As a leader, the initial excitement of your position may have faded, and now you find yourself grappling with a long and complicated action item list. The truth is, most leaders don't receive adequate training for their role, and as a result, many workplaces end up diminishing in effectiveness.
Leadership, as defined by Peter Drucker and Warren Bennis, is about choosing the right course of action, while management is about ensuring things get done right. As a leader, you have numerous responsibilities, but it's crucial not to get caught up in the urgency of the moment and neglect the important fundamentals.
1. Encouraging Ideas from All Levels of the Organization Many leaders have a natural gift for sensing opportunities and possibilities for organizational growth. However, it's your responsibility to collect and assess ideas from throughout the organization.
2. Navigating Trends and the Evolving Horizon Monitoring trends, predictions, legislation, economic forecasts, and technological advancements is essential. Understanding the horizon helps you navigate the changes and challenges that may lie ahead.
3. Making Informed Decisions based on Organizational Capabilities An effective leader continuously assesses what the organization can and cannot do. Understanding the realistic capabilities of your team is crucial for making informed decisions.
An analogy to illustrate this is that of a river guide for a whitewater rafting company. Your main mission is to provide an enjoyable and safe journey for your guests. As you navigate the river, you keep a close eye on the river's conditions (the horizon) and the capabilities of your team (oarsmen). By acting wisely and making appropriate decisions, you ensure an enjoyable and safe trip for your guests. Neglecting to act appropriately, however, can quickly turn the journey into a nightmare.
To ensure ongoing success and organizational development, leaders must:
Encourage Idea Sharing and Open Dialogue: Sensibly share ideas with your team and encourage open communication.
Listen Actively and Value Input from Your Team: Pay attention to what your team is saying, and be open to receiving feedback.
Empower Your Team: Adapt your strategies based on the feedback you receive and the changing landscape.
Equip the organization as necessary: Provide your team with the necessary resources and support to excel.
Fostering passion-driven teams and a thriving organization requires sharing ideas, listening to feedback, and making adjustments accordingly. Guarding ideas too closely and dismissing feedback can lead to disconnection within the organization and a decrease in effectiveness.
Consider the river guide example once more: If you spot an obstacle ahead (monitoring the horizon) and shout a command to avoid it (a good idea), but your team informs you that their oars are broken (feedback), ignoring their input and pushing them to row regardless can quickly lead to a disaster.
Many leaders are gifted and enthusiastic, but they often overlook these fundamental responsibilities. Whether they get distracted by urgent matters or simply fail to prioritize these aspects, the result can be detrimental.
The bottom line is that monitoring ideas, the horizon, and the organization's capabilities, along with actively seeking feedback and adapting as needed, sets the stage for enduring success. Remember, you're either moving ahead or falling behind. By neglecting these fundamentals, you risk diminishing your organization's potential for growth and success. Embrace these core responsibilities, and you'll lead your team to thrive and achieve greatness.
