Three tools to improve your leadership capabilities today - with Mike Simmons

Mike Simmons, leadership advisor, coach, guide and host of the "Find My Catalyst" podcast, emphasizes self-leadership as the foundation for guiding others. With years of experience helping leaders and teams achieve alignment and success, Mike shares actionable tools and insights for effective decision-making, communication, and goal execution.

Key Quotes

1. "Leadership starts with self. If you're looking for leadership, start with a mirror."
2. "Use these tools as your lever, know where to place it based on your skills, and you will start moving the world."
3. "The journey of 10,000 steps starts with one. Take one step aligned with your strategy to achieve your goals."

In this episode, Mike explores the importance of self-awareness, confidence, and self-worth in leadership. He introduces practical tools like the 2x2 decision-making matrix and the game plan framework to improve execution and achieve meaningful results, encouraging listeners to adopt a mindset of continuous learning.

Find your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/

5 Key Takeaways

1. Self-Leadership is the Foundation of Success

   • Start with self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-worth.
   • Leadership is a mindset: focus on controlling the controllables.
   • Strong self-leadership attracts others and builds trust.

2. Effective Decision-Making with the 2x2 Matrix

   • Prioritize tasks by urgency and importance to manage time.
   • Use energy and impact as criteria to focus on fulfilling and effective work.
   • Delegate tasks that are high-impact but drain energy to create partnerships.

3. Communication is a Two-Way Process

   • Understand both your objectives and the audience’s needs.
   • Use the "who, what, and next steps" framework for effective meetings.
   • Clear communication fosters trust and ensures alignment.

4. Goal Setting and Execution Simplified

   • Break big goals into manageable steps to maintain focus.
   • Align daily tactics with overarching strategies for maximum efficiency.
   • Always define the "where," "how," and "when" for achieving goals.

5. Leverage Tools to Drive Results

   • Leadership is about using the right tools in the right context.
   • Develop problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
   • Regularly iterate and refine strategies in a collaborative environment.