Did you
know that people who lead strategically resemble fine-tuned
machines? By focusing on their strategies, leaders see a
bigger picture, they understand the reasons why and
recognize the worthiness of elusive opportunities.
Effective
leaders make strategic use of and add value to every
challenge in four important ways:
1) Thinking through the lessons to be learned in each
situation;
2) Leveraging the available sources, imports and exports of
energy;
3) Boosting weak, diffused signals and messages of meaning;
4) Sharpening the leading edge of innovative efforts - their
people.
What are these attributes of strategic leaders? Let's
describe those functions by comparing them with common
mechanical devices:
=> Engine - converting one energy source into a greater or
more focused source of energy;
=> Pump - concentrating and directing a source of energy in
such a way as to provide a focal point for the user of that
energy;
=> Processor - manipulation of energy in such a way as to
make a value, logic or null based decision to channel that
original energy source;
=> Channel - a directing of or being a conduit for energy
without adding or enhancing that energy source in any
appreciable way;
=> Amplifier - the expansion of energy by using methods of
analysis in such a way so as to increase or strengthen the
original energy source;
=> Filter - maintaining smooth, stable, unpolluted flows of
energy through the cleansing, clarifying process of open and
honest communications
=> Catalyst - that which encourages and facilitates speedy,
significant course changes or positive actions
=> Transformer - the conversion of energy into another form
so as to increase or enhance the magnitude of the original
energy source;
=> Synthesizer - combining or composing the elements of an
energy source in such a way as to create a new or greater
whole form of energy;
=> Carburetor - mixing or combining a supply of energy in
such a way as to facilitate a more powerful or effective use
of that energy source.
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Making skilled use of leadership in these suggested roles
could improve, energize and empower the success of your
strategic planning process. By being mechanical you could
become an instrument which enables energy flows.
Remember energy can not be created and it can not be
destroyed. However, energy can be re-directed, converted
into new forms or released into the environment and become
another form of energy.
You could also think of using these mechanical processes to
develop, train and nurture the leadership behaviors, skills
and competencies of your people.
"Dreams grow holy put in action; work grows fair through
starry dreaming, But where each flows on unmingling, both
are fruitless and in vain." - Adelaide Anne Procter
Are you using your planning process to energize and
electrify the commitment of your people to imaginatively
exploit the opportunities of change? Leaders help transform
dreams into holy action and energizing, empowering work
products.
Be that strategic leader who empowers others to be proud of
and enjoy the fruits of their labors!
Bill Thomas teaches leadership techniques using strategic,
innovative, evolutionary-focused concepts - his 2-Volume,
how-to Manual, "Strategic Organizational Leadership: Create
& Deliver Fail-Proof, Breakthrough Plans", uses an
energizing process of group development to produce value
empowered results! "See it, Plan it, Lead it, Improve it!"
http://www.leadership-toolkit.com/planning.html
