As we enter January, we enter a new year that brings a chance for new beginnings, opportunity, and change. If you are looking to change the way you lead, here are five resolutions that are perfect
1. Be proactive when it comes to your health.
Every year, one of the most popular new year resolutions is to lead a healthier lifestyle. As a leader, you should not exempt yourself from this resolution. Being a leader can sometimes mean late nights, take out food, and feeling too tired to go to the gym. While the odd late night isn’t going to harm your health, doing it consistently can affect your personal performance.
To get more energy, focus longer, and strengthen your immune system focus on 4 keys areas:
- Have a healthy diet
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise regularly
- Don’t allow your workload to turn into negative stress
2. Don’t be afraid to delegate.
Relinquishing your control as a leader can be a challenge. However, delegating tasks to other members of your team shows that you have trust in their capabilities. Delegating responsibilities not only shows that you have faith in your team to get the task down, but it will also take more work off your plate.
3. Only hold a meeting when it’s necessary.
Meetings are supposed to be productive and collaborative time, but often they are the opposite. Multiple meetings throughout the workday can be disruptive and cause a lower rate of productivity.
Before you call a meeting to ask yourself if it the matter can be handled through email. If you do decide the matter is necessary to discuss in person make sure that all attendees are present and decide beforehand what you would like accomplished from holding the meeting.
4. Don’t multitask when engaging with another person.
As a leader, you often have a to-do list a mile long. Even if this is the case, when someone comes up to you with a question, stop what you are doing and give that person your full attention. By not providing your undivided attention, you can make others feel unimportant. When you are engaging in conversation, avoid texting, emailing or talking to another person.
5. Be more assertive.
Leaders are often afraid to show assertiveness towards their employees in the fear of coming off too pushy. As a leader, you need to be visible and let others know that your opinion is valid. Don’t give your opinion halfheartedly, be firm. You are in a leadership position for a reason.