. Great leaders also celebrate their accomplishments along the way too. Great celebrate the big and the small, the group and the individual. 

Planting the flag should be a crucial part of the culture journey of every organization. Even when you are clearly ‘not where you want to be’ leaders need to let people know they have made some progress, even the smallest percentage of improvement in the desired direction. Planting the flag is valuable feedback, a morale boost, and models excellent behavior in an organization. 

Planting the flag is the opposite of complaining and gossiping. It teaches everyone in your organization to work hard, have fun, and celebrate one another.  

Leadership Challenge: Make a list right where you needed to plant the flag. What accomplishments big or small should you be celebrating?

Here are 6 Ideas for Celebrating Others:

1) Take a “Themsie” and send it to them. There are a lot of selfies being taken, but I think you should take a themsie. Maybe I have coined a new term, but it’s an old school thought. Take a picture of someone, have it printed and mail it to them. Sure you can post it on social media too. That’s great, but there is something magical in a tangible photograph.  I have an app on my phone that allows me to send the picture to a printer, have it laminated and mailed via USPS, with a personal note from me. It’s awesome.

2) Mail them a newspaper clipping.  Yes, this is a really old school method.  I enjoy it when someone shares a post on social media, but getting a positive clipping in the mail is still really cool and classy. My real estate agent and financial advisor both send news clippings when I make the paper. I use to keep a bulletin board of clippings of my students’ successes and sent photocopies home from the paper. (Shares and retweets on social media are pretty awesome too. You can take a screenshot of something great and say, “I see you. Nice job,” in an email.)

3) Make your social media 3:1.  For everything positive post about yourself, post three about others.

4) Personal notes are the best! Everybody loves a handwritten note, or a phone call, or text message remembering them. Experiment with many ways to celebrate others.

5) Nominate them! Nominate people in your organization for their outstanding work. There are all sorts of recognitions and awards available, the truth is most people don’t look for them, and even fewer actually submit. Submit! Even if the person doesn’t win it, just think of how awesome they will feel that you took the time to nominate them. They will feel valued. You can always create your own award too. 

6) Conversation: It never ceases to surprise me how few conversations people have with others at work. Just sitting down with someone and asking a question and pointing out how awesome they do something is an incredible celebration and recognition. It is the most authentic form of celebration you can give.

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. Want to learn more? Send an email. • Sign-up for Kelly’s Newsletter. Listen to Kelly’s other podcast The Wired Educator Podcast with over 148 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

Follow me on Twitter @kellycroy and my hashtag #LeadEveryDay.