Here are 20 principles that I think define a balanced leader:

1. You balance your needs with those of others in your organization.

2. You balance your needs with those of others in your family.

3. You manage your energy.

4. You manage your time.

5. You adhere to your values.

6. You keep an optimistic outlook while remaining realistic.

7. You cultivate consistency while adapting to change.

8. You practice self-reflection.

9. You manage your emotional equanimity.

10. You recognize and manage your blind spots.

11. You leverage your strengths while managing your weaknesses.

12. You try to see yourself as others see you.

13. You alternate periods of hard work with periods of sustained rest.

14. You play as hard as you work.

15. You take chances and make mistakes.

16. You acknowledge your mistakes.

17. You learn from your mistakes.

18. You maintain a good sense of humor.

19. You cultivate a cadre of friends and relatives to keep you on the right path.

20. You never do any of this alone.

In unabalanced times, it’s more important than ever to practice these principles. The mark of a  good leader is the ability to lead in all kinds of circumstances. In the toughest of times, leaders need to stand on a rock-solid set of core values.

Remember – life almost always is unbalanced, out of kilter, listing or leaning in one direction or another. No matter what, you’ll need the skills and strength to help you steady the ship.

Thanks for reading, and remember to visit robsleaders.com!

Like millions of other men and women around the world, you’re probably feeling the stress of change, financial instability — and you’re searching for help in juggling all the spheres in your life: work, home, health, community and, in the process, you’re even struggling to keep your own values on track as well.
Well, after decades of coaching leaders from Fortune 500 companies to men and women in grassroots community groups, I can tell you the answer is: Balance.
We need to reduce our stress and realize that, while we’re trying to find some equilibrium in all these essential spheres of life — we’re actually moving down a healthy path toward stronger leadership.    That’s the core of this unique new book: Giving you the overall framework of “Balanced Leadership,” then inviting you to make strategic choices on the next steps that most closely fit your own individual pathway.

THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD

Don’t take people for granted.

Too often we come to expect that people will do their jobs because they are being paid for it and don’t need special recognition.

Mira supervised people in the loan-processing area of an auto dealership. Her staff handled the documents generated by the sales staff, which depended on fast, reliable service to close the deals.

Mira recognized that her job was to remind the sales staff to acknowledge the hard work the loan processors were doing. So one day, the salespeople took the processors out for a thank-you lunch. Not only was the food great, but the back room staff appreciated the acknowledgement of their hard work by the people up front.

THE PLAYBOOK

• Acknowledge a job well done – at least verbally. A monetary reward (or tip, if you are a customer) may not be appropriate, but a “Thank you” and smile always are appreciated.
• Think of small gifts and signs of appreciation you can give to those who provide you with a service. Don’t wait until the holidays.
• Learn the names of those who provide your services. They know yours – do you know theirs?
• Be specific in your praise, for example: “Thanks for staying late to process that paperwork. It made all the difference in getting the job done.”

From Rob’s book, Balanced Leadership in Unbalanced Times, www.robsleaders.com

PLEASE ADD YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT NOT TAKING PEOPLE FOR GRANTED

August’s Topic: Balanced Leadership

The most successful leaders are the ones who work the hardest at balancing all aspects of their lives. And, when they do, they find that they really make a difference to their organization and to the world.  Life almost always is unbalanced, out of kilter, listing or leaning in one direction or another.  The mark of a good leader is the ability to lead in all kinds of circumstances.  In the toughest of times, leaders need to stand on a rock-solid set of core values and use their skills and strength to help steady the ship.

‘Great leaders constantly strive to strike a balance between work and the other realms of their lives.’

Rob Pasick

Personal Tips

• Meet with your manager and ask to have metrics to judge your performance.  In other words, help your boss see that hours don’t equal performance.
• Plan a special trip with your family - one that you can’t easily get out of - and make reservations so that you are locked in.
• On free days treat your family and friends as well as you do your work friends. Schedule regular times with them to reconnect and catch up.
• Let work know that you will not be checking email or phone after a certain time each day. Turn off the PDA when meeting with friends and family.

Leadership Tips

• Determine the business reason for recognizing work-life balance with your employees.  It might be less turn-over with working mothers or the fact that young single workers want to engage in outside volunteer activities.
• Create a work team that gives itself the assignment of maintaining or improving productivity while increasing workplace flexibility.  Create metrics that track the various solutions.
• Listen to your employees when they come to you with requests for more flexible work schedules and help them brainstorm alternative solutions.
• Make yourself a model by taking vacations and turning off your PDA.  Talk about the importance of your family and how work-life balance has made you a better leader.