Today, we’re diving into a question that’s often asked but rarely answered in detail: “What do great leaders actually do all day?”
Truly great leaders are often hard to pin down or seem extremely busy, but what does their daily routine actually look like? (hint: it’s not all cold plunges and meditation)
I’ve worked with several billionaires and some of the best leaders in the game. And here’s a peek into how they spent their time and what sets them apart:
1. Weekly Rhythm of Meetings
Communication is at the heart of leadership. Great leaders prioritize clear and open communication. They have a clearly defined weekly rhythm of meetings, both one-on-one and as a team, to ensure everyone is on the same page. These meetings are pre-scheduled, have clearly communicated purposes, agendas and are treated as sacred. PLUS…the best leaders I’ve worked with always showed up on time and gave their undivided attention to the people in front of them.
2. Seeing the Forest Through the Trees
Call them a visionary, a strategic planner, or an innovator…Effective leaders spend a significant portion of their week thinking about the future and looking at the business above its day-to-day tasks and operations.
It’s SO easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day of the business. But leaders should not be doers (at least not all the time). They carve out time for planning, reviewing data and processes, and adjusting goals and expectations as necessary.
3. Building Key Relationships
My mentor taught me two career changing strategies for building professional relationships:
* End every conversation with: “Is there anything I can do to help you right now?”
* And to share all of our “secrets”
Now, he didn’t mean to give away truly proprietary business information. His point was that we’re only as good as our next big idea or innovation. Building reciprocity and being of service to other leaders and businesses WILL benefit you down the line. So go out into the world and make connections and share your success stories. And then watch as problems and challenges in your own business become easier to solve thanks to the multitude of resources and people you can call upon for help.
4. Making Decisions
Leaders must be firm decision-makers. They keep the business purpose in mind as they analyze information, weigh pros and cons, and make the most informed choice. And great leaders are not afraid of making a mistake. So much of their job is making the best decision today to keep the business moving forward tomorrow.
5. They LOVE to Learn
Leadership is a continuous journey of learning and growth. Great leaders dedicate time to their personal development by reading, attending workshops and conferences, and seeking feedback from a coach or mentor.
Remember, I told you I worked with a few billionaire entrepreneurs in the past? One of them has over 6 Million followers on social media, owns a fleet of jets and helicopters, and is currently planning to open their own bank! This person also blocked entire weeks of their schedule off and dedicated focused time to learning, reflection and planning.
So often the feeling of being “stuck” is actually just your mind telling you that it’s ready to learn something new!
6. Ending Your Day By Planning Tomorrow
At the end of the day, effective leaders reflect on what got done and what didn’t. They assess what priorities might need to be shifted around the rest of the week. And they plan tomorrow’s Success Plan before they leave the office or go to bed at night. This helps you stay organized and ready to hit the ground running when you walk into the office.
Your Turn to Apply These Habits:
Think about how you can incorporate these habits into your daily routine. Start by setting clear goals, improving your meeting schedule, and planning tomorrow at the end of the day today.
Checklist for This Week:
- Set or revisit your team’s purpose and goals.
- Schedule one-on-one meetings to check in with your team members.
- Practice delegating more off your plate
- Make a decision on a pending issue.
- Reach out to a colleague or industry contact for a chat.
- Read an article or book (pro tip: it’s ok to do this for an hour at work in your office)
Let’s lead with purpose!
Cheers,
Katie