This is the first of a series of articles I intend to write about
how you can make a bigger difference as a leader. It's based upon the
brilliant Leadership framework: Future Engage Deliver. Steve Radcliffe
came up with the concept and wrote a number 1 bestselling book:
Leadership Plain and Simple.
I'd highly recommend this book if you are interested in pushing your leadership forward.
Firstly I want to take you through a topic that's very close to my heart: How Big Are Your Relationships?
Steve refers to a simple and powerful model of leadership known as the results to relationship triangle. In its simplest form, the strength of the results you achieve is in proportion to the strength of the relationships you have. So if you are not hitting the targets and outcome you have planned then quite simply you have not built strength in the relationships.
We spend so much time focusing on the 'what' needs to be done - making plans, confirming actions, owners and accountability. Great leaders are also skilled at engaging people in the 'why' - sharing the future vision, possibilities and opportunities. These are all fantastic tools and strengths to have. But it's not enough.
Yet, time and time again, in my experience, leaders suffer because they are not investing the time in the relationships. This means getting to know the person behind their job title. Leaders get caught up in the to do list. The never ending amount of problems to be solved, issues to be resolved, customers to respond to.
By investing time in building relationships you will ultimately shortcut the system. Taking time to get to know the hobbies, interests, background, home life of those that matter is absolutely essential.
Building strong relationships means galvanising others to believe in us and the futures we want to create. Relationships give us meaning and richness to our work and to our lives. Building relationships must be the groundwork you do before any new project, initiative, team build, etc.
I was so impressed with a female leader who joined a new team. She asked for her diary to be cleared for one week during her first couple of months. She told each of her team that she had a morning or afternoon free just for them. The agenda was anything they wanted it to be, but needed to include insights about them. What or who inspired them? What did they really care about? How could she be a great boss?
Another leader I interviewed just last week told me that she puts aside 2 mornings / afternoons aside every week. This is for drop in for staff to come and speak with her. She also put together a short weekly ezine for her team. A few short paragraphs about her week and things going on in the business. She had terrific engagement scores.
'Homework'
Here's what you can do over the next couple of weeks to build strong relationships. Create 2 lists. The first one is - the people I have a strong relationship with. The second - the people who I need to get my work done more easily / effectively. And then decide what you are going to do. Write down the specific things you are going to do to rebuild those relationships.
I'd highly recommend this book if you are interested in pushing your leadership forward.
Firstly I want to take you through a topic that's very close to my heart: How Big Are Your Relationships?
Steve refers to a simple and powerful model of leadership known as the results to relationship triangle. In its simplest form, the strength of the results you achieve is in proportion to the strength of the relationships you have. So if you are not hitting the targets and outcome you have planned then quite simply you have not built strength in the relationships.
We spend so much time focusing on the 'what' needs to be done - making plans, confirming actions, owners and accountability. Great leaders are also skilled at engaging people in the 'why' - sharing the future vision, possibilities and opportunities. These are all fantastic tools and strengths to have. But it's not enough.
Yet, time and time again, in my experience, leaders suffer because they are not investing the time in the relationships. This means getting to know the person behind their job title. Leaders get caught up in the to do list. The never ending amount of problems to be solved, issues to be resolved, customers to respond to.
By investing time in building relationships you will ultimately shortcut the system. Taking time to get to know the hobbies, interests, background, home life of those that matter is absolutely essential.
Building strong relationships means galvanising others to believe in us and the futures we want to create. Relationships give us meaning and richness to our work and to our lives. Building relationships must be the groundwork you do before any new project, initiative, team build, etc.
I was so impressed with a female leader who joined a new team. She asked for her diary to be cleared for one week during her first couple of months. She told each of her team that she had a morning or afternoon free just for them. The agenda was anything they wanted it to be, but needed to include insights about them. What or who inspired them? What did they really care about? How could she be a great boss?
Another leader I interviewed just last week told me that she puts aside 2 mornings / afternoons aside every week. This is for drop in for staff to come and speak with her. She also put together a short weekly ezine for her team. A few short paragraphs about her week and things going on in the business. She had terrific engagement scores.
'Homework'
Here's what you can do over the next couple of weeks to build strong relationships. Create 2 lists. The first one is - the people I have a strong relationship with. The second - the people who I need to get my work done more easily / effectively. And then decide what you are going to do. Write down the specific things you are going to do to rebuild those relationships.
Sandra Green is the founder of Sandra Green Consulting Ltd - a
company focused on supporting professionals around the world with the
tools to achieve outstanding career success.
While Sandra is best known for her expertise in executive coaching, her clients share that her biggest impact comes from her philosophy of "leading the life you were meant to lead with the gifts you were uniquely given". This is the most important key to achieving career success and lasting fulfilment to both work and home.
More recently Sandra has been supporting women leaders with their career ambitions. You can learn more about Sandra at her website: http://www.handbagsintheboardroom.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Z_Green
While Sandra is best known for her expertise in executive coaching, her clients share that her biggest impact comes from her philosophy of "leading the life you were meant to lead with the gifts you were uniquely given". This is the most important key to achieving career success and lasting fulfilment to both work and home.
More recently Sandra has been supporting women leaders with their career ambitions. You can learn more about Sandra at her website: http://www.handbagsintheboardroom.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Z_Green
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