Are you really effective as a leader? How do you know? Strong
leaders ask themselves this question frequently. It is one of the
traits that effective leaders have in common: they realize that
their "winning formula" for leadership last year
may be obsolete this year. Good leadership is measured by the specific
variables and situations that you face at any given moment.
So, in times of rapid change, what can leaders
do to continually develop? Based on my work in coaching top level
executives, I have learned about some of the key "ways of
leadership."
Leadership means "managing attention."
Here is a simple but highly valuable insight: A leader's main job is to align
everyone's attention with the group's intention. The leader
needs to develop the skill to focus each team member's energy on the group
goal; and to reduce all activities that do not support the goal. The key
skill set required is knowing how to manage attention: your own
and others. (The skill of "Managing Attention" is a whole
seminar. Call me if you are interested.)
It takes courage to decide to lead.
Being a leader is a conscious decision you make. You do not need to wait
for an invitation to contribute. Just decide how your skills can improve
things and get in there. If you are waiting to be promoted or waiting for
the opportunity, you are still "waiting." Develop the courage
to create a place for yourself and your talents.
Perform "with" people vs. perform "for" people.
If you are leading large numbers of people through times of change, you'll
need to really get this distinction. It is more important to "connect" with
people and build solid alliances than it is to try to perform perfectly
for them. The higher level of staff productivity that we need today won't
be gained without inspiration. Get close enough to people to find out what
makes them tick. Intensify relationships in cross-functional ways. New
solutions come from "masterminding" not the Lone Ranger.
Break out of your Best Identity.
Re-create yourself and your leadership style every day. You cannot solve
new problems viewing them through the identity you built for yourself yesterday.
This takes personal confidence to step into a broader identity of who you
are and create answers from that expanded place. Be willing to risk the
reaction of others. What would be possible for you to achieve if you saw
yourself as the next CEO?
