Follow My Leader - To Effect Change, Leaders Must Walk the Talk!

Home
>
Leadership
>
Follow My Leader - To Effect Change, Leaders Must Walk the Talk!

Follow My Leader - To Effect Change, Leaders Must Walk the Talk!

A leader's role

In any change project, a leader must wear many hats, however his/her role can be split into two key areas:

1. Set the strategic direction of the change and;

2. Convince everyone of its importance.

The importance of the first part of this role is generally understood and is for another article on another day, however the second part is often overlooked (or done very badly) and can be of even greater importance.

Where this point is addressed, it is generally done by giving presentations and distributing memos. Although these can be necessary, they are often ignored or just paid lip service if the most important method of communicating the importance of the project is missed ? action.

"Do as I say, not as I do!"

Many of us will have heard this line from our parents (some of us just might have been known to use it with our own kids now and again), but can we remember how patronising it felt?

Too often this is the message communicated to employees from senior management during a major change. Employees are expected to attend seminars and workshops (and are sent memos and emails stressing their importance). These may even be preceded by a major presentation from the managing director, stating that everyone must give full support to the project. The senior management then continue to go about their day-to-day jobs as if nothing has changed.

The Managing Director misses a session he was scheduled to attend because he has a meeting with a major client then the Sales Director uses this excuse at the next session, which the Finance Director also misses because he has a meeting with the auditors. In the next round of workshops, there are no salesmen able to attend (they all have meetings with clients), the payroll clerk cannot attend because the wages must be processed and the management accountant makes his excuses because he is under pressure to get the month-end accounts out.

Pretty soon the project is completely off the rails and the managing director is wondering what went wrong. The simple fact is that people follow the examples of their leaders rather than what they are told. When the Managing Director demonstrated that his meeting with a client was more important than the project, this message was picked up by the Sales Director (who also has important meetings with clients), then comes the Finance Director, who is quite sure that his meeting with the auditors is at least as important as any client meeting. This message is then cascaded down to those reporting to these directors, until no-one is attaching any importance to this project.

Perception is reality

Not only must the senior management team give the project the priority it deserves (and that they are telling everyone else that it has), they must go out of their way to be seen to do so. This is often best done by doing something out of character that clearly (and publicly) demonstrates the importance of the project. This may involve such activities as missing a regular golfing trip to attend a workshop session (no-one said it was going to be easy) or coming in on a Saturday morning to attend a session with Saturday staff. The trick is to get people talking in the canteen about how important the management must see this project as, if the managing director is missing his golf/Saturday mornings, etc.

Listen and act

As a project progresses, one of the best ways to demonstrate its importance is to listen to feedback from workshops, etc. and act on it as soon as possible. This demonstrates that the project can really make a difference and that this is everyone's opportunity to contribute to how the business operates.

If senior management can demonstrate this level of commitment, the project is well on the way to success.

Glen Feechan is Chief Executive of Feechan Consulting Ltd (http://www.feechan.co.uk), a business consultancy specialising in business process improvement training and consultancy. Email Glen at glen@feechan.co.uk.

Glen is also the editor (and regular contributor) of Changing Business ezine (sign up at http://www.feechan.co.uk).

In The News:

Detained oil tanker at centre of US power struggle 'set to depart'
Sun, 18 Aug 2019 13:42:00 +0100
The Iranian oil tanker which has been detained off Gibraltar since early last month is expected to depart this evening, Iran's ambassador to Britain has said.

'An eye for an eye': Hong Kong protesters chant in huge rally
Sun, 18 Aug 2019 06:41:00 +0100
Hundreds of thousands of protesters have made their way through the streets of Hong Kong chanting anti-government slogans.

Huge Hong Kong march is show of absolute defiance
Sun, 18 Aug 2019 14:17:00 +0100
This has been absolutely extraordinary.

Trump 'looking at' buying Greenland, adviser confirms
Sun, 18 Aug 2019 19:56:00 +0100
Donald Trump's economic adviser has confirmed that the US president "wants to take a look at" buying Greenland.

Stranded migrants jump off rescue boat to try to reach Italy
Sun, 18 Aug 2019 14:59:00 +0100
Migrants on a humanitarian ship off the Italian coast had to be chased down after they jumped into the sea in a desperate attempt to reach land.

tikatoshop.it

Erfahrungen mit Pallhuber Wein
Agen Bola SBOBET Terpercaya

Travel in comfort and at your leisure with CT Airlink Limousine & Car Service for top quality private transportation and exceptional customer service. We operate Sedans, SUVs & Vans for CT Car Services to covering all Connecticut airports including Car Service from CT to Newark Airport , Mohegan Casino Uncasville CT, Foxwoods Casino Mashantucket CT, Manhattan Cruise Terminal NYC, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal NYC and Bayonne Cruise Terminal NJ. CT Airlink hire licensed and friendly chauffeurs who have in-depth knowledge of the Areas.