As a leader you have a team, a very important team. This is the team that leads the company forward. They are also leaders of other teams.
The question you need to ask them is, “whose team are you on?” Are they focused on the team they are leading or are they focused on being a member of your team? While it seems logical that leading their team should be their most important role, in reality they need to first be members of your team. This is a concept Patrick M. Lencioni discusses in his book The Advantage.
Each member of the leadership team must put the organizational goals ahead of the goals of the team they lead. When this is the way things are done, the strength of the organization is increased by the focus and awareness of where the organization is going. It also creates a level of awareness that will permeate throughout the whole organization as to what’s important to accomplish.
It’s when the members of the leadership team are more concerned with their goals that turf wars and behind the scenes grandstanding is more likely to take place.
Ask the members of your leadership team which team is more important and then watch how they behave to see what they really believe. As the organization’s leader and visionary, it’s important that your team members are working with you to accomplish the goals that will move the organization forward.
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Jane works with CEOs, Partners, Principals and Executives who are looking for Clarity, Focus and Release. My clients and colleagues call me a thought provoking Business Therapist. My focus is helping overwhelmed executives regain clarity, let go of ambiguity, uncertainty and fear, while bringing focus to their goals and objectives. I ask the hard questions knowing that you’re ready to answer them.
Jane is also the author of Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Kick Your Fears in the Ass.
Additional information is available at www.lovasconsulting.com. Contact Jane by email jlovas@lovasconsulting.com or by telephone at 703.594.6028.