Transform your leadership to-do list

Scott Cochrane Feb. 3, 2022

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Self-leadership requires self-evaluation. Leaders must be able to end their day, look back, and know with certainty whether or not this was a good leadership day.

That means having a "to do" list that reflects priorities worth pursuing. It means knowing exactly what comprises an effective leadership day; it means understanding the elements that work together to make any day a fantastic day of leadership.

But because leaders have often been trained to "think big," all too often they can look at their day and conclude that, unless there was a major accomplishment, a significant achievement, or a larger-than-life win, it might not have been a particularly impactful day of leadership.

In fact, while achieving a significant accomplishment is naturally worth celebrating, so too are five just as important leadership "To Do" list items that often fly just beneath the radar…

1. Today, I will solve a problem

The problem doesn't have to be on the scale of ending world hunger. But today if you spot a problem of any size, and you solve it, that contributes to a good day.

2. Today, I will make progress towards a goal

If you can demonstrate that you made some sort of tangible progress towards achieving one of your goals, you've helped to make this a good day.

3. Today, I will help someone out

When you spot a teammate struggling with a challenge, and you come alongside and provide practical support, once again you've made this day a pretty good day.

4. Today, I will clarify direction

As a leader, you should be able to "smell" mission drift when it happens. If you help to steer the team back on course today, that makes it a good day.

5. Today, I will reinforce a core value

Values matter. And when your team sees you model one of your team values, the entire team wins.

A wise friend of mine used to coach me in leadership by saying, "Leadership isn't always about hitting grand slams. Sometimes it's about 'small ball.' Every day, just try to get on base."

Sage advice.

Was today a great leadership day? Measure yourself against these five items that should be on every leader's daily 'to do' list.

Because, as my friend used to say, leadership is often just about trying to get on base.

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Scott Cochrane serves on the executive team for the Willow Creek Association, as Vice President, International Ministries. He was born and raised in Canada, where he became connected to the Willow Creek Association, first as a marketing director and later as the ministry’s Chief Operating Officer. Following a five-year stint as Executive Pastor of a large church, Scott returned to Willow Creek Canada in 2009 as Executive Director, and in 2012 relocated to Illinois to take up his current post with the Willow Creek Association. Learn More »

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