Facility Managers Can Follow These Steps to Leadership
July 26, 2011
Today's tip from Building Operating Management comes from Stormy Friday, president of The Friday Group: Follow these steps to become a facility management leader.
• Be a good follower. Follow directions and guidelines established by the leaders and hit the milestones that have been established for your team and you as an individual. Surround yourself with strong people and never act threatened by those on your team or in your immediate work group who are smarter or better technically. If you question a direction or guideline, do so in a collaborative manner and always provide an alternative idea for others to consider. Anticipate problems and bring them to the attention of the group, and involve the others in the problem-solving process. If assignments are handed out, volunteer for the more difficult ones to demonstrate your willingness to take on challenges.
• Establish a reputation for integrity. Make sure in your dealings with outsource service providers and vendors, internal clients and facility staff that you establish a reputation for honesty, fairness, open-mindedness and the utmost integrity. Be clear to yourself that you want to be known as an individual who is respected by others, rather than someone who is necessarily liked by all.
• Be known for the analytic process as well as results. Make certain you know how to brainstorm with others, create a strategy map or plan of action, gather and process information, and formulate a reasoned and fact-based business case for your conclusion. You want to be results-oriented, but not to the point where others involved in the effort aren’t building analytic and decision-making skills. If you serve as the process moderator and help your team or work group reach the right conclusion, you will come to the attention of those who are looking for leadership characteristics.
• Learn from every situation. You can be the individual who makes sure that lessons learned are included in every project or work assignment, and that the successes and failures help to mature the staff involved.
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