Illustrating Leadership Lessons: Systems Will Save You

Being an effective leader, whether in your own venture or within an organization, requires adaptability and strategic thinking. On this episode of the Illustrating Leadership podcast, we caught up with Michelle MacNeil, a systems business coach with a unique perspective shaped by her dual life as a businesswoman and farmer in Alberta, Canada. Michelle's journey and insights offer invaluable lessons on how systems can transform challenges into opportunities, offering leaders the freedom and efficiency they crave.

 Understanding Systems: The Backbone of Efficiency

 Michelle shared her philosophy that a system is "simply the way something is done." It might sound straightforward, but the implications are far-reaching. Whether you’re coordinating tasks in a business or managing a team, a well-defined system ensures consistency and reliability. Without it, operations can become entangled in confusion, leading to missed opportunities and increased stress.

 The Balance of Planning and Flexibility

While systems establish a necessary structure, flexibility remains crucial. As Michelle put it, “when was the last time something went exactly to plan?” Having a strategic system doesn’t mean eliminating spontaneity; rather, it’s about knowing your destination and being adaptable enough to allow for deviations along the way.

 Why Leaders Need Systems

Leaders often experience burnout from the constant firefighting and lack of strategic focus. Systems mitigate this by automating routine tasks and delegating effectively. As Michelle pointed out, leaders stuck in “reaction mode” often feel overwhelmed. Establishing systems can empower leaders to focus on strategic tasks and reclaim their time.

Systems for Small Businesses and Beyond

The concept of systems applies universally, transcending business sizes. Leaders in larger organizations face a similar crisis; many find themselves engulfed by operational fires rather than strategic initiatives. Systems can alleviate this, restoring balance and time that leaders both need and deserve.

Conducting a Personal Systems Audit

For those new to systematization, starting with a personal systems audit can illuminate where time inefficiencies lie. By tracking how time is spent over a few days, patterns emerge, revealing areas ripe for systematization. Michelle also emphasized that many issues identified as people problems are actually systemic ones related to broken or non-existent communication systems.

Taking Small, Sustainable Steps

Implementing systems doesn’t require a complete overhaul overnight. Michelle advises taking small, consistent steps. This methodical approach allows businesses to gradually build a strong foundational system, propelling growth and efficiency. The tortoise’s pace may not be flashy, but it leads to more sustainable progress.

 Systems: A Source of Freedom

Despite initial perceptions, systems are not restrictions. They are liberators. Systems enable leaders to spend guilt-free time away from work, knowing their businesses or teams continue to thrive. Exploring how systems can save not just time, but also money and stress, can markedly elevate your business operations.

Connect with Michelle

To dive deeper into creating efficient systems, connect with Michelle through her website or find her on LinkedIn, where she shares more about her expertise as a certified systems business coach.

 

Your host, Jessica Wright, is a Life & Career Development Coach for Leaders and the Founder of Wright Life Coaching, LLC. You can follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Learn more about Leadership Masterclass, the private podcast and community at www.jessicawright.online/leadership-masterclass. 

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