“A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved. He inspires the power and energy to get it done.” Ralph Lauren
As an individual, you can do many things on your own, but if you really want to lead, you have to get others to do things of their own free will. Too often, our teams do things out of compliance or fear of failure, not commitment.
This can result in a variety of outcomes from using rewards and punishments to overworking and people pleasing.
When the team is in a victim state it feels like the company is doing something to them, making them work harder than they need to with undue pressure. We see complaining about the company and then a scramble to get too much work done with a constant feeling of overwhelm.
Before long, this becomes a company culture. Just the way things are.
It seems there is no way to turn it around.
This is a scenario that I see again and again. It is why I develop the Alignment principles and practices, and why I now train up other coaches to deliver Alignment to large companies.
In just a few days, when I was delivering Alignment Coaching with the leadership team of a large manufacturing firm, we saw the team go from victims all caught up in their issues, to problem solvers stepping up, taking responsibility for their part to play and committing to a company they felt they could contribute to.
So how does this level of commitment come about so quickly and so effectively?
First use the SHUVA principle of Alignment. Create an environment of psychological safety where everyone feels Seen, Heard, Understood, Valued and Appreciated.
This takes time and consistency. It requires real care and a genuine interest in the health of the team.
Second, use the simple process of Iterative co-creation to propose ideas in a clear and concise way.
Third, apply the Versatility Principle by taking into consideration the range of skills and qualities needed to lead a cohesive team.
I would love to see you at our next free webinar for an introduction into how these Alignment principles can be put into practice and impact your company culture and business growth.
Stay Aligned!