101 Simple Leadership Lessons | Deadlines

We’re continuing a series on the Zippy Shell blog about the simple leadership lessons that all managers, employees, etc. should aspire to learn. Skills can be acquired, but character development takes much more refining and is something that truly makes great leaders, and therefore business people.

Today’s quick lesson will be all about meeting DEADLINES! Don’t you just love that word? It strikes fear into most of us, probably, but it doesn’t have to! Take these 10 tips, print them, and learn how to navigate deadlines!

1. Only promise what you can deliver. This seems obvious, doesn’t it? We so often, however, over-promise, and leave the people around us with unmet expectations. Not a good way to do business! Honesty is always the best rule!
2. Set clear goals. Measurable – that’s the key word. Vague and broad are the words you want to stay away from.
3. Trust your team. Every piece of your team has different skills set. Utilize them to meet deadlines.
4. Delegate. This is crucial. If you know your time is better spent doing something else, delegate some key tasks to your trusted team.
5. Create milestones. You want to have points along the way where you can stop and see that you’re making progress. This helps keep motivation alive!
6. Open communication. Keeping everyone in the loop will keep miscommunications from happening.
7. Do it right the first time! This speaks for itself. It you don’t take shortcuts your first time through, you won’t have to redo it – whatever “it” may be.
8. Stay organized. This will save you in wasted time spent searching for things.
9. Make expectations clear. Similar to setting goals, but you want to make sure clients know exactly what to expect.
10. Create a plan. One of the biggest problems in getting things done is not having a plan or strategy in place. Takes some upfront work, but it’s well worth it.

What tips have you learned over the years to meet deadlines and not be scared by those red circles on your calendar?

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