1. Remember where you parked the car. Remember how you got to where you are today, the people that helped you along the way as well as the ones you might have run over getting there. Set things right by honoring those that helped and making amends to those others. It is better to keep your enemy in front of you than behind you. Honor your roots as humble or as lofty as they might be, and understand the roots of the people that work for you. The more you understand your employees the better you can lead them, create new leaders and add value to the company you are creating. Set the example of leadership for the company by the things you do more than the things you say. Talk is cheap.
2. Don't forget to tip for good service. If you want people to excel you must recognize and reward their service. They need to know four things: Where are we going? How are we going to get there? What do you expect of me? What is my reward when it happens? Alexander the Great could let his troops plunder the enemy as a reward and he paid them well. Plundering is no longer socially acceptable so find ways to reward and recognize your employees in meaningful ways on a regular basis tied to specific performance, intent and results. Remind everyone how these examples of performance contribute to achieving the goals so you keep it in the tops of their minds.
3. Shut-up and listen, then ask questions. You don't need to talk a lot to lead. You can learn much more by listening. You can also motivate people, help them gain insights and formulate plans that will work for them when you ask them good questions. Don't try to play twenty questions, ask open broad questions such as "What do you think is the most effective strategy to accomplish that? " "Why is that better than other alternatives?" If X doesn't happen what is your back-up plan?" What can I do to support you?" "What do you need from me?" Ask others to comment on the merit of ideas and how to deal with the challenges of implementation? Questions will create an environment of thinking, planning and strategizing conducive to growing the business. There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers.
4. Go to the back of the line. A great leader knows humility, but he also knows that you have to dig through a lot of coal to find diamonds. Moving out of your comfort circle of top advisors and mixing it up with the rank and file is a great way to know what is really going on and get a second opinion. It's also a good way to gain firsthand anecdotes about the business that tell valuable lessons and examples you can use later, as well as gauge how well your messages are moving through the organization. You might find a few undiscovered diamonds too.
5. Be thankful and take time to celebrate. Make a big deal about enjoying work and making it fun for everyone by celebrating small victories and successes. Work should be something people look forward to doing not a source of stress, anxiety and constant fear. Be candid and frank about change but focus on the positives of change, what will not change and the differences. Demonstrate your support for your employees welfare, health and prosperity.
