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Welcome

I have just come back from a few days in New York for my 40th Birthday and it was a great trip as I did get to watch some NFL, just a shame the Giants lost!

Now that I am back I was able to reflect on all things work and leadership. My biggest thing (which I believe everyone that sees what I write about and talk about) is getting time away and how important this is for moving forward. It’s also the biggest thing you need to ensure that you don’t hit a burnout. So make sure you have some time planned in the coming months to go away and do something that isn’t the things you are working on.

In this week’s newsletter I want to go into more detail about my LEAD+M framework, since posting about this I have had a lot of questions and comments about this and how I apply this. So I want to jump into this and cover this in more detail with some tips and guidance for using.

What is LEAD+M?

LEAD+M is something that came up with a few years ago when I first started in leadership roles. I use it regularly, slightly less now that I operate fully using this system but I still sit down weekly and review using this framework.

This is an acronym for helping me to lead my team better overall.

• Lead: Leading starts with you and it’s all about how you act with everyone you interact with.

• Engage: Highly engaged employees bring better collaboration and team results.

• Act: Making decisions with a purpose and walking the team through the why.

• Develop: Your role is to develop the team and help them move forward as a team and help them all grow.

• Mental Health: As a leader you need to ensure you prioritise this not just for you but also ensuring your team don’t hit burnout.

I use this to help me ensure that I am leading the team in the right way as well as ensuring that I follow the right topics for my team.

This one pager provides some additional insights and guidance in how to use effectively.

Now that you understand the overall framework let’s look at the practical application for you as a manager.

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How to use LEAD+M

The LEAD+M framework is a practical guide for new managers that focuses on key areas of leadership, engagement, action, development, and mental health. Here's how you can apply it to your daily leadership:

1. Start with Reflection:

   • Regularly assess your actions in each area of the LEAD+M framework. Ask yourself how well you're leading by example, engaging your team, making purposeful decisions, fostering development, and prioritizing well-being. Self-reflection helps identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

2. Incorporate LEAD+M into Daily Leadership:

   • Use each component of the framework in your interactions. For example, when making decisions, think about the "Act with Purpose" element. In team meetings, focus on "Engaging and Empowering" your team members by involving them in discussions and decision-making.

3. Set SMART Goals Using LEAD+M:

   • Apply the LEAD+M framework to goal-setting. Ensure that each goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, while aligning with the broader goals of leading, engaging, and developing your team. [PS Worth checking out my article on setting goals here]

4. Balance Team Performance and Well-Being:

   • Use LEAD+M to ensure you're balancing your team's productivity with their mental health. Lead by example by taking breaks and promoting a culture of openness and support.

5. Incorporate Regular Check-Ins:

   • Schedule regular 1:1s with your team members and apply the LEAD+M principles. During these meetings, focus on coaching (Engage and Develop) and discussing both professional goals and well-being (Mental Health).

Top tips for using LEAD+M

• Lead by Example (L):

  • Your team watches your actions more than your words. Demonstrate the values you want to instill in your team by being transparent, taking responsibility for your actions, and modeling accountability.

  • Tip: Start every meeting with a quick example of how you're implementing a core value or behavior that your team should follow.

• Engage and Empower (E):

  • Engagement isn’t just about asking your team to complete tasks; it’s about fostering a sense of ownership and involvement. Empower your team to make decisions and provide input on projects.

  • Tip: Create spaces in meetings for team members to share their thoughts and give feedback. Delegate tasks that allow them to stretch their skills.

• Act with Purpose (A):

  • Every action should have a clear intention and contribute to the overall goals of the team and organization. When leading your team, ensure your decisions are aligned with long-term success.

  • Tip: Before making a decision, ask yourself, "How does this align with our team’s overall mission?"

• Develop Your Team (D):

  • Growth is key to team success. As a manager, your role is to ensure each team member is progressing in their career and personal development.

  • Tip: Use 1:1s to discuss career development goals and opportunities for training or new responsibilities. Tailor these to each individual's strengths and aspirations.

• Prioritize Mental Health and Well-Being (M):

  • The well-being of your team is just as important as their performance. Encourage a culture where mental health is supported and where open conversations about stress and workload are normalized.

  • Tip: Regularly check in on your team’s stress levels, encourage breaks, and set clear boundaries to avoid burnout. Promote work-life balance by leading with your own example.

Bonus Tips

• Integrate LEAD+M in Team Culture:
  Incorporate elements of the framework into your team culture. For example, host "check-in" meetings dedicated to well-being (Mental Health), and set up peer-to-peer mentoring programs (Develop).

• Review and Adapt Regularly:
  As your team evolves, so should your use of the LEAD+M framework. Regularly review its impact and make adjustments based on team feedback and performance outcomes.

• Stay Consistent:
  Use the LEAD+M framework consistently in your leadership approach. Whether it’s during 1:1 meetings, goal-setting sessions, or problem-solving discussions, stay aligned with its principles.

And that’s a wrap for this week! Hope this has answered some of your questions on my LEAD+M framework and something that you can use as you lead your teams.

Book Recommendation of the week

Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek - I know I have recommended this one previously but for looking at an applying the LEAD+M framework is quite well linked to this book and think key takeaways are really helpful.

Summary: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek explores the idea that successful leadership is rooted in creating environments of safety and trust where team members feel valued and empowered. Sinek draws on biology, psychology, and leadership research to highlight how leaders can create a “Circle of Safety” around their teams, fostering collaboration, trust, and sustainable success. He argues that leadership is not about authority but about caring for those you lead, which aligns perfectly with the principles in the LEAD+M framework.

3 Key Tips for New Managers (Based on the Book and LEAD+M Framework):

1. Prioritise Your Team’s Well-Being (Mental Health & Well-Being in LEAD+M):

   • Tip: As a leader, your focus should be on creating a supportive and safe environment where your team feels valued. Make mental health and well-being a priority by checking in regularly and fostering open communication about stress and workloads.

   • Action: Hold regular 1:1 meetings to ensure your team members feel comfortable discussing their challenges, both professional and personal.

2. Lead by Example (Lead in LEAD+M):

   • Tip: Sinek emphasizes the importance of leaders who model the behavior they expect from their team. Trust is built when leaders are willing to sacrifice for the team, whether by sharing responsibility or being transparent about mistakes.

   • Action: Make sure to demonstrate the values of accountability and transparency in your actions. Admit when you don’t know something and actively seek to learn alongside your team.

3. Build a Culture of Empowerment (Engage and Empower in LEAD+M):

   • Tip: Sinek stresses the need for leaders to empower their teams to take ownership of their work. This means creating opportunities for engagement and allowing team members to take risks and grow within a safe environment.

   • Action: Delegate tasks that provide team members with growth opportunities, and give them autonomy in decision-making. Offer guidance and support but resist the urge to micromanage.

That’s a wrap for this week, hope you have enjoyed this weeks newsletter and it gives you some food for thought.

PS I have created a free 7 day course detailing for new managers your first 90 days, get this here.