Thoughts on enterprise and business unit leadership!
Some Mozart time journaling on how to lead an enterprise.............
Guiding Purpose - Vision:
Have a clear purpose that unifies and engages everyone from the boardroom to the shop floor. This provides meaning to ‘everyday work’ and ensures everyone is aligned and pulling in the same direction. It needs to be more than making money. Ask: Why do we exist? What business are we in (not in)?
Alignment:
Clarity of vision, purpose and goals, help create alignment. Ensure everyone knows how what they do aligns with the 'big picture’. Relentlessly communicate.
Right people:
As Jim Collins states, get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus (and quickly). Have clarity on who aligns to your culture with regard to attitude and behaviours. Avoid compromising and be willing to help good performers move on when they operate outside of your values.
In-touch leadership:
Constantly role model desired behaviours and remain in constant and visible touch.
Small empowered teams:
Hire great people who are aligned to your purpose and behaviours and let them get on with it. Set the direction and be guardians of the culture but not the task. Remove ‘red tape’ and bureaucracy.
Relentless communication:
Use every opportunity and medium to communicate the same fundamental messages again and again! Communication influences and guides behaviour.
Bravery:
Back the purpose/vision and behaviours, make the "big" calls that might go against conventional wisdom. Believe in what you are doing, in your people and in the values.
Set your own standards:
Why benchmark against the competition - if you believe you are or want to be the best benchmark to your own standards and seek continuous improvement.
Sense of history:
Have a very strong sense of you history, and constantly re-tell your story to re-connect with your heritage and the origin of your purpose and values. Avoid living in the past by using this origin story to inspire your people and energise your future growth.