20 Items to Squeeze into Your Leadership Budget
Everything on the budget might not have a direct connection with money. Budgets are important and so are trust, talent, and teamwork. What is in your leadership budget?
Leadership is important for the C-Suite and it is important at all levels throughout the organization. It doesn’t really matter if you have formal direct reports, if you are a team leader, or a committee chair.
Sure organizations budget for salary and wages, marketing, and office supplies, but what about the things which are harder to measure? What about the intangibles connected with culture?
Leadership Budget
Some of the most important things often don’t have a direct cost associated with them. They still require effort, heart, and a commitment.
Here is a list of some of my favorites:
- Ask more questions
- Listen to understand
- Recognize facts versus opinions
- Be accountable
- Acknowledge extra efforts
- Be trustworthy
- Do what you say
- Stop judging
- Give more credit, take less
- Be consistent
- Make decisions
- Show passion
- Take responsibility
- Care about people
- Live up to standards
- Show appreciation
- Be ethical
- Have courage
- Keep your promises
- Be respectful
Money may not buy love or happiness, and when it comes to leadership it doesn’t guarantee success. Organizations need leadership and it’s hard to put a price tag on culture.
Budget for What?
If you want to budget for employee of the month, the pizza party, and a night of bowling that is great. Those things sometimes help and they matter.
Budgeting for the video about your culture matters too, but it’s much less important than what you illustrate off camera.
The next time you’re struggling to balance the budget give extra consideration to the things that cost less but give more.
You might find that doing the right thing doesn’t really cost that much.
It pays.
– DEG
Originally posted on March 23, 2017, last updated on December 17, 2019.
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
