Leadership Performance Behaviors For Success
In addition to the 5E leadership behaviors (envision, engage, empower and enable, execute) that drive better performance and better results, here are 7 proven management and leadership behaviors based on my more than 50 years of experience across public and private, large and small, companies and nonprofits.
BE CUSTOMER FOCUSED
Know who your customer is, and commit to meet or exceed customer requirements. The customer is the real boss.
BE THE CHANGE
To paraphrase Gandhi, be the change you want to see in your business, at your company, in your community. We are competing for customers in a VUCA world - one that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Seek to understand the change swirling around you. Commit to get in front of the change that’s most relevant to your business.
BEHAVE LIKE AN OWNER
Even if you do not own one share of your company, think and act like the owner. What would the owner do if you were in their shoes?
At P&G, one of our five core values was ownership. We made sure everyone owned shares in the company because we wanted every employee to behave like an owner. That means serving the needs of customers, working constructively with fellow employees, and doing the right thing for the long-term growth and health of the company business.
BE PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE
Do what you say you will do with a personal commitment to perform your best and to deliver the expected result.
BE A TEAM PLAYER
Play your position, do your job, deliver results. Make the team better, help the team deliver desired company results.
BE SOLUTION DRIVEN
One of my best bosses had a plaque front and center on his desk that read: Are you here with the solution, or just another part of the problem? Bring solutions to problems. When you can, turn problems into opportunities, and pursue ways to take full advantage of them. Don’t dwell on problems, or become part of one.
BE RESPECTFULLY COURAGEOUS
Be honest, forthcoming and straightforward. Put your customers, the company, the team ahead of your personal ambitions. The shortest path to success is win-win win-win. Learn how to be a servant leader, and you will be surprised how fast you will develop and grow (and how successful you’ll become).
