Leading coaches Charles E. Smith, PhD., and Suzi Pomerantz posted an article called Success in Today’s Economy Requires Executives to Take Responsibility for Two Worlds and we’d love your input! The basic premise is that particularly in companies or agencies implementing technology-based projects, leaders must recognize and attend to the duality of the two worlds required for business success in today’s complex market: the world of technology, machines, objects and design, and the simultaneous world of people’s feelings, relationships, and that which animates their spirit, engages them at the level of inspired contribution, and moves them to cooperate.
What do you see to be the key distinctions a coach might work with technical leaders on to attain this two-world view? We’ve started a list here, please add your thoughts in the comments below!
1. Human beings require genuine human connection and a sense of belonging.
2. People need to feel important, valued, special, respected, appreciated, and useful.
3. True leadership requires the ability to identify the unique motivators and leadership needs of each individual member of your team, staff, or organization.
4. Leadership influence is not about charisma, extroversion, or being liked, but about understanding and serving the needs of both the individuals you lead and the greater organizational or societal objectives.
5. People contribute greater value than is asked of them when they trust and respect the leader’s intentions, character, integrity, and honor.
6. Leaders can be taught what to see and what to listen for in order to attend to the world of people while managing the technical integrity of the project.