How leaders behave is what makes a difference in understanding and explaining why people work hard, how engaged, committed and loyal they are based on the research done by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner.
According to their findings they say there are Five Practices along with Ten Commitments of Exemplary Leadership broken down into behaviours that can serve as the basis of becoming an exemplary leader. The more frequently leaders demonstrate each of The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership the more engaged people are in their workplaces.
“One of the best ways to prove something is important is by doing it yourself and setting an example.” Pharba Seshan
THE FIVE PRACTICES AND TEN COMMITMENTS OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP
MODEL THE WAY
- Find your voice by clarifying your personal values.
- Set the example by aligning actions with shared values.
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION
- Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling activities.
- Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS
- Search for opportunities by seeking innovative ways to change, grow and improve.
- Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from mistakes.
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT
- Foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust.
- Strengthen others by sharing power and discretion.
ENCOURAGE THE HEART
- Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence.
- Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BECOME AN EXEMPLARY LEADER:
- Make sure that your personal values are clear. And determine if allocation of time is consistent with values. Adjust accordingly. – What have you done today that demonstrates the values that you hold near and dear?
- Ensure that promises are taken seriously.
- Don’t lose sight of the future by only focusing on the here and now. – Where are you and your organisation heading to?
- Spend time and energy finding out about the dreams and aspirations of others.
- Share excitement about purpose and vision.
- Focus on what’s next and what’s new beyond present routines. – What have you done in the past week to improve so that you are a better leader now than you were a week ago? Repeat for your team.
- Facilitate lesson learnt session after failure and errors.
- Before every interaction with every person ask yourself: What can I do in this moment to make others feel more powerful, competent and able to do more than they think they can?
- Learn how to listen more and talk (tell) less.
- Demonstrate that people’s input and viewpoints are values and taken onto consideration.
- Understand what motivates each employees
- Recognize the individual personally and make celebrations genuine
- Link rewards/recognition with the values and vision
“When it comes to leadership, it’s not about the leader’s personality. It’s all about the leader’s behaviour.” -Caroline Wang
Which three action points would you take from the above list to either implement or intensify in order to become an Exemplary Leader?
Source: The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner