A senior leadership expert at Interaction Associates in an interesting article discusses the following four change leadership practices that you can learn from President Obama’s ability to generate change:
- Communicate Vigorously: “Strong messages are critical, especially in challenging times, and ones that balance hope with realism. Obama is striking that balance so far – and new leaders everywhere need to be conscious of it… Key in business: What core key messages can you narrow to and pursue vigorously, authentically, and in ways that build trust?”
- Emphasize Shared Responsibility: “Organizations work best when people truly own common goals and commit to their accomplishment. The critical role for a leader, especially in difficult times, must include showing people what unity looks like. Too often, leaders avoid the voices that are doubtful, afraid, angry, reluctant… Key in business: Are you opening two-way lines of communication in ways that will build strong trust? Don’t just say it, do it.”
- Avoid Group-Think: “Surround yourself with advisors capable of robust and energetic debate on the important issues central to your challenges… Key in business: Trust fades when opinions are silenced for the sake of expedient action. How are you balancing expediency with the need to balance input and hear from dissenting voices?”
- Seek Early Wins: “Initial victories build important momentum and sustain long-term strategy. They inspire confidence while moving a leader’s vision forward. Leaders are wise to seek early, quick successes in lighthouse projects that signal a way through treacherous waters… Key in business: How can you achieve early wins in lighthouse projects bringing together multi-disciplinary teams that yield quick results and provide a means for people finding new ways to work together?”
These four leadership practices are great principles which we can all use to drive change in our organisations.
Technorati Tags: Change, Leadership, Management, Business, Obama, Practices, Principles
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’ve often thought Obama’s performance thus far fit some of the leadership models discussed so often on the blogs.
Two more:
Own your failures – Failed cabinet nominees, “I screwed up.”
Manage expectations – Despite people portraying Obama as some kind of savior, he’ll be the first to say the stimulus bill might not work entirely as well as he hopes.