Monday Morning Leadership Part Deux

OK, in my latest BVC Opinion, I listed the eight topics Tony covered in his Monday Morning Mentoring Sessions with Jeff. And I went into some detail on Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing. Tony's topics or lessons are listed in bold and his main points are captured below. I want to elaborate on the first one this time and will add more thoughts later:

Drivers and Passengers (there are both…be a driver)
Until you accept total responsibility, no matter what, you will not be able to put plans in place to accomplish your goals.
Transitioning from manager to leader requires that you make different decisions. Leading and managing are different. As a Consultant, I need to lead and drive most of the time. If I blame my client for something, even his or her resistance, I am missing the point. If something is going wrong on a project, I need to accept responsibility for it and kick it up a notch. I can do this by re-contracting, clarifying the project's objectives, working harder or working smarter. I sometimes need to challenge my clients and confront them with tough issues, but the responsibility for successful completion of the project is mine. When I am marketing and lookig for business, the same thinking applies. Timing matters and I need to catch people in the right frame of mind, but if I don't lead and drive my marketing efforts and accept full responsibility for this part of my business, I won't get very far. I think this type of thinking fits for Leaders in other walks of life too. Passengers don't decide or plan much. Drivers do. Be a driver !!!
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing (stay focused)
People have different perceptions of what the main thing is (know your mission and make sure others do too).
Escape from Management Land
Get (and stay) in touch with your people.
Your job is not to lower the bottom by adjusting to and accommodating the fallen stars. You should be raising the top by recognizing and rewarding superstar behavior.
The “Do Right” Rule
Develop your action plan before you get into a crisis. Anticipate potential problems, act to prevent them, and have contingencies.
Guard your integrity like it’s your most precious management possession.
Hire Tough
The most important asset in your company is having the right people on your team.
Never lower your standards just to fill a position. You will pay for it later.
Do Less or Work Faster
Your time is your responsibility. Take control of your time so you can take control of your life.
Look for small increments of time by prioritizing, limiting interruptions, and effectively managing meetings.
Buckets and Dippers (Don’t be a dipper and take from others)
Fill lots of buckets by:
i. Knowing the main things
ii. Giving feedback on performance
iii. Providing recognition
iv. Communicating the team score
The more buckets you fill, the more your bucket is filled.
Enter the Learning Zone
Get out of your comfort zone and live in the learning zone
Read one management/leadership book a month (or at least the BVC Opinions!)
Read at least 10 minutes a day
Set goals / Stay positive / Give back