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| Home - Industry Article - Mar 06 Issue |
What Great Leaders Believe In
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When developing your message consider the following:
- Package your message with the right balance of realism and optimism. Be positive and optimistic but keep it real.
- Simplify the complex. Try to make sense out of situations that initially make no sense. Boil things down to two options such as "good-bad," "right-wrong," "present-future." Create a clear choice for people to follow.
- Use colorful words. Paint pictures. Former President Reagan once said, "A trillion bucks amounts to a stack of dough as high as the Empire State Building." If people can see what you are describing they are more likely to stay tuned.
- Use emotional words. Words like justice, freedom, honor, respect, pride, and love can create a strong connection with people. Richard J. Faubert, President and CEO, AmberWave Systems, states, "Early in my career my artist-wife, Jeannette told me the following: "Make them feel what you feel before trying to make them see what you see."
- Present the business case for change. Describe the most important reasons why change is needed. Most people want a clear explanation as to why they should pursue new goals and operate differently.
- Explain what's in it for them. Let people know the benefits they will receive when they achieve the vision.
Delivering the Message
How do leaders deliver a powerful message? They are:
- Passionate
- Energetic
- Animated
Where does the passion and energy come from? Leaders are excited about the possibilities they see. It's like a child who can't wait to get to the amusement park. He knows how much fun it will be to go on the rides, win prizes, and eat cotton candy. Leaders can't wait to get to the Promised Land.
What makes Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech stand out as one of the best of all time? His message was optimistic and simple – equal opportunity, fairness, and justice for all. He packaged his message with colorful language and emotional words. His delivery was animated, passionate and forceful. His presence was clearly felt.
As a parent, husband, teacher, and coach I try to describe my visions in the simplest way possible. I like using metaphors and visual aids to make my message come alive. Surprise, surprise, I'm not always successful. I've learned it takes time and effort to perfect what I say and how I say it. Soliciting feedback, editing, and fine-tuning my message are important steps in the process.
Pursuing What's Possible
What's the difference between success and failure? Execution! Leaders take action. They start the ball rolling in a new direction. They provide people with direction and support. Direction often takes the form of performance plans, which include the following:
- Key milestones – major steps needed to achieve the goal
- Timeframes – specific dates to start and complete each major activity
- Metrics – defines what will be measured and how often
- Resources assigned – people, equipment, financial etc.
Leaders don't get bogged down in all the details, but rather establish a roadmap to achieve the desired vision.
Pursuing what's possible means change. People must leave their comfort zone, which can be scary. You can help people leave what's comfortable in pursuit of a better future by doing the following:
- Provide psychological support – Encourage people. Build people's confidence by affirming your belief in their abilities and reminding them of their previous successes.
- Listen to people – Take time to hear what people have to say. If you listen to them, there is a much better chance they will listen to you.
- Provide coaching – Change requires new knowledge and skills. Help people learn the "how-to-do-it" part of the equation. Coach, mentor and train people as needed. In addition, help people apply their new knowledge and skills.
- Provide cheerleading support – Give frequent recognition and rewards for people's efforts and accomplishments. Plan and celebrate short-term wins. Momentum will increase if there are positive results early on.
- Set the example – Demonstrate that you are willing to change.
Leaders know that achieving their vision is hard work. Problems and setbacks occur. People get discouraged. Unexpected problems occur. "Doom and gloom" people are quick to point out all the things that aren't proceeding according to plan. However, leaders don't give up. They keep going because their vision pulls them forward and they know the result is worth the effort.
In my personal and professional roles I have learned that conviction, determination and having faith are important leadership qualities.
Summary
Some people can't see beyond today. They have no vision. Other people see new possibilities but have trouble describing them in a clear, concise and convincing way. Still others see what's possible, describe it, but never take the first steps to achieve their vision. To be an effective leader, all three actions – seeing, describing, and pursuing what's possible – are essential.
Paul B. Thornton is a consultant, author, teacher, trainer, and speaker. His company Be The Leader Associates designs and delivers seminars on various management and leadership topics. This article is an adaptation from a chapter in his latest book, Leadership: Seeing, Describing, and Pursuing What's Possible. For article feedback, contact Paul at pthornton@stcc.edu
 
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