Page 235 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

216 • CEO Material: How to Be a Leader in Any Organization

All of this must be done up and down the ladder, inside and outside
of the organization, with people you like and those you don’t. Consis-
tency is the key to making this happen—to get you pushed up from below
and pulled up from above.

If you’re competent, your future potential has never been brighter
than at this time.

In 365 days, you will be a year older, or in 365 days, you will be a
year older and have heightened confidence, improved leadership expert-
ise, and real opportunities for promotion and advancement; you will show
accelerated learning in leadership, confidence development, effective
communications, and trust building as a leader. Daily practical, work-
able, doable action is required on a consistent basis, action that will be
noticed and that supersedes formal assessment and promotion processes.
Here is a years’ worth of to-do-list items for you to start with today and
continue every day:

■ Rebuild a burnt bridge.
■ Write a complimentary note to your boss, subordinate, or
someone else.
■ Clear up a misunderstanding that you’ve let remain unclear.
■ Stand up for someone being belittled or attacked.
■ Complete a task you’ve been procrastinating.
■ Request a 360-degree performance evaluation.
■ Go home early and spend time with your family.
■ Take a job interview (for practice, confidence, etc.) outside the
company.
■ Take a thorny point from your 360-feedback and tackle
correcting it.
■ Go back to someone who told you “No” and reapproach them.
■ Listen more than you talk today (watch your clock and time
yourself).
■ Ask questions all day as your only communication.
■ Refrain from a droopy face all day.
■ Physically pat your boss on the back.
■ Repeat mantra such as, “I’m adequate.”