It has always been my passion to watch and see how teams function. I automatically attempt to identify their core strengths, underlying weaknesses, possible opportunities and hidden pitfalls. It’s simply how I think, as I have long understood the value of the right leadership team, functioning optimally.
Every high performance leadership team function around some very specific and key principles. Let’s have a look at these…
Principle 1: Clear sense of purpose and direction
- Settling clear expectations
- Confirming ethos / values / heart
- Defining boundaries and parameters
- Understanding the “roadmap”
Principle 1: Open and positive communication
- Relational base Regular conversations
- “Not sweating the small stuff”
- Positive approach to issues
- Diversity of thought and opinion
Conversation framework:
- Climate Review – job satisfaction / morale / communication
- Strengths and talents – Round pegs in round holes
- Opportunities for growth – Improved performance and standards
- Learning and development – Support / mentoring / coaching / growth
- Innovation and improvement – Improved efficiency / innovation / growth
- Strategic planning – Knowing the game plan
Principle 3: Mutual trust and respect
- Sincerity
- Reliability
- Commitment
- Integrity
- Competence
- Consistency
Principle 4: Shared and diverse leadership
- Delegating
- Supporting
- Coaching
- Directing
4 Situational Leadership Styles:
Principle 5: Effective working procedures and protocols
- Innovation
- Continuous improvement
- Principle of perfecting things
- Improving quality
- Reducing time
- Reducing costs
- Increasing output
- Increasing safety
- Meeting deadlines
- Enhancing Interpersonal relationships
- Streamlining systems and processes
Principle 6: Building on differences
- Strength based leadership
- Recognising and acknowledging expertise and gifting
- The Broadcaster
- The Engager
- The Observer
- The Responder
- The Catalyst
Principle 7: Flexibility and adaptability
- Strategic decision making
- Not shooting from the hip / Knee Jerk reactions and decisions
- Defining the signposts along the roadmap
- Effective response to challenges
Principle 8: Lifelong learning and growing
- Openness to new ideas and ways of thinking
- Desire to improve and grow
- No “holy cows” in thinking
High performance teams are a pleasure to be a part of and a desire of many senior leaders and business owners. Many however are not willing to sacrifice the time, effort and cost to achieve it. In my mind it’s simple… In 21 century business we CANNOT afford to not build high performance teams in our companies.