The Consequences of Thinking and Behaviour Part 1

Yesterday I met with a colleague to discuss leadership and as has recently been the case more and more we strolled into the subject of responsible and effective leadership.

Jon has a very strong interest in the area of sustainability, particularly after years working with management in the mining field. Though given his years of success, more and more he realises that responsible leadership is the key to the future.

Now it is not just about the fact that on this planet we have plenty resources for everyone - if we were to distribute them more equally - and many would argue - more correctly.

This will require co-operation on a larger scale than has ever been done and require people to release assets and ego's like never before - which is a very big step for modern society Jon argued.

So Jon brought it back to how leaders manage their people...

Firstly, as a leader - how do you spend time with staff?

Do you assign tasks - then rush off - expecting them to be completed?

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You MUST NOT delegate on the fly...

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• Come prepared to a meeting with staff
• Get their feedback
• Respond to their feedback
• Be willing to 'BE PRESENT'
• Treat everyone as if they have value

It will be the best present you can give your staff and they will remember your presence for a long time after the meeting.

There is an old Zulu greeting -

Showu Bona

'I see you and all your potential'

The response is -

Sikhona

'Thank you for seeing me and my potential'

There is plenty of research that shows how we see people and what are expectations of them is how they become.

 

Can you remember a teacher or coach who gave more as an assumption of your future greatness rather than who you were at that time?

How did that affect you?

There are some people who respond to negative engagement and transfer it to a positive as well - this is not as popular an example - though you will no doubt recall...

Those who have rebelled against what their teachers and coaches said and became heroes.

 

 

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The key point for leaders is to never assume the potentiality of who everyone can be.

An assumption of who they are now

Or who we think they are

based on scant and skewed data

is a reflection of poor perception

If you liked this article, view more insights from Jon Pratlett here