How to maximize productivity and increase efficiency
- March 20, 2018
- Posted by: Nkem Mpamah
- Category: Leadership Development
There is an attitude in the leader who accomplishes greater results in business and life. Time and again, these leaders demonstrate unique behaviours that defy traditional whims and norms of leadership. How to maximize productivity explores what these high-performance leaders do to maximize performance.
In my executive leadership coaching work, I come across some of these leaders demonstrating an aura of simplicity in their leadership styles. Contrary to high profile leaders making big headlines, these high-performance leaders demonstrate a blend of personal humility and professional will.
With this post, I will share some of the key behaviours (or strategies if you like,) that make the difference for high-performance leadership. In my subsequent posts, I will be sharing insights on how to maximize productivity by leveraging each of the strategies.
Fundamental behaviours that drive high-performance results
In consideration of how to maximize productivity and increase efficiency, the following behaviours are consistently producing high-performance results. Regardless of how simple they may sound, leaders who apply them in growing their businesses have reported an incredible growth.
1. Begin with the end in mind
Beginning with the end in mind means developing an absolute clarity about the direction your business or organization is going. It is the ultimate point of arrival you want to reach with your team. The phrase ‘End in Mind,’ means different things to different business executives. To some, it is having a vision or developing audacious goals. To others, it is who they want to become, what they want to do, or what they want to have. Regardless of what it means to you, it’s important that you align it with your core ideology. Why not? Because it would be waste of effort arriving at your destination to realize that it was the wrong place.
2. Think who, first; then what?
We’re in the era when a lot of transformations tend to disrupt our decisions by the day. Along with that wave of change comes the scorching state of confusion and complexity. As a leader, you have the choice to either stay ahead of the transformations in your industry or behind them. One way to stay ahead is collaborating with the right people, who are excited and passionate about going in the direction you are headed.
3. Create a culture of discipline
Discipline is the habit of high-performing leaders. You cannot successfully execute your best strategy and achieve greater results if you do not drive it with discipline. The absence of discipline in an organization leads to lack of execution, accountability, and inattention to detail. If your organization maintains a high level of discipline, then, your people will take responsibility for their actions and results. But discipline begins with the leader at the top.
4. Understand that the customer is king
You cannot take your customers for granted and expect your business to grow. Regardless of the type of business you’re in, undermining your customer’s (or stakeholder’s) viewpoint is a sign of failure. Every business (profit or non-profit) exists to serve the customer, and none grows in isolation. One way to treat your customer as king is owning their voice. Ask about what they want and listen to them. Be honest and fulfill your promise to them. Give them a lifetime experience the moment they step into your premises, and that includes your website.
5. Invest in a lifelong learning
As part of exploring how to maximize productivity, it’s important to know that leaders who create high-performance results consistently are undeniably disruptive. The good news is that you too can become disruptive if you develop a great knowledge of your industry. You can do that by reading the best books, magazines, or newsletters authored by experts in your industry. That way, you stay abreast of key trends in your industry. Surround yourself with people who can empower you to think, act, and achieve different results.
I will be glad to read your comments on this.
