The calendar. A leader's best friend
Many years ago as an Army Captain, I served as a company commander - a leader of about 100 soldiers. Command was an assignment typically two years in length and my time in the position was coming to a close. I needed to schedule my change of command ceremony - a requirement to relinquish command officially, but I didn't want it to look like I wanted 'out' of this leadership duty. I went to see a senior officer close to my boss to discuss it with him. He was busy as we all were but he pulled up the unit calendar and said, "when do you want it to occur?" Perplexed, I replied, "Sir, I can't schedule my own ceremony. Doesn't the boss determine that?" Right then he offered a piece of advice which stuck - "Rob, sometimes it is best just to place the event on the calendar. Doing so will make it official enough."
He was right. While the ceremony would need the boss's approval he managed his calendar and knew, as busy as we all were, this would be the best way to get the event scheduled and on everyone's radar. As a leader I've followed this approach managing and leading people and organizations. Of course, I would seek the input of others and the approval of superiors where necessary but I would let the calendar be the authority I needed to gather people for important events to synchronize and inform.
I also use the calendar as a way to discipline myself and my organization. The central calendar (have only one) is the guiding document for everyone on the team. Personally, it forces me to prepare myself for events and invest in people as I desire. In my first book, I describe how, in brigade command as a Colonel, I dedicated one third of my calendar to investing in people activities. My calendar would speak the truth of whether I meant that. It would also send a message to my people about what my priorities were.
Make your personal calendar and or your organization's official calendar your BFF. It will help you make it personal!
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell