Developing a Leadership Point of View
by Ken Blanchard
I would like to share with you my thoughts on how to develop your leadership point of view. Not only will this help you clarify your thoughts on leadership, it will also prepare you to share your leadership point of view with others.
Why is developing a clear leadership point of view important? Once you have developed a clear leadership point of view, it becomes possible to clearly communicate it to those around you. By sharing your leadership point of view with the people who report to you, they will not only have the benefit of understanding where you're coming from, but they'll also understand what you expect from them and what they can expect from you. Your sharing can help them-and those around them-explore their own thinking about leadership.
Elements of a Leadership Point of View
In determining your leadership point of view, you should be able to answer seven
questions:
1. Who are the influencers (leaders) in your life?
When we ask people who most affected their lives, seldom do they mention bosses
or other organizational leaders. More often, they talk about their parents,
grandparents, friends, coaches or teachers. What did you learn from these people
about leadership? How did their Influences help your leadership point of view
evolve?
2. Think of your life purpose. Why are you here, and what do you want
to accomplish?
If an organization doesn't have a clear purpose and sense of what business it's
in, there's something wrong. Yet few people have a clear sense of their life's
purpose. How can you make good decisions about how you should use your time
if you don't know what business you're in?
3. Which of your core values will guide your behavior as you attempt
to live your life "on purpose"?
It has been said that the most important thing in life is to decide what's most
important. People don't all value the same things. Some people value wealth
and power, while others are more concerned with safety or survival. Success
is a value; integrity and relationships are values, as well. Values are beliefs
you feel strongly about because you choose them over other alternatives.
In trying to determine what your values are, you might start with a long list. But fewer are better, particularly if you want your values to guide your behavior. We contend that more than three or four values are too many and can become immobilizing. Pick out what you think are your most important values.
You'll also want to rank the order of your values. Why? Because values are sometimes in conflict. For example, if you value financial growth but integrity is your core value, any activities that could lead to financial gain must first be checked against your integrity value. The Ken Blanchard Companies® ranks values as ethical behavior, -relationships, success and learning.
4. Given what you've learned from past leaders, your life purpose and
your core values, what are your beliefs about leading and motivating people?
Your beliefs are the essence of your leadership point of view. These should
flow naturally from the people who have influenced you, and from your purpose
and values.
5. What can your people expect from you?
Leadership is not something you do to people; it's something you do with people.
Letting people know what they can expect from you underscores the idea that
leadership is a partnership process. It gives people a picture of what your
behavior will look like under your leadership.
6. What do you expect from your people?
Because leading is a partnership process, it is perfectly reasonable-in fact,
it's imperative-that you let people know what you expect from them. It gives
people a picture of what their behavior will look like under your leadership.
7. How will you set an example for your people?
Your leadership point of view should let others know how you will set an example
for the values and behaviors you are encouraging. As most parents know, people
learn from your behavior, not from your words. Leaders must walk their talk.
Developing a leadership point of view by following the method above creates
a clear path for you to follow.
And Finally
As you develop your leadership point of view, don't be hard on yourself. This
might be your first time thinking about your beliefs about leading and motivating
people. Incorporate the ideas above and keep working at it. Have open and honest
dialogues with those you lead and with those who lead you. The world needs more
leaders who are leading at a higher level. Be a leader who makes a positive
difference. People are counting on you. .
From Leading at a Higher Level, by Ken Blanchard and the founding associates and consulting partners of the Ken Blanchard Companies. Copyright © 2007 by Blanchard Management Corporation. Published by Prentice Hall.
