Simply Complex: The 3 “T”s of Effective Leadership

By Francine A. Carter
Executive Life Coach

Imagine leading yourself around a room wearing blinders or even with your eyes closed. More than likely you are bumping into things, Imagine not seeing the whole view or picture, and/or standing still afraid to move for fear of hurting yourself because you are unsure where to go, going nowhere fast at this point. Now imagine that you are leading your company with the same blinders or with your eyes closed. Unfortunately that is what we do so much of the time.

Leading from a place of fear, reluctance, or denial keeps us bumping into the same old habits, issues and problems. It also ignores the “elephant in the room” that needs to be escorted out to make room for expansion.

The answer is simple, take the blinders off or simply open your eyes! The room becomes quite clear; the layout, the obstacles, the path, and even that “elephant” needing to be removed. While it is simple to open your eyes, the complex part is to acknowledge the truth in the room. Once noticed and acknowledged, next we need to be transparent about the changes needed allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to the need for assistance and change. Now real and sustainable transformation can begin.

Let’s put it in ACTion:
ACTion #1: Truth, we must name it!
Okay, time to take off the blinders and open your eyes. Simple yet sometimes a difficult and necessary step, don’t worry you will survive! (In fact, you will thrive!) Ask yourself: What is really going on in my business, cash flow, employee retention, productivity, accountability, leadership skills, succession planning, etc?

ACTion #2: Transparency, we must claim it!
Time to be vulnerable and openly admit the need for assistance in this particular area that is right in front of you begging for a solution! Tell yourself and others: I need assistance with _________ and I am so ready to step up and/or ask for someone else’s expertise!

ACTion #3: Transformation, we must set action steps in motion! 
YES! Now is the time for transformation to take place by deciding on SMART goals. Ask yourself: What must I do specifically, measureable, attainable, realistically and in a certain time frame to expand the room, our vision, our goals, our company and my effective leadership?

Congratulations! The blinders are off and eyes are open, it has been recognized, and a plan has been put in place. You are now being a more effective leader, taking action to get that elephant out of the room so you and everyone else has more room to move, grow and breathe!

Keep the effectiveness going and make this a new leadership ritual. Enter each room (situation, issue, problem)…eyes wide open; see the truth (name it), be transparent (claim it) and transform (act on it)!