Leadership Alignment

Your Leadership Team Looks Aligned… But Is It?

Does this photo bother you?
Do you have the urge to go “fix” the photos?
This is what often happens after my housekeeper cleans my photos. I used to wonder why she didn’t fix them after brushing across the top – but then I realized, centering them again is a small price to pay to have help in cleaning my home.

You could call that delegation…and you’d be right!
Ever since I started my company in 2008, I’ve had a housekeeper.
Eduarda has been with me since 2015. And how I found her, was total synchronicity.

One day while walking Niko (RIP) and Kiska (RIP), Niko pulled me to go down a road we had never walked before, and there was Eduarda unloading her trunk with cleaning supplies. It’s always about energy. And following the nudge – which can come from anywhere. Even “Niko the Navigator” as I used to call him.

My “team” may be different than yours since I’ve been away from corporate for many years. Yet, I surround myself with people that make my life easier. People that excel at things I either suck at, hate or don’t want to do.

That’s the beauty of delegation – leveraging your team so you focus on where you excel. Staying strategically aligned in your zone of genius.

Who is in your corner supporting you? Encouraging you?
Who whispers in your ear when you think something failed?
Do you have a person who reminds you that nothing is an actual failure, that every outcome presents an opportunity for growth and learning? Someone who can hold the mirror up for you (as I do for my clients).

Sometimes when things take longer than you expect, or don’t turn out the way you intended it’s easy to get down on yourself. And that’s when imposter syndrome can sneak in. When the embarrassment makes you want to hide, or point the finger, or place blame on someone else. This is where your “invisible limits” sneak in. Those beliefs you bought into. Your dark shadows, your critical voice.

There’s no need to beat up on yourself. (Even though this is the path that is so often followed in corporate jobs. The feeling that you have to save face and look like you know what you’re doing.)

I’ll remind you – a belief is just a statement you have heard over and over again. Something you made the decision to believe about yourself – and it may be a downright lie.

The best news is, you DO have a choice what you believe. And you can change a belief about your limitations in any moment. At any time, (with the right tools).

When you lean on people on your team, when you engage them, when you train and assure them that you really do value their input – and that it matters. You have a much more powerful team!

Just like a basketball or football team, when everyone is clear about what their role is, and they execute it with confidence – you’ve created space for alignment. And your team (and company) is strategically positioned to win.

So the next time you’re tempted to point the finger, to assign blame – shift the conversation.
Be open to feedback.
Listen to your team – you hired them for their expertise.
Demonstrate your trust and respect…this leads to authentic and influential leadership.

A leader who demonstrates authenticity, paves the way for a team that is fully aligned.

PSST: If you response upon reading this is thinking, “Lori, I’m all over that, that’s how I roll.” Look for ways to do it better. There’s always room for improvement. You can start by asking each member on your leadership team for input…and listen, actively.