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Contributor 16 Jul 2019
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We all
know the right language when it comes to leadership and high performing
teams. No one would argue that leadership teams across all industries
need vision, innovation and an ability to adapt constantly. Our expectations of
our leaders have never been higher than they are today. When you take
individuals and ask them to be a team of leaders who can inspire and achieve
results, you are handing them a collective mammoth challenge.
Strengthen
your leadership team now by applying these six strategies:
1.
Make the development of your
leadership team an important project: Investing
in your leadership team is the most important investment you
will make. Think of their learning as you would about
a critical project that is set up in the business. Set deadlines and
consult experts who will support their success. Create a vision for
success, identify blockers and review their progress. Fill their tool
boxes with support and hold them accountable to their role.
2.
Ask your leaders to do what others aren’t
prepared to do: The world is full of leaders who start out with
great intention. Intention is not the same
as results, and does not guarantee great people
leadership. Successful leaders do what’s required. They keep going even
when it’s hard and they don’t want to. They don’t wait
and they don’t give in. They are resilient and emotionally
healthy when it’s really needed.
3.
Create a sense of ‘tribe’: A ‘we are
all in this together’ attitude can be the single most important ingredient to
team success. Leaders who have each other covered and can speak the truth
to those around them have the greatest opportunity for building trust. When
leaders feel that they are part of something that is bigger than themselves,
they are more likely to tap into their own potential and be brave in their
decisions. They will challenge each other and celebrate each other.
4.
Get them uncomfortable: It is
true that the greatest learning happens in discomfort. For
your leadership team to know what they are really capable of,
you have to test out
their resilience and capacity. Given permission
to play big and take calculated risks they will grow
their relationships with each other and learn from their mistakes. This is
where their potential sits as a team. Create opportunities and
environments where they won’t know the answers and might get it wrong. Magic
happens when leadership teams get space to do this.
5.
Pay attention to what they are doing,
saying and feeling: Your leaders will be constantly receiving
feedback from everyone – from their direct reports through to
shareholders. Leaders need leaders! They need senior people
who care about what’s happening to them. They need a
safe and robust place to push back and share the experiences they are having.
They need to know that they can ask for help and that all emotions have a
place.
6.
Honour the future version of your leaders: Imagine
your leaders in two years’ time. How much more will they
know? Consider what you would put in place for your leadership team if
they had already proved themselves. If they were smarter/wiser/more
experienced leaders is it likely they would have more responsibility and
be assured of a seat at the table when it counts. When leaders feel like they
are trusted they can expend their energy on the people, processes and
problems that really need their attention.
The
reality is it’s unlikely anyone else can create success for your
leadership team. They are going to have to work hard and get on the
ride. I’ve never seen a team that was an overnight
success. Recognise and value their commitment and courage as these two
attributes will be the foundation you want them to lean into.
Lisa
Stephenson is the founder of the global, Australian-based consulting
firm, Who am I Projects and author of Read Me First (Major
Street Publishing). Lisa draws on decades of experience as a global speaker,
leadership consultant and success coach and has worked with some of
the biggest global names, CEOs, elite athletes and entrepreneurs. For more
information on Lisa go to www.lisastephensonconsulting.com.au
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