If you have ever been in a meeting where everyone seemed motivated but there was not clear direction, then you can understand how frustrating working without results can be.
A great way to lead immediately is to ensure there are clear next steps after any meeting with others. If there are not clear actions with a deadline for each assigned to a person, then nothing new will get done.
I am not quite sure why so many people walk away form meetings without specific agreed upon actions. Perhaps it is more comfortable to stay in the realm of ideas and avoid the commitments of doing something.
Or it could be that it is difficult to get concrete with plans and deadlines.
You are going to have phone calls and team discussions. You will have meetings with your clients and vendors. In each case simply put the question out there, “What are the next steps?”
Then capture the ideas in a simple list and distribute it by email. This also puts you in charge of follow-up. Be sure to repeat the list and the people responsible and ensure there was emotional buy-in to get the work done. Otherwise, it is an empty list.
If you are more organized, then use a Google Task list or Basecamp project checklist to ensure you can track and check off each item. This ensures tighter accountability and a visual of accomplishments.
It sounds simple, but the habit is hard to develop. It means you have to step up and take charge of a team. But it is how you get things done with people and avoid being nebulous.
Otherwise, meetings can become academic and merely social. That can be both draining and wasteful over time.
How can you implement this one habit with your team or customers?
