what you don't get to do

People in positions of leadership and responsibility get to do a lot of really cool things - but today's list is about things that you DON'T get to do when you are in such a role:

1. You don't get to sleep in often - the quietest part of the day is early morning, so it is a great time to catch up on emails and other asundry items.
2. You don't get to ignore emails and phone calls - a friend of mine once said that people who do not answer their emails or phone calls within 24 hours are acting immature (or something like that).
3. You don't get to make your opinion known publicly - just because you think you are right, does not mean that you get to say it out loud in front of a group - think before speaking, and then decide to go to the person in private.
4. You don't get to dress down - as the public face of an institution, you need to look the part (though what that entails will change from institution to institution).
5. You don't get to play to your natural abilities - this is especailly true if you are naturally reclusive...leaders need to get out of their office and be seen.
6. You don't get to gripe about others publicly (see #3) - be careful what you say...and to whom you say it. Know to whom you can gripe - and keep that circle of trust limited.
7. You don't get to have a bad day - people look to you to set the tone and mood of the institution...if you are having a bad day, fake it publicly and talk about it with that small group of colleagues (see #6).
8. You don't get to not prepare for a meeting - if you have called the meeting, then you better be prepared and have an agenda that has been sent out beforehand.
9. You don't get to waste other people's time (see #8) - people are busy (and the people who report to you SHOULD be busy), so keep it succint and to the point.
10. You don't get to be late for meetings (see #'s 8 and 9) - you're in charge...you set the tone...you demand excellence...so be on time.
11. You don't get to be unorganized (see #'s 8, 9, and 10) - if you are naturally this way, use your administrative assistant, another colleague, or your Outlook to keep you organized. Again, you set the tone!

Any others to add? And by the way, just to remind you, there are A LOT of really cool things you DO get to do - but I'll save that list for another time.