Acute observation, intense listening and the desire to reach the truth will perhaps undeniably enable a leader to effectively drive to the heart of a requirement, issue or challenge!

Stripping away irrelevant detail does not however always simplify matters – Prevaricators, bull-shitters, those with a hidden agenda and the incompetent will often times find themselves exposed … Resulting in varied reaction along the Richter Scale…

Can it be safely said then that a leader, able to see things simply and honestly, will require a healthy dose of courage and tenacity to survive?  Both of these elements have their roots (why factor) in care/empathy… otherwise known in corporate world as service-orientation. 

Our leadership development programs place strong emphasis on empowering leaders to access innate ability to read situations simply and accurately … and to forward-think in anticipation of any eventual impact/consequence!

Of course, as is so often seen, it all starts with primary leadership goals/objectives – What does an individual really want to see happen at any point in time?
Understanding the simplicity of subjective objectives in the context of objective circumstance is a complicated business. We believe that it is at this point that true leadership can be identified!

If you have a few minutes check out the following clip: Björk interviews Arvo Pärt – In the sublime realm of music, the same philosophy is so beautifully expressed…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pDjT1UNT3s

I particularly noticed Pärt’s ability to juggle inevitable opposites – A concept that appears increasingly resisted in a world that demands/expects absolutes and the illusion of certainty!

For more information about customized Leadership Training/Coaching: (416) 962-6700

Despite the incessant meeting of time, budget and bottom-line parameters, an effective leader would perhaps do well to, at very least, to acknowledge creative individual/team input. So often different or critical thinking is regarded as tangential, time-wasting or even negative.

It is surely a strong service-orientation that would most often prompt suggestion or unsolicited input?
Consistent dismissal or ignoring of ideas will, with time, de-motivate the most committed individual. De-motivated people quit, or worse, stay on as a bitter and negative influence.

Consider the words of maverick/iconoclastic WWII hero Orde Wingate:

“A man who possesses creative ability tends inevitably to form his own original opinions. Unless he is very fortunate the value of his opinions will not be apparent to his superiors unless there is some acid test to which they can be put”  

Wherever possible/appropriate a good leader will provide the occasion for such a test. Innovative/forward thinking forestalls problems, sustains the competitive edge… and in the long term, saves money!  

In the interview/hiring process both the hirer and prospective employee should ascertain the level/percentage that strategy VS execution is desired/required!

As direct offshoot from our Corporate Intelligence Program we have successfully delivered a 2-day training pilot for this exciting and relevant new offering: 

The Situation  

A growing IT solution provider ready to move to the next level in terms of growth and steps to establish a clear competitive edge 

The Challenge 

Lack of available budget to hire required expertise 

The Task 

 To explore the availability of existing, but untapped expertise in the current team resource pool; An interactive discussion format allows for an organic/flexible evolution of team performance/results – This is not a canned/pre-set program. 

The Program Objectives 

·          Stocktaking of current team responsibilities existing and conscious team expertise and experience·          Via everyday and fun exercises, demonstrate to team members their innate ability to access unconscious knowledge and provide workable solutions

·          Up the ante, using newly learned techniques to explore real operational challenges/problems/objectives solutions and possibly arrive at sustainable and cost-effective solutions     

Short Term Results 

·          Clear individual ability to think laterally and access hitherto hidden or dormant expertise

·          Team preparedness to consider the bigger picture and cross job-description boundaries where necessary

·          Potentially workable solutions delivered within available budget 

Long Term Results 

·          Increased awareness of, and individual connection (across the board) to, service-oriented leadership

·          Enhanced/sustainable work ethic   

Should this program resonate, please call Rodger Harding for more information: (416) 962-6700 

The program respects client confidentiality at all times!

 “Expression is all we want… not knowledge, but vent: We know enough; but have not leaves and lungs for a healthy perspiration and growth” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (Selected Journals 1841-1877)