How To ‘Build High-Performing Organizations’

Photo by Tim Gouw on Pexels.com

Great things don’t happen by accident. There are great leaders behind them. There are great people doing great things, taking risks.

According to Eric Douglas, ‘In a value-driven organizations, managers can delegate decisions and ask people to think for themselves.’

‘When people act on the basis of clearly understood values- linked to performance measures- they are naturally engaged in making the right decisions consistently over time.’

‘Successful leaders should strive to instill a culture of values-based decision making throughout their organizations. When they do, the results can be extraordinary.’

‘Effective meeting management is more than a discipline; it’s a way of thinking about value.’

Communication systems need to default to sharing, not hoarding, key information about company performances.’

‘Training workshops need to build competencies that align with the core values.’

Good leaders devote considerable energy and time to a deep examination of the organization’s core values. By doing so, they get to the heart of what is essential for the customers and shareholders- and thus essential for success.’

Great leaders build trust by defining vision. People want to know that there’s a plan and a direction.’

‘To understand the difference between a great company and a mediocre one, look at its people.’

Effective leaders don’t let their teams stay broken for long. They take the time to communicate and regenerate the sense of team trust.’

‘Effective leaders lighten the pressure in ways that help people learn to trust one another.’

Source:

Eric Douglas (2014). The Leadership Equation: 10 Practices That Build Trust, Spark Innovation, and Create High-Performing Organizations

What ‘Experimental Leaders’ Know About Leadership

The experimental leader is a new kind of boss, one that observes, tests, and adjusts according to the outcomes.’

‘… experimental leaders … create stability in an unstable world. They open the doors for change so innovation can emerge.’

Being curious about small improvements and small observations is what being an experimental leader is about. It isn’t about throwing the whole business or process out and starting over again.’

Neutrality and curiosity are at the heart of becoming an experimental leader.’

Become inquisitive about how you lead now, and picture the kind of leader you want to grow into.’

The experimental mindset requires you to hold on to an end-of-state as your goal, experiment in incremental ways, and assess your success, adjusting as you go.’

‘The experimental leadership is action-based, so it is essential that you act before you necessarily understand.’

Pay attention. Over time, you will see small changes become profound shifts.’

‘Intents describe what will be accomplished. Your people determine how the work will be done.’

Know the work of your team. Help them track progress. Engage them in questions to spark new discoveries. Above all, foster curiosity.’

Create an atmosphere in which your team knows and feels it’s good for you to see their work, especially the imperfections.’

What can you do today to move forward by tomorrow?’

Source:

Melannie Parish (2020). The Experimental Leader: Be a New Kind of Boss to Cultivate and Organization of Innovators