Great leadership is the key to success. Great communication is the key to great leadership. Think of any great leader of modern times: Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy immediately springs to mind. They were powerful leaders because they could inspire people to follow them. It was their ability to articulate their vision that enabled them to achieve their goals.
In your organization, you need to be a leader who inspires the team to great heights. To get them to follow you, make sure they listen to your values and your vision, then create the right environment for them to thrive and grow.
Values
When I mention values, they all nod their heads as if of course, Kerri, that's obvious. But when I look at this article, I find that the last time they discussed their values - personal and work - was with their team, often in the interview before their people were even hired.
In order to lead effectively, you need to be clear about your personal values and the values of your organization. For example, can you think of answers to these questions?
Personally:
1. What do you stand for?
2. What is most important to you?
3. What would you like your life to show?
4. What is your personal mission in life?
Professionally:
1. What do you stand for?
2. What are you willing to do to get new business?
3. What are you not willing to do?
4. Do you have a professional mission statement?
Quality leaders do not change their values over time or to achieve short-term success. An organization's consistent core value systems form a solid foundation for long-term success.
A simple definition is that your values are the rules by which you play the game. A well-defined value system makes all decisions easier and encourages your team to go where you lead.
Vision
It's easy to say that you have a vision for your business. It is your lifeblood. You know it inside out. Enrollment is the next step. Broad sharing with your team is also essential. More importantly, your business vision must provide a unified picture so that everyone on the team—regardless of job function—can see exactly where you're going and how important their role is in achieving that goal. Therefore, the clearer the concept and the clearer (i.e. short and simple) the message, the more likely you and your team will achieve the goal. Your vision must answer three questions. And these three questions must be answered by everyone on the team.
1. What do we do?
2. How we do it
3. Who are we doing this for?
As Jim Collins shows in his book From Good to Great, this is not a 30-minute, one-session exercise. This requires 100% participation. It cannot be a top-down decision. It must be iterative and inclusive.
Environment
Andrew Carnegie said, “You must capture and hold the heart of the original and most capable man before his brain does its best. When you understand what's at the core of your team members, you can serve them and enable them to reach their full potential. Appreciate their uniqueness. Your team members are your internal customers. You must treat them at least as well as your external customers. This is the highest level of customer service.
Create the right work environment and you will have loyal team members to lead. This means you need to create a work environment that respects each person, values and rewards their efforts, and encourages openness to change. Make it a safe environment that encourages trying new ideas. When you unleash personal creativity, every team member has a stake in the outcome. It is an environment that supports growth at all levels. Combine all three elements and you have a formula for inspiring greatness and leading to breakthrough success. Do it now!
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