By Richard Brody
How many times have you said, or heard others say, that something doesn't make any sense, or that you should use some common sense? Fortunately, or probably unfortunately, common sense is generally almost anything but common practice! Effective leadership is about enhancing one's organization, and that neither means embracing the status quo (and avoiding any change), nor does it mean dismantling everything, reinventing the wheel, and making numerous changes (often apparently simply for change sake). Great leaders analyze what has been, what is, and what they believe should be, evaluating how things have been and are presently being done, and building on those things have proven effective by merely adapting them in an evolutionary manner, while simultaneously realizing that not everything may be worth maintaining and continuing. There is always a decision that must be made, which is making a choice between an evolutionary approach versus a more revolutionary one.
1. The evolutionary approach uses a step - by - step, gradual way of doing things. It requires a recognition that each group has some degree of heritage, and a large proportion of its constituents have an affinity and loyalty to that history and what it includes. However, it means that while one should recognize and honor the approach, the smart leader carefully and transparently explains and shows why there is the need to continuously adapt and evolve. In this way, loyal constituents feel included in the change, while much attention is paid to the vision and missions of the organization. Great leadership is about uniting others towards a common and meaningful vision, that drives an essential purpose and approach.
2. Revolutionary leadership is rarely the best way to proceed. It does not make much sense to throw the baby out with the bath water, and this approach often does so. When groups evolve and adapt, and the needs for this approach are carefully and transparently explained, organizations have their optimal opportunity to be sustainable.
It is never enough to simply proclaim that you want to use the evolutionary approach, but rather, it is only significant and/ or meaningful, when one realizes that this requires considerable vision and discipline. The most practical and true way to assure the direction moved in is a positive one, is to use a zero - based budget where needs and direction lead the agenda. While many would agree that this approach makes obvious common sense, we rarely actual see any of this implemented!
Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well over a thousand articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead
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