My friend Jill has a new boss at the executive level. An outside hire, this new VP is finding her place with a new job within a new organization.

As she transitions, one of her most important tasks is discovering the resources available to her and using them effectively.

Leaders must use available resources wisely and efficiently in order to meet their personal and professional objectives. We all have different resources available to us.

We all have personal resources: our individual talent, experiences, and strengths. Leading begins with knowing and using all of our own inner abilities.

We have financial resources: money allocated in our organization’s budget. The new VP I mentioned must work within the budget created by her predecessor. As she begins to lead her new department, she is constrained by the resources in that budget. As she gets to know her budget, she will be able to make adjustments and make plans for the future.

We have human resources: the people we work with: individuals with unique talent, abilities, experience, and creativity. New leaders need to take the time to get to know their team members so they can be sure that their strengths are used fully.

Even if you are not a new leader, you may find it helpful to take some time to do an inventory of your resources. Are you using them effectively? If not, how can you leverage under-utilized resources more effectively?

This was originally posted at Mountain State University LeaderTalk and is reposted with permission.