Follow Through

Many sports require a proper follow through to make sure the job is accurate and complete. In golf and baseball without a good follow through the ball will probably not go very far. When you throw you need to complete your follow through to make sure your throw is accurate.

Every day leaders expect follow through from their people but the leader doesn't always follow through. That is a poor example of leadership. Leaders need to make sure that if they expect something from their people that they also should be following their own rules.

Far too often leaders will say they need an item done by tomorrow. Then when the item is finished and given to the leader for review it isn't returned for weeks. If a leader has a sense of urgency of their people they must display that same sense of urgency.

Part of the leadership language is leading by example and doing what you say you are going to do. Use the following guideline when determining what you will present to your people.

• Do what you say you are going to do.
• Make sure you can complete the item as quickly as you expect others to complete a similar item.
• Be honest with your people.
• Have high expectations but not too high. Only expect from your people what you would be able to achieve.
• Follow through, even on the menial tasks like answering e-mails.

Make the most of yourself and set an example for others by living by the leadership language of "Doing what you say you will do".