Things Leaders Do: Leadership for Managers and Executives

Embark on a leadership voyage with me, Colby Morris, as we chart the course from rank-and-file to leader in our latest TLD podcast episode. 
If you're a new manager grappling with the daunting transition to captain of your team, I'm here to navigate those choppy waters, sharing the lessons I've learned on my own journey up the corporate ladder. Together, we'll uncover the mindset shifts that are essential for steering your team to success, and why taking command of your crew's triumphs and tribulations is key to becoming a leader who truly leads.

In this episode, we're laying the keel for trust-based leadership that stands the test of time. I discuss the importance of forging deep connections with your team through strategies that transform leadership from a title to a testament of trust. You'll hear how to implement weekly one-on-ones that really resonate—backed by Harvard Business Review findings—and why those informal coffee catch-ups can be just as pivotal as any scheduled meeting. For any new manager seeking to chart a trusted course and cultivate a crew that sails smoothly through the highest of business seas, this guidance is your nautical chart to being more than just a manager—you'll be a leader who makes waves.

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• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

New leaders handle difficult conversations best by building trust first, preparing key points in writing, stating facts without emotion, and always following up. Hard conversations are hard at every level, but they hit differently when you're new, and harder still when you've just been promoted over the people you now have to hold accountable. Prompted by a listener's question on LinkedIn, Colby Morris walks new leaders through difficult conversations without freezing up or blowing up. You'll hear why weekly one-on-ones come first, how to set up a fair process for disagreements before they start, a simple feedback model that keeps emotion out of it, what to say when someone tries to shift the blame, and the follow-up step most new leaders skip.

How do I have a hard conversation with an employee as a new leader?
Colby's prep method, and why bringing a note card into the room isn't a weakness.

What do I say when an employee shifts the blame?
How to bring the conversation back to the point without raising your voice.

In Colby's words
"You must establish trust before you have any credibility with your team." (Colby Morris)

Resources mentioned

• SBI feedback model (Situation, Behavior, Impact)

Related episodes

• How to Have Tough Conversations with Employees
• Tough Conversations Part 2: When the First Conversation Didn't Work
• How to Manage Your Old Coworkers (Without Losing Their Respect)

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Time Management for New Leaders
In this episode of "Things Leaders Do," we dive into a crucial aspect of leadership development—time management. Join us as we explore the significance of effective time management for new leaders, offering practical strategies and actionable steps to enhance productivity and leadership success.

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• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Feeling overwhelmed by your new leadership role? This episode of the TLD Podcast is your crash course to surviving the first 30 days. We'll ditch the chaos with actionable tips on building trust, setting priorities, and achieving quick wins. Dive in:

Be a sponge, not a faucet: Soak in info, ask questions, and observe. Relationships before changes. Schedule those one-on-ones!
Transparency reigns: Share your vision, empower your team, and create open dialogue. But avoid oversharing – you're not a know-it-all yet.
Prioritize impact: Start small, focus on tasks with big short-term payoffs, and don't try to boil the ocean.
Conquer your first 30 days by building trust, setting priorities, and being a supportive leader. 

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

The three biggest new-leader mistakes are treating leadership as tasks instead of people, not investing in your own learning, and underestimating the power of your words. Most new leaders get promoted for being great at the work, then discover the job changed underneath them. Colby Morris shares the three mistakes he sees most often, drawn from watching others and from his own early days, when he was great at barking orders and running reports and not much else. For each mistake you'll get a fix you can start this week: monthly one-on-ones, a personal development plan and a mentor, and two simple tools for communicating with more confidence and empathy, including one that uses the phone already in your pocket.

What mistakes do new managers make?
The three Colby sees most, and the humbling conversations that changed how he led.

How can a new leader communicate better?
Two tools to practice, and why greetings and thank-yous matter more than you think.

