The title and idea for this post comes from social media superstar and super good guy (I’m pleased to call him a friend) Chris Brogan, who recently wrote a post called, Your Farmer List .
In the post Chris shares things that should be on a blogger’s daily task list.
Of course, as a farm kid, I totally get Chris’ point. Growing up with hogs, there were tasks that had to be done everyday. Pigs had to be fed – at least twice per day. 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This wasn’t a “should do” or “put it on your to do list” thing, it was a “it’s gotta be done” thing.
I have been thinking about what would be on the Leader’s “Farmer List”, and while I love the analogy there are few things that are as immediately pressing and obviously urgent as feeding the hogs. There are things though, that if neglected, will seriously impact the productivity and success of you and your team/organization in the short (though perhaps not immediate) and long term.
Here are some suggestions for that list.
- Review your personal and organizational goals each day. They will inspire and focus you – and help you lead people where you want them to follow.
- Consciously learn everyday. By reading, writing, listening, observing – there are 100 ways. Make sure you are really doing it each day.
- Connect with others. do something to build your relationship with your team, your Customers or others. Everyday. If you can’t say at the end of the day what you have done in this area, you likely haven’t done it.
- Encourage someone. Doing this could do #3 as well.
- Smile. Your attitude is more catching than the hottest YouTube viral video – and more important by far.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it is a very good start. This list applies to all of us as leaders – whether executives, middle managers or first line supervisors.
I’d love to hear what you would add to this list, and I encourage you to put this list to use in your work as a leader. Consider it your leadership activity – everyday.
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