🚀 Things feel different something new is in the atmosphere something New is coming

What would you like to learn about in our next Leadership Systems Lab? I am thinking a delegation focus would be great since I haven't taken a deep dive into that topic yet. Is there anything specific you'd like me to cover about delegation? Or, is there a different leadership topic you've got burning questions about? The focus can be on you as a leader, teambuilding, or business systems. Comment below if you have an idea of what would be most valuable to you. 🙌🏻

Hello, fellow leaders! In my quest to promote and grow this group, I am hoping you can help me with something simple. If you've received any value from me and/or this community, would you mind taking a few minutes to write a brief review? I've created a quick survey with five questions to choose from (👉🏻 you only need to choose one 👈🏻). The questions are nice and quick; they are: 1. What has been a valuable part of this community for you? 2. Who might get the most value from this community? 3. What is one thing this community has helped you think about differently in your business or your leadership practice? 4. What would you tell another service business owner who is thinking about joining the Leadership Systems Studio? 5. Write your own! :) If you're not shy, go ahead and comment below or click here to submit to me privately. These reviews will be used in the slides on the About page, as well as in ads and other digital marketing materials. I'd like to use your first name and last initial to maintain credibility while protecting your privacy. Sincerest of thank yous if you get a chance to spare a few minutes. I appreciate it very much! ~Cris

Lesson 4 is now available in the classroom 🎉 We made it to the final lesson in the Workflow to SOP sprint. This week, we’re taking the SOP you drafted and setting it up so it can actually be used in your business. We’ll look at where the SOP should live, who owns it, who needs access, what materials need to be linked or created, how to introduce it to your team, and how to review it after it’s been tested with real work. This is the part that helps your SOP become more than a document sitting in a folder. Your assignment this week is to complete the Week 4 setup worksheet and decide how this SOP will be launched, reviewed, and kept useful. Click here to head to the classroom to watch the lesson and download the worksheet. And if you’d like feedback, post your SOP title, owner role, review date, and one supporting material you still need to create or update. I’d love to see what you’re building. ~Cris

I once had a job where I'd go home in tears more often than not, and this memory triggers an important lesson in leadership (i.e. how not to be). This was an entry-level job right after I graduated from college, as a receptionist at a privately owned insurance brokerage. There were rules that came with this job: one was that the desk was never to be unmanned, not for a moment (even when there was a birthday... imagine how that felt, to be left out of celebrations). Another was that this role came in 30 minutes before opening to refill printers, wash cups/mugs (i.e., take them from desks, wash them, and return them), and handle all the filing. One morning, I wasn't able to finish all the filing; I had three or four bright yellow folders left to file in a partner's office right next to my desk. When this partner saw that I had these few files left, she became angry and demanded that I stay late to file them. There was neither understanding nor flexibility. After experiencing many moments like this, this was the straw. We had staggered lunches, hers was before mine. While she was away, I went into her office and took the five minutes needed to complete the filing. Then I went for my lunch and quit right after. For a long time, I blamed myself. I thought maybe I wasn't cut out for that industry, or that I wasn't good or fast enough. But now I know better. Because that wasn't leadership, that was control. That experience has stayed with me for a long time, and it’s a big part of why I do what I do now. Leadership that people want to follow doesn’t come from a title, a position, or demanding that everyone stay in line. It comes from the behaviours your team sees in you every day: how you respond, how you listen, how you make decisions, how you handle tension, and how people feel after interacting with you. I’d love to hear from you: who was the best or hardest leader you ever worked with, and what did they do that stuck with you? Drop it in the comments. These stories are such a useful way for us to learn from each other.