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Ten Ways to Create a High Performance Leadership O
February 20, 2008
Lessons on Leadership
Monthly Message from Erick Burton, Founder of The Burton
Leadership Center
Professional Speaker - Consultant - Facilitator - Executive
Coach - Author
Phone: 417-682-2499
Email: erick@erickburton.com
Web Site: www.erickburton.com
Quote of the Month
“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his
opportunities and an
optimist is one who makes opportunities of his
difficulties.”
Harry Truman, American President
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Ten Ways to Create a High Performance Leadership
Organization
High performing leadership organizations are created they
don’t just materialize out of nothing.
The following are tips that you, as a leader, may use to
move your organization into a higher performance level.
1. Develop a Vision
Identify the challenging, inspiring goals you want
your organization to achieve. Define how you want people
outside of your organization (your customers, your peers
out side of your organization, the organization as a whole)
to perceive your organization.
Get all organization members involved in helping write the
organization vision. Formulate this organization vision
into an organization mission statement. Then have your
organization's mission statement professionally printed and
post it in the work place for all to see.
2. Over Communicate
Make certain that your people know what is going on
corporate wide, as well as all members know about
organization both successes and failures. Let your follow
professionals know about new products, new customers, new
business partnerships, etc. Inform them of everything from
changes in employee benefits to changes in corporate
mission or goals. The more knowledge employees have, the
better they can identify with an organization.
If you are going to make an error, tell them too much,
rather than too little. Individuals can't feel as though
you're an important part of an organization if the leader
keeps them in the dark most of the time.
3. Be Approachable
Make certain that your people feel comfortable coming
to you with problems. A breakdown in communication can be
a death sentence to an organization. Even the best
organization leader can't correct a problem he or she
doesn't know exists.
Present yourself as a resource. You are there to help, to
coordinate, and to run interference for organization
members when necessary. You are a sounding board if
someone needs to discuss an idea or a problem.
In addition, walk around, ask questions, and show interest
and concern. Don't sit in your office and wait for
organization members to come to you.
4. Build Rapport
Plan a short stand-up meeting each morning before the
start of the workday. When something changes or when new
information of interest arrives keeps your people informed.
Make certain your people have not only all of the
information they need to perform their current jobs, but
enough to look ahead and anticipate future opportunities
for the organization as a whole. Give your organization
members a feeling that they are ahead of the industry
curve.
Have occasional informal off-site meetings away from the
work place. Encourage organization members to enjoy
themselves and get to know one another at these meetings.
5. Fully Delegate
You may well be the expert in your field. Perhaps, no
one else in your entire organization knows as much as you
do. But, it is time to start respecting and using the
expertise of your organization players.
A high performance organization has members who can assume
responsibility and make decisions independently. To do
this effectively, they must be allowed the opportunity to
learn by doing.
People respond in amazing ways when they are given control
over the work they do. If asked, most employees can
provide several suggestions on how to improve workflow.
The more control you give your people over their own areas,
the more ownership they will feel, the more interest they
will have, and the harder they will try to do a good job.
6. Lead by Example
You can't motivate an organization to feel good about
their work if you, as their leader, do not. Similarly,
organization members won't feel ownership or go the extra
mile if you don't. You must set an example by
demonstrating passion about your work and displaying
confidence in the organization to do a good job.
7. Provide Feedback
Be sure to tell your people how they are doing in as
timely
manner -- not 6 months after the fact. There are no
stronger modifiers of
behavior than immediate positive or negative reinforcement.
8. Offer Rewards
Consider non-monetary awards such as; public
acknowledgement, increased responsibility, status, titles,
work space, etc. Keep in mind to praise your people in
public and discipline them in private.
9. Encourage Growth
Encourage your people to develop personally and
professionally. Suggest training programs, books,
seminars, workshops, courses, and journal articles they can
read to eliminate weaknesses and fine-tune strengths.
10. Celebrate Accomplishments
Share good news. Have a party. Make noise about it.
Let everyone know when the organization or an individual
does something really noteworthy.
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Erick has attained NSA's only earned professional designation - The Certified Speaking Professional
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