Full Extension: The Presence of a Leader
A leader communicates with great clarity through both spoken and unspoken means. In order to do so, a leader must develop a very personal VOICE, fostering:
VISION – To lead, we must have a very definite vivid image of the future
OPTIMIZATION – Getting the greatest possible results from our people, processes, and systems.
INCLUSION – Leadership is a team event and must invite the talents and creativity of everyone involved
COURAGE – Leaders must have the audacity to step beyond the norm and foster blame-free risk-taking
ENERGY – True accomplishment comes only to those who persevere
When leaders are absolutely clear – to themselves and as well as to others – about their goals, values, and expectations, they can expect to accomplish the extraordinary.
Optimization: Twenty-First Century Leadership
In today’s fast-moving world, leaders need to establish an environment that brings out the best in ourselves and everyone around us. There must be “zero tolerance” for mediocre performance. Optimization takes place at three levels: individual, team, and enterprise. As individuals, we need to seek “full extension,” like an athlete or dancer, using all of our capacities. As work groups, the goal must be richer dialogue and exchange of ideas to expand our possibilities. As an enterprise, we can use 21st century technology to re-examine and redesign the ways we do business. The inspiration and environment to create such greatness is the realm of leadership.
What You See Is What You Get
Each of us views the world through our own "lens," defined by our history, our hopes, our environment. Those of us who understand our own lens without confusion can redefine and sharpen that lens to clearly see what actions we must take to achieve our aims. It's the difference between scrutinizing your team for how they mess up or "catching people doing things right." In essence, our lens can become our destiny, as we can either control our choices or keep drowning in unrelenting self-fulfilling prophecies.
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