I turned out of the company parking lot and, while stopping at the light, noticed the group of young adults setting up for the day's business at the new bistro across the street. A few months ago, the location was home to a diner and less than a year prior to that, a home furnishings store. I wondered if the newest tenant would have better luck than the previous two. If not, it certainly wouldn't be for a lack of potential customers as the area is highly populated with both business and residential zoning and precious few places to eat. I remembered the few times I went to the diner, and how poorly managed it was. All it took was a few wrong orders or excessive waiting times and word spread quickly throughout the office, giving the place a less than stellar reputation which likely contributed to its downfall.
It suddenly occurred to me that the level of organizational leadership required to run a company as large and ever-expanding as the one I'm fortunate enough to be a part of is not at all dissimilar to the level required to run any other, no matter what the size. For almost any business in any industry, a high level of organizational leadership and management is crucial for operating at the most optimum level.
Areas of specialization aside, the core principles of operational leadership and management applicable to one business is equally applicable to all others. Whether you run an international distribution company that employs a large workforce or own a small repair shop with only a handful of employees, the way in which you manage your assets and resources will determine your overall success as a business entity.
Organizational leadership and management is the single most effective way to obtain the highest level of efficiency from your employees, and centers around providing them with the structure, atmosphere, examples and expectations to perform at their peak. After all, the most important assets any company possesses are its employees. By fostering their strengths and building a streamlined, performance inducing work environment, you can funnel creative energy and illicit the best possible results. When businesses are as purposeful and diligent about human capital as they are about resource allocation and investments, the benefits are innumerable.
It's no secret that businesses need leadership just as they need management, but what few companies realize is that, just as with management, leadership isn't something that always permeates from the top of the organization down. From mid-level managers to even the smallest of departments, the key to a well oiled machine is to look for leadership qualities in the individuals you choose to run your business.
Organizational Leadership And Management
As a Marine Aviator, business owner, and consultant, I have dedicated many years to honing my leadership and development skills – both organizational and personal. In my experiences I discovered three simple principles that, when properly applied, will make your leadership journey incredibly rewarding.
• Number One – it is all about you
• Number Two – it is all about them
• Number Three – it is all about the organization
I confirmed these proven principles in interviews with over one-hundred successful leaders. Here is an overview for you.
Organizational Leadership Principle Number One – It is all about you.
You must make the conscious choice to accept the leadership role. It is not enough to occupy a position of leadership (as defined by a box on the organization chart with your name on it). In fact, many people have made the choice to lead, exercising vast influence, without being in a so-called "leadership" position. In making the choice to lead, you take responsibility for yourself first, which means you must commit to working on your own personal and professional development. If you cannot, or will not, lead and develop yourself, you cannot lead and develop others. You must recognize that you will take some hits in your visible leadership role but you must also not shy away from them. You must realize that your decisions may not always be popular, but understand this comes with the territory. You will discover the rewards of leading are well worth it..
The three essential elements of this first principle that you must master are:
• Integrity – Do you deliver on your commitments?
• Technical competence – Do you understand the tasks?
• Setting the example – Are you a proper role model?
Once you accept the first principle and embrace these three elements you are ready to move on to the next principle.
Organizational Leadership Principle Number Two – It is all about them.
In this case, them refers to those we lead. Your purpose as a leader is to engage and motivate your employees to bring 100% of themselves to work, every day. As their leader, it is your responsibility to create the right environment for them to motivate themselves and to exceed your expectations. Your focus should be on helping people perform more effectively and efficiently. This helps them become more productive and advance in their careers. It also shows them that you care about them.
The three essential elements of this principle are:
• Self-awareness – Do you know what you do well?
• Taking care of people - Do you look out for them?
• Developing new leaders – Do you help people advance?
Applied properly, this principle will help you in the long run as your employees become more efficient, more productive, and more effective. They will require less supervision--which brings us to principle number three.
Organizational Leadership Principle Number Three – It is about the organization.
There are unethical and misguided bosses who think the organization exists to support them. This arrogance ultimately brings failure. We come together in associations or businesses to accomplish something that we could not accomplish alone. Your employees give you their time and you compensate them with standard benefits. As a leader within your organization, you must recognize that you are part of the organization, but not the organization itself.
Investing your ego and ambition in your job is fine--to a point. In the extreme, this creates an overbearing autocrat. The truly effective leader knows he or she is an active member within the team and always works to better the team. Real leaders have a forward looking orientation and work to build the culture of their group. It is the insecure leader who wants their successor to fail. Any leader who fails to support an employee--for any reason--hurts the organization, therefore violating Principle Number Three.
The essential three elements of this law are:
• Commander’s intent – Where are we going and why?
• Culture and Values - What makes this place tick?
• Practice – Do we work to get better at what we do?
Clearly, there are many layers to each of these laws. But the first step to higher leadership effectiveness is to make the choice to be a leader. Then, focus on your people and help them succeed. Together, you can successfully advance your organization into the future you articulate. Once you embrace these three laws, you are on your way to becoming a truly successful leader and you will create a thriving organization as you navigate your way through the tumultuous sea to the land of new opportunities – new opportunities not seen by many.
Both Shay Rosen & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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