LEADERSHIP: IT'S WHAT YOU DO THAT COUNTS

Published: 2007-02-27   please add a comment below

Action is the language of leadership.  As elsewhere in life, it's what you do that counts.  Yes, you need to meet with people and talk a lot.  But, the bottom line is "walking the talk."  Action, not theory. 

And, your leadership actions need to address all aspects of organisational performance.  The "hard" issues of goals, budgets and technical standards.  But also the "soft" ones of fairness and teamwork.  And, many of us (and I’m in this group) often find the "soft" ones harder!  We build our business or career on technical skill.  Forgetting too often that sustainability requires people and their commitment.

Contrary to current fashion, there is no universally best or right way to lead.  Many sought-after leaders are neither "nice" nor "easy."  Others are great with people, but technically weak.  But, people follow both types.  Why?  Because on balance, each can be worth following.

The challenge for each of us it to improve our leadership effectiveness - and that is possible.  But, how?

There are many tools in the market, which will evaluate or categorise you as a leader or manager.  Slotting you into a "quartile" or labelling you an "XYZ type".  But, what about those needed actions - the language of leadership?  How do we answer the questions in our followers' minds?  Where are we going?  And, can we do it?

Let's take the second question: Can we do it?  Here are three proven actions.  Driving execution through relentless focus on high priority tasks.  Taking charge and encouraging others to do the same.  Allocating resources to the priority tasks.

If you really want the actions that answer your followers' questions, here's how!

Dr. Timothy Pascoe AM
PhD (Cambridge), MBA (Harvard), BE & BEc (Adelaide)
Creator, V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership^®