Monday Morning Leadership (Extra book)

Time for a management / leadership book to refresh some skill development, this time for the supervisor in you.  David Cottrell’s book Monday Morning Leadership offers a quick story of a young man remembering that big well known leader, who was a friend of his Dad’s, had invited him to call upon him if he ever need any help.  Luckily, as his job was falling apart all around him, the young man calls upon the wise semi-retired sage.  The “sage” offers an eight-week tutorial on the tents of great leadership/management.  Each Monday morning from 8:30 to 9:30am the two met to review the young man’s current work situation.  What he receives in return is advice that will turn his professional life around.  This is a very quick read and is a helpful reminder that outside perspective, such as that which a personal life coach provides (hint-hint), is always needed!  Here in a nutshell are the eight lessons:

1. Be a driver – until you accept responsibility, you won’t be able to put plans in place to accomplish your goals & transitioning from manager to leader requires making different decisions
2. Keep the main thing - the main thing is what you are having your group do, the thing they should be doing
3. Escape Managementland – know the people! And ensure the top continues to excel and bring the lower half up to where you need them to be
4. Do the right thing – develop action plans before crisis occurs
5. Hire tough – hire the right people and spend time doing it correctly
6. Do less work faster – prioritize, take responsibility for how you spend your time, have more productive shorter meetings
7. Buckets and dippers – know your people, recognize your people, stay positive and help others to do so
8. Enter the Learning Zone – read a novel (even ten minutes a day), never stop learning! 

What do you think?  Simplistic and easy to do things to enhance your organization.  Good read for first time supervisors, for sure!!