There are numerous ways to increase your effectiveness as a leader. You could work on improving your own efficiency. You could learn how to think more strategically. You could work on developing specific emotional intelligence talents. You could get more time management training, etc., etc.
But, in reality, does anything really matter more than your success in helping the people you lead to grow, collaborate and achieve on a higher level?
If that’s true, one of the best ways to “move the needle” in your own leadership efforts can be to simply have a personalized plan for the individuals you work with.
That’s why I’ve put together this easy-to-follow Quick-Start Guide.
I would start by identifying three (or so) people you manage. Choose people with whom you’d like to help create meaningful change. (Start small and grow from there.)
Next, make the following notes about each individual:
- List their Color Code core color. (The secondary color is also nice to know if you have that information.) This will be a good reminder for you about their particular style and perspective. It will help remind you about where they are coming from and why they do what they do. If you don’t know their core color … um … why not? You can take the online assessment for free, after all. Better yet, get a free Team Builder account so you can keep all of your employees’ results on a dashboard in front of you.
- List their current challenges. Think through the type of improvements they need to make, skills they need to develop, habits they need to form, behavioral changes that will be important to their success, etc
- Identify actions that you will commit to taking (being a 100% responsibility-minded leader) that will help them overcome their challenges. Some people may require coaching of various sorts. Others may need to have a difficult conversation with you. Still, others may need you to take a few steps back and show a little more trust. (You get the idea.)
- Read through the list of the Color Code needs and wants for their core color, (and, if possible, secondary color) and identify specific areas that you should focus on in your interactions with them. For example, you might realize that Whites need to have space, and because that’s not particularly important to you, you don’t tend to give that space. (Remember, this is about what’s important to THEM … not you.) If you don’t have a list of all of the Color Code needs and wants, I suggest you purchase a pack of our Color Code Cards. It’s the best $12 you’ll ever invest in your own leadership success.
- Next, make a list of the “dos” and “don’ts” of their color that you should be mindful of in your interactions. Again … Color Code Cards! Everything is listed there in a quick-reference format.
Just think about the power of having a small, succinct and well-thought-through list of specific strategies that you can use with the individuals you lead.
Everybody is different, and by taking 10 minutes out of your day to create your own strategic playbook for the individuals you lead, your influence will be both purposeful and effective.
Onward and upward!
Jeremy Daniel is the vice president of training for Color Code. He leads our Trainer Certification Program and has been teaching the Color Code and delivering motive-based applications to clients internationally since 1998.
