 We live in a time of significant change that creates both challenge and opportunity for all of us. Many of the long established beliefs and rules that have guided our society as well as our relationships are now being questioned. Technology, social change, global warming, the impending scarcity of natural resources, shifts in the rules and principles that guide our economy, and a dramatically changing workforce combine to create a state of uncertainty. Whether we as people, as companies, as a country and as a society emerge stronger or less capable depends on the decisions we make and the way in which we communicate and implement those decisions. This is the essence of leadership.
But leadership goes beyond that of position. “Positional leadership” is defined by the question “Who’s in charge?” “Who has the title or authority to make decisions?” While all formal organizations have leaders by position, the act of leadership can and should be found at all levels of an organization. The real leadership driving an organization may not be the person at the top of the pyramid but someone else whose influence drives decision-making and captivates and inspires others.
The act of leadership can be defined by three words: vision, alignment, and deployment. Leaders create a vision, a picture of the future. Then they build commitment or alignment from others to that vision. Finally, they make the key resource deployment decisions necessary for the fulfillment of that vision. All other activities essential to successful execution are the realm of management.
Leaders have four core attributes that enable them to be effective.
We require competence from our leaders. That does not mean that they have to know the details of every job in their organization or how to do it. But they must have a deep understanding of the business they are leading, its environment, its drivers and how to impact it. They must also have competence in the act of leadership itself. We expect our leaders to know what they are talking about, to have done their homework, to listen and take advice from those who have valuable inputs, and then to act with an understanding of their decisions as well as both the intended and unintended consequences of those decisions.
Leaders must live their vision through personal example. They must exemplify the values and behaviors they want for their organizations and for others. This requires an integrated value system manifested through personal integrity in which intention, thought, word and deed are fully aligned. A value system is not the same as an ideology. People driven by ideologies are fundamentalists – they believe that they know what is right whether or not evidence supports the truth of their beliefs. Fundamentalists remain inflexible regardless of outcomes or consequences. Leaders driven by core values are different. They have a deep set of values that create the filters through which they view the world. But they also examine the world with flexibility, recognizing when even deeply held beliefs may no longer be valid based on changing circumstances. Leaders have the ability to display the courage of their convictions, and the flexibility to change those convictions when proven wrong. They act with honesty, openness and a humility that demonstrates they are driven more by the achievement of their vision than by their own ego. When individuals have a defined set of values, act in the service of others, communicate openly and honestly, and remain sufficiently flexible to be influenced by reality they demonstrate the character that inspires others to follow them.
Leaders demonstrate a commitment to their vision through their words and their deeds. The commitment they seek from others is based on the rightness of their direction, not on personal loyalty, political expediency, or personal gain. Commitment to a vision that embraces others and seeks to create the greatest good for all becomes infectious. Leaders who demonstrate this level of commitment to their vision, their values and to the constancy of their purpose demand a similar commitment from those around them…and they get it.
Leaders are effective communicators. Their communication style is irrelevant. Some leaders are charismatic, others are soft-spoken. Regardless of style, they have two key attributes. First, they deliver their message clearly, succinctly, and with sufficient depth so that others know what they mean. Second, they understand that effective communication is a two way street. They actively solicit feedback and listen carefully to it. They engage in true dialogue – communication for mutual understanding. The essence of communications is effective listening. Truly listening to another person demonstrates the highest form of respect for them.
This question is asked all the time, and the answer is yes…and no.Some aspects of leadership come from the depths of our life experience as well as the genes with which we are endowed. We cannot make someone smarter. We can help individuals acquire more knowledge and develop more skills, but we cannot fundamentally alter the internal processing chip that defines our raw mental capabilities. Our value systems are developed through many years of influence and experience. These can only change when we are confronted with deep life experiences that force us to re-consider those core beliefs. These aspects of leadership are difficult to develop or change.
Yet there are many other aspects of leadership that can be developed. We can increase our emotional intelligence and improve our understanding of ourselves and of others. We can develop our communication and interpersonal skills. We can learn strategic and organizational skills. There is much within the framework of leadership that can be developed.
These core concepts are expanded significantly through many articles available in the Free Resources section of my website: www.worksystems.com. I invite you to visit and enjoy them.
To learn how to apply your leadership skills with others you may want to read my most recent book “Energizing Workplace Performance” now available on my website.
For the past seven years I have been conducting a semi-annual Leadership Development Program in Jacksonville, FL. Registration is open for the next program that will begin in October, 2007. If you are interested in learning more about this program go to www.worksystems.com , find the Products menu and then click on LDP.
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