As a leader, do you experience challenges in getting your team to ‘fly in formation’?  Our new programme, ‘Leading in formation’ is producing exceptional results.  A series of three half-day workshops helps develop new ‘flight paths’. Topics covered include assessing and finding ways to raise team morale, uncovering personal values (and checking congruence with corporate values) and developing a ‘Code of Professionalism’.  The facilitation results in lively discussion and this is as important as the final outcome.

At a recent series of workshops for the leadership teams of accountants, ‘Colenbrander Incorporated’ a young dynamic team of multi-skilled business people, I asked the 17 participants to describe ‘an outstanding leader’ by listing up to 10 characteristics that a leader of that caliber would demonstrate.  The emphasis was on the importance of that leader putting the characteristics into action.  I believe that it is pointless having positive characteristics that lie dormant. 

The consolidation of their individual input provided the following list (in random order): 

An outstanding leader has:

• The skills and capacity to network.
• Focus, direction and is steadfast.
• Strength of character and is emotionally strong.
• A strong sense of self.
• Self-sacrificial tendencies.
• Planning skills and organisational skills.
• Good communication skills.
• A broad knowledge base.
• Authority.
• Humility.
• Dedication and commitment.
• Wisdom.
• A positive attitude.
• Patience.
• Friendship.

An outstanding leader is:

• Motivated and able to motivate others.
• Highly responsible.
• Trustworthy.
• Decisive – is able to make decisions and support other’s decisions.
• Interested in others, compassionate and kind.
• Disciplined.
• Ingenious.
• Actively honest and a person of integrity.
• Accountable.
• Able to maintain control.
• Loyal.
• Confident.
• Vulnerable.
• Inspiring.
• Encouraging.
• Transparent – no double standards.
• Able to delegate effectively.

An outstanding leader:

• Encourages others.
• Leads by example.
• Thinks logically and yet creatively.
• Develops their fellow team mates.
• Provides constructive feedback (both positive and negative).
• Feels and shows (appropriate) gratitude.
• Boosts team morale.

These lists provide the ‘raw data’ from their input.  This will provide the basis for further group discussion at the next session where the content will be refined.  I look forward to seeing their final lists! 

Questions

Above are the characteristics of an outstanding leader as developed by this group.  This forms an excellent tool, a starting point for conversations with your team.  Reflect on the following:

• How do these characteristics align with my perception of an excellent leader?
• What is missing?
• Which areas do I personally need to work on?
• What action is needed to help my team(s) fly in formation?

Then take action! 

For more information on the facilitation of ‘Flying in formation’, other aspects of leadership development or ‘Executive Coaching’ please contact Brenda Eckstein on +27 82 4993311 or brenda@146.66.90.172.  The website is www.strategy-leadership.com