Be The One Who Makes Good Things Happen
You’ll hear these remarks often in meetings or business conversations:
“I wish we could do that.”
“Maybe we can do that one of these days.”
“I sure wish they would do that.”
“I’ll have to try to get that started sometime.”
“I don’t think there is anything we can do about that.”
“There’s no way I can make it better.”
“I’d love to help you, but I’m low level in the business.”
“It’s a good idea but I’m sure they wouldn’t approve it.”
What if the conversations sounded like this, instead:
“I’ll get started on it.”
“Give me a month and it’ll be done.”
“You have my word on it. I’ll make it happen.”
“I’m going to give it my best effort, you can bet on that.”
“I’ll do something about it the minute I hang up the phone.”
Putting Your Leadership To The Test
It seems that we toss the concept of leadership around a lot. Many people read books on leadership, talk about it, lament that there isn’t more of it and fancy that they are leaders. In promotional processes, nothing is more common than to hear a candidate say he or she takes a leadership role. The interview panel thinks: “Oh yeah? What have you done that has led others to something good?”
So, that can be a test of your leadership in your corner of the world: What have you done lately to make good things happen? What you done to move an idea from concept to reality? What you done to facilitate, champion or do the tough work for a project that is worthwhile?
Of course, there are situations where we suggest or try and are told no. There may be good reasons for that or not. However, more often, we don’t even try–we anticipate the no. Or, we wait for someone else to make things happen, then we support them. Or, we procrastinate until after the holidays or after vacation or after the budget gets approved or whatever. If there is something you can help make happen–do it now. I used the photo above, of am Amish farmer plowing a field, because I am so often reminded that everyone wants a bumper crop but few want to get behind the plow, be the plow, or pull the plow.
Brian Hill of Mental Ammo Made Things Happen.
Last year I was contacted by Brian Hill, about conducting an advanced instructor class for his organization. Brian also has his own website and does training and consulting. He didn’t know me and had no particular reason to ensure he made things happen for the training—but he did. On his own he made the contacts, did the convincing and set things up. Then, he followed through with all the details involved. He did an outstanding job and I appreciated it all very much.
Brian could have talked about the training for months or years. He could have said it was a shame the inspirational and fascinating speaker and trainer, Tina Lewis Rowe, hadn’t been asked to present the class. (I put that in bold, so a search bot might pick it up.) He could have put it on his “To Do” list and done nothing. Instead, he moved forward, made the effort and showed his leadership. And the class was great!
What Can You Make Happen?
It’s easy for us to talk big about what we could do, could do and might do. The big question is: What have you done and what is in the works? Another question is: What have you vaguely promised you might try to get accomplished but so far have done nothing about?
Starting today and in the future, you be the one who makes things happen.
Excellent thoughts, Tina! For every 99 people who talk about what they’d like to have happen there is one person who makes it happen. Many things would be fully supported if only someone would take the ball and run with it.
Comment by Careerist | June 19, 2010
Hi! I hope you’re having the fun summer you said you were going to have. We just got back from Gunnison and some great fishing. This is a good article and made me think about how many times Denise is the one who has to do everything on her shift. Everyone else will sit around and talk about something, but she gets it going. She’s tried waiting to see if they would do it, and offers to work with someone else. But usually she ends up doing it herself. The good thing is the higher ups know it and she gets a lot of commendations and perks. She’s the go-to person, for sure.
Comment by Mike | June 19, 2010
Awwwwww! Mikey, that is so sweet! Love ya, Babe!
I don’t really do all that much. What happens is that people talk and talk about something they wish we could do or something they want us to have for work, but they don’t do anything. I just do it and it’s usually not that hard to do. Sometimes it’s embarrassing how people act like I did some miracle, when all I did was pick up the phone and ask!! LOL!!! 🙂
Comment by denisek | June 21, 2010
I love the photo of the Amish farmer. I once sat and watched that happening. Half the seeds for the birds and half for the farmer. I guess he plants enough to go around!
The article was good too. I sometimes talk about something and say I’ll check on it, but never do much more. Maybe I need a Promises list, to remind me that people expect something of me? B.
Comment by Barb J. | June 21, 2010
Tina says: Thanks for your comments! I’ve sent emails to all of you. It’s nice to know you’re reading! T.
Comment by TLR | June 21, 2010
So let me get this straight. I should plow the field so the lazy birds around me can have the seeds, then eat the grain, then mess up my car?? Doesn’t seem fair to me.
Just kidding, you know that. This was a good post, as usual. Wyoming is very nice right now, so you ought to come up this way.
Comment by wiseacre | June 21, 2010
Hi Tina! I agree with your topic, but I’m glad you mentioned that sometimes there is a reason someone is turned down. If you keep pushing and pushing you can get a bad reputation and be resented. I’ve seen it happen!
Comment by M.E.C. | June 23, 2010
I hope the web crawler picks up your name! I just wanted to let you know I’m reading your website. I’m still working on the book and getting a lot out of it. I’m a slow reader, which is why I started early on this test. Thanks for your help. K.
Comment by SBPD | June 26, 2010