Helping Good Leaders Face Tough Realities
 

The definition of genius is the ability to hold two opposing thoughts simultaneously.  The most dramatic example of this in my experience is the ability to passionately want a particular outcome, yet be indifferent if it doesn't happen.   This kind of genius is a powerful asset for a leader who wants people to follow, freely and willingly.  Here's why.

Every organization faces new, tough realities.  Competition is more aggressive.  Margins fall.  Budgets get cut.  New technology and processes.  New org structures.  The pursuit of productivity gains and new efficiencies never ends.  Leaders are paid to decide a new direction in the face of these realities, and then implement. 

Make it happen.  Bring in results, not excuses.  Do it with passion and conviction.

Here's the problem.  When a leader is full of passion and conviction, it actually turns off a core group of people.  Cynics say to themselves, "What's in it for him/her?"   They suspect there's a hidden agenda with an ulterior motive, like, "This'll make him look good while we get stuck with all the extra work."  The leader's passion is suddenly an obstacle!

A genius of a leader is able to detach him/herself from whether the new direction succeeds.  Such a leader is inner-driven: "My organization's success does not define me."  With this leadership frame of mind, the message becomes clear - "This new direction is what I believe is best, but maybe it's not.  Maybe it will be roaring failure.  You decide for yourself.   All I know is I've made my decision - to fully support it."

Great athletes do this.  Tiger Woods, Reggie Jackson, Wayne Gretzky.  They are aware of the huge significance of the situation, yet cool, calm and focused.  Able to focus on what is important and not get over-excited because of an underlying fear they might fail - might be wrong - might not have what it takes... The result is they rise to the occasion and pull the rest of the team along with them.

When do you need to be a leadership genius?  Is it the crucial moment when you need to convince your boss or client to buy the idea you're selling?  Is it the moment when you find out your colleague didn't deliver on a deadline, and now your back is up against the wall?  Is it the moment of truth in a meeting when you know you should speak up against an idea you disagree with even though everyone else supports it?

In order to be  a leader with this kind of genius, you have to be unattached to the outcome.  Then you will easily have the courage to W.I.N....do What's Important Now - by speaking your truth while giving others permission to make up their own minds at their own pace.  You'll be surprised how often they will come around to your way of thinking simply because you didn't try to pressure them into agreeing with you.

These are nerve-racking moments that will reveal whether you are a leadership genius... or not.

John Kuypers

What do you do?  Fire them?  They are often your most experienced, high producing leaders.  They just disagree with the new direction.  They genuinely believe that the new way is bad for business, won't work and will result in lost customers and lower profits.  AND MAYBE THEY'RE RIGHT!

Or maybe they just like things they way they used to be.  They object to budget cuts, reduced staff, and changes in the way decisions are made and work gets done. 

If you've tried to win them over and it hasn't worked, your new direction is going to be a struggle.  It will take longer, cost more, and have lower likelihood of success.  Unless you're willing to fire half your workforce,  you are facing a tough reality.

One solution may be our Tough Realities group coaching program.  This is a leadership program to turn around the people who don't buy into the new direction.   Done weekly or bi-weekly in groups of five to ten managers, Tough Realities is a program that helps often veteran staff get over the way things used to be and willingly explore new ways in the new environment.  This add-on program is the grease that makes the wheels of organizational change turn with lower costs, higher productivity and a lot less squealing...

Contact us or go to http://www.winleadership.com/Programs/toughrealities.htm  for more information.

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