Ignite! Newsletter—January 2010 Article
Setting a Leadership Point of View for Yourself and Your Organisation.
While 2009 was a year for holding on in Ireland and worldwide, 2010 may end up shaping up to be a year of alignment and execution. The changing economic landscape has caused just about every organisation to stop and re-examine their business, identifying what is critical and what isn't.
As leaders look forward to implementing new strategies in 2010, it is important to remind people of the organisation's overall purpose and vision for the future. Now more than ever, leaders need to paint a picture for their people of where the organisation is heading, why this is important, and how everyone will get there together.
"Without a compelling vision and clear goals, your leadership really doesn't matter," explains Ken Blanchard. "Leadership is about going somewhere. Your people need to know what vision they're executing against, and who their leader is. Is this someone I want to follow?"
Creating a Clear and Compelling Vision.
One of the things that Blanchard cautions leaders about as they begin the process of creating and articulating a clear plan for moving forward is to make sure that the vision setting process is seen as something more than just a word game. Employees can sometimes be skeptical when you're talking about mission, vision, values, etc.
When companies take it seriously, though, a clear vision can create an enduring picture of the future that drives business results. Blanchard recommends that leaders start by answering some basic questions: What are we trying to do? How will we make a difference?
Next Blanchard recommends focusing on your customer: What do they need? What do they want from doing business with you? What do you hope that they get out of it?
"At some of the most successful businesses, including South West Airlines in US, for example," explains Blanchard, "They believe that they're in the customer service business?and that they just happen to fly airplanes."
It's a simple, powerful statement that reminds everyone at Southwest that customer service is the foundation of their organisation in a way that is memorable. And when you add in Southwest's values of warrior spirit, servant heart, and a fun-loving attitude, you have all of the ingredients for a vision and values that can guide behaviour among employees and with customers.
Do Your Leaders Personify Your Organisation's Culture?
In addition to the role they play in the setting of vision, leaders must ?walk the talk? when it comes to living the values. Nothing will kill a new initiative faster than seeing senior leaders behave in ways that are inconsistent with the organisation?s stated values.
At Southwest Airlines, founder and CEO Herb Kelleher made sure that the culture of spirit, service, and fun would continue after he decided to step down. So he turned to longtime Corporate Secretary Colleen Barrett as his replacement to lead the organisation. Kelleher did not want someone to come in and change the vision and values of the company. He wanted somebody who would continue to implement and live the values that had already been created.
As Blanchard explains, "Part of the reason that he went to Colleen is that her whole leadership point of view was consistent with the Southwest culture." So much so, in fact, that as Barrett shared with Blanchard for an upcoming book the two of them are working on, "I don?t know where Southwest begins and I end?or vice versa. It is who I am."
What Do You Believe about Leadership?
Walking the talk means making sure that your own beliefs match up with the beliefs and culture of your organisation. And while Blanchard believes that a foundation of all great leadership is a servant heart, the key success factor for all leaders is creating a level of transparency with others in the organisation.
When leaders share a little bit about themselves it gives employees insight, confidence, and connection with a leader that builds trust. It also lets people know where the leader stands and what they can expect from him or her. To help with the process, Blanchard suggests that leaders think about - and be prepared to answer four questions about their leadership point of view:
By sharing a little bit of themselves, leaders can provide employees with a glimpse into what they believe and what drives them. For leaders and employees, it can be emotional sometimes.
As Blanchard recalls, "I remember back when a CEO was sharing his leadership point of view. I was sitting in the back of the room. He got really emotional while speaking. He was sharing about his family and the impact that they had on him."
After he had finished, the CEO asked for feedback, not sure what people would think. He was pleasantly surprised when people told him, "We think we've gotten to know the person who is behind the position. You were willing to share some vulnerability - which we haven't seen in the past - and that feels good."
Leaders who share a piece of themselves build trust among employees. When leaders don't share, people respond by holding back parts of themselves as well. Today, organisations need a deeper level of trust and collaboration. When leaders share their leadership point of view it opens up the lines of communication and people realise that they can share too.
Developing a Leadership Point of View?Personally and Organisationally
For companies that don't have a corporate vision in place for the coming year, it's important to get started right away deciding where you want to go and what you want to do.
Creating a compelling vision explains who you are, where you are going, and what will guide your behaviours. Leaders can encourage the process by following a couple of key steps including identifying and sharing their own personal vision. It's a "leading by example" strategy that will get everyone moving in the right direction.
Read another aricle on creating your Own Leadership Point of view.
Would you like to learn more about creating and communicating a personal and organisational vision?
Then join us for a free webinar with Ken Blanchard!
From Recovery to Prosperity: The Power of Vision and Leadership.
Tuesday, January 19, 5 - 6 pm Ireland Time.
In this special two-part webinar designed for existing and aspiring executive leaders, Ken Blanchard will personally show you that creating a clear and inspiring vision is not an activity that can be checked off a list. It's one of the most critical ongoing roles of a successful leader. It means the difference between high and average performance, whether it's an entire organization, a department, or a team.