In Colby's words
"I was great at barking orders, I was great at running reports, but I did not understand that leadership was about people." (Colby Morris)

Resources mentioned

• Personal development plan (PDP)
• LinkedIn Learning
• Udemy

Related episodes

• Your First 30 Days As a New Leader
• How to Manage Your Old Coworkers (Without Losing Their Respect)
• LinkedIn Question: What to Do When Taking Over a New Team

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Things Leaders Do: Nothing Changes Unless You Do
Episode Summary:
Today on the TLD Podcast, Colby tackles the age-old adage: nothing changes unless you do. It's easy to talk about progress, but it's action that fuels it.
This episode is a no-nonsense guide for leaders who want to get off the sidelines and into the driver's seat of change. We'll delve into the things leaders often hold back on, from crucial conversations to bold decisions, and equip you with actionable strategies to break free from inertia and unlock transformative potential.
NOTE: Please help me as I dive in to see who I can best help. I have an AUDIENCE SURVEY link in the notes. It's only 15 questions, mostly multiple choice, and it would mean the world to me if you'd fill it out so I can really start to figure out who I can best serve with the podcast. Thank you! 

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

In this episode, Colby discusses his word for the New Year of 2024. 
Make sure to join him as he breaks down what he believes is the most powerful word for the year, and how you can use it to be more effective in 2024.
Leaders, you don't want to miss this one.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Podcast Show Description: Things Leaders Do - Intentionally Developing Leaders 

Forget the stale leadership mantras and one-size-fits-all development plans. Welcome to Things Leaders Do, where host Colby Morris dismantles the myths and reveals the practical actions that shape exceptional leaders.

Each episode delves into the real-world tools and strategies you need to champion your team's growth and elevate your organization. We'll explore:

• Uncovering hidden talent: Move beyond resumes and titles. Discover the unique strengths and potential within each team member, crafting personalized development plans for unlocking their full leadership potential.

• Goal-setting for impact: Ditch the vague aspirations and embrace SMART objectives – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals that fuel progress and deliver tangible results.

• Leadership as a continuous journey: Monthly 1:1s become your secret weapon. Integrate growth into regular conversations, providing consistent feedback, guidance, and accountability that keeps your team on track.

• Aligning dreams with purpose: Help your leaders chase their personal ambitions, and watch your organization soar. Unleash their intrinsic motivation by connecting individual career aspirations with the company's mission and vision.

Things Leaders Do isn't just about crafting better leaders; it's about building a stronger, more engaged, and future-ready organization. Here's what you gain:

• Cultivate a pipeline of internal talent: Identify and nurture future leaders within your team, ensuring a smooth transition and sustained success.

• Spark the fire of inspiration: Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth, where motivation blossoms and complacency fades.

• Reduce turnover and build loyalty: Invest in your team's development, and watch engagement and retention skyrocket.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

In this unscripted episode, Colby talks about why leaders need to figure out that leadership is about the people, the implications of leadership, and what the ramifications are for leaders who can't get it right. 

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Succession Planning to Save Your Company

This episode dives deep into the critical but often neglected topic of succession planning. It's not just a fancy buzzword, it's a strategic tool that can make your organization resilient and ready for the future.

Key Takeaways:

• Why it matters: Mitigate risks, boost employee engagement, retain top talent, and ensure a smooth transition when key players move on (lottery win, anyone?).
• Building blocks: Identify key positions, assess your talent pool (don't force the rockstars!), and create career paths with clear expectations.
• Making it work: Develop training, provide mentors, and encourage cross-functional experiences. Communication is key!
• Real-world example: Upbring integrated succession planning into their performance management system, creating a talent pipeline for all leadership positions.
• Tools and tips: Use forms like the Supervisory Skills Verification Form to identify internal leadership potential. Regularly discuss career aspirations in one-on-ones, and leverage mentorship programs.
• Challenges and solutions: Address resistance to change, favoritism concerns, and internal competition with clear communication, employee involvement, and transparency.
• Remember: It's an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Update your plan regularly and commit to your team's growth.

To find out more about Upbring and how you can help, visit their website.

Ready to future-proof your organization? Subscribe, rate, and review "Things Leaders Do"! Connect with Colby on LinkedIn and Instagram to share your thoughts on succession planning.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com