Leading is about inspiring or influencing others to do something or be something that they could not do on their own. Leading is setting an example for others to emulate in character, style, and potential. Leading is about challenging the status quo, but it is also about accomplishing great things for your organization. Leading is also about following, which includes accomplishing your leaders’ objectives and sincerely listening to your subordinates.

On my first assignment as a Lieutenant in the Army, I was assigned to be the Maintenance Officer responsible for a 70 person maintenance team that repaired and maintained over 200 vehicles plus weapons and other essential equipment. It seemed to be a daunting task at first especially since it was a job for a Captain, which was two ranks above my own, but I am embraced it and found ways to influence and challenge.

My big task was to manage the team toward a high monthly operational readiness rate, which meant that the equipment needed to be fully repaired and ready for war. I challenged the leadership, mechanics and parts clerks to use every resource possible to find parts on base to fix our vehicles. Don’t wait on the supply system. I used the word empowerment, which was not liked by my traditional military boss, to authorize them to act on the best interest of the unit to keep our rate high. We succeeded even to the point that our rate was so high that the commander thought I was doing something against regulations. No, I empowered my team to not wait on the system nor me and don’t let me find the part before you do. Sergeants don’t want to be outdone by Lieutenants.

“Leading is about inspiring or influencing others to do something or be something that they could not do on their own.”

Here are the 4 elements that you can use to Lead your Teams to Great Success:

1. Priorities: You must establish priorities to focus your team, and you must meet the top priorities of your boss or other stakeholders. If you consistently meet the top 1 and 2 priorities of your boss, you build credibility and will be given more opportunities to create excellence.
2. Trust: This is built over time. Train your team and establish expectations. Then let them go do great things. Every now and then you will have to bring someone back into the acceptable limits of authority, but you will see great results if your team members have more authority and have to not ask permission. Also, trust is built in you by being fair, being available when necessary, and underwriting risk taking.
3. Empowerment: Give your team the authority and responsibility to act on the best interest of the organization. This may require training and establishing thresholds. But the key is that your team should not be asking permission for every action that can improve organizational performance. Your team members really do desire to be challenged so provide tough, but realistic goals and give them the authority to accomplish them.
4. Challenge Everything: Don’t get comfortable. Learn something and then improve it. Make it better. Constantly offer new ways and new research, even if your boss appears bothered. They will remember the nuggets of information at a key point and that will help them with their boss. But always remember to be respectful and make sure you are over-delivering the requirements for your boss. Additionally, take risks whenever you can, which will provide incredible opportunities for growth. As a business owner, challenge your own plans and strategy and challenge contracts and agreements to find a better deal. Keep improving.

In leading your teams, keep things simple. Delegate and empower your team members to act on the best interest of the organization. You will be amazed by what gets done.

How have you used empowerment to motivate your team members? Please comment below or send an email to comment@stephenmclain.com

Copyright-2016 Stephen McLain