How to Be All In

Download the How To Be All In Resource

Don’t wait until your boss strikes up a new initiative to be engaged. You can communicate engagement right now. Print out this PDF resource and work through it yourself or give copies to your team. Select one or two items to work on. Assess what do you already do well. What do you need to work on? Challenge yourself or others to practice some of these things. Take the initiative to stay engaged and let authorities know you are faithfully leading in your role.

10 Ways to Communicate You Are All In

Don’t wait until your boss strikes up a new initiative to be engaged. You can communicate engagement right now. The 10 dichotomies are listed below:

1. “I WANT TO” VS. “I’M WILLING TO”
   • Saying you “want to…” communicates you believe it is a privilege to serve.
   • Saying you are “willing to…” communicates you believe it is a burden to serve.

2. FIND SOLUTIONS VS. FIND PROBLEMS
   • Anyone can point out problems. Leaders also propose solutions.
   • To show you're engaged, come up with solutions to communicate resourcefulness and initiative.

3. GIVE ENERGY VS. TAKE ENERGY
   • Positivity and optimism energize others and show engagement.
   • Negativity and pessimism drain others and communicate disinterest.

4. WE VS. ME
   • Pronoun usage matters. Leaders prioritize using “we” over “me.”
   • Using “we” communicates an interest in the organization and mission.

5. WHAT IF VS. WHY NOT
   • Curiosity communicates engagement. Focus on what might be possible, not on what isn’t.
   • Always pointing out why ideas won’t work will inevitably frustrate your authority.

6. ANTICIPATE VS. REACT
   • Engaged people anticipate what's needed and try to get out in front of it.
   • Reactivity requires motivation and often adds things to your boss’s workload.

7. TIMELY INTELLIGENCE VS. SURPRISES
   • Authorities do not want to find out about things last minute.
   • Generously sharing information and avoiding surprises communicates engagement.

8. GRATITUDE VS. ENTITLEMENT
   • Refusing to say “thank you” communicates entitlement.
   • Thanking your boss communicates honor and respect.

9. GET IT DONE VS. NEEDS REMINDING
   • Requiring people to constantly follow-up with you does not build trust.
   • Do what you say you are going to do and if you fail to do so, work on communicating in advance.

10. DECREASE STRESS VS. AMPLIFY STRESS
    • Bosses do not want to manage or solve your stress.
    • Communicate engagement by reminding others that things will work out.

Bonus: DON'T LET YOUR BOSS CATCH YOU ON LINKEDIN