Study the best people in your field and learn from them.Identify what you can take from the masters and incorporate into your own work. Learn where you need more knowledge, training, and experience. Then find out where and how to get it.

Explore developments and breakthroughs in other fields to see if you could use those concepts.

When you become knowledgeable about your field, you start picking up the intangible cues and hints about events and people. Dive deep into the data, and then trust your gut. You can boost your positive mental attitude by being thoroughly prepared.
You must work on improving your skills every day and never quit.

It is important to be thoroughly versed on the technical aspects of the job. Know more about the plans, goals, and projects then anyone else. There are no shortcuts to studying the material. You must be well read in current literature. “You must read as much as possible on your craft. Constantly seek to improve – a leader is either improving or depreciating. A leader knows enough about his profession to keep the team well trained.” Scott Snair

Having passion comes from the heart; gives you energy and an enthusiasm that’s contagious.

“A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.”
Andrew Carnegie

“Life is not a dress rehearsal, this is it. What are you doing to make the most of it?” Bob Eaton

The most essential issue regarding personnel issues involves written documentation. It is important  to document all issues, especially regarding employee discipline. Oftentimes, supervisors are reluctant to document negative incidents as they may occur. Then, as the employee’s performance further deteriorates, supervisors want to fall back on those previous incidents and use those incidents to validate disciplinary actions. However, if an incident was undocumented when it occurred, it will not be allowed as part of the disciplinary procedure.

It is important that policies and guidelines be established regarding hiring, discipline, and evaluation of personnel. Once established, these guidelines must be followed consistently. They cannot be implemented for one employee and ignored for another employee. Consistency and following established guidelines are essential on all personnel issues.

Although questions may be generic in nature, it is also important to ask the direct, specific, and reality-based questions. These are the types of questions that get at the heart of leadership and bring about sound results for the organization.

Leaders ask, “What needs to be done?” This is followed by a second question: “What can, and should, I do to make a difference?” These are the questions that compel people to look below the surface. These are the questions that lead to effective leadership and ultimately quality results.

Management by walking around (MBWA) is a tremendous way to get out of the office, to meet with people, and understand the needs of the employees as well as the needs of the organization. To be a results-based leader you must manage by walking around.

Effective leaders understand the importance of rejecting the superficial and searching for the underlying realities. An unwillingness to face up to the reality and an eagerness to protect the status quo is the enemy of growth and does not lead to the best results for the organization.