"Know what you can be great at and find the right context to express your talents"
The key word here is 'context'. According to Douglas A. Wilson, there is no formula to leadership and it all depends on the situation.
"A country in a crisis needs a different type of leader than a country that is growing and reinvesting. An organisation that needs to be turned around needs a different kind of leader than an organisation that needs to scale by a factor of 10," explains Wilson.
Chorus of disapproval
'Leading by example' is also a phrase that we hear about often and I was keen to hear from Wilson on what he feels is its essence and the associated behaviours that go with it.
Here are his top three takeways:
1) Leaders cast a big arc of sunshine or darkness. Everyone is watching how you behave and they will emulate your actions. Therefore, always ask, “Is my behavior in this moment something I want others to act like when I’m not present?” If you can’t give a big affirmative “yes”, then change your behaviour.
2) Reinforce behaviours in others that support the culture you want to build.
3) Put a firm boundary around behaviours you do not want to see in the organisation. The actions you disapprove of are more important than the ones you support. People will take notice and word travels fast.
"Know what you can be great at and find the right context to express your talents" - Douglas A. Wilson's one abiding lesson about good leadership.
Saturday, 28 June 2014
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Rewarding leadership behaviours
What are the behaviours that leaders should be rewarded for? I put this very question to renowned American strategy and culture development expert, Douglas A. Wilson.
"Leadership is determined by context so to answer this question, you first need to ask what is the purpose of the organisation, what is the narrative about the organisation you want to create, and what is the vision for how you will carry out a systems approach to change," says Wilson.
'Motivate exceptional performance'
According to Wilson, the modern leader needs to demonstrate the following four abilities:
1) To collaborate across teams and organisations to build synergy towards a common objective
2) To think about the organisation as a total system and how the system serves the larger purpose
3) To partner with outside players, including shareholders, customers, suppliers and potential joint venture partners
4) The ability to motivate exceptional performance
Douglas A. Wilson is the CEO of Next Solutions Inc. an advisory and consulting firm. He is a leader in innovation and strategy as well as prominent speaker, writer and New York Times best-selling author. You can find out more at nextsol.com.
"Leadership is determined by context so to answer this question, you first need to ask what is the purpose of the organisation, what is the narrative about the organisation you want to create, and what is the vision for how you will carry out a systems approach to change," says Wilson.
'Motivate exceptional performance'
According to Wilson, the modern leader needs to demonstrate the following four abilities:
1) To collaborate across teams and organisations to build synergy towards a common objective
2) To think about the organisation as a total system and how the system serves the larger purpose
3) To partner with outside players, including shareholders, customers, suppliers and potential joint venture partners
4) The ability to motivate exceptional performance
Douglas A. Wilson is the CEO of Next Solutions Inc. an advisory and consulting firm. He is a leader in innovation and strategy as well as prominent speaker, writer and New York Times best-selling author. You can find out more at nextsol.com.
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
From Stamford to Sorriso - A Boy in Brazil
+Seth Burkett is the author of the brilliant ‘The Boy in Brazil – Living, Loving and Learning in the land of football’ which tells of his time playing for Sorriso Esporte Clube in the Mato Grosso region.
To get in the mood for the World Cup, I put some questions to him ahead of the greatest show on earth...
Seth, an incredible story and riveting read. The World Cup in Brazil must bring back a lot of memories for you…
SB: So many memories come flooding back, the majority of them filled with happiness and joy. I’m particularly reminded of the place football holds in the heart of such a special nation. I think it will be the best World Cup yet. Brazilians are so infectiously happy that it will rub off on everybody. That is what happened with me – I look back on my memories with fondness.
What advice would you give anyone about moving/working overseas?
SB: You have to be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. Embrace the culture, do things you wouldn’t usually, meet as many of the locals as you can and explore the area. Always say yes. There will be times when you miss home – it is only natural – but the benefits of moving/working overseas far outweigh these negatives.
An English footballer plying his trade abroad – the two don’t often mix well. What were your main challenges and what did you do to adapt to such a different culture?
SB: The standard of living was a big shock. The whole football team – 28 of us – lived in three bedrooms in a converted garage on the edge of the Sorriso favelas. It was cramped and it was filthy, but it was home. We were served rice and beans every single meal. I found the food bland and repetitive. Then there was the heat. It was so hot that I would sweat when I ate. Even the Brazilians from more southern areas found it very hot. You get used to these challenges. My team-mates really helped. I made good friends with them, such good friends that I began not to notice these poor living conditions. I’d explore the local area with them, go out to parties and cafés in the city, meet with locals, swim in the river and venture into the small patches of rainforest still remaining. By immersing myself in the Brazilian culture I became happy and content.
What qualities does a great coach/manager need?
