Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with someone who was new to senior level leadership. I was there to assist them during their transition to this new position. During our first visit, they asked me what they needed to do during their first one hundred days. While I could have offered numerous insights, I instead focused on just three.
As I explained that morning, “there are three things that great leaders do whether or not they are in their first one hundred days or their last one hundred days before retirement.
First, they hold the center. This is not a metaphorical action but a focused understanding that at the center of every great organization is a strategic nexus. This core is the combination of the mission, vision and core values and a strategic plan. The former is a non-negotiable set of parameters which defines what we do, why we do it and how we do it every day. It’s the foundation for everything. The purpose of the mission, vision and core values is to be a line of continuity through endless changes. The purpose of the later, namely the strategic plan, is to constantly stimulate progress. It is to push the organization out of complacency and to create a focused course of action. The unity of the two creates the capacity to rise to any and all challenges, be they adaptive, technical or a crisis.
Second, great leaders explore the edges. They understand that creative thinking begins at the edges of normal day to day operations. It starts with an individual or team who chooses to focus on emerging problems and needs of the customers or clients they serve. Once they understand these new and emerging needs, they then develop new solutions rather than just pushing the same products and services that existing customers are using. They are on the growing edge of successful evolution. And great leaders spend time understanding what they have discovered and figuring out how to scale it up.
Third, great leaders respect the chair. When one becomes a senior leader, we recognize that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. We are not the first person in the position and we will not be the last. We are merely stewards. And therefore we must respect the work of those who came before us and work in a respectful manner so that those who will follow us have the opportunity to do it even better. For when we respect the chair, we understand that the majority of our day to day work is to solve problems and to build capacity. In short, the work of a great leader is to create more great leaders. Because with an expanding pool of talent, any organization can grow operationally and strategically.
Being a leader is an exciting adventure. There will always be something new, different and challenging every day. The goal is to do your best every day. And this begins with holding the center, exploring the edges, and respecting the chair.”
This week, I encourage you to do likewise.
No comments:
Post a Comment