Leadership MomentumTM
(Developed by Rich Mayhew and Bob Petrello)
Over the last 15 years, my close colleague, Bob and I have worked with leaders from all walks of life. In many cases these leaders have, in the past, been provided with a plethora of leadership models and competencies to use; however, when we asked them the question, “What is your leadership situation calling for?” they found it difficult to find what they needed. This was particularly true when they were faced with a new assignment or one that was fraught with challenges.
In listening to these leaders, we noticed that it was quite common for them to get stuck in the way they had done things in the past. They lacked the momentum that is so important when change is needed. Sometimes it was due to a lack of awareness that their actions affected those around them. In other cases they misread their environments, so they led others the way to which they were accustomed, even though their leadership environments required an alternate approach.
We decided to cull current and past research on leadership, focusing particularly on field-tested theories. In addition we conducted anecdotal interviews with leaders, intently paying attention to stories of success and failure.
What we found was that leaders were most successful when they had a clear understanding of themselves – not just their strengths and limitations, but also what their “hot buttons” were. In other words, they could predict their own behavior, and knew how to manage themselves and others, especially when the chips were down and tensions were high. In addition, successful leaders were quick studies when it came to understanding the environments within which they needed to lead. They read the culture and climate of the organization, and, consequently, which relationships needed to be established or nurtured and which ones might be less productive.
In order to completely answer the question, “What is my leadership situation calling for?” we have created a leadership model
with useful heuristics and a thorough process for leaders to follow. We provide places for leaders to land so that they will know specifically what to focus on so that they will have the biggest impact. Our leadership model also can be seconded as a process to follow whenever the leader lands in a new leadership situation. We did not want the leader to have to pause long before taking action.
Our Leadership Momentum™ Model has five aspects. Just like any object in motion, its momentum can be impeded when any part of it is missing or out of alignment. Leadership Momentum™ takes place then, when we have sufficiently attended to all five aspects.
1. Self: Know your strengths and weakness as well as the impact of your behavior on others
2. Relationships: Build and leverage relationships while focusing your leadership style
3. Intention: Create a vision, gather and mobilize support
4. Commitment: Build trust, communicate and develop others
5. Results: Set goals, reward, reinforce and coach
Leadership is difficult enough! If you find that you need to improve in several of these aspects - change ONE thing at a time! No more, no less.
Contact us to find out more about how to apply this model within your organization.