Friday, February 6, 2009

The companies with the most leaders get the most results ... would you agree?

From Linked In discussion with Phill Johnson, Leadership Coach, MBL University.
http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&gid=37226&discussionID=1324661&sik=1233916339578&split_page=1&goback=%2Eana_37226_1233916339578_1&report%2Efailure=K-nc2ZXswQfu2hP3cI3E4qd8HdfXx-VhJaG9nWc7663fxwhU2M33KoV76lGWUwSUEUToVOTMKSK
I speak from my experience at different organizations, AB and XY (preserving anonymity). Interestingly i found both organization with multiple leaderships at multiple levels. AB as an organization had great people and possibly good leaders. But at the point of time i am speaking about AB was going througha rough patch. Unfortunately, the people leaders at different levels saw the problems differently and the response was their "level". "team", "function", "department" specific. Thus we had a sitaution where the "leadership motion" was brownian. Lot of moving, arguing, debating, thought , all for good purpose and yet not helping the organization move an inch. XY also had many leaders at different levels, but the strategic objectives were well laid, the "markers" had a specific direction. All decisions were oriented and influenced by the strategic direction and objectives. Even though the quality of leadership at XY was not as great as AB, they did well every time they were tested! Points i make are: 1. Multiple leadership in an organization is not just good, it is mandatory. Only the CEO leading cannot make a good organization. Every one in the organization has to influence his sphere of partners and stakeholders as a leader. 2. A well directed leadership creates a positive rub off and confidence. A "brownian motion" leadership leads to dissipation of energy. 3. The Values and Strategic objectives define the direction of leadership! 4. If you get your leadership direction right, you tend to do better and be ahead of the market. 5. Good leadership begets good leadership. This leads you to what i call the virtuous cycle of leadership and growth! Hope this satisfies your question

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