12 leadership habits we learned during covid

12 Leadership Habits We Learned During COVID

(But Should Never Forget)

John Hutchison, CPA, MBA, SFO

Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations

Olathe Public Schools, Olathe, KS (KC Metro)

Approx. 31,000 students

and

3rd year ASBO International Board Member

Running for VP this September

Habit 1: Engage for Impact

Habit 1: Engage for Impact

Creating Structure

Communicate goals and expectations with co-workers and subordinates

Establish deadlines, benchmarks and productivity levels

Encourage work-related social interactions between employees

Eliminate distractions that interfere with productivity

Habit 1: Engage for Impact

Treat No One The Same

Connect with individual team members

Dig deep to engage your teams

Ask for help as needed

Always support your employees

Follow a set of shared values

Habit 2: Focus on the Next Generation(s)

Employ tactics to drive leadership performance

Take note of those who go on the offensive

Fight the tendency to turn inward

Look for calm, competence and confidence

Create partnerships between safe hands and high potentials

Form leaders not executors

Don’t let hierarchy stifle

Habit 3: Act with Thoughtful Urgency

YOU + URGENCY = SUCCESS

Fight complacency

Engrain urgency into your culture

Avoid false urgency

Drive urgency through deep determination

“I have been impressed with the

urgency of doing. Knowing is not

enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must

do.”-Leonardo Da Vinci

Habit 3: Act with Thoughtful Urgency

Creating urgency

Act in proportion to the urgency

Specify the task to reduce confusion and improve judgement

Clarify the consequences

Use urgency to persevere toward victory despite the pain

Dress comfortably cold

Recognize employees who exhibit a sense of urgency

Habit 4: Recognize Contributions

Recognition does more than drive performance

It connects us to one another

The little things that matter

It’s not about the money

Habit 5: Adapt Boldly

Habit 5: Adapt Boldly

Decide what not to do

Throw out yesterday’s playbook

Strengthen (or build) direct connections to the front line

Don’t go it alone

Seek out first hand intel

Habit 6: Communicate Consistently and Reliably

Define objectives and expectations

Include everyone

Listen and show empathy

Send your message clearly

Choose your medium carefully

Set the pace

Explain why decisions are made

Create an internal communication strategy

Establish feedback loops

Habit 7: Storytelling

Both the listener and the teller learn

Don’t suppress your personal feelings

Balance is key

Tell a story rather than spew data

Habit 8: Utilize Humor

Humor is disarming

Relieves tension during

Softens the blow of bad news

Builds teams

Gets people to root for you

Places emphasis on key points

Habit 9: Delegate

Assign responsibility and authority

Use delegation to develop future leaders

Communicate for success

Meet face to face without time pressure

Confirm employees’ understanding and commitment

Define employee’s authority level

Follow-up and provide coaching and guidance if needed

Habit 10: Manage Time

Prioritize your health and well-being with micro-practices

Determine the best way to structure your day

Find a healthier balance in your screens

Don’t put yourself in calendar debt

Habit 11: Treat Self-Care as a Non-Negotiable

Quality sleep

Work/life balance

Core values focused on wellbeing

Adopt simple strategies

Get and stay in the present

Habit 12: Never Forget Why We Do This

John Hutchison

jhutchisonec@olatheschools.org

12 Leadership Habits We Learned During COVID

(But Should Never Forget)

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12 Leadership Habits We Learned During COVID

(But Should Never Forget)

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