Perry Maddox digs into the Just Open Leaders archives and pulls out a few hidden gems that you don’t want to miss from 2020.
In the first year of Just Open Leaders, I ‘ve learned a lot.
Mainly by failing.
Before Just Open Leaders, I’d written a few pieces here and there, but I’ve never run a blog. Suffice to say that I had no idea how much work goes on beyond the words on the page.
And that might have meant that you missed a few of my favourite pieces from 2020.
Shout Out to the Communications Professionals.
Choosing photos, promoting on social media, settling on a title, timing the newsletter.
There’s a lot to getting a blog post up and out there. Communications pros know all about these elements, but this is new territory to me. Not surprisingly, I got it wrong a few times along the way.
As a result, some of the best content on Just Open Leaders might have missed you, so I’m doubling back to share three of my favourite hidden gems from 2020.
Hidden Gems 2020: Title Fail.
The problem with The Problem Middle Management Shares with Mexico wasn’t middle management. It was the title. This post isn’t really about Mexico or middle management at all.
It’s a how-to guide for leaders to ensure that their blind spots don’t harm people, waste talent, or weaken teams. Plus, it offers 5 practical steps for turning those blind spots into strengths.
If you enjoy this one, check out Why Open Door Leadership Keeps People Out on a similar theme of how to practice open leadership that works for all the people in your teams.
Hidden Gems 2020: That’s Not Me.
You might have missed Leadership Transitions: Putting our Last Job First because you’re not planning on leaving your role any time soon. And that’s the point.
Whether you’re leading a big organisation or a pair of volunteers, none of us will do our jobs forever. What’s cool about the six practical steps listed to prepare for an eventual transition is that they’ll also make your life easier every day before you move on. No matter how long that might be.
If you enjoyed this one, check out The Painful Price of Waiting to Fix Underperformance for a story of when I failed on a key part of my leadership transition.
Hidden Gems 2020: Don’t Say Mask.
Perhaps you saw Wearing a Mask? Leadership is More than Power and thought, nope. I’m not going any where near a conversation about the great mask debate of 2020.
Can’t blame you, but that’s not what this one is about. Instead, it’s one of the most important leadership lessons around that I wish more emerging leaders knew earlier in their leadership journeys. It’s one that quite a few power-holders could stand to learn at any stage of their career.
If you enjoy this one, check out Influencing Up? How to Lead Beyond your Role which offers practical advice on the art of leading without power.
Don’t Hide in 2021.
After a little break for the holidays, I’ll be back at it in the new year.
If there are topics you’d like me to shine a light on, or ideas for how Just Open Leaders can be more helpful, please do let me know. I’ll keep my eyes on the horizon for the content that helps, but you’re the experts.
So if you’ve got a gem of an idea, please do let me know.
