How About Leading for a Change?

It's at times like this that we need leadership more than ever. The doom mongers are out and about and, boy, are they having a good time! I am constantly surprised by how much satisfaction and even enjoyment some people seem to be able to get from the misery of the world.

And let me tell you this, it's catching! And heaven help you if you work for a leadership that is that way inclined.

Of course there's always another way of looking at things and over the course of the next few months I'm going to share with you my thoughts on leadership and, from my twenty or so years of working alongside some terrific leaders, I'm going to equip you with a whole array of strategies and techniques that will enable you to:

• Lead your organisation or team more effectively
• Steal a march on your competitors
• Get more productivity out of your people
• Build a highly motivated team that achieves more than you thought possible
• Be in pole position to take advantage of the good times when they do come along
• Learn the secrets of the most successful leaders and how those secrets can help you to deliver exceptional performance
• Understand the strategies for sparking real, long lasting motivation in the members of your team

The result? A more productive, dynamic and PROFITABLE business! Interested? Let's go!

What Is Leadership?

If you're coming on this journey with me, then I think it's only fair that I pin my colours to the mast so that you know who you're travelling with.

There are probably more books written on Leadership than on any other business based subject. There are two hundred and seven theories, six hundred and twelve models and in excess of forty-two thousand leadership profiles. Actually, I'm guessing but I'm probably not far off.

If this tells us anything, it tells us that there is no one way. And that tells me that Leadership is a very personal affair. For me Leadership is an 'inside out' thing. And all the great leaders that I have worked with - and, by the way, you don't have to be well known to be great - have something unmistakeable about them. We're going to explore what that is and you'll have the chance to find out for yourself.

For me, Field Marshal Lord Slim summed it up brilliantly:

"Leadership is of the spirit, compounded by personality and vision. Its practice is an art. Management is of the mind, more a matter of accurate calculation of statistics, of methods, timetables and routines. Its practice is a science. Managers are necessary. Leaders are essential."

So, to great leaders, and I really don't mean the names that immediately spring to mind; Churchill, Ghandi, Mother Theresa, George W Bush(!), etc. I mean those leaders who I have met; John who runs a production line in a motor company, Margaret who leads a team in a supermarket, Sharon who leads a sales team in the IT industry, Adrian the MD of a multi-national media company.

It is also worth taking note of the results of a survey conducted by The Industrial Society some years ago that found that 81% of admired leaders in the workplace were not in formal positions of authority. So leadership exists everywhere. We know it when we see it and we are inexorably drawn towards it. What makes these leaders great? Their people will tell you; their people who would walk over the edge of a cliff for them, who stay late because there's one last thing to do to ensure the customer gets what they need, who know that their contribution is prized and recognised and who know exactly what they need to do to ensure the success of the business. So, the question then arises; what do great leaders do?

Leaders make a difference

Great global leaders like Nelson Mandela create change. Indeed, Mandela changed the way the world looked at itself. Those nearer to home make a difference too, perhaps not as profound, but a difference none the less. Just ask the people who work with them.

Leaders challenge the process

They search for opportunities to change the status quo, they look for innovative ways to improve things. They experiment and take risks and, since risk involves mistakes and failure, leaders accept the inevitable disappointments as learning opportunities.

Leaders inspire a shared vision

They envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organisation or team, can become and get people to see the exciting future possibilities.

Leaders enable others to act

They foster collaboration and build spirited teams. They actively involve others and they strive to create an atmosphere of trust. They strengthen others by sharing information and providing choice. They give their own power away, making each person feel capable and powerful.

Leaders model the way

They set an example for others to follow. They establish values about how colleagues and customers should be treated. They minimise bureaucracy, put up signposts and create opportunities for victory.

Leaders encourage the heart

Getting extraordinary things done in organisations is hard work. To keep hope and determination alive, leaders recognise contributions that individuals make in the climb to the top. And, because every winning team needs to share in the rewards of team efforts, leaders celebrate accomplishments.
Kouzes & Posner: The Leadership Challenge (2007)

What Kind of a Leader Are You?

Great Leaders are easy to spot as are the effects of their leadership. They're like the great brands of the world, instantly recognisable, trusted and valued. So, here are my first questions for you. What is your brand? And how would I recognise it?

So, we've begun our journey. Next time we're going to explore the five Levels of Leadership Influence so that you can begin to develop a powerful strategy to become an even more effective leader than you are already.

Original article courtesy of and copyright of Tim Fearon. For more information visit www.TheExtraordinaryCoachingCompany.com or email tim@extraordinarycoach.co.uk

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