What is leadership?
There are many answers given to this question simply because there is not a single definition that fits all types of leaders and situations. Many seek a ‘silver bullet’ solution with the belief that there should be a standard model that has a ‘one size fits all’ capability able to meet the needs of every situation. However, leadership ranges from dealing with relatively simple to very complex issues and therefore those charged with leading will need different capability sets.
Bottom-up leadership is about accomplishing results by using processes that enable all the people involved in achieving a goal or outcome to contribute in an effective manner. The leadership provides clarity on where the people currently are, where they desire to be in the future, and what needs to be done to make the journey a reality. This involves creating a vision and enrolling others to work together because they are committed to make it happen. Achieving commitment comes from a combination of people leadership with an appropriate task focus. Providing a frame of reference built on a simple leadership model with the desirable leader capabilities is an important part of laying out the leadership landscape.
Leadership frame of reference
It would appear sensible to have a leadership model to help form a useful frame of reference for those wishing to be bottom-up leaders. One simple model puts forward the notion that positive leadership styles range from Directive to Participative with Expressive and Reflective in-between. This model proposes that leadership needs to be both people and outcome focused. However, the styles selected should be those that best fits with the needs of the team accountable for achieving a desired outcome.
It is interesting to note that authors of current published articles on leadership contend that the main focus must be on people if the key performers are to be retained in organisations to ensure that the desired outputs are effectively achieved. The goal of the people centred bottom-up leader is to achieve results WITH people in a collaborative environment. Therefore, the message being sent to organisations is for them to look very carefully at the leadership styles being demonstrated by their current leadership cadre. The message should be unmistakable in terms of actively encouraging all leaders to develop and apply a people oriented leadership approach. Bottom-up leaders have this specific people focus and the way they apply their leadership style is described as follows.
Bottom-up leader’s skill set
The following are a number of key capabilities associated with being a bottom-up enabling leader:
1. Interacts with all in a genuinely authentic manner.
2. Treats all people with respect based on the principle of demonstrating unconditional positive regard.
3. Actively encourages developing the capability of all team members in ways that enables them to achieve the best possible results.
4. Demonstrates a passion for collaborative working in order to harness the collective knowledge and wisdom of the team.
5. Have a clear focus on what needs to be achieved and the processes needed to inspire the team to achieve the outcome.
6. Prepared to change direction when the evidence shows that the current strategy is not working as planned.
7. Generates at least three options on how to solve an issue that confronts the team and selects the best one to implement.
8. Uses every opportunity to improve personal performance through active learning and discovery.
9. Continues to develop self-awareness as a means of improving ability to interact in ways that produce consistent positive outcomes.
10. Demonstrates willingness to take the tough decisions when needed
11. Confronts underperformance when it happens with the aim of assisting the person to improve
12. Demonstrates an active interest in getting to know each team member in ways that build constructive relationships
Being a people focused leader could require a significant shift in values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour from the traditional bottom line task focused leader. The evidence presented in leadership articles suggests that as most organisations are hieratical their leadership is based on ‘command/control’ around task achievement. This presents a major challenge to any leaders thinking of becoming more people centric in their approach to achieving truly effective outcomes that benefit all their stakeholders.
Facing the challenges
Bottom-up leaders are keenly aware that being effective is about continually developing their skills to enable them to keep adding value irrespective of the challenges that they encounter. I will explore some of the challenges and how to deal with them in my next post.
Tom