Working with a group of intelligent, experienced and committed leaders, it was interesting that they would defend their actions by suggesting spending time talking to build relationships, strategise and review was essentially too time consuming and got in the way of getting the task done.
Chris Rodgers in his rigorous and practical book Informal Coalitions argues the primary tool of leaders is talk (in its broadest sense, including all aspects of interacting including listening, non verbals etc).
For leaders, he says talk is action.
I tend to agree.
As a leader, if you are not talking (virtually or face to face!) to…
- co-create an inspiring future
- provide a compelling vision
- set a clear direction
- reimagine and reshape
- galvanise collective spirit
- invite people to ‘sense-make’
- build relationships, partnerships and coalitions
- appreciate all contributions
- connect and collaborate
- stretch and support
- enable mutual understanding
- spark creativity and innovation
- stimulate perspectives
- challenge thinking
- empathise and encourage
- seek wisdom
- share information
- validate and review
- give space
- …
… then what are you doing??
So perhaps time for some self talk to reflect on 2 questions:
1) what talk am I doing and what impact is it having?
2) what talk am I not doing and what impact is it having?
If you would like help with that reflection through a coaching conversation, please contact Earth Converse.
Sources:
- Rodgers, C. (2007) Informal Coalitions: mastering the hidden dynamics of organisational change, Palgrave Macmillan, NY.
- Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash