Leadership

Leadership is certainly both an art and a science - much has been written on the topic but understanding and application consistently fall short in most organizations. 


Perhaps a good place to start is to understand a few definitions that commonly muddy the water of understanding - Management, Leadership, Coaching, and Mentoring. All four roles may address matters of performance but there are important differences - differences that make a difference. 


Management is primarily focused on matters of command and control. It's about  performance optimization through delegation and accountability within existing, defined parameters, rules, and metrics for success. Its about getting the most of what already is - i.e. what's "in the box".


Leadership is primarily focused on matters of vision and change. Its about transformation from one reality to another. Its about new parameter, rules, metrics, and opportunity. Its about innovation - i.e. what's "outside of the box". 


Coaching is primarily focused on matters of performance ability to respond to an existing problem or challenge. Coaching has an agenda and is task oriented. Its priority is performance and style by leveraging one's own resources.  It's a job.


Mentoring is primarily focused on matters of affirmation/nurturing/counseling an individual with less knowledgeable or experience. Mentoring does not have an agenda and is learning oriented. Its a self-selecting relationship.


There is a common denominator amongst these four roles, it is trust. Without trust all four roles will be compromised and results limited.


Trust has three elements - Integrity (do what you say you will do and behaving in a consistent and coherent fashion); Results (producing deliverables and value); and showing concern for others (putting others ahead of self). Too often these four roles are undermined by a lack of trust. When that happens there can not be honest discussion, commitment, accountability,or results.


With these understandings as a simple foundation, we will consider insights on leadership in the upcoming posts.


All the Best!


Bob


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Performance Builders