Question: Why is good leadership important to a company’s success?
ANSWER: Let me use a metaphor to answer that question. If an organization were a car, it would need many parts to make it run, including an engine (systems) and tires (people). The car would need a destination or purpose (meeting customer needs). And, without fuel (a set of core values), the car would sputter.
The car doesn’t move, though, without a driver (the leader). Someone has to put the car in gear (getting people engaged), release the parking brake (neutralizing weaknesses), press the gas (leveraging strengths and assets), monitor the gauges on the dashboard (performance indicators such as employee turnover, gross sales, return on investment, etc.), and steer the car on the often bumpy road ahead (economic, political, social uncertainties).
Q: How does a CEO shape a company’s employees into a team?
A: Too often, people are asked to work as a team without a clear definition of “teamwork.” There are two key elements of teamwork: individual effort and interdependence. A true team player exhibits both qualities. Individual effort means doing your share, pulling your weight and working hard. Interdependence refers to the ability to get along with others, helpfulness and cooperation. True teamwork requires both.
Q: How does a leader promote teamwork?
A: There are three keys to make this happen. First, the CEO and his/her entire leadership team must exhibit these behavior patterns and set a good example. Second, leaders must make it explicitly clear that individual effort and interdependence are expected of all employees, no exceptions. Third, leaders must immediately address any team member who fails to meet performance expectations, exhibits unacceptable behaviors or whose behaviors are detrimental to team alignment and harmony.
Q: What are some qualities a good leader should have?
A: To build trust, a good leader must exhibit three critical qualities, all ending in the letters “R-I-T-Y.”
>> Charity: A good leader comes from the “heart” by caring for others and giving generously of his time and expertise.
>> Clarity: A good leader provides a clear organizational mission and strategy and openly and honestly communicates this to his people.
>> Integrity: A good leader “walks his/her talk.” They are promise-keepers who consistently match actions to words.
Q: How does a leader create a clear sense of purpose for employees?
A: This is simple: Make sure everyone knows the “big why” of the organization. The “big why” represents the ultimate reason for the company’s existence. The best method is to converge on a single word to articulate this purpose. Think of Kaiser Permanente and its “big why” word that conveys good health, “Thrive,” or Big Island Candies’ focus on gift giving captured in the Japanese word “omiyage.”
Q: How do you increase productivity with limited resources?
A: Think of your team members as wood choppers. Productivity means getting team members to split the maximum amount of wood in a given time frame with whatever resources you can provide.
When resources are limited, leaders must offset this by doing “more with better” — better focus, communication, coordination, education, listening and collaboration.
Q: What kinds of questions should leaders ask themselves as they work to achieve this task?
A: Have you set productivity and quality standards? How much wood must one chop in a given hour (quantity)? What does a good chop look like (quality)? Do you have the right people performing this task (competent and committed)? Is the systemic flow of wood to the choppers well organized and efficient? Is the condition of the wood suitable for chopping? Do team members have the right equipment? Have work protocols been clearly defined and continually improved? Are team players properly trained? Are your people working safely? Is leadership responsive to the needs of the people and open to suggestions for improvement?
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Interviewed by Alan Yonan, Star-Advertiser
