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Across a wide range of industries and geographies, the world's greatest business leaders know that every goal must be rooted in consistent habits that support it. Top leaders regularly assess and reassess whether their day-to-day practices are supporting effective and efficient leadership and, ultimately, paving the way for long-term planning.
We understand that success often comes from incremental progress over time, so even if goals don't materialize as quickly as planned, the systems and processes we have in place will motivate and energize our teams. I am confident that we will maintain it and stay on track. Great leaders are willing to embrace their habits, knowing that their efforts will eventually lead to results.
In my 30 years of working with CEOs, I've found that the most successful leaders share five fundamental habits:
Related article: 5 Habits of Leaders at the Top of the Ladder
1. Be disciplined in your communication
Great leaders make it a priority to maintain consistent communication by maintaining regular one-on-one and departmental meetings. Keep your meetings productive and results-oriented by leveraging a combination of some of the following best practices.
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Share the summary with all participants before each meeting. This allows everyone to share relevant updates, answer questions, and come up with fresh ideas and thoughtful solutions without having to spend the first part of the meeting trying to get everyone up to speed. can be prepared to provide.
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Open the meeting by outlining your objectives and intended results. This will help set the tone, adjust expectations, keep the conversation from going off the rails, and eliminate surprises.
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Come to the meeting prepared and ready to lead. A great way to accomplish this is to have a 15-minute buffer between meetings. By avoiding back-to-back meetings, leaders can quickly debrief from previous meetings and prepare for the next one.
2. Program your plan
Effective CEOs actively control the planning process, rather than spending their days responding to emergencies. They incorporate regular planning checkpoints into his day. Prepare for the day in the morning, reflect on important projects during the day, and plan for the next day in the evening. This strategic, proactive planning approach gives leaders the opportunity to respond thoughtfully rather than always reacting on the fly.
3. Master the calendar
Great leaders don't leave their priorities to chance, they build them directly into their calendars. Instead of simply making a to-do list and hoping to get it done by the end of the day, set aside a specific amount of time for each item you want to accomplish. Connect with your team, even if it's as simple as walking around the office.
This principle applies to both personal goals, such as exercise, and business priorities, such as strategic planning. The schedules of effective CEOs often appear to be tightly booked, but carefully arranged to ensure that important projects don't fall through the cracks. Some CEOs have been able to significantly adjust their daily schedule with digital planners and apps. Regardless of which tool you use, scheduling time to set priorities is key to staying on track and moving toward your goals.
Related: 10 Secrets to Creating a Master Calendar to Boost Your Productivity
4. Build accountability with colleagues
Great CEOs know the pitfalls of trying to do everything themselves. They actively seek diverse perspectives from trusted peers to ensure their decision-making processes are balanced. Be open to new approaches and welcome the expertise and advice of others. Many people find that when they say their goals out loud to their peers, they are more likely to take actions to support those goals. Whether it's in the form of peer networking groups, mentoring/coaching programs, or regular conversations with long-time friends, effective leaders lean into the value of community.
5. Make time for studying
Among the many pressing decisions that CEOs must make every day, finding time for learning can be difficult. But the world's best leaders regularly seek out new industry and leadership ideas from podcasts, articles, speakers, and books. Lifelong learning begins with setting goals and practicing habits that support them. CEOs can continually improve by establishing disciplines that support their learning lives.
Economists expect economic uncertainty and weakness to continue in 2024. Therefore, now is as important a time as ever for leaders to ensure they are setting themselves and their companies up for success. The Super Bowl isn't won in just one game. It is the result of year-round training, grueling practices, wins and losses, and perseverance. The same goes for business. Breaking bad habits and introducing and maintaining new ones can be hard work. But great CEOs find joy in the process and persevere toward their growth goals.
Related: 5 Winning Habits That Will Transform Your Leadership Skills
