Latest Podcast Episode:

3 practical ways to improve your ideas and get buy-in

Latest Podcast Episode: 3 practical ways to improve your ideas and get buy-in

Ready to become a better boss Today?

E-mail me new posts

I know you’re short on time and you have a lot on your plate. You’re doing too much, too fast all the time.

How then do you find time during your busy day to become a better leader?

The answer is to start sprinting with intention.

(I learned about sprints working with Product Managers and engineers at tech companies. These teams would dedicate two weeks to work on a specific project. All else was noise and justifiably ignored. If I tried to add a project on their plate, it was met with “Sorry, we’re focussed on XYZ this sprint. We can add this to our next sprint”.)

How can you use “sprinting with intention” to develop better leadership habits?

Identify one area of improvement and relentlessly focus on it during a fixed period of time. Here’s how:

Do:

  1. Pick one thing you want to improve. (You can’t pick two in one sprint)
  2. Pick a timeframe – I suggest a minimum of one week and a maximum of 2.
  3. [Optional] Pick a visible/visual reminder to keep you on track.
  4. Find opportunities during your workday like meetings, presentations, pitches etc to practice #1.
  5. Go public and let a coworker know you’re trying to work on improving XYZ.
  6. Reward yourself after the sprint is over 🙂

Don’t:

  1. Don’t take on too much. This is important. I want you to work on one skill per sprint.
  2. Don’t be hard on yourself if you give up midway. Remember the Zen saying: “Today is the day to start”.
  3. Don’t start with an advanced skill. Go for a quick win at first.

My 2 week sprint: “Pause Before Jumping”

I’ll try to pause before responding. Before each meeting, I’ll make an intention to stay present in the conversation by working harder to listen and suspend my opinion longer. (This is going to be difficult for me). Here’s my strategy: Instead of jumping to provide a solution, I’ll follow up with a question to better understand the situation before offering to help. I’ve added a visual reminder on my computer for 2 weeks to keep me from forgetting.

https://convertkit.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/pictures/51560/1489984/content_IMG_4557.JPG

What’s your sprint? Email me. Let me know.

Happy sprinting!

Ali

Be the first to know!

Subscribe to my exclusive mailing list
and get the freshest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Ready to become a better boss today?

Custom designed training for busy managers like you.
1 week. 5 e-mails. 1 minute per day.

GET STARTED WITH A FREE COURSE

Ali Merchant logo

Ready to become a better boss?

Subscribe to my exclusive mailing list to get the freshest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Ali Merchant logo

Ready to Become a Great Boss Today?

Subscribe to my exclusive mailing list to get the freshest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Ali Merchant logo

Listen to the All-in Manager Podcast

Subscribe to my exclusive mailing list to get the freshest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Ali Merchant logo

Before we send you the FREE course, select the option that best describes you below.

FOR NEW MANAGERS   FOR SENIOR LEADERS

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Learn How to Become a Great Manager in only 5 Days!

IN THIS FREE E-MAIL COURSE, YOU'LL LEARN:

  • 5 ways to connect and build trust with your direct reports.
  • My word-for-word scripts, templates and 15 questions to run great 1:1s
  • 8 steps to better delegation to save you time and build trust
  • 4 steps to delivering feedback-that-works
  • 5 mistakes to avoid as a new manager and 3 tactics to beat stress

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Learn How to Become an Influential Leader in only 5 Days!

IN THIS FREE E-MAIL COURSE, YOU'LL LEARN:

  • How to listen to build influence
  • How to start G.R.O.Wing your employees today
  • 5 powerful questions to create meaningful progress
  • How to Identify your leadership blindspots
  • 3 techniques to beat overwhelm and take back your life

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Want a step-by-step guide to delivering feedback that actually works!

How to Deliver Exception Feedback

GET THE:

  • 4 step planning workbook to gain clarity before your next conversation
  • 5 power questions to get your employee un-stuck during the conversation
  • 7 commitment questions to inspire behavior change

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Subscribe for bonus content

Subscribe for bonus content

Join my mailing list to receive the latest podcasts, videos and bonus content (only available to subscribers)

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest