Understanding how to unlock value from your data
You may be missing out on a powerful revenue stream if you don't understand the value of the data your business could collect....
Brain circuits
Do you possess the 3 factors that separate great leaders from the rest? Part 2
The operating system (OS) created by leaders is the key lever they possess to bring out the best in people, ensure work streams and projects run optimally, and set the tone for how people interact and work as a team.
We studied 50 years of research consisting of 1,000 studies, looking beyond direct reports to processes, peers and stakeholders and tested our findings with 2,500 leaders. The conclusion is there are three key factors in an effective leadership OS: trust, clarity, and momentum.
Trust includes psychological safety for people, caring, reliability and fairness. In addition to making sure your employees feel safe, you also need to pay attention to your customers in times of crisis. Zoom did a good job of this; after initially having problems in the pandemic, the CEO made public rounds and restored trust in the system.
Clarity means people have an understanding about the strategy of the business, who is accountable for what, why certain things are important, and how things should be done. It also means being clear about uncertainties. While it may be uncomfortable for some leaders to admit they don’t have the answers during a crisis, it is key they do so in a clear and direct manner.
Momentum refers to the sustained activity that comes from motivation, confidence, empowerment, and togetherness. This generates drive and can counteract cultural toxins such as stress and siloed operating.
It is important to look at the trust, clarity and momentum that currently exists in your organization and pinpoint where improvements can be made.
Ask yourself this question: what are the most difficult factors in your business context and how confident are you that your direct reports, peers and line managers would agree with your assessment?
Once you have established a high-performance OS, you will be able to ensure that good decisions made are being implemented and that success is within reach.
This is the second part of a two-part series. Part one is available here.
Authors
Related
An exercise for leaders as they move up
As we move up in organizations, one of the hardest lessons for leaders can be knowing when to defer to the team versus go it alone....
How are you curious?
Curiosity is one of the critical factors in a business that is agile and innovative, so it is an element that is important to explore....
What is your EQ?
It is important for executives to understand that emotions allow them to put things in context and have a larger view of what is happening. It also helps build valuable connections with...
Learn Brain Circuits
Join us for daily exercises focusing on issues from team building to developing an actionable sustainability plan to personal development. Go on - they only take five minutes.
Explore Leadership
What makes a great leader? Do you need charisma? How do you inspire your team? Our experts offer actionable insights through first-person narratives, behind-the-scenes interviews and The Help Desk.
Join Membership
Log in here to join in the conversation with the I by IMD community. Your subscription grants you access to the quarterly magazine plus daily articles, videos, podcasts and learning exercises.