Are you a champion? Not in the Rocky Balboa sort of way
(so stop the music so you won’t be humming that tune all day long) but in the
leadership sort of way. You know, stepping up and making something happen because
it’s important to you and to others. It’s a dimension of leadership that true
leaders embrace.

While you can’t champion everything, you have to champion
something. It’s your leadership responsibility for being or aspiring to be a
partner. Sorry, no bench-sitters. Everyone has to be in the game. And half-hearted
efforts aren’t acceptable and don’t count.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be something new and novel,
but something that is important to do. And it isn’t something that gets
assigned to you, or you’ll never find the time to do it. Your “assignment” will
fail, dragging you down with it.

One partner I know is championing a business development
effort in his firm. He challenged each of his colleagues to make time every
week during tax season to connect with referral sources, identify additional
opportunities with clients and follow up on leads for new clients. He sends out
a weekly email reminding everyone of the challenge, providing a humorous or motivational
story and highlighting the efforts and successes of other partners. No
arm-twisting; just keeping it in front of them.

He said that some like the challenge; others don’t. Some
ignore it. Regardless, he’s championing something that is important and has
value to the firm. It’s too early to measure his results, but that’s not
important at this point. He’s exerting courage, perseverance and a willingness
to put himself on the line to make something happen. In the end, more business
will be generated than if he sat back and did nothing.

This is a good week to step up and champion something or
renew your efforts to something you’ve already taken on. Put yourself out there
and be a leader others want to follow.