(This article begins short series on my H.A.V.E. Leadership Style, which is a four-part acroynm that speaks to the four vital traits leaders must develop in order to lead effectively and be the best leaders they can be.)
I recently had an enlightening conversation with a new client, the CEO of a large non-profit organization.
They are bringing me in to create a "championship team culture" with a senior executive team and director-level personnel that are "in sync rowing in the same direction, speaking from the same voice, and leading the right way." That is the direct quote from the CEO.
This is going to be a comfort zone buster for this group of 30. Some were thrust into leadership positions at the director level due to their great work ethic and professional knowledge and skill, but without the training and skills for a management and leadership position.
This is typical in both for-profit, not-for-profit, and governmental organizations, it's pervasive.
This can also be seen as a change initiative.
Anytime you are trying to up-level your culture, and raise the bar in what I refer to as an organization's ABP (attitudes, behaviors, and performance), we are initiating change, personal, professional, and organizational.
It will be different for this group that has been mostly involved with "training and development" initiatives.
In thinking about where to start with this group, I've decided that we must begin with "communication," because in my world and work we begin with the belief that, "communication is the cause of every success, every failure, and every frustration."
And, there are three levels or contexts of communication a leader must master to be most successful:
- Self-Communication
- One-on-One Communication
- Public & Group Communication (this includes three contexts within it).
You've probably figured there are actually five contexts of communication when you add the three at the third level.
And, which of these three is most important?
Which of these three drives the rest?
I'll leave it there for now and come back next time to build on this. Feel free to leave a comment below with your answer to that question and we'll keep the conversation going.
