Follow My Leader - To Effect Change, Leaders Must Walk the Talk!

A leader's role

In any change project, a leader must wear many hats, however his/her role can be split into two key areas:

1. Set the strategic direction of the change and;

2. Convince everyone of its importance.

The importance of the first part of this role is generally understood and is for another article on another day, however the second part is often overlooked (or done very badly) and can be of even greater importance.

Where this point is addressed, it is generally done by giving presentations and distributing memos. Although these can be necessary, they are often ignored or just paid lip service if the most important method of communicating the importance of the project is missed ? action.

"Do as I say, not as I do!"

Many of us will have heard this line from our parents (some of us just might have been known to use it with our own kids now and again), but can we remember how patronising it felt?

Too often this is the message communicated to employees from senior management during a major change. Employees are expected to attend seminars and workshops (and are sent memos and emails stressing their importance). These may even be preceded by a major presentation from the managing director, stating that everyone must give full support to the project. The senior management then continue to go about their day-to-day jobs as if nothing has changed.

The Managing Director misses a session he was scheduled to attend because he has a meeting with a major client then the Sales Director uses this excuse at the next session, which the Finance Director also misses because he has a meeting with the auditors. In the next round of workshops, there are no salesmen able to attend (they all have meetings with clients), the payroll clerk cannot attend because the wages must be processed and the management accountant makes his excuses because he is under pressure to get the month-end accounts out.

Pretty soon the project is completely off the rails and the managing director is wondering what went wrong. The simple fact is that people follow the examples of their leaders rather than what they are told. When the Managing Director demonstrated that his meeting with a client was more important than the project, this message was picked up by the Sales Director (who also has important meetings with clients), then comes the Finance Director, who is quite sure that his meeting with the auditors is at least as important as any client meeting. This message is then cascaded down to those reporting to these directors, until no-one is attaching any importance to this project.

Perception is reality

Not only must the senior management team give the project the priority it deserves (and that they are telling everyone else that it has), they must go out of their way to be seen to do so. This is often best done by doing something out of character that clearly (and publicly) demonstrates the importance of the project. This may involve such activities as missing a regular golfing trip to attend a workshop session (no-one said it was going to be easy) or coming in on a Saturday morning to attend a session with Saturday staff. The trick is to get people talking in the canteen about how important the management must see this project as, if the managing director is missing his golf/Saturday mornings, etc.

Listen and act

As a project progresses, one of the best ways to demonstrate its importance is to listen to feedback from workshops, etc. and act on it as soon as possible. This demonstrates that the project can really make a difference and that this is everyone's opportunity to contribute to how the business operates.

If senior management can demonstrate this level of commitment, the project is well on the way to success.

Glen Feechan is Chief Executive of Feechan Consulting Ltd (http://www.feechan.co.uk), a business consultancy specialising in business process improvement training and consultancy. Email Glen at glen@feechan.co.uk.

Glen is also the editor (and regular contributor) of Changing Business ezine (sign up at http://www.feechan.co.uk).

---

Lead People...Manage Things

Master The Five Key Facets of High Performance LeadershipMany people... Read More

Leading In The Face Of Disaster

The date was Saturday, April 11, 1970, the time 13:13... Read More

Cub Scout Leader Outdoor Experience

Recently I attended Cub Scout Leader Outdoor Experience training. This... Read More

Choose Your Best Life: Where Are Your Choices Leading You?

According to the dictionary choice means "to select freely after... Read More

Partnership: Choose It or Lose It

Charlotte decides to do good. Charlotte is a highly motivated... Read More

Take the Road Less Traveled

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took... Read More

Abe Lincoln: An Extraordinary Leader

Perhaps noted as one of the greatest United States presidents... Read More

Transformational Leadership

"What is leadership?" When this question is asked most of... Read More

Leadership Training Seminar - What Makes A Great Leader?

At one point or another, we have all been either... Read More

Choose To Become An Encourager

"...I know that the only source of happiness is within... Read More

Be the Samurai Sword

Relationships are constantly facing crisis. Everywhere we look people are... Read More

5 Leadership Power Principles!

95% of Workers Fail Because of This...But They Can Fix... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 1, General Strategies for Unproductive Behavior

It happens easily. You're conducting a meeting and suddenly a... Read More

Is Your Life Ready For Groundhog Day?

In the hit comedic movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character,... Read More

Leaders Click It? Into Gear!

"Click It" Into Gear!Ever wonder how two people can be... Read More

Helping Others Develop Their Potential

Most of us find ourselves in a position to help... Read More

Wisdom From The Rock

He grew up in Brooklyn, the son of an ex-con... Read More

In Leadership, Identifying Dreams That Lead To Great Results

History teaches that when people needed to do great things,... Read More

7 Awesome Leadership Power Generators!

7 Awe-Inspiring Leadership Power-Generating Strategies!Here's a really simple way you... Read More

Effective Leaders are (#2) Technical

SET CLEAR AND REASONABLE OBJECTIVES FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS: Plan?... Read More

To Be An Effective Leader, Do A Check-up From The Neck Up

Before we can effectively lead anyone, we must take an... Read More

Your Ultimate Leadership Feedback Loop: Their Leadership

Life on our planet flourishes through feedback. If life forms... Read More

Unleash It!

On airplanes, in restaurants, in the newspaper and on television,... Read More

Leadership Is Power: Test Your Ethics

"The payoff for the ethical person is a reputation for... Read More

In Leadership, The Eight Ways Of Right Action (Part 2)

In Part 1, I said that leaders who can't have... Read More

The Essence of Leadership

What is more important, leadership or teamwork? Leadership or consensus... Read More

The Three Factors of Leadership Motivation

Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you... Read More

Character Traits of Extraordinary Leaders

When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to... Read More

The Personality of Leadership

Have you ever wondered what type of person or personality... Read More

Supervisor Training: Helpful Tips to Lead Your Pack

A new supervisor is hired to anchor a gardening project... Read More

Chris Top 7 Favorite Leadership Books

1. The West Point Way of Leadership.GREAT book by a... Read More

Career Advice for Business Leaders: Empowering Others

Many potential leaders in business sabotage themselves and their organizations... Read More

The Leadership Talk As A Living Hologram

The hologram is a three-dimensional photograph made on a flat... Read More