Words for leaders from Brian W. Kenn
ey, Human Capital Performance Consultant, Austin, Texas: All successful leaders have a strongly held set of core beliefs and values that act as a lens through which they view the world around them. They have no doubts about the importance of these values and it is our value systems that create our unique frames of reference- our perspective. Our convictions tell us what is most important to us and the stronger they are the more likely we are to take action to defend and promote them. Is it here that Purpose is born. At the heart of leadership and success we will always find Clarity of Purpose. Our purpose- not our job function– is what provides meaning to our work and life. It is the path that leads us forward, guides our actions and provides us with a context by which to evaluate and prioritize people, information, and the world around us. It is by looking ahead along that path of purpose that we begin to form our Vision. By having strong convictions, Clarity of Purpose, and a clear perspective we can achieve a clear and compelling Vision. Only when we are clear about where we are, where want to be, and where we need to go can we begin to lead others there.
Interpersonal Clarity: Openness, “Reflective-ness,” Impartiality, Listening, Transparency
Leaders listen first and speak last. Leading others requires that we also find ways to connect and understand them. We must clearly understand their needs, wants, and motivations and be open to their ideas and perspectives. We must balance our convictions with the views of others to avoid the inflexibility of dogma. The strongest leaders listen to and actively reflect upon the opinions and viewpoints of the people around them in order to create a free flow of information and mutual understanding. In doing so, they are better able to clearly understand differences and more clearly focus on our common ground. It is on common ground that we find common purpose.
Operational/Environmental Clarity: Information, Knowledge, Expectations, Analysis, Acumen
To successfully lead ourselves and others from where we are along the path of common purpose to where we want to be we must be able to clearly see the path and the destination. The environments in which we work and live are not static- they are dynamic. As such, there will always be unexpected challenges, obstacles, and opportunities. This rapidly changing environment is continuously sending us new information and feedback that we must understand- clearly- in order to make the proper adjustments. We must know not only what this information says but also what it means. Our plans, processes, and performance expectations must be easily understood to prevent confusion and uncertainty. We create clarity in our environment by using our knowledge, experience, and acumen to translate information into actionable knowledge. Clear purpose without clear direction or action is chaos.
About Brian W. Kenney. Austin, Texas. Brian is a Human Capital Performance Consultant specializing in Leadership/Management development, executive coaching, professional development, and performance management. He is a the Human Resources Leadership Association 2008 winner for Innovation and thought leadership in the field of performance management. Visit Brian’s blog for more of his insights by clicking here.
