A Powerful Exercise to Set Yourself Up for a Successful 2019

How will you prepare for a successful 2019?

It’s tricky, right?Because you just don’t know what’s going to happen.Or do you?I’ve got some predictions…https://youtu.be/Bq2zVmPiBAAThe truth is, you can’t always choose what you show up to, but you can always choose how you show up.

A Powerful Exercise to Set Yourself Up for a Successful 2019

One of the very best ways to set yourself up for a successful 2019 is to take a minute. Stop and really think about what your team needs from youat a deeper level. Of course, if you haven’t done so in a while, ask. A Do It Yourself 360 is always a powerful choice.You can also try this.Close your eyes.Take a minute to imagine each member of your team, one at a time. If they were totally honest with you, what would they say they need?I did this exercise back in 2012 when I was still in my executive role at Verizon (and during the first year of my blog). Here’s what I said in that letter to myself*.Dear Karin,

Here are the things we need most from you as a leader.

  • Establish a trusted place at the table–the more credibility you have at the senior levels, the more you can advocate for what we need to accomplish.
  • Say the tough things that need to be said. Nudge us to do that too.
  • Be transparent about what is going on. Trust us with the real story.
  • Help us understand how you think and process. Let us in your head.
  • Build a strong and diverse team. Let us hash out our differences without getting involved.
  • Care deeply about our careers and help us to grow. Continue to support us after you have moved to the next role.
  • Encourage us to take risks. Be gentle when we fail.
  • Tell us when you screw up. Maybe we can avoid the same landmines.
  • Give us direct and candid feedback—but sugarcoat it a bit more than you sometimes do).
  • Come to the field with us, roll up your sleeves and get involved. That’s how you will learn.
  • But, don’t get too involved. We’ve got this.
  • Let us use your energy strategically, in recognition and in large events.
  • Role model work-life balance. Be interested in, and support us in our outside lives
  • *excerpt from my 2012 post: I’m going to sit right down and write myself a letter.Related: The Cost of Ignoring Your Emerging Leader’s Ideas

    Your turn

    As you set yourself up for a successful 2019, I encourage you to sit right down and write yourself a letter too.