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Talking Technology By Steve Burns, Capital News contributor The issue of leadership has been an interest of mine for years. Lately, I have been looking more closely at the issue of leadership and how it impacts our businesses. So what does it take to be an effective leader of your business? My research has uncovered some interesting findings: Leadership is critical to your business' success. It is likely no surprise to all of us that research shows that well over 50 per cent of the success of a business can be tied directly to effective leadership. Leaders must not only articulate a vision for their company but they must also live their core values and integrate them into their daily life. As Carol Stephenson, former telecom executive said, “It's not enough to post your core values in the staff lounge. Core values must be lived by every employee, especially the leader. Everyone watches the leader – they look to them to show the way.” Leaders are not “born” but made. According to the latest leadership research, the idea that leaders are born and not made is a myth. According to an extensive research study conducted by Warren Bennis and Robert J. Thomas, most leaders credit a life-changing, transformational experience with getting them to improve their leadership skills. In their new book on leadership entitled Geeks and Geezers, in which they performed a cross-generational study of 45 leaders, they sum up their findings this way: “The one key asset that all leaders share, whether young or old, is their adaptive ability—their ability to process new experiences, to find their meaning and to integrate them deeply into one's life is the signature skill of a leader and indeed anyone who finds ways to live fully and well.” Leaders are not always charismatic. According to the research conducted by Jim Collins for his book entitled Good to Great, the leaders of “great” companies are quietly focussed on achieving their vision for their firms. They don't need the limelight and, as Collins describes them, are “a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.” They produce results but are often quick to credit others. Leaders are servants first. Servant-leadership is a practical philosophy which supports people who choose to serve first, and then lead as a way of expanding their service to others. What is striking is that servant-leaders may or may not hold formal leadership positions. In his book entitled Servant as Leader, Robert Greenleaf says “the difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-leader. Their first priority is to make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served.” We all can be informal leaders. I recently enjoyed the book entitled 1001 Ways to Take Initiative at Work by Bob Nelson. He sums up leadership this way “Anyone in an organization can be a leader. Sometimes the most effective leaders are the informal leaders, the individuals without the title.” Assuming that you could use some “leadership improvement”, give some thought to implementing the following action items: • Work with another business leader, someone that you trust who will hold you accountable to improve your leadership skills. You could also consider engaging a leadership coach. • Start working on your leadership skills by utilizing the following resources: Leader to Leader Institute (www.pfdf.org), formerly the Drucker Institute, is a website rich with leadership resources; Servant Leadership (www.greenleaf.org). Investigate what it really means to be a servant-leader; Executive Thinking—The Dream, The Vision, The Mission Achieved (www.kossoff.com/executivethinking.html) Management Consultant Leslie Kossoff's second book invites Executives to improve their leadership skills. Even if you do not have excellent leadership skills, I would encourage you to seek out opportunities to mentor other leaders. Teaching others can raise your level of accountability to a new stratosphere. I envision the day when Kelowna will have an informal leadership mentoring program of its own. Perhaps the idea is missing one thing—your leadership skills to make it happen! Steve Burns is the president and CEO of Burns Innovation Group Inc. and Steve Burns Inc. Chartered Accountant. He can be reached at 763-4716. |
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