Just Do It!

How seizing opportunities and responsibilities as the fastest way to demonstrate leadership qualities

By: Brian Tracy

Clarity is probably 80% of success in every area of business activity.

The major reason why teams do not function well, and why people end up not making their full contribution to the success of the teams, is lack of clarity. All the studies of team building and team development focus in on the importance of everyone's being absolutely clear about what the team is trying to accomplish. This can be in the form of a goal or objective handed down by senior management, or it can be the result of discussion and participation by the various team members. In any case, everyone must know what is to be done, to what standard, by what deadline, and what the roles and responsibilities of each team member will be in the achievement of that goal.

One of your key concerns is to be absolutely clear about exactly what is expected of you. If for any reason you are not sure, bring it up and ask about it until you have no doubt whatsoever. Then get busy, do exactly what is expected of you, and do it well.

Remember, in all your interactions with your team, your role is to be supportive and helpful. Your role is not to challenge, criticize or argue, but to look for solutions and for opportunities to help other people make their maximum contribution as well. When you sit in on a team meeting, you are "onstage." Everyone is watching you. The best team players I have ever seen are those whose comments to the other members of the team are in the form of suggestions on how things can be done better. The best team members are always offering to help other people after the meetings to get on top of some aspect of their work. This focus on collaboration and cooperation is seen by everybody and marks you as a person to be both liked and respected.

Many men and women have kicked their careers into the stratosphere by taking on a small responsibility and doing such a good job with it that they came to the attention of important people both inside and outside their organizations.

For example, some years ago, the chairman of a conglomerate for which I worked asked me if I would set up the importation and distribution of the Suzuki motor vehicles into Western Canada. Even though I knew nothing about automobile importation, I jumped on the opportunity with enthusiasm. For the next three months, I threw my whole heart into learning everything I could about the importation and distribution of foreign automobiles. In the following two-and-a-half years, we imported and sold more than $25 million worth of vehicles, through 65 dealerships, all of which I had set up from scratch.

Then one day, I got a call from the president of another billion-dollar organization. He offered me three times my current salary if I would take charge of his $275 million development business. He told me later that the determining factor of the offer he had made me was my proven ability with Suzuki to put together a team to achieve successful financial results. And it will be the same for you.

Seize every opportunity and possibility for added responsibility. Then put your whole heart into doing it well. This decision will open countless doors for you.

Now, here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, be absolutely clear about who you are, what you want, and what needs to be done. Discuss and agree on this with everyone involved.

Second, remember that great opportunities usually come disguised in work clothes. Whenever you are offered an additional job or assignment, jump on it and do it both quickly and well.

You'll be amazed at what happens in your career.