Your Success is in your System

Welcome to the Leader’s Lens: The Perspective Shift issue!

This issue offers a fresh perspective and actionable tips to enhance your leadership this week.

Send me an email and let me know how you plan on implementing this perspective shift in your leadership!

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Through the Lens: “Stop Hustling. Start Systemizing.”

There’s a quote by James Clear that hits different when you’re deep in leadership:

If you're leading from the middle (juggling team dynamics, deadlines, performance metrics, and expectations from above) you know this is true.

The real challenge isn’t ambition. It’s not having a system that helps you and your team succeed consistently without burning out.

Honestly, I’m wrestling with this right now.

As a dad, an organizational leader, a community builder… juggling it all is real.

Here’s what I’m learning as I try to build systems that actually work in real life for overly committed leaders like us:

1. Start With What’s Already Working

You don’t need to build the perfect system from scratch. Nothing is new under the sun.

Look around: what are others doing that’s working? What lessons can you borrow?

At work, I’ve looked at the last 3–5 successful projects and used those as blueprints. In the community, I’ve studied what brings people together and learned from their journey.

Here are some questions to ask:

• What made them work?

• Who led it?

• What steps can I repeat?

• How can I tweak this for my needs?

That’s the seed of a repeatable system. Write it down. Test it. Adjust it. And let it become your go-to for reaching goals again and again.

2. Co-Create Expectations—Don’t Just Drop Them

Top-down direction only goes so far. When people help shape the how, they believe in the what.

When I slow down, ask for input, and open the door for shared ideas, the outcome is better. Every time.

It’s a very humbling experience.

Don’t be shy asking your team:

• What helps you work at your best?

• What gets in the way of meeting our goals?

• What’s non-negotiable? What’s flexible?

When we set expectations together, we experience more ownership and less resistance.

3. Measure Inputs—Not Just Outcomes

In a past Leader’s Lens issue, I talked about controlling what we can control.

We can’t force the results. But we can shape the efforts.

• Are we checking quality often enough?

• Do we have the right people on this task?

• Are we meeting consistently to catch and document issues early?

Don’t wait until the end of the quarter or a project to find out what’s broken.

Yes, measure results. But also track what leads to those results.

A great system monitors processes before they become problems.

4. Coach Instead of “Correct”

This one is a tough one for me.

I am a problem-solver. But I’ve learned that not everyone wants to be told what to “fix.” Most people just want to feel supported.

In my systems development for success, I need to slow down more to build time for short, human check-ins.

My 1:1’s are often filled with me asking:

• “What’s working for you right now?”

• “Where do you need clarity?”

• “How can I support your success this week?”

A good system leaves space for people to grow and be supported.

Let’s take the pressure off.

You don’t need to get everything right all at once.

You’ll be surprised how much more your team can do—when the path is clear.

Start small. Document what already works. Then build from there.

I’d love to hear from you: What’s one part of your leadership you wish you could automate, delegate, or simplify?

Reply back with your thoughts!

(P.S. - In the last issue of the Leader’s Lens, I spoke about turning my in person workshop titled Leading With Purpose into a virtual course. If you want in on that, vote in the poll on that post!)

Keep building,
Ray

Helping you lead from the middle out.

Whenever you are ready, here are ways you can work with me:

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P.S.S. - Thank you to those who have filled out the survey letting me know more about your leadership journey! I am excited to dive into the results over the next couple of weeks to provide you with resources and content that will support your leadership! If you haven’t filled it out yet, do so by clicking the link here!