Eric Smith

Being decisive is a true leadership quality that doesn’t always come naturally - especially if you struggle with any degree of ‘imposter syndrome’. To understand the importance of being decisive, I think it’s important to understand the “harm”/damage that can come from not being decisive including: lost time and lost trust and confidence your team will have in you as a leader. You’re never going to have all the answers as a leader/manager, nor should you, but making a decision is almost always better than not making one at all and waiting for something to happen to you, versus control the situation as best as you can in the moment. This will create problem solving situations and reduce ambiguity.

I’ve learned that listening is only half the battle. Everyone wants to be heard, but everyone also wants their problem to be solved. The solution(s) offered - the one that is hopefully the very best you can do within reason, should be the focus. From past experience, those that listen, think before they speak, and then critically consider the best thing they can do in the given situation are the people who aren’t always the most liked necessarily, but the most respected. Becoming that type of problem solver comes with patience, and humility.

Leveraging events, trade shows, and conferences for networking is key! Before the event, I focus on research, identifying key attendees and sessions, and setting specific goals. I make sure to schedule meetings in advance and prepare a concise, compelling pitch. During the event, I actively attend relevant sessions and engage in workshops and panels. Networking actively, I approach people during breaks and social events, while also leveraging social media to engage with event hashtags and live-post updates. After the event, I send personalized emails, schedule follow-up meetings, and share insights and takeaways with my team. Maintaining relationships by keeping in touch and building on established connections is essential.

As we think about partnerships built on trust, communication and mutual respect I always propose that we schedule regular check-ins to keep each other informed and address any concerns promptly. This shows that I'm committed to delivering on promises and that I'm accessible. Meeting in person whenever possible and engaging in informal interactions is also important to me in order to build a meaningful, long-term connection. Aligning on goals and having a shared vision is priority #1 for me. This allows us to celebrate wins together (big or small), and recognize where we can still improve. Lastly, addressing issues and working towards fair solutions promptly turns "weakness" into transparency - which builds deeper trust long-term.

When goal aligning with a potential partner, I stick to these three things: 1) Clear Communication and Expectations: Establish roles, responsibilities, and regular communication channels to ensure smooth coordination and avoid misunderstandings. 2) Joint Goal Setting and Strategic Planning: Identify common objectives and create a detailed action plan with specific milestones to keep us on track and aligned with our mutual goals. 3) Regular Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: Implement a system to track progress and hold regular review meetings to celebrate successes, address issues, and refine our approach for ongoing improvement. By concentrating on these areas, a strong, effective, and mutually beneficial partnership can be built.