SB: They need to show great belief in every single player and make that player feel an important part of the system they implement. They create an environment where players are not afraid to go out of their comfort zones and attempt the unusual. They need to be positive with their feedback whilst pointing to areas in which players can improve. Everyone needs to be valued.
What did you learn about Brazil/Brazilians and what did the country/people teach you?
SB: They are the happiest people on Earth and their joy is infectious. It is a special country. At the same time Brazil as a country has a long way to go. There are millions of people in poverty and public services such as schools and hospitals are woefully inadequate. The government needs to invest in the future. It is no surprise there has been such social unrest as a result of this World Cup. The country also taught me a lot about myself. I grew up fast in Brazil, I guess I had to. I was only 18 when I went out there. The people taught me how happy you can be without having much in life. Material objects are not important, people and friendships are. The most important life lesson learnt was that everything happens for the best. Even if it doesn’t, adopting this mindset allows you to remain positive at all times. This was the Brazilian mentality.
Feijoada or fish and chips?
SB: If I’m going to a classy restaurant it would probably be feijoada. If it's the same bland, tasteless, mass-produced feijoada I was served every single meal throughout my stay – even on Christmas Day – I’d have to go with fish and chips, I’m afraid.
Any advice for Roy Hodgson and the England players?
SB: Embrace the chance to experience such a special country. Go out and meet the Brazilian people – you could inspire so many millions of people. Most of all enjoy it. It is the Brazilian way, after all.
An England futsal international, Burkett is currently completing an MA in American Literature at the University of Loughborough. The book is edited by acclaimed football writer, Ian Ridley.
To get in the mood for the World Cup, I put some questions to him ahead of the greatest show on earth...
Seth, an incredible story and riveting read. The World Cup in Brazil must bring back a lot of memories for you…
SB: So many memories come flooding back, the majority of them filled with happiness and joy. I’m particularly reminded of the place football holds in the heart of such a special nation. I think it will be the best World Cup yet. Brazilians are so infectiously happy that it will rub off on everybody. That is what happened with me – I look back on my memories with fondness.
What advice would you give anyone about moving/working overseas?
SB: You have to be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. Embrace the culture, do things you wouldn’t usually, meet as many of the locals as you can and explore the area. Always say yes. There will be times when you miss home – it is only natural – but the benefits of moving/working overseas far outweigh these negatives.
An English footballer plying his trade abroad – the two don’t often mix well. What were your main challenges and what did you do to adapt to such a different culture?
SB: The standard of living was a big shock. The whole football team – 28 of us – lived in three bedrooms in a converted garage on the edge of the Sorriso favelas. It was cramped and it was filthy, but it was home. We were served rice and beans every single meal. I found the food bland and repetitive. Then there was the heat. It was so hot that I would sweat when I ate. Even the Brazilians from more southern areas found it very hot. You get used to these challenges. My team-mates really helped. I made good friends with them, such good friends that I began not to notice these poor living conditions. I’d explore the local area with them, go out to parties and cafés in the city, meet with locals, swim in the river and venture into the small patches of rainforest still remaining. By immersing myself in the Brazilian culture I became happy and content.
What qualities does a great coach/manager need?
SB: They need to show great belief in every single player and make that player feel an important part of the system they implement. They create an environment where players are not afraid to go out of their comfort zones and attempt the unusual. They need to be positive with their feedback whilst pointing to areas in which players can improve. Everyone needs to be valued.
What did you learn about Brazil/Brazilians and what did the country/people teach you?
SB: They are the happiest people on Earth and their joy is infectious. It is a special country. At the same time Brazil as a country has a long way to go. There are millions of people in poverty and public services such as schools and hospitals are woefully inadequate. The government needs to invest in the future. It is no surprise there has been such social unrest as a result of this World Cup. The country also taught me a lot about myself. I grew up fast in Brazil, I guess I had to. I was only 18 when I went out there. The people taught me how happy you can be without having much in life. Material objects are not important, people and friendships are. The most important life lesson learnt was that everything happens for the best. Even if it doesn’t, adopting this mindset allows you to remain positive at all times. This was the Brazilian mentality.
Feijoada or fish and chips?
SB: If I’m going to a classy restaurant it would probably be feijoada. If it's the same bland, tasteless, mass-produced feijoada I was served every single meal throughout my stay – even on Christmas Day – I’d have to go with fish and chips, I’m afraid.
Any advice for Roy Hodgson and the England players?
SB: Embrace the chance to experience such a special country. Go out and meet the Brazilian people – you could inspire so many millions of people. Most of all enjoy it. It is the Brazilian way, after all.
An England futsal international, Burkett is currently completing an MA in American Literature at the University of Loughborough. The book is edited by acclaimed football writer, Ian Ridley.
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