As a thought leader, author, educator, and change leadership practitioner, I write a weekly article that benefits leaders who want to improve their organizations using elements of my Humanist Manufacturing framework.
Those with experience working for an excellent leader understand how beneficial it is in maximizing the potential of the individuals in an organization. As we continue emphasizing the essential elements of a high-impact company, we shift from the previous week's topic of the need for effective two-way non-judgmental communication to the importance of active and dynamic leadership.
The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them. -John Maxwell
Being an active and dynamic leader involves a combination of personal traits, skills, and strategies that empower you to lead and inspire your team effectively. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you become an active and dynamic leader:
• Adaptability - Embrace change and remain flexible in the face of challenges. Adapt your strategies as the situation requires and encourage your team to do the same.
• Collaboration and Team Building - Foster a sense of camaraderie among your team members. Encourage teamwork, celebrate diversity, and build strong relationships.
• Conflict Resolution - Address conflicts openly and objectively. Act as a mediator if necessary, and strive to find solutions that benefit everyone involved.
• Continuous Learning - Stay updated with industry trends and leadership practices. Invest in your growth and encourage your team to pursue continuous learning.
• Decision Making - Make informed decisions based on data and input from your team. Be willing to take calculated risks and learn from outcomes, whether they're positive or negative.
• Develop Self-Awareness - Understand your strengths, weaknesses, values, and leadership style. This awareness will guide your interactions and decisions as a leader.
• Effective Communication - Practice active listening, open communication, and transparency. Encourage feedback and create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
• Emotional Intelligence - Understand and manage your emotions and those of your team members. This skill enhances communication and relationships.
• Empower and Delegate - Delegate tasks and responsibilities based on your team members' strengths. Empower them to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
• Innovation - Encourage a culture of innovation where team members are empowered to share new ideas and experiment with creative solutions.
• Inspire and Motivate - Use your vision and enthusiasm to inspire your team. Recognize and celebrate their achievements and provide constructive feedback to help them grow.
• Lead by Example - Demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes you expect from your team members. Your actions speak louder than words and set the tone for the team's culture.
• Mentorship and Development - Invest in your team's growth by providing mentorship and development opportunities. Help them set and achieve their professional goals.
• Networking and Relationship Building - Cultivate relationships both within and outside your organization. Networking can lead to new opportunities and insights.
• Problem Solving - Approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset. Encourage creative thinking and collaboration to find innovative solutions.
• Recognize Achievements - Celebrate milestones and accomplishments, whether big or small. Recognizing hard work boosts morale and encourages continued dedication.
• Resilience - Demonstrate resilience in the face of setbacks. Your ability to stay composed and positive will encourage your team to do the same.
• Set a Compelling Vision - Define a clear and inspiring vision for your team or organization. Communicate this vision regularly to create a sense of purpose and direction.
• Stay Humble - Remember that leadership is a journey of growth. Stay open to feedback and continuously strive to improve your leadership skills.
• Time Management - Prioritize tasks effectively and manage your time well. Show your team the importance of efficiency and help them with time management.
Becoming an active and dynamic leader takes time and effort that will be invaluable to your team and organization. We must refine our skills, stay adaptable, and lead with integrity. We owe it to the individuals impacted by our work as we look to maximize their ability to perform at their highest success level.
Gemba is a Japanese word that translates to "the real place." Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System, would reject the idea of leaders making decisions on numbers alone. Instead, he would expect them to physically go to the workplace before making final decisions. Going to the area of interest allows leaders to observe, learn, and understand, thus leading to the more significant potential to make more informed decisions. Leaders who increase their capability in the above combination of personal traits, skills, and strategies will fail to maximize their potential if they do not fully engage with the employees across and at all levels of the organization.
Being an active and dynamic leader involves a combination of personal traits, skills, and strategies that empower you to lead and inspire your team effectively. Becoming an active and dynamic leader takes time and effort that will be invaluable to your team and organization. Leaders who increase their capability in the above combination of personal traits, skills, and strategies will fail to maximize their potential if they do not fully engage with the employees across and at all levels of the organization.
No leader likely cannot excel at all of the above aspects of active and dynamic leadership. I encourage individuals interested in improving their leadership skills to work with their existing executive team to see where they have strengths and where they can take the lead in that aspect of leadership. For example, they can be the person who gauges if the unit is exhibiting an acceptable level of humbleness. All organization members would also benefit from working with a leadership coach.
I am grateful to the former leader of Philip Zisakis. Sadly, I could only work for him for six months before he sold everything to sail around the globe. I learned much from him about being an active and dynamic leader during our short time together.
Next week's blog will shift to a review of the essential element of policy deployment integral to becoming a humanist manufacturing organization.
To learn more about our work or read more blog posts, visit emmanuelstratgicsustainability.com.
I encourage you to read my book Humanist Manufacturing: A Humanitarian Approach to Excellence in High-Impact Plant Operations. The paperback and eBook versions are now available at Amazon and many other booksellers. You can also view the Humanist Manufacturing Book Launch to gain additional insight into the Humanist Manufacturing framework.
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Contact me if you need help with the manufacturing support services of consulting, coaching, Fractional Chief Sustainability Officer, or training/reskilling at 734-664-9076.
See my virtual TEDx videos at Reinventing the Prison Industrial Complex and Humanist Manufacturing.
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Cover Image Credit: Miguel Á. Padriñán on Pexels
