Leading Well

Your free online leadership letter helping your leadership grow

from

Kerrie Mullins-Gunst of KMG Consulting and Mentor Magic™

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In this issue: How to develop your expertise...

Welcome to this issue of Leading Well on developing your expertise.

If you enjoyed our last issue on Leadership Roles, visit the special hidden page on our website For Subscribers Only to download your free Taking Action Worksheet on Leadership Roles and other special offers.

If you haven't already done so, remember to take our short survey on eCourses if you want to go in the draw to win one of five fantastic prizes - an eCourse Gold Pass. Click this link: I promise you it won't take long!

Kind regards, Kerrie

An Expert in Everything

No one person is an expert in everything and the fact that you are leading a team certainly doesn't mean you know everything everyone on your team does.

In fact, the job of a leader has more to do with knowing what needs to be known than knowing everything. Once we know what needs to be known it becomes possible to acquire that knowledge, or the people who have the knowledge.

A good leader needs to be confident enough to be able to ask the people who do know, to take charge when the situation requires it.

Yet so often when I am mentoring managers and executives I come across people who feel under great pressure to be an expert in everything, just because they are in charge. They are concerned that their lack of detailed knowledge of some of the things their team members are doing will make it too hard for them to earn the respect of their people or even undermine their authority.

But it isn't necessarily so. I've known outstanding leaders who knew little about the technical detail of what their team members individually did.

However, there are plenty of things a leader does need to be expert in.

Even though good leaders may not know how to do everything each individual team member does, they will always know exactly what each team member contributes. They will know what needs to be done. They will know how to build a diverse group into a well functioning team, how to change attitudes and manage organizational change. They will know how and when to listen, and when to act.

All in all, when you are in charge of a team you need to be expert, not in the work your people do, but in all the knowledge, skills attitudes and behaviours of being a leader.

(More ideas on Building Your Expertise as a leader in the Quick Tips below.)

INTEGRITY POSTCARDS - bringing who we are to what we do

Motivate your staff and encourage those you care about with one of our Integrity Postcards. Only $22.00 (plus $5.50 postage and handling) for a pack of 20 colourful cards. Call us on 03-9859 3924 to order or visit the shop.

QUOTE OF NOTE

"Life is more than just reaching our goals. As individuals and as a group we need to reach our potential. Nothing else is good enough. We must always be reaching toward our potential."
Max DePree

See more information about Max DePree's book Leadership is an Art in the Bookroom.

QUICK TIPS - Building Your Expertise

There really are only a few ways to build expertise. If you do need to rapidly build your expertise here is how to do it:

* Ask lots of questions. Don't be afraid to ask others who know. Most people are more than willing to share their information if you ask for their help and advice.

* Ask someone who already knows. Find a mentor or attend a course. Sign up for my one day seminar Develop Your Leadership Skills. Email for more details.

* Make lots of mistakes. This is called gaining experience. It may be a painful, high-risk way to learn, but it is very effective if you reflect on the lessons you gain from your experience.

* Read lots of books. This is a much less painful way to learn from other people's mistakes than making them yourself! Have a look at just some of the books in the Bookroom.

THE ENDNOTES

You are welcome to use this article in your publication or on your website. Just make sure the following credit is attached:

"Kerrie Mullins-Gunst is an expert in how you can lead, manage and mentor your people, and one of Australia's leading female business speakers. For free leadership tips, tools and resources visit http://www.kmgconsulting.com.au or call on 61-3-9859 3924. Copyright © Kerrie Mullins-Gunst"

As a courtesy, please advise us where the material will appear.

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Kerrie Mullins-Gunst * Telephone 61-3-9859 3924
Conference Speaker, Seminar Leader, Business Advisor
KMG Consulting PO Box 221 North Balwyn Vic Australia 3104

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