{"id":277,"date":"2016-02-22T09:33:33","date_gmt":"2016-02-22T17:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/encouragement.com\/blog\/?p=277"},"modified":"2016-02-22T09:33:33","modified_gmt":"2016-02-22T17:33:33","slug":"no-time-to-be-lazy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encouragement.com\/wordpress\/?p=277","title":{"rendered":"No Time to be Lazy"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the best aspects of a new year is that we often see it as an opportunity for a fresh start; a chance to recommit ourselves to those things we deem important \u2013 resolutions representing a whole host of worthy behaviors and plans.<\/p>\n

This year, I\u2019d like to suggest something for leaders. Something incredibly worthwhile. Something exceptionally hard to perfect. Something that needs focus. Something extreme.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if\u201d<\/em><\/strong> we recommit ourselves to the people we lead by renewing our relationships with them? That\u2019s no small task \u2013 building stronger, healthier, more productive working relationships. But those relationships will determine our eventual success. So why not make it a point of emphasis \u2013 greater understanding of one another, mutual appreciation, and unity.<\/p>\n

Couldn\u2019t that pay some nice dividends?<\/p>\n

The other option is to just to let things slide, and go along as they are (which doesn\u2019t sound much like progress, or improvement, to me).<\/p>\n

This May Be Our Biggest Leadership Challenge?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I was collecting the thoughts of leaders on their most difficult challenges, one wrote, \u201cI\u2019m two months into a new job and the people are my challenge. I used to have plenty of enthusiasm, but this time I just want to do my own work, and then go home. I fight myself more and more just to care enough about the others around me. I don\u2019t like feeling this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure she\u2019s not alone.<\/p>\n

Over time, many of us have gotten too busy with our work to pay much attention to people. We\u2019ve lost touch in some ways.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, people can be a struggle. Relationships take a lot of time. And energy. And don\u2019t always go smoothly. But they\u2019re a good goal \u2013 because it takes everyone to accomplish our agenda.<\/p>\n

What I mean by, \u201cIt\u2019s no time to be lazy,\u201d is that now is the time to address our relational challenges \u2013 taking a positive, proactive approach. What better time than the New Year?<\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s going to take a lot of leadership on our part. (Maybe even swallowing a little pride.) But we must reach out if we\u2019re going to reach new ups. Renewed relationships \u2026 they\u2019re possible. And necessary.<\/p>\n

Go to work, meet the challenge, and have a great New Year.<\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0Jerry Strom<\/p>\n

Twitter: @JerryRStrom.<\/em><\/p>\n

For more information about our leadership and team development programs, please visit <\/em>http:\/\/www.JerryStrom.com<\/em><\/a> . Join the mailing list to receive new articles as they are published. This article is based on research conducted for the *\u2018The Relationships Report: The Linkage between Leadership and Relationships,\u2019 by Jerry Strom & Company, Inc. Find \u2018How Leaders Build Relationships at Work\u2019 at <\/em>http:\/\/www.jerrystrom.com\/research\/js_relationships.html<\/em><\/a> and watch for short insights and quotes on Twitter at #RelationshipsRPT<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the best aspects of a new year is that we often see it as an opportunity for a fresh start; a chance to recommit ourselves to those things we deem important \u2013 resolutions representing a whole host of … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-leadership-articles"],"yoast_head":"\nNo Time to be Lazy - Encouragement for Leaders<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/encouragement.com\/wordpress\/?p=277\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"No Time to be Lazy - Encouragement for Leaders\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"One of the best aspects of a new year is that we often see it as an opportunity for a fresh start; 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