Decipher the Stone - Principle-Centered Leadership - part #2

When committing oneself to the pathway of being a principle-centered leader so that your organization is more nimble, flexible and agile over the coming two years, there are four key steps to take.

First, you must become 100% focused on building and maintaining relationships. Over the years, I have learned that organizational change is the sum of individual change. And for this to take place, people need to feel supported, respected, and understood. People in leadership do this by learning to listen to understand rather than being understood, paraphrasing an old Covey concept.  The best principle-centered leaders I have met also recognize the difference between ability and attitude problems, and are clear about their expectations.

Second, these same leaders are exceptional at setting priorities and helping others to do likewise. When they do this in combination with routine goal setting, they empower people to make the right decisions for the right reasons.

Third, principle-centered leaders are addicted to learning about themselves and others. They do not slip into patterns of self-deception. Instead, they are humble enough to admit mistakes and the lessons learned from the mistakes. They frame this as learning opportunities and the building blocks of character.

Finally, they do not hesitate to celebrate success and progress, plus lessons from failure. While some may see this as silly and inconsequential, principle-centered leaders understand the relationship between clarity, commitment and confidence. Building all three is critical to successful organizational change.

This week, reflect on the above four key steps and evaluate how well you are doing each one. Then, make a plan to get better at all of them.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

An Addiction to Reading

Every week, I visit with people in senior leadership positions. Sometimes we do this over the phone and some days we meet in their office. When ever I am in the office of a strategic leader, I can guarantee you that there will be a shelf filled with an excellent collection of books. Some are new and others are classics. All are well worn and continually referenced. This is because strategic leaders are addicted to learning and in particular reading. 

Many years ago when preparing to teach the first From Vision to Action Leadership Training, I started asking very good senior leaders what they were reading and what had helped them over the course of their career to become an effective senior leader. Time and time again, the same books kept showing up on the list. These titles became the foundation for the first set of selected readings for the From Vision to Action Leadership Training.

Since then, I have continued to explore with senior leaders what they are reading. And as before, the same books and the same authors keep showing up on the list. Over the years, I have modified the readings for the From Vision to Action Leadership Training based on this on-going conservation. 

But before, you rush out to purchase all of the latest best selling books so you can become a better leader, the key here today is to realize that highly effective leaders want to read. They are genuinely interested in learning more and reading is one critical way they do it.

This week, commit to reading a new book each month. By the end of 2014, you will be a better and wiser leader. 

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257