Leading to get over the line

You are nearing the end of a big project and the Team are weary and they need that extra push from you. 

Be sure to have a confident voice and ensure that you:-

• Slow down & use pauses for key points
• Project, don’t push – the right volume
• Be succinct - eliminate “verbal clutter” 
• Lead with clarity, not just passion – use both 
• Match the tone to message – urgent/warm/firm
• Presence – stand if appropriate 
• Reframe nerves as energy – use adrenaline 
• Be the calm in the storm 
• Practice message over perfection – the message is key 

The most important thing as a Leader is to remember that you set the weather.  So if you are frazzled at the end of a project and creating a storm around don't be surprised if your Team members follow your Lead.  The weather should be calm and not necessarily bright sunshine however be optimistic that the sun is on the horizon.

In yourself it is OK not to be OK, however try and reverse your negative thinking traps as quickly as possible by giving yourself some positive prompts. 

For example:-

• I can't see a way out of our current situation

Positive prompt:-

• What can I learn from some-one who has been in a similar situation?

Another really simple technique for yourself and the Team is to use positive affirmations, they can be as simples as:-

"We've got this"

To ensure that you don't lose any of the Team by bombarding them with numbers use a narrative or a story as well. 

•  “Player’s story not the number of players”

Connect individuals to tasks or mission

• “Your work Mandy, on credit control, cleared 2 Client accounts"

Leadership examples of digging deep when times got hard:-

Satya Nadella (Microsoft)

Empowered every employee – by moving from a “know it all” to a “learn it all” culture.  Day to day engineering decisions led to long term customer empowerment

Howard Shultz (Starbucks)

During an economic downturn – he did not talk about profits he reminded everyone that it was about coffee and human connection. 

Think about how you want to get your Team over the line.